R.U.R. | Page 6

they could repeat it back to you word for word, but they never think
of anything new for themselves. They'd make very good university lecturers. After that,
they're sorted and distributed, fifteen thousand of them a day, not counting those that are
defective and go back to the scrap heap... and so on and so on.
Helena: Are you cross with me?
Domin: God no! I just thought we... we might talk about something different. There's just
a few of us here surrounded by hundreds of thousands of robots, and no women at all. All
we ever talk about is production levels all day every day. It's as if there were some kind
of curse on us.
Helena: I'm very sorry I called you... called you a liar.
(knocking)
Domin: Come in, lads.
(Enter, stage left, Fabry, Dr. Gall, Dr. Hallemeier, Alquist)
Dr. Gall: Oh, not disturbing you, are we?
Domin: Come on in. Miss Glory, this is Alquist, Fabry, Gall, Hallemeier. Mr. Glory's
daughter.
Helena: (embarrassed) Good afternoon.
Fabry: We had no idea.
Dr. Gall: This is a great pleasure.
Alquist: It's nice to see you here, Miss Glory.
(Enter Busman, right)
Busman: Hello, what's going on here?
Domin: Come in, Busman. This is Busman, and this is Mr. Glory's daughter.
Helena: Pleased to meet you.
Busman: Oh, that's wonderful! Miss Glory, would you mind if we send a telegram to the
newspapers to say you've come?
Helena: No, no, please don't do that!
Domin: Please, do sit down.
(Fabry, Busman and Dr. Gall pull up armchairs)

Fabry: Please...
Busman: After you...
Dr. Gall: Beg your pardon...
Alquist: Miss Glory, did you have a good journey?
Dr. Gall: Will you be staying here, with us, for long?
Fabry: What do you think of our factory, Miss Glory?
Hallemeier: Came over on the Amelia, did you?
Domin: Quiet, let Miss Glory speak.
Helena: (to Domin) What am I supposed to say to them?
Domin: (surprised) Whatever you like.
Helena: Should I... should I be open with them?
Domin: Of course you should.
Helena: (hesitant, then decided) Tell me, do you not mind the way you're treated?
Fabry: Treated by whom?
Helena: Any of these people.
(All look at each other in bewilderment)
Alquist: The way we're treated?
Dr. Gall: How do you mean?
Hallemeier: Oh my God!
Busman: But Miss Glory, dear me!
Helena: Do you not think you could have a better kind of existence?
Dr. Gall: That all depends, Miss Glory, what do you mean?
Helena: What I mean is... (in an outburst)... this is all horrible, it's vile! (standing) The
whole of Europe is talking about what's going on here and the way you're treated. That's
why I've come here, to see for myself, and I find it's a thousand times worse than anyone
ever thought! How can you bear it?

Alquist: What is it you think we have to bear?
Helena: Your position here. You are people just like we are, for God's sake, just like
anyone else in Europe, anyone else in the world! It's a scandal, the way you have to live,
it isn't worthy of you!
Busman: My word, Miss Glory!!
Fabry: But I think there might be something in what Miss Glory says, lads. We really do
live here like a camp of Indians.
Helena: Worse than Indians! May I, oh, may I call you 'brothers'?
Busman: Well, why on Earth not?
Helena: Brothers, I haven't come here on behalf of my father. I'm here on behalf of the
League of Humanity. Brothers, the League of Humanity now has more than two thousand
members. There are two thousand people who are standing up for you and want to help
you.
Busman: Two thousand people! Dear me, that's quite a decent number, that's very nice
indeed.
Fabry: I always say that old Europe hasn't had its day yet. Do you hear, lads, they haven't
forgotten about us, they want to help us.
Dr. Gall: What sort of help do you have in mind? A theatre performance, perhaps?
Hallemeier: An orchestra?
Helena: More than that.
Alquist: Yourself?
Helena: Oh, never mind myself! I'll stay here for as long as it's needed.
Busman: Dear me, that is good news!
Alquist: I'll go and get the best room ready for Miss Glory then, Domin.
Domin: Wait a second, Alquist, I've a feeling Miss Glory hasn't quite finished speaking
yet.
Helena: No, I haven't finished, not unless you mean to shut me up by force.
Dr. Gall: Harry, how dare you!
Helena: Thank you. I knew you'd protect me.

Domin: Excuse me, Miss Glory, but are you sure you're talking to robots?
Helena: (taken aback) Who else would I be talking to?
Domin: I'm afraid these gentlemen are people, just like you are. Just like the