R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots): A Fantastic Melodrama in Three Acts and an EpilogueČapek, Karel
Science
R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots): A Fantastic Melodrama in Three Acts and an Epilogue
Čapek, Karel
Czech drama -- Translations into English; Robots -- Drama; Science fiction plays
HELENA. But you--
DOMIN. _They_ remembered.
HELENA. Who?
DOMIN. Busman, Hallemeier--_all_ of them. Put your hand in my pocket.
HELENA. (_Takes necklace from his Left jacket pocket_) Oh! Pearls! A
necklace! Harry, is this for me?
DOMIN. It’s from Busman.
HELENA. But we can’t accept it, can we?
DOMIN. Oh, yes, we can. (_Puts necklace on table L.C._) Put your hand
in the other pocket.
HELENA. (_Takes a revolver out of his Right pocket_) What’s that?
DOMIN. Sorry. Not that. Try again. (_He puts gun in pocket._)
HELENA. Oh, Harry, why do you carry a revolver?
DOMIN. It got there by mistake.
HELENA. You never used to _carry_ one.
DOMIN. No, you’re right. (_Indicates breast pocket_) There, that’s the
pocket.
HELENA. (_Takes out cameo_) A cameo. Why, it’s a Greek cameo.
DOMIN. Apparently. Anyhow, Fabry says it is.
HELENA. Fabry? Did Mr. Fabry give me that?
DOMIN. Of course. (_Opens the L.1 door_) And look in here. Helena, come
and see this. (_BOTH exit L.1._)
HELENA. (_Off L.1_) Oh, isn’t it fine? Is this from you?
DOMIN. (_Off L.1_) No, from Alquist. And there’s another on the piano.
HELENA. This must be from you?
DOMIN. There’s a card on it.
HELENA. From Doctor Gall. (_Reappearing in L.1 doorway_) Oh, Harry, I
feel embarrassed at so much kindness.
DOMIN. (_Enters to up R. of table L.C._) Come here. This is what
Hallemeier brought you.
HELENA. (_To up L. of desk_) These beautiful flowers?
DOMIN. Yes. It’s a new kind. Cyclamen-Helena. He grew them in honor of
_you_. They are almost as beautiful as you.
HELENA. (_Kissing him_) Harry, why do they all--
DOMIN. They’re awfully fond of you. I’m afraid that my present is a
little--Look out of the window. (_Crosses to window and beckons to
her._)
HELENA. Where? (_They go out into the balcony._)
DOMIN. Into the harbor.
HELENA. There’s a new ship.
DOMIN. That’s _your_ ship.
HELENA. Mine? How do you mean?
DOMIN. (_R._) For you to take trips in--for your amusement.
HELENA. (_L._) Harry, that’s a gunboat.
DOMIN. A gunboat? What are you thinking of? It’s only a little _bigger_
and more _solid_ than most ships.
HELENA. Yes, but with guns.
DOMIN. Oh, yes, with a few guns. You’ll travel like a _queen_, Helena.
HELENA. What’s the meaning of it? Has anything happened?
DOMIN. Good heavens, no. I say, try these pearls. (_Crosses to R. of
table L.C._)
HELENA. Harry, have you had bad news?
DOMIN. On the contrary, no letters have arrived for a whole week.
HELENA. Nor telegrams? (_Coming into the room C._)
DOMIN. Nor telegrams.
HELENA. What does that mean?
DOMIN. _Holidays_ for us! We all sit in the office with our feet on the
table and take a nap. No letters--no telegrams. Glorious!
HELENA. Then you’ll stay with me today?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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