FABRY. Read that, Domin. (_He hands him a pink handbill. When DOMIN receives the handbill he sees at once that something has happened._) HALLEMEIER. Tell us, Fabry. FABRY. (_Falsely_) Well, everything is all right--comparatively. (_To the other MEN_) On the whole, much as we expected. DR. GALL. They acquitted themselves splendidly. FABRY. Who? DR. GALL. The _people_. FABRY. (_Hesitating_) Oh, yes, of course. That is--Excuse me, there is something we ought to discuss alone. HELENA. (_Touches his arm_) Fabry, have you had bad news? FABRY. No, no, on the contrary. I only think that we better go into the office. HELENA. Stay here. I’ll go. (_Exits L.1._) DR. GALL. What’s happened? DOMIN. Damnation! (_Coming down to R.C._) FABRY. Bear in mind that the _Amelia_ brought whole bales of these leaflets. No other cargo at all. (_GALL closes the door L.2._) HALLEMEIER. What? But it arrived on the minute. FABRY. The Robots are great on punctuality. _Read it_, Domin. DOMIN. (_R.C. Reads handbill_) “Robots throughout the world. We, the first International organization of Rossum’s Universal Robots, proclaim man our enemy, and an outlaw in the universe.” Good heavens, who _taught_ them these phrases? DR. GALL. Go on. DOMIN. They say they are more highly developed than man; stronger and more intelligent. The man’s their parasite. Why, it’s absurd. FABRY. Read the third paragraph. DOMIN. “Robots throughout the world, we command you to kill all mankind. Spare no man. Spare no woman. Save factories, railways, machinery, mines and raw materials. Destroy the rest. Then return to work. Work must not be stopped.” (_Looks at OTHERS._) DR. GALL. That’s ghastly. HALLEMEIER. The devil! DOMIN. “These orders are to be carried out as soon as received.” Then come the detailed instructions. Is this actually being _done_, Fabry? FABRY. Evidently. (_BUSMAN rushes in L.2 and collapses on couch R.C._) By Jove, that was a sprint! BUSMAN. Well, boys, I suppose you’ve heard the glad news. DOMIN. Quick on board the _Ultimus_. BUSMAN. Wait, Harry, wait. There’s no hurry. DOMIN. Why wait? BUSMAN. Because it’s no good, my boy. The Robots are already on board the _Ultimus_. DR. GALL. That’s ugly. DOMIN. Fabry, telephone the electrical works. (_FABRY goes to back of couch._) BUSMAN. No use, my boy. They’ve charged the air with static. DOMIN. (_Inspects his revolver_) Well, then, I’ll _go_. (_Starts L.; stops._) BUSMAN. Where? DOMIN. To the electrical works. There are some _people_ still there. I’ll bring them across. (_Gets as far as L.2 door._) (_WARN Curtain._) BUSMAN. Better not try it. DOMIN. Why? BUSMAN. Because I’m very much afraid we are surrounded. (_ALL rush out into the balcony._) DR. GALL. Surrounded? (_Runs to window_) I rather think you’re right. (_GALL rushes to balcony._) HALLEMEIER. By Jove, that’s deuced quick work. (_Going to windows._) HELENA. (_Runs in L.1. To L._) Harry, what’s this? (_Holds out paper._)