BUSMAN. Yes. “And that,” I’ll tell them, “contains an account of your illustrious origin, the noble process of your manufacture and so on. Worthy Robots, without this scribble on that paper you will not be able to produce a single new colleague. In another twenty years there will not be the living specimen of a Robot whom you could exhibit in a menagerie. My esteemed friends, that would be a great _blow_ to you, _but_ if you will let all of us human beings on Rossum’s Island go on board that ship we will _deliver_ the factory and the secret of the process to you in return. _You_ allow _us_ to get away, and _we_ will allow _you_ to _manufacture_ yourselves. That, worthy Robots, is a fair deal. Something for something.” That’s what I’d say to them, my boys. (_Sits._) DOMIN. (_Crosses to C._) Busman, do you think we’d sell the manuscript? BUSMAN. Yes, I do. If not in a friendly way, then--either we sell it or they’ll find it. Just as you like. DOMIN. Busman, we can _destroy_ Rossum’s manuscript. BUSMAN. Then we destroy everything--not only the manuscript but ourselves. Just as you think fit. DOMIN. There are over thirty of us on this island. Are we to sell the secret? And save that many souls at the risk of enslaving mankind-- BUSMAN. Why, you’re mad. Who’d sell the _whole_ manuscript? DOMIN. Busman, no cheating! (_To L.C. table._) BUSMAN. Well then, sell, but afterwards-- DOMIN. Well? BUSMAN. Let’s suppose this happens. When we’re on board the _Ultimus_ I’ll stop up my ears with cotton wool, lie down somewhere in the hold, and you’ll train the guns on the factory and blow it to smithereens, and _with_ it Rossum’s secret. FABRY. (_Rises_) No! DOMIN. Busman, you’re no--gentleman. If we sell them it will be a straight sale. BUSMAN. (_Rises_) It’s in the interest of humanity to-- DOMIN. It’s in the interest of humanity to keep our word-- HALLEMEIER. Oh, come, what rubbish! DOMIN. This is a fearful decision. We are selling the destiny of mankind. Are we to sell or destroy? Fabry? FABRY. Sell. DOMIN. Gall? DR. GALL. Sell. DOMIN. Hallemeier? HALLEMEIER. Sell, of course. DOMIN. Alquist? ALQUIST. As God wills. DOMIN. (_Starts off R._) Very well, gentlemen. HELENA. Harry, you’re not asking _me_. DOMIN. (_Stops. To her_) No, child. (_Starting R._) Don’t you worry about it. (_He pats her shoulder._) FABRY. Who’ll do the negotiating? BUSMAN. I will. (_Up to window._) DOMIN. Wait till I bring the manuscript. (_DOMIN goes out R._) HELENA. (_Rises_) Harry, don’t go! (_HELENA sits. ALL look at her. Pause._) FABRY. (_Looking out of window_) Oh, to escape you! you--_matter_--in revolt; oh, to preserve human life, if only upon a _single_ vessel-- DR. GALL. Don’t be afraid. (_Going to back of couch_) Madame Helena. We’ll sail far away from here; we’ll begin life all over again. HELENA. Oh, Gall, don’t speak.