RADIUS. You will work! You will build for us! You will serve us! (_RADIUS climbs on the balcony_) Robots of the world-- (_ROBOTS straighten up._) the power of man has fallen. A new world has arisen, the rule of the Robots, march. (_On the line: “Robots of the world” ALL ROBOTS turn quickly, automatically to attention, facing RADIUS, who is standing. On the words: “The rule of the Robots,” they stand there with their arms vibrating high in the air. They form in two lines, turn to audience and march mechanically to the footlights. As they are about to step over the footlights, as if into the audience, all LIGHTS go out. The ROBOTS immediately step back from the Curtain line as the Curtain falls._) CURTAIN EPILOGUE SCENE: _The epilogue setting is the same as used in Act I. Instead of it being DOMIN’S office, it is now become a laboratory for ALQUIST. A big chair facing up stage, down Right. A desk laden with books at Right Center. A chair at the desk. At Left Center is a white enamel table containing test tubes, glass bottles, and a microscope on downstage table. A door down L. A door down R., leading into dissecting room._ ALQUIST. (_Seated at table R.C., turning pages of book_) Oh, God, shall I never find it? Never? Gall, Hallemeier, Fabry, how were the Robots made? Why did you leave not a trace of the secret? Lord, if there are no human beings left, at least let there be Robots. At least the shadow of man. (_Turning pages_) If I could only sleep. Dare I sleep before life has been renewed? Night again. Are the stars still there? Of what use are the stars? When there are no human beings. (_Examining a test tube_) Nothing. No. No. I must find it. I must search. I must never stop, never stop--search--search-- (_KNOCK at door L._) Who is it? (_Enter a ROBOT SERVANT._) SERVANT. Master, the committee of Robots is waiting to see you. ALQUIST. I can see no one. SERVANT. It is the _Central_ Committee, Master, just arrived from abroad. ALQUIST. Well, well, send them in. (_Exit SERVANT L._) No time--so little done. (_Re-enter SERVANT with RADIUS and group of ROBOTS. They stand in group L. and C., silently waiting._) What do you want? Be quick; I have no time. RADIUS. Master, the machines will not do the work. We cannot manufacture Robots. (_Other ROBOTS remain two abreast at L.C., right foot forward._) 1ST ROBOT. We have striven with all our might. We have obtained a billion tons of coal from the earth. Nine million spindles are running by day and by night. There is no longer room for all we have made. This we have accomplished in one year. ALQUIST. For whom? RADIUS. For future generations--so we thought. But we cannot make Robots to follow us. The machines produce only shapeless clods. The skin will not adhere to the flesh, nor the flesh to the bones. 2ND ROBOT. Eight million Robots have died this year. Within twenty years none will be left. 1ST ROBOT. Tell us the secret of life. RADIUS. Silence is punishable with death.