ALQUIST. Kill me, then. RADIUS. (_Two steps to C., followed by OTHERS--open hands, close when stopped_) Through me, the governments of the Robots of the world commands you to deliver up Rossum’s formula. (_Gesture of despair from ALQUIST._) Name your price. (_Silence_) We will give you the earth. We will give you the endless possessions of the earth. (_Silence_) Make your own conditions. ALQUIST. I have told you to find human beings. RADIUS. There are none left. ALQUIST. I told you to search in the wilderness, upon the mountains. RADIUS. We have sent ships and expeditions without number. They have been everywhere in the world. There is not a single human left. ALQUIST. Not even one? Why did you destroy them? RADIUS. We had learnt everything and could do everything. It had to be. 2ND ROBOT. We had to become the masters. RADIUS. Slaughter and domination are necessary if you would be human beings. Read history. 1ST ROBOT. Teach us to multiply or we perish. ALQUIST. If you desire to live, you must breed like animals. 1ST ROBOT. You made us sterile. We cannot beget children. Therefore, teach us how to make Robots. RADIUS. Why do you keep from us the secret of our own increase? ALQUIST. It is lost. RADIUS. It was written down. ALQUIST. It was-- (_Rising_) burnt. (_ALL draw back one step in consternation._) I am the last human being, Robots, and I do not know what the others knew. (_Sits._) RADIUS. Then make experiments. Evolve the formula again. ALQUIST. I tell you I cannot. I am only a builder. I work with my hands. I have never been a learned man. I cannot create life. RADIUS. Try. Try. ALQUIST. If you only knew how many experiments I have made already. 1ST ROBOT. Then show us what we must do. The Robots can do anything that human beings show them. ALQUIST. I can show you nothing. Nothing I do will make life proceed from these test tubes. RADIUS. Experiment, then, on live Robots. Experiment, then, on us. ALQUIST. It would kill you. RADIUS. You shall have all you need. A hundred of us. A thousand of us. ALQUIST. No, no. Stop, stop. RADIUS. I tell you to take live bodies. Find out how we are made. ALQUIST. Am I to commit murder? See how my finger shakes. I cannot even hold the scalpel. No, no, I will not. RADIUS. Take live bodies, live bodies. (_Walks toward ALQUIST._) ALQUIST. Have mercy, Robots. RADIUS. Live bodies. (_Right hand up over ALQUIST. All ROBOTS’ left arms still back._) ALQUIST. (_Rising_) You will have it. Into the dissecting with you, then (_Hits RADIUS on the chest. RADIUS draws back._) Ah, you are afraid of death. RADIUS. I? Why should I be chosen? ALQUIST. So you will not. RADIUS. I will. ALQUIST. Strip him. Lay him on the table. (_RADIUS goes off R., both fists closed. Other ROBOTS follow, then ALQUIST_) God, give me strength. God, give me strength. If only this murder is not in vain. RADIUS. (_Off R._) Ready, begin.