as much as them.
| Helena |
But Nana, I’m surprised you’re not sorry for them. |
| Nana |
Why, you’re scared of them too. You know you are. Why else did you bring me here? |
| Helena |
I’m not scared, really I’m not, Nana. I’m only sorry for them. |
| Nana |
You’re scared. Nobody could help being scared. Why, the dog’s scared of them. He won’t take a scrap of meat out of their hands. He draws in his tail and howls when he knows they’re about. |
| Helena |
The dog has no sense. |
| Nana |
He’s better than them, and he knows it. Even the horse shies when he meets them. They don’t have any young, and a dog has young, everyone has young— |
| Helena |
Turning back. Please fasten up my dress, Nana. |
| Nana |
I say it’s against God’s will to— |
| Helena |
What is it that smells so nice? |
| Nana |
Flowers. |
| Helena |
What for? |
| Nana |
Now you can turn around. |
| Helena |
Turns; crosses to C. Oh, aren’t they lovely? Look, Nana. What’s happening today? |
| Nana |
It ought to be the end of the world. Enter Domin L. 2. He crosses down front of table L. C. |
| Helena |
Crosses to him. Oh, hello, Harry. Nana turns upstage to L. Harry, why all these flowers? |
| Domin |
Guess. This scene is played down in front of L. C. table. |
| Helena |
Well, it’s not my birthday! |
| Domin |
Better than that. |
| Helena |
I don’t know. Tell me. |
| Domin |
It’s ten years ago today since you came here. |
| Helena |
Ten years? Today? Why—They embrace.) |
| Nana |
Muttering. I’m off. She exits L. 1. |
| Helena |
Fancy you remembering. |
| Domin |
I’m really ashamed, Helena. I didn’t. |
| 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? |
| Domin |
Certainly. Embraces her. That is, we will see. Do you remember ten years ago today? Crosses to L. of table L. C. Miss Glory, it’s a great honor to welcome you. They assume the same positions as when they first met ten years before in Domin’s office. |
| Helena |
To table. Oh, Mr. Manager, I’m so interested in your factory. She sits R. of table. |
| Domin |
I’m sorry, Miss Glory, it’s strictly forbidden. The manufacture of artificial people is a secret. |
| Helena |
But to oblige the young lady who has come a long way. |
| Domin |
Leans on table. Certainly, Miss Glory. I have no secrets from you. |
| Helena |
Are you sure, Harry? Leaning on desk, seriously, his right hand on hers. |
| Domin |
Yes. They gradually draw apart. |
| Helena |
But I warn you, sir, this young lady intends to do terrible things. |
| Domin |
Good gracious, Miss Glory. Perhaps she doesn’t want to marry me. |
| Helena |
Heaven forbid. She never dreamt of such a thing. But she came here intending to stir up a revolt among your Robots. |
| Domin |
A revolt of the Robots! |
| Helena |
Low voice. Harry, what’s the matter with you? |
| Domin |
Laughing it off. A revolt of the Robots, that’s a fine idea. Crosses to back of table. She watches him suspiciously. Miss Glory, it would be easier for you to cause bolts and screws to rebel than our Robots. You know, Helena, you’re wonderful. You’ve turned the hearts of us all. Sits on table. |
| Helena |
Oh, I was fearfully impressed by you all then. You were all so sure of yourselves, so strong. I |
