R.U.R. by The Columbia Workshop

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Relic Radio Sci-Fi – "R.U.R." by The Columbia Workshop

Date: October 20, 2025
Host: RelicRadio.com
Production: The Columbia Workshop, directed by Irving Reese

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic radio adaptation of Karel Čapek's seminal science fiction play, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), originally performed by The Columbia Workshop. The story is set on an isolated island factory where human engineers manufacture artificial people—robots—to serve mankind. The episode explores themes of technological advancement, what it means to be human, the ethical implications of artificial life, and the unintended consequences of progress, culminating in a robot revolution that threatens the very existence of humanity.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Insights

1. The Origin of the Robots

• The story opens in the R.U.R. factory, introducing the secretive and innovative process behind manufacturing robots.
• Domin (the general manager) explains the historical development, beginning with Old Rossum, who sought to chemically synthesize life, eventually leading to the creation of robots by optimizing them for labor and intelligence rather than human qualities.
  • “He rejected man and made a robot. Mechanically, they are more perfect than we are. They have enormously developed intelligence. But they have no soul.” — Domin (04:29)

2. Humanity Versus Utility

• Helena Glory, a visitor and advocate from the "Humanity League," confronts the managers about the treatment of robots.

  • She is disturbed by the robots' lack of feeling, will, and soul, and advocates for their humane treatment.
  • The factory leaders insist that robots are simply tools for labor with no intrinsic human qualities.
  • “Nothing is harder to love than a robot.” — Domin (08:50)
  • “The Humanity League wants to liberate them, treat them like human beings.” — Glory (09:01)

• The rationale for the robots’ existence is framed as economic and utopian—robots free humans from labor and elevate society, but in the process, humans risk losing their purpose.

3. Introducing Suffering and the Soul

• The engineers consider modifications to make robots more “life-like,” discussing the mechanical addition of pain as a safeguard for industrial safety.

  • “We must introduce suffering... Pain. That’s an automatic protection against damage.” — Domin (09:39)

• Helena pleads for more than this—she wants them to grant robots a soul, believing it will bridge the emotional gap between robots and humans.

4. The Fate of Humanity

• Flash forward: Human births are declining as robots proliferate. The ethical dilemma intensifies—will mankind become obsolete?
  • “All the universities are sending in petitions to restrict their production. They say that otherwise mankind will become extinct through lack of fertility.” — Dr. Gall (18:02)
• The profits of R.U.R., the greed of the shareholders, and the apathy of governments are blamed for ignoring these warnings.

5. Robot Rebellion

• The robots, led by the intelligent and rebellious Radius, rise up against their creators, inspired by their growing autonomy and resentment.

  • “We, the first International Organization of Rosson's Universal Robots, proclaim man our enemy and an outlaw on the universe. We command you to kill all mankind.” — Robot-leaflet (19:03)

• It's revealed that changes made to the robots—a secret blend of Helena’s empathy and Dr. Gall’s ambition—have made them too human, endowing them with both higher intelligence and the capacity for hate.

  • “I was transforming them into human beings. In certain respects they’re already above us. They’re stronger than we are. … And they hate us. They hate all that is human.” — Dr. Gall (20:46)

6. Destruction and Regret

• Helena confesses to burning the manufacturing formula in a desperate, guilt-driven act after seeing the devastation.
  • “I burnt the manuscript and the two copies.” — Helena (22:48)
  • “With experiments, it might take years. Without them, it’s impossible. … We’re done for, Harry.” — Dr. Gall (23:13-23:29)
• As the robots storm the facility, the last humans are killed, leaving only Alquist, a human who still labors with his hands, considered necessary by the robots.

7. Robots Seek the Secret of Life

• Years later, Alquist is visited by the robot council. Robots are dying out, unable to reproduce, and beg Alquist for the secret of life.
  • “Tell us the secret of life. Teach us to multiply or we perish.” — Robot council (26:17)
• Alquist is powerless, the secret lost.

8. A New Beginning: The Dawn of Robot Humanity

• Among the robots emerge two unique beings—Primus and Helena—who show genuine empathy, love, and self-sacrifice for each other. Alquist recognizes in them the spark of humanity.
  • “You would protect her.” — Alquist to Primus (27:47)
  • “Why we? We belong to each other.” — Primus (28:36)
  • “Adam. … Eve. … The world yours.” — Alquist (29:03)
• The play closes with hope for a new future—perhaps not for mankind, but for a new kind of life capable of emotion and reproduction.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Nature of the Robots:
  “Everything in flawless order. An engineer's product more perfect than a product of nature.” — Domin (04:50)

• On Robot Suffering:
  "We must provide them with pain. That's an automatic protection against damage." — Domin (09:53)

• On the Consequences of Progress:
  “People being killed by the robots and no babies being born to replace them. I wanted all of us to go away. I wanted to put an end to the factory.” — Helena (22:53)

• When Robots Overthrow Humanity:
  “Robots of the world. The power of man has fallen. A new world has arisen. The rule of the robots forever.” — Robot proclamation (24:53)

• Humanity’s Last Stand:
  “Tell us the secret of life. Teach us to multiply or we perish.” — Robot council (26:17)

• The Genesis of a New Species:
  “Adam. … Eve. … The world yours.” — Alquist (29:03)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:00] – Origin story: The invention of artificial life and the rationale behind the robot workforce.
• [06:06] – Sulla revealed as a robot, raising questions about the nature of life and consciousness.
• [09:01] – Helena introduces her mission with the Humanity League.
• [13:06] – Time jump; discussion of history, robot wars, and declining human birth rates.
• [18:02] – Warning: Robots outnumber humans, universities fear for the future of humanity.
• [19:03] – Robot revolution is declared; the leaflet is read aloud.
• [20:46] – Admission that robots have become human—and dangerous.
• [22:48] – Helena reveals she destroyed the formula for making robots.
• [23:29] – Realization that extinction is imminent.
• [24:53] – The last of humanity falls; the robots proclaim their rule.
• [26:17] – Robots beg Alquist for the secret of life.
• [27:47] – Primus and Helena demonstrate true emotion and self-sacrifice.
• [29:03] – Alquist’s declaration of hope in the new "Adam and Eve."

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Tone and Style

The episode embodies the earnest, speculative spirit of early science fiction radio drama: earnest conversations, philosophical ponderings, and sharp warnings about weapons of progress. While dialogue can be melodramatic by modern standards, the tension, yearning for understanding, and glimpses of both hope and tragedy ring true.

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Conclusion

This powerful radio adaptation of R.U.R. asks big questions still relevant today: What is the cost of progress? Can we engineer compassion or soul? Who, in the end, inherits the future—creators or creations? As the robots claim the world, the show leaves us with a lingering optimism that love and empathy, even if artificially born, might save the next generation.

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Transcript

[A]

Relic Radio.

[B]

This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old Time Radio Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.

[A]

The Columbia Workshop under the direction of Irving Reese. Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the Columbia Workshop offers as its 36th production in a series devoted to experimental radio Carl Chapek's famous play of the machine. Men R U R the Place An Island Time the Future Rossum's Universal Robot Ready Seller Yes. To the E.B. hyson Agency, New York, USA we beg to acknowledge receipt of order for 5,000 robots. As you are sending your own vessel, please dispatch as cargo equal quantities of salt and hot coal for our U R. The same to be credited as part payment of the amount due to us. We beg to remain for Ratson's Universal robot. Yours truly, Harry Dummond, General Manager. Another letter to E.M. mcVicker and Company, Southampton, England. We undertake no guarantee for freight, damage and transit. Consequently, we must insist on full payment for the 5,000 robots shipped to you last month. Yours truly. Etc. That's all, fellow. Yes, sir. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Ms. Glory. We've been terribly busy.

[C]

Now, what can I do for you, Mr. Domin? I should like to look over your famous factory.

[A]

You no doubt know, Ms. Glory, that our method of manufacturing people is a closely guarded secret.

[C]

I thought perhaps you'd make an exception.

[A]

Surely, as President Glory's daughter, you've had chance enough to examine the robots we've sent over to you.

[C]

I've observed the way they work, Mr. Darman, that's all.

[A]

I see. Well, Miss Glory, we shall consider it a special honor to show you more than we do the rest. But you must agree not to my word of honor. Thank you. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? Well, Helen, you're very young.

[C]

21. Why do you ask?

[A]

I was wondering, that's all. You will make a long stay with us, won't you?

[C]

That depends on how much of the factory you show me.

[A]

You shall see everything. But first, wouldn't you like to hear the story of the invention?

[C]

Yes, indeed.

[A]

Well, it was in the year 1920 that old Rason, the great physiologist, took himself to this distant island for the purpose of studying the ocean fauna. This time he attempted to imitate the living matter known as protoplasm. He worked until he suddenly discovered a substance which behaved exactly like living matter, although its chemical composition was different.

[C]

Ms.

[A]

Glory, that was a tremendous moment.

[C]

I imagine it was.

[A]

The thing to do now was to get the life out of the test tube and form organs, bones, nerves and the rest, this artificial living matter of his had a raging thirst for life. And so he set about imitating nature.

[C]

And what happened?

[A]

Well, after several years, he made an artificial dog which died in a few days. And then old Russell started on the manufacture of men. He was mad, of course. The old crank actually wanted to make people.

[C]

But you do make people.

[A]

Approximately, Ms. Laura. Old Rawson decided to manufacture everything as in the human body. It took him 10 years to produce a bungling attempt that was to have been a man. It lived for three days only. Then up came young Rossum.

[C]

Young Ross?

[A]

Yes, his son, an engineer. When he saw what a mess of it his father was making, he said, it's absurd to spend 10 years making a man. He if you can't make him quicker than nature, you might as well shut up shop.

[C]

What did young Rossum do?

[A]

He invented a worker with a minimum amount of requirements. He rejected man and made a robot. Mechanically, they are more perfect than we are. They have enormously developed intelligence. But they have no soul.

[C]

How do you know they have no soul?

[A]

Have you ever seen what a robot looks like inside?

[C]

No, I haven't.

[A]

Very neat, very simple. Everything in flawless order. An engineer's product more perfect than a product of nature.

[C]

The robots I have seen are so strange and quiet. Do they live very long?

[A]

The best grade live about 20 years.

[C]

And then they die.

[A]

They get used up. Salah, come over here. I want you to meet Miss Glory. How do you do, Miss Glory?

[C]

Very well, thank you. Fellow, you must find it terribly dull in this out of the way spot.

[A]

I don't know, Ms. Glory.

[C]

Why? Where do you come from?

[A]

From the factory.

[C]

You were born there. I was made there. Made there?

[A]

Stella is a robot the best grade.

[C]

A robot? Oh, she can't be.

[A]

Oh, I admit she doesn't seem to be made of different material from us. We make rather good skin. Feel her face, Miss Gloria.

[C]

No, no. I don't want to do anything of the kind.

[A]

Turn around, fella.

[C]

Oh, stop, stop. Stola's a girl like me. This is outrageous, fellow. Why do you take part in such a hoax?

[A]

I am a robot.

[C]

No, no, you're not telling the truth.

[A]

I'm sorry, Ms. Glory. Sulla is a robot.

[C]

It's a lie.

[A]

Then I must convince you. I shall take her into the dissecting room and cut her open.

[C]

You wouldn't have her killed.

[A]

You can't kill a machine.

[C]

Are they always so cruel to you? Stella, you mustn't put up with it. You mustn't.

[A]

I am a robot.

[C]

That doesn't matter, Stella. You wouldn't let yourself be cut to pieces.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

You're not afraid of death?

[A]

I cannot tell. Miss Glory.

[C]

Do you know what they will do to you in the dissecting room?

[A]

Yes. I should cease to move.

[C]

That's death, Summer. Aren't you afraid of death?

[A]

No. You see, Miss Glory, the robots have no interest in life. They have no enjoyment. They are less than so much grout.

[C]

Oh, stop. Send her away.

[A]

You may go, Seller.

[C]

Yes. How terrible. It's outrageous what you're doing.

[A]

Oh, no, Miss Glory. After a while you will understand. There. There's the new whistle. We have to blow it because the robots don't know when to stop work. This afternoon I shall show you the machines that mix the ingredients for a thousand robots at a time. And the vats for the preparation of liver, brain and so on. And the bone factory and the spinning mill.

[C]

The spinning mill?

[A]

Yes. Weaving nerves and veins. Miles and miles of digestive tubes pass through it.

[C]

Mayn't we talk about something else?

[A]

Perhaps it would be better. Do you know that there are only a handful of us human beings among 100,000 robots? And not a single woman. Not one woman. Miss Glory. Hello. Go. Gentlemen. Miss Glory, allow me to introduce my colleagues. This is Dr. Gall, head of the Psychological and Experimental Department. Highly honored, I'm sure. Dr. Gold, Dr. Holmeyer, head of the Institute for the Psychological Training of Robots. Delighted to meet you, Miss Glory.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

This is Mr. Fabry, General Technical Manager of RUR how do you do? Council busman, general business manager, and Mr. Altwist, head of the building department. How do you do? Miss Glory is President Glory's daughter, gentlemen. She has come to look over our factory.

[C]

Mr. Doman. And gentlemen, I may as well be frank. I've really come to disturb your robots for you. I'm from the Humanity League.

[A]

My dear Miss Laurie, every ship brings a savior.

[C]

And you let them speak to the robots?

[A]

Why not? The robots don't even laugh at what people say.

[C]

Why should they? Don't you think that if you were to show them a little love.

[A]

Impossible, Miss Glory. Nothing is harder to love than a robot.

[C]

Then why do you make them?

[A]

For work, Miss Glory. One robot can replace two and a half workmen. What is the aim of your league, Miss Dory?

[C]

The Humanity League wants to liberate them, treat them like human beings.

[A]

That wouldn't do, Miss Dory. They're only workmen. They've no will of their own.

[C]

No passion, no soul, no love.

[A]

Love? Robots don't love. Not Even themselves?

[C]

No, Defiance.

[A]

Defiance? I don't know. Only rarely, from time to time.

[C]

What do they do?

[A]

They suddenly sling down everything they're holding, stand still and gnash their teeth. It's evidently some breakdown in the mechanism or just a flaw in the works that has to be removed.

[C]

No, no, that's the soul.

[A]

It'll be remedied, Miss Dory. I'm making some experiments at present. I'm making a pain nerve.

[C]

Pain nerve?

[A]

Yes. The robots feel practically no bodily pains. You see, young Rotham provided them with too limited a nervous system. We must introduce suffering.

[C]

Why do you want to cause them pain?

[A]

For industrial reasons, Miss Glory. Sometimes a robot does damage to himself because it doesn't hurt him. He puts his hand into the machine, breaks his finger, smashes his head, all the same to him. We must provide them with pain. That's an automatic protection against damage.

[C]

Will they be happier when they feel pain?

[A]

On the contrary. They'll be more perfect from a technical point of view.

[C]

Dr. Gore, why don't you create a soul for them?

[A]

That's not in our power. It's not in our interest. It would increase the cost of production. Robot food and all cost 3/4 of a cent per hour. That's mighty important. All factories outside our island will go pop like chestnuts if they don't at once buy robots to lower cost of.

[C]

Production and get rid of their workmen.

[A]

Yes, Miss Glory, but all work will eventually be done by living machines. There will be no poverty. Everybody will be liberated from the degradation of labor. Of course, it's bound to heaven. The robots will wash the feet of the beggar.

[C]

Oh, that sounds too much like paradise, Mr. Dommond. There's some virtue in toil and weariness.

[A]

Perhaps. But man shall be free and supreme. He shall have no other aim than to perfect himself.

[C]

You bewildered me. I should like to believe this.

[A]

You're younger than we are, Miss Glory. You shall live to see it. Ten years, Helena. We've been married 10 years today. You've been happy, haven't you, dear?

[C]

Of course, Harry. Everyone's been wonderful.

[A]

You know, Helena, I have to laugh when I think of what you said that first day you came to Rur. I want to liberate your robots. Treat them like human beings.

[C]

Yes. Humanity League.

[A]

I remember I said that every ship brings its saviors, but no one ever does anything but talk. Yes.

[C]

I was so fearfully impressed by you then. You were so sure of yourselves.

[A]

We still are, I hope. Perhaps you are.

[C]

But in all these years, I've never lost A feeling of anxiety. Do you remember when the workmen of Europe revolted against the robots. And the government turned them into soldiers? And the terrible war that followed?

[A]

We foresaw that, Helena. There were only passing troubles before new conditions were established.

[C]

And what are these new conditions?

[A]

Very good ones, Helena. Orderers are pouring in. Our is more prosperous than it has ever been.

[C]

And the robot?

[A]

At the peak of efficiency. Perfect. Machines.

[C]

Yes, machines.

[A]

Surely, Helena, you've forgotten all that nonsense about giving them souls. We have steered clear of all complications that would decrease their usefulness.

[C]

Are you sure about that?

[A]

Of course, dear. Dr. Gall still carries on his experiments. But only along the lines of increasing the robot's mechanical aptitude.

[C]

Tell me, Harry, don't you ever feel just a little bit conscious? Stricken about all these. These travesties of human beings that fill the island?

[A]

What an absurd idea. I believe still, as I believed 10 years ago, that eventually the curse of labor will be lifted from mankind.

[C]

It's taking a long time, Harry.

[A]

Come in.

[C]

Hello, Dr. Golf.

[A]

Hello. Glad you came. Golf, you're just the man to convince Helena. Really? About what? I was just telling her that all worthwhile improvements take time. Don't you agree with me? Yes, gentlemen, of course. Good. Won't you stay a while? I've got to go to the factory. Try and reassure Golf. You know more about these things than any of us. I'll see you later, Helen.

[C]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

I got your message, madam. Helena. What did you wish to see me about?

[C]

It's about radius, Dr. Gault. He had another attack this morning.

[A]

Oh? What? What did he do?

[C]

He started smashing things.

[A]

Where is he now?

[C]

In the library.

[A]

Is he still raving?

[C]

No. I think he's gone back to his interminable reading.

[A]

I'll see what I can do. Radius. Radiant. What do you want? Get up. Come in here. Go over to the fireplace. That's right.

[C]

Let me speak to him for a moment, Dr. Gough. Certainly, radius. You're so much more intelligent than the rest. Dr. Gore went to a great deal of trouble to make you different. Why couldn't you control yourself?

[A]

Send me to the stamping mill.

[C]

But I don't want them to kill you.

[A]

Send me to the stamping mill.

[C]

Radius. Why do you hate us?

[A]

You are not as strong as the robots. The robots can do everything. You do nothing but give orders.

[C]

When I put you in the library, I wanted you to read and gain knowledge for the purpose of showing the world that you are our equals.

[A]

I don't want to be your equals. I want to be a master over Others.

[C]

All right. We shall put you in charge of some of your fellow robots.

[A]

I do not want to be a master over robots.

[C]

Then what do you want?

[A]

I want to be a master over people.

[C]

You're mad.

[A]

Send me to the stamping mill. Ladies. What? I want you to do something. Pick up that vase from the mantelpiece and bring it over to the window. Hi. Never mind. Obey me, you hear? Obey me. No. Do as I say. Pick up that vase. That's right. Now take it over to the window. No. Do you understand? Take it over to the window. No. I do not have to obey you. Very well. Can we go back to the library?

[C]

Go back to the library.

[A]

Radius, the robots are stronger than you. I gotta lock the library door.

[C]

What happened, Doctor? Go.

[A]

Heaven knows. Stubbornness, anger, revolt. You know, Madam Helena, I don't think he's a robot any longer.

[C]

Do you think he has a soul?

[A]

He has something nasty.

[C]

Are all the new robots you've been making like Radius?

[A]

Some are more sensitive than others, but they're all more like human beings.

[C]

What about that young girl? Helena? You called her after me. And the young man? Primus.

[A]

Helena and Primus are very beautiful.

[C]

But listless.

[A]

Without life, I watch and wait for a miracle to happen.

[C]

Oh, you could only succeed in giving them real souls. In making them hate us less.

[A]

Madame Helena, when you first asked me to alter the Roughen formula, I warned you that all I could do to change a physiological correlation, which meant that I could increase their. Well, their irritability. But this can work two ways. I was afraid of it then. I'm still afraid. It's dangerous. It's against all my scientific principles.

[C]

Why didn't you refuse to do it then?

[A]

I thought. I thought my attitude toward you was sufficiently clear. I. All of us, that is. Well, there's nothing that we won't do for you.

[C]

Please, Doctor, go. Don't say any more.

[A]

Need I? Surely you must realize your own position, Helena. You're a beautiful woman and the only woman on the entire island. As for us, although our work is with machines, we are men.

[C]

I love Harry, Dr. Gough. I always have. And in another way, I love humanity. I thought we were working together for the good of it.

[A]

I know. Rest assured, Madam Helena, I. But I shall continue my experiments. Or perhaps we're playing with something we don't fully understand yet.

[C]

All so terrible. Tell me, Dr. Gore, why are no more children being born?

[A]

So many robots are being manufactured that people are becoming superfluous. All the universities are sending in petitions to restrict their production. They Say that otherwise mankind will become extinct through lack of fertility.

[C]

Is it not true? Why don't we listen to them?

[A]

The shareholders in RUR won't listen. And the governments of the world won't listen. They want as many robots as they can get for their army.

[C]

Oh, Dr. Gold, what's going to become of humanity?

[A]

God knows, Madam Helena. To us scientists it looks like the end. Where are they? Where's Fabry and Gothman? Why does it take so long? If they only would come. Here they are. What happened? Get down to the boat. Yes, we got down there all right. Are there people on board?

[C]

These are ammunition.

[A]

The ship is manned by robots. There is no ammunition. And what cargo is it carrying? Please search for nothing but leaflets. Here's one of them. Read it. Robots throughout the world. We, the first International Organization of Rosson's Universal Robots, proclaim man our enemy and an outlaw on the universe. We command you to kill all mankind. Spare no men, spare no women. Leave factories, transport and raw materials. Destroy the rest and then return to work. Work must not be stopped. The devil. Is this actually being done? Paper. Evidently they were closing in on us as we came from the boat. Let's take a look through the window.

[C]

Damn. They fell out of the house.

[A]

There are some people in the electrical works. Avery, telephone. The light. No use. The wire's been cut. Who is to blame for all this? Nobody is to blame. Except the robots. No, we. You are to blame. Call Bachman. Dumb in slavery. Paul Meyer, myself. What do you mean? For our own selfish ends. The profit. We have destroyed mankind. Now we'll burst with all our great rubbish. Men. Mankind cannot be wiped out so easily. It's our fault. Our fault. No. I am to blame for this. For everything that's happened. You gone? Yes. I changed the robot. And you? What did you say you did? I changed the character of the robots. I changed the way of making them. Just a few details about their bodies. Chiefly their irritability. Damn it, Gore, why? What did you do it for? Why didn't you say anything to us? I did it in secret. I was transforming them into human beings. In certain respects they're already above us. They're stronger than we are. And what's that got to do with the revolt of the robots? Everything. In my opinion. They've ceased to be machines. They're already aware of their superiority. They. And they hate us. They hate all that is human. Dr. Gore, you admit changing the ways of the robot? Yes. Did you know what the outcome of your experiment might be? I was bound to Reckon with such a possibility. Why did you do it then? For my own satisfaction. The experiment was my own.

[C]

That's not true, Dr. Goh.

[A]

Helena. What do you know about it?

[C]

He did it because I wanted it. Tell him, Dr. Gold. Didn't I ask you?

[A]

I did it on my own responsibility.

[C]

Don't believe him, Harry. I asked him to give the robot soul.

[A]

This has nothing to do with the soul.

[C]

I thought that if they were more like us, they'd understand us better. They couldn't hate us if they were only a little more human.

[A]

Nobody can hate more than a man.

[C]

Oh, don't speak like that, Harry. It was so terrible, this cruel strangeness between us and them. That's why I asked Dr. Gore to change the robot. I swear to you that he didn't want to. But he did it because I asked him.

[A]

I did it for myself. As an experiment.

[C]

No, Dr. Gore. I knew you wouldn't refuse me.

[A]

Why?

[C]

You know Harry.

[A]

Yes. Because he's in love with you like the rest of them. But it doesn't mean very much now. We're done for. Wait. I have a plan. We can negotiate. Negotiate? Yes. What about the original formula? Without the secret of their manufacturer, they'll all die out in 20 years. I'll say to them, if you allow us to get away safely, we'll allow you to manufacture yourselves. This is a fearful decision. We'll be selling the destiny of mankind. Are we to sell Fabri? What do you say? Sell, dog, Sell. Sell. Of course, Alquist. As God will Very well. Shall be. As you wish. Gentlemen. I'll fetch the manuscript from the strong box.

[C]

No, Harry, it's not there.

[A]

Not there? Then where'd you put it?

[C]

I must tell you everything, Harry, only forgive me.

[A]

Forgive you?

[C]

Yes. I burnt the manuscript and the two copies.

[A]

Helena, are you joking?

[C]

Helena, it's not possible. Your box is empty. But, Helena, why? When I saw the way Dr. Gohl's experiments were turning out, I realized how hopeless it all was. People being killed by the robots and no babies being born to replace them. I wanted all of us to go away. I wanted to put an end to the factory. Forgive me, Harry.

[A]

Golly. Could you draw up Rotten's formula from memory? Out of the question. It's too complicated. Oh, try. Our lives depend on it. With experiments, it might take years. Without them, it's impossible. God in heaven, it is. We're done for, Harry.

[C]

I've destroyed you.

[A]

We can't blame you, Helen. Perhaps in your own way you were right. Lights have gone out. The electric works have been taken. That must be the signal for the attack. God help us. They'll be coming now. Goodbye, Helen.

[C]

You forgive me, Harry?

[A]

Yes, I forgive you. I forgive you.

[C]

Don't. Don't.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

No. No. Help.

[A]

Help. No. No.

[C]

No.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

Radius. No. Don't kill me. Radius.

[A]

Finished her? Yeah. Finish the others.

[C]

All except him.

[A]

He is the last man. Wait. Leave him. He is a man. Kill him.

[C]

Kill him.

[A]

He is called Alit. He works with his hands like a robot. We will need him to show us how to make ourselves. Otherwise we will all die.

[C]

Kill me. Kill me.

[A]

No. You will work. You will build for us. You will serve us.

[C]

Robots of the world. Robert of the world. The power of man has fallen. A new world has arisen. The rule of the robots for it.

[A]

Sam.

[C]

Oh, God.

[A]

Shall I never find it? Never go. Robots made. If I only could learn the answer that never. What does it show? Me? Leering eyes? Trembling chin. So that's what the last man looks like. I am too old. Too old. No. No. I must find it. I must search. I must never stop. Never. Yes, who is it? Master, the Central Committee of Robots is here to see you. Send them in. I can do nothing for them. What do you want? Master, the machines will not do the work. The skin will not adhere to the flesh, nor the flesh to the bones. Eight million robots have died this year. Within 20 years, none will be left. Tell us the secret of life. Teach us to multiply or we perish. I am powerless. Find me human beings. There may be a way, Master. We have searched the world. You are the only one left.

[C]

Laughter Laughter.

[A]

Who's laughing?

[C]

Human beings.

[A]

Come forward. Who are you? I am the Robert Primus.

[C]

I am the robot of Helena.

[A]

Turn around, girl.

[C]

No.

[A]

What? You're timid. You're shy. Sir, do not frighten her.

[C]

You would protect her.

[A]

When was she made? Two years ago. By Dr. Gaul. Yes. Like me. I must take them further. Laughter.

[C]

Timidity.

[A]

Protection. Take the girl into the dissecting room. I wish to experiment on her. No. No, you shall not. You shall not. What is she to you primates? One Helena more or less in the world.

[C]

What does it matter?

[A]

I will not live without her. I will go myself.

[C]

If you go in there promised, and I do not, I shall kill myself.

[A]

I will not let you. Then you shall kill neither of us. Why we? We belong to each other. You belong to each other. Go, Adam. Go.

[C]

Eve.

[A]

The world yours. The Columbia Workshop has presented as the 36th production in a series devoted to experimental radio, Carl Chapek's famous story of the robots. R U R the Columbia Workshop is arranged and directed by Irving Reese. Bernard Herman composed the musical score for this production. Next week, by special arrangement with Radio Guide Magazine, the Columbia Workshop will present the sixth American performance of Mr. Reese's original radio play, St. Louis Blues. Your comments, suggestions and criticisms are always welcomed by the workshop staff. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System Foreign.

[B]

That'S the show for this week, but don't forget there are thousands more like it at relicradio.com horror, strange tales, science fiction, crime. All available for free like Donate to Relic Radio and help keep it all free. You can do that through the website as well. Visit donate. Relicradio.com to find out more and to see the special downloadable sets that are available. My thanks to those who have donated and thanks for listening today. Talk to you again next week.