Fabry. (Humorously) Do you think that the soul first shows itself by a gnashing of teeth? (Men chuckle.)
Helena. Perhaps it’s just a sign that there’s a struggle within. Perhaps it’s a sort of revolt. Oh, if you could infuse them with it.
Domin. That’ll be remedied, Miss Glory. Doctor Gall is just making some experiments.
Dr. Gall. Not with regard to that, Domin. At present I am making pain nerves.
Helena. Pain nerves?
Dr. Gall. Yes, the Robots feel practically no bodily pain. You see, young Rossum provided them with too limited a nervous system. We must introduce suffering.
Helena. Why do you want to cause them pain?
Dr. Gall. 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— (Describes with gesture) —breaks his finger— (Describes with gesture) —smashes his head. It’s all the same to him. We must provide them with pain. That’s an automatic protection against damage.
Helena. Will they be happier when they feel pain?
Dr. Gall. On the contrary; but they will be more perfect from a technical point of view.