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WorksbySamuelBeckettpublishedbyGrovePress
COLLECTEDPOEMSINENGLISHANDFRENCH
THECOLLECTEDSHORTERPLAYS
(AllThatFall,ActWithoutWordsI,ActWithoutWordsII,Krapp’sLastTape,RoughforTheatreI,RoughForTheatreII,Embers,RoughforRadioI,RoughforRadioII,WordsandMusic,Cascando,Play,Film,TheOldTune,ComeandGo,EhJoe,Breath,NotI,ThatTime,Footfalls,GhostTrio,...buttheclouds...,APieceofMonologue,Rockaby,OhioImpromptu,Quad,Catastrophe,NachtandTräume,WhatWhere)
THECompleteShortProse:1929–1989(Assumption,SedendoetQuiescendo,Text,ACaseinaThousand,FirstLove,TheExpelled,TheCalmative,TheEnd,TextsforNothing1–13,FromanAbandonedWork,TheImage,AllStrangeAway,ImaginationDeadImagine,Enough,Ping,Lessness,TheLostOnes,Fizzles1–8,HeardintheDark1,HeardintheDark2,OneEvening,Asthestorywastold,TheCliff,neither,StirringsStill,Variationsona“Still”Point,FauxDéparts,TheCapitaloftheRuins)
DISJECTA:MiscellaneousWritingsandaDramaticFragment
ENDGAMEANDACTWITHOUT
WORDS
FIRSTLOVEANDOTHERSHORTS
HAPPYDAYS
HOWITIS
ICAN’TGOON,I’LLGOON:ASamuelBeckettReader
KRAPP’SLASTTAPE(AllThatFall,Embers,ActWithoutWordsI,ActWithoutWordsII)
MERCIERANDCAMIER
MOLLOY
MOREPRICKSTHANKICKS
(DanteandtheLobster,Fingal,Ding-Dong,AWetNight,LoveandLethe,WalkingOut,WhataMisfortune,TheSmeraldina’sBilletDoux,Yellow,Draff)
MURPHY
NOHOWON(Company,IllSeenIllSaid,WorstwardHo)
STORIESANDTEXTSFORNOTHING
(TheExpelled,TheCalmative,TheEnd,TextsforNothing1–13)
THREENOVELS(Molloy,MaloneDies,TheUnnamable)
WAITINGFORGOGOT
Copyright©1954byGrovePress,Inc.;copyright©renewed1982bySamuelBeckettCopyrightrenewed©1982bySamuelBeckett
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Estragon,sittingonalowmound,istryingtotakeoffhisboot.Hepullsatitwithbothhands,panting.Hegivesup,exhausted,rests,triesagain.Asbefore.EnterVladimir.
ESTRAGON:(givingupagain).Nothingtobedone.VLADIMIR:(advancingwithshort,stiffstrides,legswideapart).I’mbeginningtocomeroundtothatopinion.AllmylifeI’vetriedtoputitfromme,saying,Vladimir,bereasonable,youhaven’tyettriedeverything.AndIresumedthestruggle.(Hebroods,musingonthestruggle.TurningtoEstragon.)Sothereyouareagain.
ESTRAGON:AmI?
VLADIMIR:I’mgladtoseeyouback.Ithoughtyouweregoneforever.
ESTRAGON:Metoo.
VLADIMIR:Togetheragainatlast!We’llhavetocelebratethis.Buthow?(Hereflects.)GetuptillIembraceyou.ESTRAGON:(irritably).Notnow,notnow.VLADIMIR:(hurt,coldly).MayoneinquirewhereHisHighnessspentthenight?
ESTRAGON:Inaditch.
VLADIMIR:(admiringly).Aditch!Where?
ESTRAGON:(withoutgesture).Overthere.VLADIMIR:Andtheydidn’tbeatyou?
ESTRAGON:Beatme?Certainlytheybeatme.
VLADIMIR:Thesamelotasusual?
ESTRAGON:Thesame?Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:WhenIthinkofit...alltheseyears...butforme...wherewouldyoube...(Decisively.)You’dbenothingmorethanalittleheapofbonesatthepresentminute,nodoubtaboutit.
ESTRAGON:Andwhatofit?
VLADIMIR:(gloomily).It’stoomuchforoneman.(Pause.Cheerfully.)Ontheotherhandwhat’sthegoodoflosingheartnow,that’swhatIsay.Weshouldhavethoughtofitamillionyearsago,inthenineties.
ESTRAGON:Ahstopblatheringandhelpmeoffwiththisbloodything.
VLADIMIR:HandinhandfromthetopoftheEiffelTower,amongthefirst.Wewererespectableinthosedays.Nowit’stoolate.Theywouldn’tevenletusup.(Estragontearsathisboot.)Whatareyoudoing?
ESTRAGON:Takingoffmyboot.Didthatneverhappentoyou?
VLADIMIR:Bootsmustbetakenoffeveryday,I’mtiredtellingyouthat.Whydon’tyoulistentome?
ESTRAGON:(feebly).Helpme!VLADIMIR:Ithurts?
ESTRAGON:(angrily).Hurts!Hewantstoknowifithurts!VLADIMIR:(angrily).Nooneeversuffersbutyou.Idon’tcount.
I’dliketohearwhatyou’dsayifyouhadwhatIhave.
ESTRAGON:Ithurts?
VLADIMIR:(angrily).Hurts!Hewantstoknowifithurts!ESTRAGON:(pointing).Youmightbuttonitallthesame.VLADIMIR:(stooping).True.(Hebuttonshisfly.)Neverneglectthelittlethingsoflife.
ESTRAGON:Whatdoyouexpect,youalwayswaittillthelastmoment.
VLADIMIR:(musingly).Thelastmoment...(Hemeditates.)Hopedeferredmakeththesomethingsick,whosaidthat?
ESTRAGON:Whydon’tyouhelpme?
VLADIMIR:SometimesIfeelitcomingallthesame.ThenIgoallqueer.(Hetakesoffhishat,peersinsideit,feelsaboutinsideit,shakesit,putsitonagain.)Howshalllsay?Relievedandatthesametime...(hesearchesfortheword)...appalled.(Withemphasis.)AP-PALLED.(Hetakesoffhishatagain,peersinsideit.)Funny.(Heknocksonthecrownasthoughtodislodgeaforeignbody,peersintoitagain,putsitonagain.)Nothingtobedone.(Estragonwithasupremeeffortsucceedsinpullingoffhisboot.Hepeersinsideit,feelsaboutinsideit,turnsitupsidedown,shakesit,looksonthegroundtoseeifanythinghasfallenout,findsnothing,feelsinsideitagain,staringsightlesslybeforehim.)Well?
ESTRAGON:Nothing.
VLADIMIR:Show.
ESTRAGON:There’snothingtoshow.
VLADIMIR:Tryandputitonagain.
ESTRAGON:(examininghisfoot).I’llairitforabit.VLADIMIR:There’smanalloverforyou,blamingonhisbootsthefaultsofhisfeet.(Hetakesoffhishatagain,peersinsideit,feelsaboutinsideit,knocksonthecrown,blowsintoit,putsitonagain.)Thisisgettingalarming.(Silence.Vladimirdeepinthought,Estragonpullingathistoes.)Oneofthethieveswassaved.(Pause.)It’sareasonablepercentage.(Pause.)Gogo.ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Supposewerepented.
ESTRAGON:Repentedwhat?
VLADIMIR:Oh...(Hereflects.)Wewouldn’thavetogointothedetails.
ESTRAGON:Ourbeingborn?
Vladimirbreaksintoaheartylaughwhichheimmediatelystifles,hishandpressedtohispubis,hisfacecontorted.
VLADIMIR:Onedaren’tevenlaughanymore.
ESTRAGON:Dreadfulprivation.
VLADIMIR:Merelysmile.(Hesmilessuddenlyfromeartoear,keepssmiling,ceasesassuddenly.)It’snotthesamething.Nothingtobedone.(Pause.)Gogo.ESTRAGON:(irritably).Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:DidyoueverreadtheBible?
ESTRAGON:TheBible...(Hereflects.)Imusthavetakenalook
atit.
VLADIMIR:DoyouremembertheGospels?
ESTRAGON:IrememberthemapsoftheHolyLand.Colouredtheywere.Verypretty.TheDeadSeawaspaleblue.Theverylookofitmademethirsty.That’swherewellgo,Iusedtosay,that’swherewellgoforourhoneymoon.We’llswim.We’llbehappy.
VLADIMIR:Youshouldhavebeenapoet.
ESTRAGON:Iwas.(Gesturetowardshisrags.)Isn’tthatobvious?Silence.
VLADIMIR:WherewasI...How’syourfoot?
ESTRAGON:Swellingvisibly.
VLADIMIR:Ahyes,thetwothieves.Doyourememberthestory?
ESTRAGON:No.
VLADIMIR:ShallItellittoyou?
ESTRAGON:No.
VLADIMIR:It’llpassthetime.(Pause.)Twothieves,crucifiedatthesametimeasourSaviour.One—
ESTRAGON:Ourwhat?
VLADIMIR:OurSaviour.Twothieves.Oneissupposedtohavebeensavedandtheother...(hesearchesforthecontraryofsaved)...damned.ESTRAGON:Savedfromwhat?
VLADIMIR:Hell.
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
Hedoesnotmove.VLADIMIR:Andyet...(pause)...howisit—thisisnotboringyouIhope—howisitthatofthefourEvangelistsonlyonespeaksofathiefbeingsaved.Thefourofthemwerethere—orthereabouts—andonlyonespeaksofathiefbeingsaved.(Pause.)Comeon,Gogo,returntheball,can’tyou,onceinaway?
ESTRAGON:(withexaggeratedenthusiasm).Ifindthisreallymostextraordinarilyinteresting.
VLADIMIR:Oneoutoffour.Oftheotherthreetwodon’tmentionanythievesatallandthethirdsaysthatbothofthemabusedhim.
ESTRAGON:Who?
VLADIMIR:What?
ESTRAGON:What’sallthisabout?Abusedwho?
VLADIMIR:TheSaviour.
ESTRAGON:Why?
VLADIMIR:Becausehewouldn’tsavethem.
ESTRAGON:Fromhell?
VLADIMIR:Imbecile!Fromdeath.
ESTRAGON:Ithoughtyousaidhell.
VLADIMIR:Fromdeath,fromdeath.
ESTRAGON:Wellwhatofit?
VLADIMIR:Thenthetwoofthemmusthavebeendamned.
ESTRAGON:Andwhynot?
VLADIMIR:Butoneofthefoursaysthatoneofthetwowassaved.
ESTRAGON:Well?Theydon’tagreeandthat’sallthereistoit.
VLADIMIR:Butallfourwerethere.Andonlyonespeaksofathiefbeingsaved.Whybelievehimratherthantheothers?
ESTRAGON:Whobelieveshim?
VLADIMIR:Everybody.It’stheonlyversiontheyknow.
ESTRAGON:Peoplearebloodyignorantapes.
Herisespainfully,goeslimpingtoextremeleft,halts,gazesintodistanceoffwithhishandscreeninghiseyes,turns,goestoextremeright,gazesintodistance.Vladimirwatcheshim,thengoesandpicksuptheboot,peersintoit,dropsithastily.
VLADIMIR:Pah!
Hespits.Estragonmovestocenter,haltswithhisbacktoauditorium.
ESTRAGON:Charmingspot.(Heturns,advancestofront,haltsfacingauditorium.)Inspiringprospects.(HeturnstoVladimir.)Let’sgo.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:We’rewaitingforGodot.
ESTRAGON:(despairingly).Ah!(Pause.)You’resureitwashere?VLADIMIR:What?
ESTRAGON:Thatweweretowait.
VLADIMIR:Hesaidbythetree.(Theylookatthetree.)Doyouseeanyothers.
ESTRAGON:Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.Awillow.
ESTRAGON:Wherearetheleaves?
VLADIMIR:Itmustbedead.
ESTRAGON:Nomoreweeping.
VLADIMIR:Orperhapsit’snottheseason.
ESTRAGON:Lookstomemorelikeabush.
VLADIMIR:Ashrub.
ESTRAGON:Abush.
VLADIMIR:A—.Whatareyouinsinuating?Thatwe’vecometothewrongplace?
ESTRAGON:Heshouldbehere.
VLADIMIR:Hedidn’tsayforsurehe’dcome.
ESTRAGON:Andifhedoesn’tcome?
VLADIMIR:We’llcomebackto-morrow.
ESTRAGON:Andthenthedayafterto-morrow.
VLADIMIR:Possibly.
ESTRAGON:Andsoon.
VLADIMIR:Thepointis—
ESTRAGON:Untilhecomes.
VLADIMIR:You’remerciless.
ESTRAGON:Wecamehereyesterday.
VLADIMIR:Ahno,thereyou’remistaken.
ESTRAGON:Whatdidwedoyesterday?
VLADIMIR:Whatdidwedoyesterday?
ESTRAGON:Yes.
VLADIMIR:Why...(Angrily.)Nothingiscertainwhenyou’reabout.
ESTRAGON:Inmyopinionwewerehere.
VLADIMIR:(lookinground).Yourecognizetheplace?ESTRAGON:Ididn’tsaythat.
VLADIMIR:Well?
ESTRAGON:Thatmakesnodifference.
VLADIMIR:Allthesame...thattree...(turningtowardsauditorium)thatbog...Estragon:You’resureitwasthisevening?
VLADIMIR:What?
ESTRAGON:Thatweweretowait.
VLADIMIR:HesaidSaturday.(Pause.)Ithink.
ESTRAGON:Youthink.
VLADIMIR:Imusthavemadeanoteofit.(Hefumblesinhispockets,burstingwithmiscellaneousrubbish.)ESTRAGON:(veryinsidious).ButwhatSaturday?AndisitSaturday?IsitnotratherSunday?(Pause.)OrMonday?(Pause.)OrFriday?
VLADIMIR:(lookingwildlyabouthim,asthoughthedatewasinscribedinthelandscape).It’snotpossible!ESTRAGON:OrThursday?
VLADIMIR:What’llwedo?
ESTRAGON:Ifhecameyesterdayandweweren’thereyoumaybesurehewon’tcomeagainto-day.
VLADIMIR:Butyousaywewerehereyesterday.
ESTRAGON:Imaybemistaken.(Pause.)Let’sstoptalkingforaminute,doyoumind?
VLADIMIR:(feebly).Allright.(Estragonsitsdownonthemound.Vladimirpacesagitatedlytoandfro,haltingfromtimetotimetogazeintodistanceoff.Estragonfallsasleep.VladimirhaltsfinallybeforeEstragon.)Gogo!...Gogo!...GOGO!Estragonwakeswithastart.ESTRAGON:(restoredtothehorrorofhissituation).Iwasasleep!(Despairingly.)Whywillyouneverletmesleep?
VLADIMIR:Ifeltlonely.
ESTRAGON:Ihadadream.
VLADIMIR:Don’ttellme!
ESTRAGON:Idreamtthat—
VLADIMIR:DON’TTELLME!
ESTRAGON:(gesturetowardstheuniverse).Thisoneisenoughforyou?(Silence.)It’snotniceofyou,Didi.WhoamItotellmyprivatenightmarestoifIcan’ttellthemtoyou?
VLADIMIR:Letthemremainprivate.YouknowIcan’tbearthat.
ESTRAGON:(coldly).TherearetimeswhenIwonderifitwouldn’tbebetterforustopart.
VLADIMIR:Youwouldn’tgofar.
ESTRAGON:Thatwouldbetoobad,reallytoobad.(Pause.)Wouldn’tit,Didi,bereallytoobad?(Pause.)Whenyouthinkofthebeautyoftheway.(Pause.)Andthegoodnessofthewayfarers.(Pause.Wheedling.)Wouldn’tit,Didi?
VLADIMIR:Calmyourself.
ESTRAGON:(voluptuously).Calm...calm...TheEnglishsaycawm.(Pause.)YouknowthestoryoftheEnglishmaninthebrothel?
VLADIMIR:Yes.
ESTRAGON:Tellittome.
VLADIMIR:Ahstopit!
ESTRAGON:AnEnglishmanhavingdrunkalittlemorethanusualproceedstoabrothel.Thebawdaskshimifhewantsafairone,adarkoneorared-hairedone.Goon.
VLADIMIR:STOPIT!
ExitVladimirhurriedly.Estragongetsupandfollowshimasfarasthelimitofthestage.GesturesofEstragonlikethoseofaspectatorencouragingapugilist.EnterVladimir.HebrushespastEstragon,crossesthestagewithbowedhead.Estragontakesasteptowardshim,halts.
ESTRAGON:(gently).Youwantedtospeaktome?(Silence.Estragontakesastepforward.)Youhadsomethingtosaytome?(Silence.Anotherstepforward.)Didi...VLADIMIR:(withoutturning).I’venothingtosaytoyou.ESTRAGON:(stepforward).You’reangry?(Silence.Stepforward.)Forgiveme.(Silence.Stepforward.EstragonlayshishandonVladimir’sshoulder.)Come,Didi.(Silence.)Givemeyourhand.(Vladimirhalfturns.)Embraceme!(Vladimirstiffens.)Don’tbestubborn!(Vladimirsoftens.Theyembrace.Estragonrecoils.)Youstinkofgarlic!VLADIMIR:It’sforthekidneys.(Silence.Estragonlooksattentivelyatthetree.)Whatdowedonow?
ESTRAGON:Wait.
VLADIMIR:Yes,butwhilewaiting.
ESTRAGON:Whatabouthangingourselves?
VLADIMIR:Hmm.It’dgiveusanerection.
ESTRAGON:(highlyexcited).Anerection!VLADIMIR:Withallthatfollows.Whereitfallsmandrakesgrow.
That’swhytheyshriekwhenyoupullthemup.Didyounotknowthat?
ESTRAGON:Let’shangourselvesimmediately!
VLADIMIR:Fromabough?(Theygotowardsthetree.)Iwouldn’ttrustit.
ESTRAGON:Wecanalwaystry.
VLADIMIR:Goahead.
ESTRAGON:Afteryou.
VLADIMIR:Nono,youfirst.
ESTRAGON:Whyme?
VLADIMIR:You’relighterthanIam.
ESTRAGON:Justso!
VLADIMIR:Idon’tunderstand.
ESTRAGON:Useyourintelligence,can’tyou?
Vladimiruseshisintelligence.VLADIMIR:(finally).Iremaininthedark.ESTRAGON:Thisishowitis.(Hereflects.)Thebough...thebough...(Angrily.)Useyourhead,can’tyou?VLADIMIR:You’remyonlyhope.
ESTRAGON:(witheffort).Gogolight—boughnotbreak—Gogodead.Didiheavy—boughbreak—Didialone.Whereas—
VLADIMIR:Ihadn’tthoughtofthat.
ESTRAGON:Ifithangsyouit’llhanganything.
VLADIMIR:ButamIheavierthanyou?
ESTRAGON:Soyoutellme.Idon’tknow.There’sanevenchance.Ornearly.
VLADIMIR:Well?Whatdowedo?
ESTRAGON:Don’tlet’sdoanything.It’ssafer.
VLADIMIR:Let’swaitandseewhathesays.
ESTRAGON:Who?
VLADIMIR:Godot.
ESTRAGON:Goodidea.
VLADIMIR:Let’swaittillweknowexactlyhowwestand.
ESTRAGON:Ontheotherhanditmightbebettertostriketheironbeforeitfreezes.
VLADIMIR:I’mcurioustohearwhathehastooffer.Thenwe’lltakeitorleaveit.
ESTRAGON:Whatexactlydidweaskhimfor?
VLADIMIR:Wereyounotthere?
ESTRAGON:Ican’thavebeenlistening.
VLADIMIR:Oh...Nothingverydefinite.
ESTRAGON:Akindofprayer.
VLADIMIR:Precisely.
ESTRAGON:Avaguesupplication.
VLADIMIR:Exactly.
ESTRAGON:Andwhatdidhereply?
VLADIMIR:Thathe’dsee.
ESTRAGON:Thathecouldn’tpromiseanything.
VLADIMIR:Thathe’dhavetothinkitover.
ESTRAGON:Inthequietofhishome.
VLADIMIR:Consulthisfamily.
ESTRAGON:Hisfriends.
VLADIMIR:Hisagents.
ESTRAGON:Hiscorrespondents.
VLADIMIR:Hisbooks.
ESTRAGON:Hisbankaccount.
VLADIMIR:Beforetakingadecision.
ESTRAGON:It’sthenormalthing.
VLADIMIR:Isitnot?
ESTRAGON:Ithinkitis.
VLADIMIR:Ithinksotoo.
Silence.ESTRAGON:(anxious).Andwe?VLADIMIR:Ibegyourpardon?
ESTRAGON:Isaid,Andwe?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tunderstand.
ESTRAGON:Wheredowecomein?
VLADIMIR:Comein?
ESTRAGON:Takeyourtime.
VLADIMIR:Comein?Onourhandsandknees.
ESTRAGON:Asbadasthat?
VLADIMIR:YourWorshipwishestoasserthisprerogatives?
ESTRAGON:We’venorightsanymore?
LaughofVladimir,stifledasbefore,lessthesmile.VLADIMIR:You’dmakemelaughifitwasn’tprohibited.
ESTRAGON:We’velostourrights?
VLADIMIR:(distinctly).Wegotridofthem.
Silence.Theyremainmotionless,armsdangling,headssunk,saggingattheknees.
ESTRAGON:(feebly).We’renottied?(Pause.)We’renot—
VLADIMIR:Listen!
Theylisten,grotesquelyrigid.ESTRAGON:Ihearnothing.
VLADIMIR:Hsst!(Theylisten.Estragonloseshisbalance,almostfalls.HeclutchesthearmofVladimirwhototters.Theylisten,huddledtogether.)NorI.Sighsofrelief.Theyrelaxandseparate.ESTRAGON:Yougavemeafright.
VLADIMIR:Ithoughtitwashe.
ESTRAGON:Who?
VLADIMIR:Godot.
ESTRAGON:Pah!Thewindinthereeds.
VLADIMIR:IcouldhaveswornIheardshouts.
ESTRAGON:Andwhywouldheshout?
VLADIMIR:Athishorse.
Silence.ESTRAGON:(violently).I’mhungry!VLADIMIR:Doyouwantacarrot?
ESTRAGON:Isthatallthereis?
VLADIMIR:Imighthavesometurnips.
ESTRAGON:Givemeacarrot.(Vladimirrummagesinhispockets,takesoutaturnipandgivesittoEstragonwhotakesabiteoutofit.Angrily.)
It’saturnip!
VLADIMIR:Ohpardon!Icouldhaveswornitwasacarrot.(Herummagesagaininhispockets,findsnothingbutturnips.)Allthat’sturnips.(Herummages.)Youmusthaveeatenthelast.(Herummages.)Wait,Ihaveit.(HebringsoutacarrotandgivesittoEstragon.)There,dearfellow.(Estragonwipesthecarrotonhissleeveandbeginstoeatit.)Makeitlast,that’stheendofthem.
ESTRAGON:(chewing).Iaskedyouaquestion.VLADIMIR:Ah.
ESTRAGON:Didyoureply?
VLADIMIR:How’sthecarrot?
ESTRAGON:It’sacarrot.
VLADIMIR:Somuchthebetter,somuchthebetter.(Pause.)Whatwasityouwantedtoknow?
ESTRAGON:I’veforgotten.(Chews.)That’swhatannoysme.(Helooksatthecarrotappreciatively,danglesitbetweenfingerandthumb.)I’llneverforgetthiscarrot.(Hesuckstheendofitmeditatively.)Ahyes,nowIremember.VLADIMIR:Well?
ESTRAGON:(hismouthfull,vacuously).We’renottied?
VLADIMIR:Idon’thearawordyou’resaying.
ESTRAGON:(chews,swallows).I’maskingyouifwe’retied.VLADIMIR:Tied?
ESTRAGON:Ti-ed.
VLADIMIR:Howdoyoumeantied?
ESTRAGON:Down.
VLADIMIR:Buttowhom?Bywhom?
ESTRAGON:Toyourman.
VLADIMIR:ToGodot?TiedtoGodot!Whatanidea!Noquestionofit.(Pause.)Forthemoment.ESTRAGON:HisnameisGodot?
VLADIMIR:Ithinkso.
ESTRAGON:Fancythat.(Heraiseswhatremainsofthecarrotbythestubofleaf,twirlsitbeforehiseyes.)
Funny,themoreyoueattheworseitgets.
VLADIMIR:Withmeit’sjusttheopposite.
ESTRAGON:Inotherwords?
VLADIMIR:IgetusedtothemuckasIgoalong.
ESTRAGON:(afterprolongedreflection).Isthattheopposite?VLADIMIR:Questionoftemperament.
ESTRAGON:Ofcharacter.
VLADIMIR:Nothingyoucandoaboutit.
ESTRAGON:Nousestruggling.
VLADIMIR:Oneiswhatoneis.
ESTRAGON:Nousewriggling.
VLADIMIR:Theessentialdoesn’tchange.
ESTRAGON:Nothingtobedone.(HeprofferstheremainsofthecarrottoVladimir.)Liketofinishit?
Aterriblecry,closeathand.Estragondropsthecarrot.Theyremainmotionless,thentogethermakeasuddenrushtowardsthewings.Estragonstopshalfway,runsback,picksupthecarrot,stuffsitinhispocket,runstorejoinVladimirwhoiswaitingforhim,stopsagain,runsback,picksuphisboot,runstorejoinVladimir.Huddledtogether,shouldershunched,cringingawayfromthemenace,theywait.EnterPozzoandLucky.PozzodrivesLuckybymeansofaropepassedroundhisneck,sothat
Luckyisthefirsttoenter,followedbytheropewhichislongenoughtolethimreachthemiddleofthestagebeforePozzoappears.Luckycarriesaheavybag,afoldingstool,apicnicbasketandagreatcoat,Pozzoawhip.
POZZO:(off).On!(Crackofwhip.Pozzoappears.Theycrossthestage.LuckypassesbeforeVladimirandEstragonandexit.PozzoatthesightofVladimirandEstragonstopsshort.Theropetautens.Pozzojerksatitviolently.)Back!
NoiseofLuckyfallingwithallhisbaggage.VladimirandEstragonturntowardshim,halfwishinghalffearingtogotohisassistance.VladimirtakesasteptowardsLucky,Estragonholdshimbackbythesleeve.
VLADIMIR:Letmego!
ESTRAGON:Staywhereyouare!
POZZO:Becareful!He’swicked.(VladimirandEstragonturntowardsPozzo.)Withstrangers.
ESTRAGON:(undertone).Isthathim?VLADIMIR:Who?
ESTRAGON:(tryingtorememberthename).Er...VLADIMIR:Godot?
ESTRAGON:Yes.
POZZO:Ipresentmyself:Pozzo.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Notatall!
ESTRAGON:HesaidGodot.
VLADIMIR:Notatall!
ESTRAGON:(timidly,toPozzo).You’renotMr.Godot,Sir?
POZZO:(terrifyingvoice).IamPozzo!(Silence.)Pozzo!(Silence.)Doesthatnamemeannothingtoyou?(Silence.)Isaydoesthatnamemeannothingtoyou?
VladimirandEstragonlookateachotherquestioningly.
ESTRAGON:(pretendingtosearch).Bozzo...Bozzo...VLADIMIR:(ditto).Pozzo...Pozzo...POZZO:PPPOZZZO!
ESTRAGON:Ah!Pozzo...letmesee...Pozzo...
VLADIMIR:IsitPozzoorBozzo?
ESTRAGON:Pozzo...no...I’mafraidI...no...Idon’tseemto...
Pozzoadvancesthreateningly.VLADIMIR:(conciliating).IonceknewafamilycalledGozzo.
Themotherhadtheclap.
ESTRAGON:(hastily).We’renotfromtheseparts,Sir.
POZZO:(halting).Youarehumanbeingsnonetheless.(Heputsonhisglasses.)Asfarasonecansee.(Hetakesoffhisglasses.)Ofthesamespeciesas
myself.(Heburstsintoanenormouslaugh.)OfthesamespeciesasPozzo!MadeinGod’simage!
VLADIMIR:Wellyousee—
POZZO:(peremptory).WhoisGodot?
ESTRAGON:Godot?
POZZO:YoutookmeforGodot.
VLADIMIR:Ohno,Sir,notforaninstant,Sir.
POZZO:Whoishe?
VLADIMIR:Ohhe’sa...he’sakindofacquaintance.
ESTRAGON:Nothingofthekind,wehardlyknowhim.
VLADIMIR:True...wedon’tknowhimverywell...butallthesame...
ESTRAGON:PersonallyIwouldn’tevenknowhimifIsawhim.
POZZO:Youtookmeforhim.
ESTRAGON:(recoilingbeforePozzo).That’stosay...youunderstand...thedusk...thestrain...waiting...Iconfess...Iimagined...forasecond...
POZZO:Waiting?Soyouwerewaitingforhim?
VLADIMIR:Wellyousee—
POZZO:Here?Onmyland?
VLADIMIR:Wedidn’tintendanyharm.
ESTRAGON:Wemeantwell.
POZZO:Theroadisfreetoall.
VLADIMIR:That’showwelookedatit.
POZZO:It’sadisgrace.Butthereyouare.
ESTRAGON:Nothingwecandoaboutit.
POZZO:(withmagnanimousgesture).Let’ssaynomoreaboutit.(Hejerkstherope.)Uppig!(Pause.)Everytimehedropshefallsasleep.(Jerkstherope.)Uphog!(NoiseofLuckygettingupandpickinguphisbaggage.Pozzojerkstherope.)Back!(EnterLuckybackwards.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Turn!(Luckyturns.ToVladimirandEstragon,affably.)Gentlemen,Iamhappytohavemetyou.(Beforetheirincredulousexpression.)Yesyes,sincerelyhappy.(Hejerkstherope.)Closer!(Luckyadvances.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Yes,theroadseemslongwhenonejourneysallalonefor...(heconsultshiswatch)...yes...(hecalculates)...yes,sixhours,that’sright,sixhoursonend,andneverasoulinsight.(ToLucky.)Coat!(Luckyputsdownthebag,advances,givesthecoat,goesbacktohisplace,takesupthebag.)Holdthat!(Pozzoholdsoutthewhip.Luckyadvancesand,bothhishandsbeingoccupied,takesthewhipinhismouth,thengoesbacktohisplace.Pozzobeginstoputonhiscoat,stops.)Coat!(Luckyputsdownbag,basketandstool,advances,helpsPozzoonwithhiscoat,goesbacktohisplaceandtakesupbag,basketandstool.)Touchofautumnintheairthisevening.(Pozzofinishesbuttoninghiscoat,stoops,inspectshimself,straightensup.)Whip!(Luckyadvances,stoops,Pozzosnatchesthewhipfromhismouth,Luckygoesbacktohisplace.)Yes,gentlemen,Icannotgoforlongwithoutthesocietyofmylikes(heputsonhisglassesandlooksatthetwolikes)evenwhenthelikenessisanimperfectone.(Hetakesoffhisglasses.)Stool!(Luckyputsdownbagandbasket,advances,opensstool,putsitdown,goesbacktohisplace,takesupbagandbasket.)Closer!(Luckyputs
downbagandbasket,advances,movesstool,goesbacktohisplace,takesupbagandbasket.Pozzositsdown,placesthebuttofhiswhipagainstLucky’schestandpushes.)Back!(Luckytakesastepback.)Further!(Luckytakesanotherstepback.)Stop!(Luckystops.ToVladimirandEstragon.)Thatiswhy,withyourpermission,Iproposetodallywithyouamoment,beforeIventureanyfurther.Basket!(Luckyadvances,givesthebasket,goesbacktohisplace.)Thefreshairstimulatesthejadedappetite.(Heopensthebasket,takesoutapieceofchickenandabottleofwine.)Basket!(Luckyadvances,picksupthebasketandgoesbacktohisplace.)Further!(Luckytakesastepback.)Hestinks.Happydays!Hedrinksfromthebottle,putsitdownandbeginstoeat.Silence.VladimirandEstragon,cautiouslyatfirst,thenmoreboldly,begintocircleaboutLucky,inspectinghimupanddown.Pozzoeatshischickenvoraciously,throwingawaythebonesafterhavingsuckedthem.Luckysagsslowly,untilbagandbaskettouchtheground,thenstraightensupwithastartandbeginstosagagain.Rhythmofonesleepingonhisfeet.ESTRAGON:Whatailshim?
VLADIMIR:Helookstired.
ESTRAGON:Whydoesn’theputdownhisbags?
VLADIMIR:HowdoIknow?(Theycloseinonhim.)Careful!ESTRAGON:Saysomethingtohim.
VLADIMIR:Look!
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:(pointing).Hisneck!
ESTRAGON:(lookingattheneck).Iseenothing.VLADIMIR:Here.
EstragongoesoverbesideVladimir.ESTRAGON:OhIsay!
VLADIMIR:Arunningsore!
ESTRAGON:It’stherope.
VLADIMIR:It’stherubbing.
ESTRAGON:It’sinevitable.
VLADIMIR:It’stheknot.
ESTRAGON:It’sthechafing.
Theyresumetheirinspection,dwellontheface.VLADIMIR:(grudgingly)He’snotbadlooking.ESTRAGON:(shrugginghisshoulders,wryface).Wouldyousayso?
VLADIMIR:Atrifleeffeminate.
ESTRAGON:Lookattheslobber.
VLADIMIR:It’sinevitable.
ESTRAGON:Lookattheslaver.
VLADIMIR:Perhapshe’sahalfwit.
ESTRAGON:Acretin.
VLADIMIR:(lookingcloser).Lookslikeagoiter.ESTRAGON:(ditto).It’snotcertain.
VLADIMIR:He’spanting.
ESTRAGON:It’sinevitable.
VLADIMIR:Andhiseyes!
ESTRAGON:Whataboutthem?
VLADIMIR:Gogglingoutofhishead.
ESTRAGON:Looksathislastgasptome.
VLADIMIR:It’snotcertain.(Pause.)Askhimaquestion.ESTRAGON:Wouldthatbeagoodthing?
VLADIMIR:Whatdowerisk?
ESTRAGON:(timidly).Mister...
VLADIMIR:Louder.
ESTRAGON:(louder).Mister...
POZZO:Leavehiminpeace!(TheyturntowardsPozzowho,havingfinishedeating,wipeshismouthwiththebackofhishand.)Can’tyouseehewantstorest?Basket!(Hestrikesamatchandbeginstolighthispipe.Estragonseesthechickenbonesonthegroundandstaresatthemgreedily.AsLuckydoesnotmovePozzothrowsthematchangrilyawayandjerkstherope.)Basket!(Luckystarts,almostfalls,recovershissenses,advances,putsthebottleinthebasketandgoesbacktohisplace.Estragonstaresatthebones.Pozzostrikesanothermatchandlightshispipe.)Whatcanyouexpect,it’snothisjob.(Hepullsathispipe,stretchesouthislegs.)Ah!That’sbetter.ESTRAGON:(timidly).PleaseSir...POZZO:Whatisit,mygoodman?
ESTRAGON:Er...you’vefinishedwiththe...er...youdon’tneedthe...er...bones,Sir?
VLADIMIR:(scandalized).Youcouldn’thavewaited?POZZO:Nono,hedoeswelltoask.DoIneedthebones?
(Heturnsthemoverwiththeendofhiswhip.)No,personallyIdonotneedthemanymore.(Estragontakesasteptowardsthebones.)But...(Estragonstopsshort)...butintheorythebonesgotothecarrier.Heisthereforetheonetoask.(EstragonturnstowardsLucky,hesitates.)Goon,goon,don’tbeafraid,askhim,he’lltellyou.EstragongoestowardsLucky,stopsbeforehim.
ESTRAGON:Mister...excuseme,Mister...
POZZO:You’rebeingspokento,pig!Reply!(ToEstragon.)Tryhimagain.
ESTRAGON:Excuseme,Mister,thebones,youwon’tbewantingthebones?
LuckylookslongatEstragon.POZZO:(inraptures).Mister!(Luckybowshishead.)
Reply!Doyouwantthemordon’tyou?(SilenceofLucky.ToEstragon.)They’reyours.(Estragonmakesadartatthebones,picksthemupandbeginstognawthem.)Idon’tlikeit.I’veneverknownhimrefuseabonebefore.(HelooksanxiouslyatLucky.)Nicebusinessit’dbeifhefellsickonme!
Hepuffsathispipe.VLADIMIR:(exploding).It’sascandal!
Silence.Flabbergasted,Estragonstopsgnawing,looksatPozzoandVladimirinturn.Pozzooutwardlycalm.Vladimirembarrassed.
POZZO:(toVladimir).Areyoualludingtoanythinginparticular?VLADIMIR:(stutteringlyresolute).Totreataman...(gesturetowardsLucky)...likethat...Ithinkthat...no...ahumanbeing...no...it’sascandal!
ESTRAGON:(nottobeoutdone).Adisgrace!Heresumeshisgnawing.
POZZO:Youaresevere.(ToVladimir.)Whatageareyou,ifit’snotarudequestion?(Silence.)Sixty?
Seventy?(ToEstragon.)Whatagewouldyousayhewas?
ESTRAGON:Eleven.
POZZO:Iamimpertinent.(Heknocksouthispipeagainstthewhip,getsup.)Imustbegettingon.Thankyouforyoursociety.(Hereflects.)UnlessIsmokeanotherpipebeforeIgo.Whatdoyousay?(Theysaynothing.)OhI’monlyasmallsmoker,averysmallsmoker,I’mnotinthehabitofsmokingtwopipesoneontopoftheother,itmakes(handtoheart,sighing)myheartgopit-a-pat.(Silence.)It’sthenicotine,oneabsorbsitinspiteofone’sprecautions.(Sighs.)Youknowhowitis.(Silence.)Butperhapsyoudon’tsmoke?Yes?No?It’sofnoimportance.(Silence.)ButhowamItositdownnow,withoutaffectation,nowthatIhaverisen?Withoutappearingto—howshallIsay—
withoutappearingtofalter.(ToVladimir.)Ibegyourpardon?(Silence.)Perhapsyoudidn’tspeak?(Silence.)It’sofnoimportance.Letmesee...Hereflects.ESTRAGON:Ah!That’sbetter.
Heputsthebonesinhispocket.VLADIMIR:Let’sgo.
ESTRAGON:Sosoon?
POZZO:Onemoment!(Hejerkstherope.)Stool!(Hepointswithhiswhip.Luckymovesthestool.)More!There!(Hesitsdown.Luckygoesbacktohisplace.)Doneit!Hefillshispipe.VLADIMIR:(vehemently).Let’sgo!POZZO:IhopeI’mnotdrivingyouaway.Waitalittlelonger,you’llneverregretit.
ESTRAGON:(scentingcharity).We’reinnohurry.
POZZO:(havinglithispipe).Thesecondisneversosweet...(hetakesthepipeoutofhismouth,contemplatesit)...asthefirstImean.(Heputsthepipebackinhismouth.)Butit’ssweetjustthesame.
VLADIMIR:I’mgoing.
POZZO:Hecannolongerenduremypresence.Iamperhapsnotparticularlyhuman,butwhocares?(ToVladimir.)Thinktwicebeforeyoudoanythingrash.Supposeyougonowwhileitisstillday,forthereisnodenyingitisstillday.(Theyalllookupatthesky.)Good.(Theystoplookingatthesky.)Whathappensinthat
case—(hetakesthepipeoutofhismouth,examinesit)—I’mout—(herelightshispipe)—inthatcase—(puff)—inthatcase—(puff)—whathappensinthatcasetoyourappointmentwiththis...Godet...Godot...Godin...anyhowyouseewhoImean,whohasyourfutureinhishands...(pause)...atleastyourimmediatefuture?
VLADIMIR:Whotoldyou?
POZZO:Hespeakstomeagain!Ifthisgoesonmuchlongerwe’llsoonbeoldfriends.
ESTRAGON:Whydoesn’theputdownhisbags?
POZZO:Itoowouldbehappytomeethim.ThemorepeopleImeetthehappierIbecome.Fromthemeanestcreatureonedepartswiser,richer,moreconsciousofone’sblessings.Evenyou...(helooksatthemostentatiouslyinturntomakeitcleartheyarebothmeant)...evenyou,whoknows,willhaveaddedtomystore.
ESTRAGON:Whydoesn’theputdownhisbags?
POZZO:Butthatwouldsurpriseme.
VLADIMIR:You’rebeingaskedaquestion.
POZZO:(delighted).Aquestion!Who?What?AmomentagoyouwerecallingmeSir,infearandtrembling.Nowyou’reaskingmequestions.Nogoodwillcomeofthis!
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Ithinkhe’slistening.ESTRAGON:(circlingaboutLucky).What?
VLADIMIR:Youcanaskhimnow.He’sonthealert.
ESTRAGON:Askhimwhat?
VLADIMIR:Whyhedoesn’tputdownhisbags.
ESTRAGON:Iwonder.
VLADIMIR:Askhim,can’tyou?
POZZO:(whohasfollowedtheseexchangeswithanxiousattention,fearinglestthequestiongetlost).Youwanttoknowwhyhedoesn’tputdownhisbags,asyoucallthem.
VLADIMIR:That’sit.
POZZO:(toEstragon).Youaresureyouagreewiththat?ESTRAGON:He’spuffinglikeagrampus.
POZZO:Theansweristhis.(ToEstragon.)Butstaystill,Ibegofyou,you’remakingmenervous!
VLADIMIR:Here.
ESTRAGON:Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:He’sabouttospeak.
EstragongoesoverbesideVladimir.Motionless,sidebyside,theywait.
POZZO:Good.Iseverybodyready?Iseverybodylookingatme?(HelooksatLucky,jerkstherope.Luckyraiseshishead.)Willyoulookatme,pig!(Luckylooksathim.)Good.(Heputsthepipeinhispocket,takesoutalittlevaporizerandsprayshisthroat,putsbackthevaporizerinhispocket,clearshisthroat,spits,takesoutthevaporizeragain,sprayshisthroatagain,putsbackthevaporizerinhispocket.)Iamready.Iseverybodylistening?Iseverybodyready?(Helooksatthemallinturn,jerkstherope.)Hog!(Luckyraiseshishead.)Idon’tliketalkinginavacuum.Good.Letmesee.
Hereflects.ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
POZZO:Whatwasitexactlyyouwantedtoknow?
VLADIMIR:Whyhe—
POZZO:(angrily).Don’tinterruptme!(Pause.Calmer.)Ifweallspeakatoncewe’llnevergetanywhere.(Pause.)WhatwasIsaying?(Pause.Louder.)WhatwasIsaying?
Vladimirmimicsonecarryingaheavyburden.Pozzolooksathim,puzzled.
ESTRAGON:(forcibly).Bags.(HepointsatLucky.)Why?Alwayshold.(Hesags,panting.)Neverputdown.(Heopenshishands,straightensupwithrelief.)Why?
POZZO:Ah!Whycouldn’tyousaysobefore?Whyhedoesn’tmakehimselfcomfortable?Let’stryandgetthisclear.Hashenottherightto?Certainlyhehas.Itfollowsthathedoesn’twantto.There’sreasoningforyou.Andwhydoesn’thewantto?(Pause.)Gentlemen,thereasonisthis.VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Makeanoteofthis.
POZZO:Hewantstoimpressme,sothatI’llkeephim.
ESTRAGON:What?
POZZO:PerhapsIhaven’tgotitquiteright.Hewantstomollifyme,sothatI’llgiveuptheideaofpartingwithhim.No,that’snotexactlyiteither.
VLADIMIR:Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:Hewantstocodme,buthewon’t.
VLADIMIR:Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:HeimaginesthatwhenIseehowwellhecarriesI’llbetemptedtokeephimoninthatcapacity.
ESTRAGON:You’vehadenoughofhim?
POZZO:Inrealityhecarrieslikeapig.It’snothisjob.
VLADIMIR:Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:HeimaginesthatwhenIseehimindefatigableI’llregretmydecision.Suchishismiserablescheme.AsthoughIwereshortofslaves!(AllthreelookatLucky.)Atlas,sonofJupiter!
(Silence.)Well,that’sthatIthink.Anythingelse?Vaporizer.
VLADIMIR:Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:RemarkthatImightjustaswellhavebeeninhisshoesandheinmine.Ifchancehadnotwilledotherwise.Toeachonehisdue.
VLADIMIR:Youwaagerrim?
POZZO:Ibegyourpardon?
VLADIMIR:Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:Ido.ButinsteadofdrivinghimawayasImighthavedone,Imeaninsteadofsimplykickinghimoutonhisarse,inthegoodnessofmyheartIambringinghimtothefair,whereIhopetogetagoodpriceforhim.Thetruthisyoucan’tdrivesuchcreaturesaway.Thebestthingwouldbetokillthem.
Luckyweeps.ESTRAGON:He’scrying!
POZZO:Olddogshavemoredignity.(HeproffershishandkerchieftoEstragon.)Comforthim,sinceyoupityhim.(Estragonhesitates.)Comeon.(Estragontakesthehandkerchief.)Wipeawayhistears,he’llfeellessforsaken.
Estragonhesitates.VLADIMIR:Here,giveittome,I’lldoit.
Estragonrefusestogivethehandkerchief.Childishgestures.
POZZO:Makehaste,beforehestops.(EstragonapproachesLuckyandmakestowipehiseyes.Luckykickshimviolentlyintheshins.Estragondropsthehandkerchief,recoils,staggersaboutthestagehowlingwithpain.)Hanky!Luckyputsdownbagandbasket,picksuphandkerchiefandgivesittoPozzo,goesbacktohisplace,picksupbagandbasket.ESTRAGON:Ohtheswine!(Hepullsupthelegofhistrousers.)He’scrippledme!
POZZO:Itoldyouhedidn’tlikestrangers.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Show.(Estragonshowshisleg.ToPozzo,angrily.)He’sbleeding!
POZZO:It’sagoodsign.
ESTRAGON:(ononeleg).I’llneverwalkagain!VLADIMIR:(tenderly).I’llcarryyou.(Pause.)Ifnecessary.POZZO:He’sstoppedcrying.(ToEstragon.)Youhavereplacedhimasitwere.(Lyrically.)Thetearsoftheworldareaconstant
quantity.Foreachonewhobeginstoweepsomewhereelseanotherstops.Thesameistrueofthelaugh.(Helaughs.)Letusnotthenspeakillofourgeneration,itisnotanyunhappierthanitspredecessors.(Pause.)Letusnotspeakwellofiteither.(Pause.)Letusnotspeakofitatall.(Pause.Judiciously.)Itistruethepopulationhasincreased.
VLADIMIR:Tryandwalk.
Estragontakesafewlimpingsteps,stopsbeforeLuckyandspitsonhim,thengoesandsitsdownonthemound.
POZZO:Guesswhotaughtmeallthesebeautifulthings.(Pause.PointingtoLucky.)MyLucky!
VLADIMIR:(lookingatthesky).Willnightnevercome?
POZZO:Butforhimallmythoughts,allmyfeelings,wouldhavebeenofcommonthings.(Pause.Withextraordinaryvehemence.)Professionalworries!(Calmer.)Beauty,grace,truthofthefirstwater,Iknewtheywereallbeyondme.SoItookaknook.
VLADIMIR:(startledfromhisinspectionofthesky).Aknook?POZZO:Thatwasnearlysixtyyearsago...(heconsultshiswatch)...yes,nearlysixty.(Drawinghimselfupproudly.)Youwouldn’tthinkittolookatme,wouldyou?ComparedtohimIlooklikeayoungman,no?(Pause.)Hat!(Luckyputsdownthebasketandtakesoffhishat.Hislongwhitehairfallsabouthisface.Heputshishatunderhisarmandpicksupthebasket.)Nowlook.(Pozzotakesoffhishat.1Heiscompletelybald.Heputsonhishatagain.)Didyousee?VLADIMIR:Andnowyouturnhimaway?Suchanoldandfaithful
servant!
ESTRAGON:Swine!
Pozzomoreandmoreagitated.VLADIMIR:Afterhavingsuckedallthegoodoutofhimyouchuckhimawaylikea...likeabananaskin.Really...
POZZO:(groaning,clutchinghishead).Ican’tbearit...anylonger...thewayhegoeson...you’venoidea...it’sterrible...hemustgo...(hewaveshisarms)...I’mgoingmad...(hecollapses,hisheadinhishands)...Ican’tbearit...anylonger...Silence.AlllookatPozzo.VLADIMIR:Hecan’tbearit.
ESTRAGON:Anylonger.
VLADIMIR:He’sgoingmad.
ESTRAGON:It’sterrible.
VLADIMIR:(toLucky).Howdareyou!It’sabominable!Suchagoodmaster!Crucifyhimlikethat!Aftersomanyyears!Really!
POZZO:(sobbing).Heusedtobesokind...sohelpful...andentertaining...mygoodangel...andnow...he’skillingme
ESTRAGON:(toVladimir).Doeshewanttoreplacehim?VLADIMIR:What?
ESTRAGON:Doeshewantsomeonetotakehisplaceornot?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tthinkso.
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.
ESTRAGON:Askhim.
POZZO:(calmer).Gentlemen,Idon’tknowwhatcameoverme.Forgiveme.ForgetallIsaid.(Moreandmorehisoldself.)Idon’trememberexactlywhatitwas,butyoumaybesuretherewasn’tawordoftruthinit.(Drawinghimselfup,strikinghischest.)DoIlooklikeamanthatcanbemadetosuffer?Frankly?(Herummagesinhispockets.)WhathaveIdonewithmypipe?
VLADIMIR:Charmingeveningwe’rehaving.
ESTRAGON:Unforgettable.
VLADIMIR:Andit’snotover.
ESTRAGON:Apparentlynot.
VLADIMIR:It’sonlybeginning.
ESTRAGON:It’sawful.
VLADIMIR:Worsethanthepantomime.
ESTRAGON:Thecircus.
VLADIMIR:Themusic-hall.
ESTRAGON:Thecircus.
POZZO:WhatcanIhavedonewiththatbriar?
ESTRAGON:He’sascream.He’slosthisdudeen.
Laughsnoisily.VLADIMIR:I’llbeback.
Hehastenstowardsthewings.
ESTRAGON:Endofthecorridor,ontheleft.
VLADIMIR:Keepmyseat.
ExitVladimir.POZZO:(onthepointoftears).I’velostmyKappandPeterson!
ESTRAGON:(convulsedwithmerriment).He’llbethedeathofme!POZZO:Youdidn’tseebyanychance—.(HemissesVladimir.)Oh!He’sgone!Withoutsayinggoodbye!Howcouldhe!Hemighthavewaited!
ESTRAGON:Hewouldhaveburst.
POZZO:Oh!(Pause.)Ohwellthenofcourseinthatcase...ESTRAGON:Comehere.
POZZO:Whatfor?
ESTRAGON:You’llsee.
POZZO:Youwantmetogetup?
ESTRAGON:Quick!(PozzogetsupandgoesoverbesideEstragon.Estragonpointsoff.)Look!POZZO:(havingputonhisglasses).OhIsay!ESTRAGON:It’sallover.
EnterVladimir,somber.HeshouldersLuckyoutofhisway,kicksoverthestool,comesandgoesagitatedly.
POZZO:He’snotpleased.
ESTRAGON:(toVladimir).Youmissedatreat.Pity.Vladimirhalts,straightensthestool,comesandgoes,calmer.
POZZO:Hesubsides.(Lookinground.)Indeedallsubsides.Agreatcalmdescends.(Raisinghishand.)Listen!Pansleeps.VLADIMIR:Willnightnevercome?
Allthreelookatthesky.POZZO:Youdon’tfeellikegoinguntilitdoes?
ESTRAGON:Wellyousee—
POZZO:Whyit’sverynatural,verynatural.Imyselfinyoursituation,ifIhadanappointmentwithaGodin...Godet...Godot...anyhowyouseewhoImean,I’dwaittillitwasblacknightbeforeIgaveup.(Helooksatthestool.)I’dverymuchliketositdown,butIdon’tquiteknowhowtogoaboutit.
ESTRAGON:CouldIbeofanyhelp?
POZZO:Ifyouaskedmeperhaps.
ESTRAGON:What?
POZZO:Ifyouaskedmetositdown.
ESTRAGON:Wouldthatbeahelp?
POZZO:Ifancyso.
ESTRAGON:Herewego.Beseated,Sir,Ibegofyou.
POZZO:Nono,Iwouldn’tthinkofit!(Pause.Aside.)Askmeagain.
ESTRAGON:Comecome,takeaseatIbeseechyou,you’llget
pneumonia.
POZZO:Youreallythinkso?
ESTRAGON:Whyit’sabsolutelycertain.
POZZO:Nodoubtyouareright.(Hesitsdown.)Doneitagain!(Pause.)Thankyou,dearfellow.(Heconsultshiswatch.)ButImustreallybegettingalong,ifIamtoobservemyschedule.
VLADIMIR:Timehasstopped.
POZZO:(cuddlinghiswatchtohisear).Don’tyoubelieveit,Sir,don’tyoubelieveit.(Heputshiswatchbackinhispocket.)Whateveryoulike,butnotthat.
ESTRAGON:(toPozzo).Everythingseemsblacktohimto-day.POZZO:Exceptthefirmament.(Helaughs,pleasedwiththiswitticism.)ButIseewhatitis,youarenotfromtheseparts,youdon’tknowwhatourtwilightscando.ShallItellyou?(Silence.Estragonisfiddlingwithhisbootagain,Vladimirwithhishat.)Ican’trefuseyou.(Vaporizer.)Alittleattention,ifyouplease.(VladimirandEstragoncontinuetheirfiddling,Luckyishalfasleep.Pozzocrackshiswhipfeebly.)What’sthematterwiththiswhip?(Hegetsupandcracksitmorevigorously,finallywithsuccess.Luckyjumps.Vladimir’shat,Estragon’sboot,Lucky’shat,falltotheground.Pozzothrowsdownthewhip.)Wornout,thiswhip.(HelooksatVladimirandEstragon.)WhatwasIsaying?
VLADIMIR:Let’sgo.
ESTRAGON:Buttaketheweightoffyourfeet,Iimploreyou,you’llcatchyourdeath.
POZZO:True.(Hesitsdown.ToEstragon.)Whatisyourname?
ESTRAGON:Adam.
POZZO:(whohasn’tlistened).Ahyes!Thenight.(Heraiseshishead.)Butbealittlemoreattentive,forpity’ssake,otherwisewe’llnevergetanywhere.(Helooksatthesky.)Look!(AlllookattheskyexceptLuckywhoisdozingoffagain.Pozzojerkstherope.)Willyoulookatthesky,pig!(Luckylooksatthesky.)Good,that’senough.(Theystoplookingatthesky.)Whatistheresoextraordinaryaboutit?Quasky.Itispaleandluminouslikeanyskyatthishouroftheday.(Pause.)Intheselatitudes.(Pause.)Whentheweatherisfine.(Lyrical.)Anhourago(helooksathiswatch,prosaic)roughly(lyrical)afterhavingpouredforthevensince(hehesitates,prosaic)sayteno’clockinthemorning(lyrical)tirelesslytorrentsofredandwhitelightitbeginstoloseitseffulgence,togrowpale(gestureofthetwohandslapsingbystages)pale,everalittlepaler,alittlepaleruntil(dramaticpause,amplegestureofthetwohandsflungwideapart)pppfff!finished!itcomestorest.But—(handraisedinadmonition)—butbehindthisveilofgentlenessandpeacenightischarging(vibrantly)andwillburstuponus(snapshisfingers)pop!likethat!(hisinspirationleaveshim)justwhenweleastexpectit.(Silence.Gloomily.)That’showitisonthisbitchofanearth.
Longsilence.ESTRAGON:Solongasoneknows.
VLADIMIR:Onecanbideone’stime.
ESTRAGON:Oneknowswhattoexpect.
VLADIMIR:Nofurtherneedtoworry.
ESTRAGON:Simplywait.
VLADIMIR:We’reusedtoit.
Hepicksuphishat,peersinsideit,shakesit,putsiton.
POZZO:Howdidyoufindme?(VladimirandEstragonlookathimblankly.)Good?Fair?Middling?Poor?Positivelybad?
VLADIMIR:(firsttounderstand).Ohverygood,veryverygood.POZZO:(toEstragon).Andyou,Sir?ESTRAGON:Ohtraybong,traytraytraybong.
POZZO:(fervently).Blessyou,gentlemen,blessyou!(Pause.)Ihavesuchneedofencouragement!(Pause.)Iweakenedalittletowardstheend,youdidn’tnotice?
VLADIMIR:Ohperhapsjustateenyweenylittlebit.
ESTRAGON:Ithoughtitwasintentional.
POZZO:Youseemymemoryisdefective.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Inthemeantimenothinghappens.
POZZO:Youfindittedious?
ESTRAGON:Somewhat.
POZZO:(toVladimir).Andyou,Sir?VLADIMIR:I’vebeenbetterentertained.
Silence.Pozzostrugglesinwardly.POZZO:Gentlemen,youhavebeen...civiltome.
ESTRAGON:Notatall!
VLADIMIR:Whatanidea!
POZZO:Yesyes,youhavebeencorrect.SothatIaskmyselfisthereanythingIcandoinmyturnforthesehonestfellowswhoarehavingsuchadull,dulltime.
ESTRAGON:Eventenfrancswouldbeahelp.
VLADIMIR:Wearenotbeggars!
POZZO:IsthereanythingIcando,that’swhatIaskmyself,tocheerthemup?Ihavegiventhembones,Ihavetalkedtothemaboutthisandthat,Ihaveexplainedthetwilight,admittedly.Butisitenough,that’swhattorturesme,isitenough?
ESTRAGON:Evenfive.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon,indignantly).That’senough!ESTRAGON:Icouldn’tacceptless.
POZZO:Isitenough?Nodoubt.ButIamliberal.It’smynature.Thisevening.Somuchtheworseforme.(Hejerkstherope.Luckylooksathim.)ForIshallsuffer,nodoubtaboutthat.(Hepicksupthewhip.)Whatdoyouprefer?Shallwehavehimdance,orsing,orrecite,orthink,or—
ESTRAGON:Who?
POZZO:Who!Youknowhowtothink,youtwo?
VLADIMIR:Hethinks?
Pozzo:Certainly.Aloud.Heevenusedtothinkveryprettilyonce,Icouldlistentohimforhours.Now...(heshudders).Somuchtheworseforme.
Well,wouldyoulikehimtothinksomethingforus?
ESTRAGON:I’dratherhe’ddance,it’dbemorefun.
POZZO:Notnecessarily.
ESTRAGON:Wouldn’tit,Didi,bemorefun?
VLADIMIR:I’dlikewelltohearhimthink.
ESTRAGON:Perhapshecoulddancefirstandthinkafterwards,ifitisn’ttoomuchtoaskhim.
VLADIMIR:(toPozzo).Wouldthatbepossible?
POZZO:Byallmeans,nothingsimpler.It’sthenaturalorder.
Helaughsbriefly.VLADIMIR:Thenlethimdance.
Silence.POZZO:Doyouhear,hog?
ESTRAGON:Heneverrefuses?
POZZO:Herefusedonce.(Silence.)Dance,misery!Luckyputsdownbagandbasket,advancestowardsfront,turnstoPozzo.Luckydances.Hestops.
ESTRAGON:Isthatall?
POZZO:Encore!
Luckyexecutesthesamemovements,stops.ESTRAGON:Pooh!I’ddoaswellmyself.(HeimitatesLucky,almostfalls.)Withalittlepractice.
POZZO:Heusedtodancethefarandole,thefling,thebrawl,the
jig,thefandangoandeventhehornpipe.Hecapered.Forjoy.Nowthat’sthebesthecando.Doyouknowwhathecallsit?
ESTRAGON:TheScapegoat’sAgony.
VLADIMIR:TheHardStool.
POZZO:TheNet.Hethinkshe’sentangledinanet.
VLADIMIR:(squirminglikeanaesthete).There’ssomethingaboutit...
Luckymakestoreturntohisburdens.POZZO:Woaa!
Luckystiffens.ESTRAGON:Tellusaboutthetimeherefused.
POZZO:Withpleasure,withpleasure.(Hefumblesinhispockets.)Wait.(Hefumbles.)WhathaveIdonewithmyspray?(Hefumbles.)Wellnowisn’tthat...(Helooksup,consternationonhisfeatures.Faintly.)Ican’tfindmypulverizer!ESTRAGON:(faintly).Myleftlungisveryweak!(Hecoughsfeebly.Inringingtones.)Butmyrightlungisassoundasabell!POZZO:(normalvoice).Nomatter!WhatwasIsaying.(Heponders.)Wait.(Ponders.)Wellnowisn’tthat...(Heraiseshishead.)Helpme!ESTRAGON:Wait!
VLADIMIR:Wait!
POZZO:Wait!
Allthreetakeofftheirhatssimultaneously,press
theirhandstotheirforeheads,concentrate.ESTRAGON:(triumphantly).Ah!VLADIMIR:Hehasit.
POZZO:(impatient).Well?
ESTRAGON:Whydoesn’theputdownhisbags?
VLADIMIR:Rubbish!
POZZO:Areyousure?
VLADIMIR:Damnithaven’tyoualreadytoldus?
POZZO:I’vealreadytoldyou?
ESTRAGON:He’salreadytoldus?
VLADIMIR:Anywayhehasputthemdown.
ESTRAGON:(glanceatLucky).Sohehas.Andwhatofit?VLADIMIR:Sincehehasputdownhisbagsitisimpossibleweshouldhaveaskedwhyhedoesnotdoso.
POZZO:Stoutlyreasoned!
ESTRAGON:Andwhyhasheputthemdown?
POZZO:Answerusthat.
VLADIMIR:Inordertodance.
ESTRAGON:True!
POZZO:True!
Silence.Theyputontheirhats.ESTRAGON:Nothinghappens,nobodycomes,nobodygoes,it’s
awful!
VLADIMIR:(toPozzo).Tellhimtothink.POZZO:Givehimhishat.
VLADIMIR:Hishat?
POZZO:Hecan’tthinkwithouthishat.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Givehimhishat.ESTRAGON:Me!Afterwhathedidtome!Never!
VLADIMIR:I’llgiveittohim.
Hedoesnotmove.ESTRAGON:(toPozzo).Tellhimtogoandfetchit.POZZO:It’sbettertogiveittohim.
VLADIMIR:I’llgiveittohim.
Hepicksupthehatandtendersitatarm’slengthtoLucky,whodoesnotmove.
Pozzo:Youmustputitonhishead.
ESTRAGON:(toPozzo).Tellhimtotakeit.POZZO:It’sbettertoputitonhishead.
VLADIMIR:I’llputitonhishead.
HegoesroundbehindLucky,approacheshimcautiously,putsthehatonhisheadandrecoilssmartly.Luckydoesnotmove.Silence.
ESTRAGON:What’shewaitingfor?
POZZO:Standback!(VladimirandEstragonmoveawayfrom
Lucky.Pozzojerkstherope.LuckylooksatPozzo.)Think,pig!(Pause.Luckybeginstodance.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Forward!(Luckyadvances.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Think!
Silence.LUCKY:Ontheotherhandwithregardto—
POZZO:Stop!(Luckystops.)Back!(Luckymovesback.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Turn!(Luckyturnstowardsauditorium.)Think!DuringLucky’stiradetheothersreactasfollows.1)VladimirandEstragonallattention,Pozzodejectedanddisgusted.2)VladimirandEstragonbegintoprotest,Pozzo’ssufferingsincrease.3)VladimirandEstragonattentiveagain,Pozzomoreandmoreagitatedandgroaning.4)VladimirandEstragonprotestviolently.Pozzojumpsup,pullsontherope.Generaloutcry.Luckypullsontherope,staggers,shoutshistext.AllthreethrowthemselvesonLuckywhostrugglesandshoutshistext.
LUCKY:GiventheexistenceasutteredforthinthepublicworksofPuncherandWattmannofapersonalGodquaquaquaquawithwhitebeardquaquaquaquaoutsidetimewithoutextensionwhofromtheheightsofdivineapathiadivineathambiadivineaphasialovesusdearlywithsomeexceptionsforreasonsunknownbuttimewilltellandsufferslikethedivineMirandawiththosewhoforreasonsunknownbuttimewilltellareplungedintorment
plungedinfirewhosefireflamesifthatcontinuesandwhocandoubtitwillfirethefirmamentthatistosayblasthelltoheavensobluestillandcalmsocalmwithacalmwhicheventhoughintermittentisbetterthannothingbutnotsofastandconsideringwhatismorethatasaresultofthelaborsleftunfinishedcrownedbytheAcacacacademyofAnthropopopometryofEssy-in-PossyofTestewandCunarditisestablishedbeyondalldoubtallotherdoubtthanthatwhichclingstothelaborsofmenthatasaresultofthelaborsunfinishedofTestewandCunarditisestablishedashereinafterbutnotsofastforreasonsunknownthatasaresultofthepublicworksofPuncherandWattmannitisestablishedbeyondalldoubtthatinviewofthelaborsofFartovandBelcherleftunfinishedforreasonsunknownofTestewandCunardleftunfinisheditisestablishedwhatmanydenythatmaninPossyofTestewandCunardthatmaninEssythatmaninshortthatmaninbriefinspiteofthestridesofalimentationanddefecationwastesandpineswastesandpinesandconcurrentlysimultaneouslywhatismoreforreasonsunknowninspiteofthestridesofphysicalculturethepracticeofsportssuchastennisfootballrunningcyclingswimmingflyingfloatingridingglidingconatingcamogieskatingtennisofallkindsdyingflyingsportsofallsortsautumnsummerwinterwintertennisofallkindshockeyofallsortspenicillineandsuccedaneainawordIresumeflyingglidinggolfovernineandeighteenholestennisofallsortsinawordforreasonsunknowninFeckhamPeckhamFulhamClaphamnamelyconcurrentlysimultaneouslywhatismoreforreasonsunknownbuttimewilltellfadesawayIresumeFulhamClaphaminawordthedeadlossperheadsincethedeathofBishopBerkeleybeingtothetuneofoneinchfourounceperheadapproximatelybyandlargemoreorlesstothenearestdecimalgoodmeasureroundfiguresstarknakedinthe
stockingedfeetinConnemarainawordforreasonsunknownnomatterwhatmatterthefactsarethereandconsideringwhatismoremuchmoregravethatinthelightofthelaborslostofSteinwegandPetermanitappearswhatismoremuchmoregravethatinthelightthelightthelightofthelaborslostofSteinwegandPetermanthatintheplainsinthemountainsbytheseasbytheriversrunningwaterrunningfiretheairisthesameandthentheearthnamelytheairandthentheearthinthegreatcoldthegreatdarktheairandtheearthabodeofstonesinthegreatcoldalasalasintheyearoftheirLordsixhundredandsomethingtheairtheearththeseatheearthabodeofstonesinthegreatdeepsthegreatcoldonseaonlandandintheairIresumeforreasonsunknowninspiteofthetennisthefactsaretherebuttimewilltellIresumealasalasononinshortinfineononabodeofstoneswhocandoubtitIresumebutnotsofastIresumetheskullfadingfadingfadingandconcurrentlysimultaneouslywhatismoreforreasonsunknowninspiteofthetennisononthebeardtheflamesthetearsthestonessobluesocalmalasalasonontheskulltheskulltheskulltheskullinConnemarainspiteofthetennisthelaborsabandonedleftunfinishedgraverstillabodeofstonesinawordIresumealasalasabandonedunfinishedtheskulltheskullinConnemarainspiteofthetennistheskullalasthestonesCunard(mêlée,finalvociferations)tennis...thestones...socalm...Cunard...unfinished...
POZZO:Hishat!
VladimirseizesLucky’shat.SilenceofLucky.Hefalls.Silence.Pantingofthevictors.
ESTRAGON:Avenged!
Vladimirexaminesthehat,peersinsideit.POZZO:Givemethat!(HesnatchesthehatfromVladimir,throwsitontheground,tramplesonit.)There’sanendtohisthinking!VLADIMIR:Butwillhebeabletowalk?
POZZO:Walkorcrawl!(HekicksLucky.)Uppig!ESTRAGON:Perhapshe’sdead.
VLADIMIR:You’llkillhim.
POZZO:Upscum!(Hejerkstherope.)Helpme!VLADIMIR:How?
POZZO:Raisehimup!
VladimirandEstragonhoistLuckytohisfeet,supporthimaninstant,thenlethimgo.Hefalls.
ESTRAGON:He’sdoingitonpurpose!
POZZO:Youmustholdhim.(Pause.)Comeon,comeon,raisehimup.
ESTRAGON:Tohellwithhim!
VLADIMIR:Comeon,oncemore.
ESTRAGON:Whatdoeshetakeusfor?
TheyraiseLucky,holdhimup.POZZO:Don’tlethimgo!(VladimirandEstragontotter.)
Don’tmove!(PozzofetchesbagandbasketandbringsthemtowardsLucky.)Holdhimtight!(HeputsthebaginLucky’shand.Luckydropsitimmediately.)Don’tlethimgo!(Heputsbackthe
baginLucky’shand.Gradually,atthefeelofthebag,Luckyrecovershissensesandhisfingersfinallycloseroundthehandle.)Holdhimtight!(Asbeforewithbasket.)Now!Youcanlethimgo.VladimirandEstragonmoveawayfromLuckywhototters,reels,sags,butsucceedsinremainingonhisfeet,bagandbasketinhishands.Pozzostepsback,crackshiswhip.)Forward!(Luckytottersforward.)Back!(Luckytottersback.)Turn!(Luckyturns.)Doneit!Hecanwalk.(TurningtoVladimirandEstragon.)Thankyou,gentlemen,andletme...(hefumblesinhispockets)...letmewishyou...(fumbles)...wishyou...(fumbles)...whathaveIdonewithmywatch?(Fumbles.)Agenuinehalf-hunter,gentlemen,withdeadbeatescapement!(Sobbing.)Twasmygranpagaveittome!(Hesearchesontheground,VladimirandEstragonlikewise.PozzoturnsoverwithhisfoottheremainsofLucky’shat.)Wellnowisn’tthatjust—
VLADIMIR:Perhapsit’sinyourfob.
POZZO:Wait!(Hedoublesupinanattempttoapplyhiseartohisstomach,listens.Silence.)Ihearnothing.(Hebeckonsthemtoapproach.VladimirandEstragongoovertohim,bendoverhisstomach.)Surelyoneshouldhearthetick-tick.VLADIMIR:Silence!
Alllisten,bentdouble.ESTRAGON:Ihearsomething.
POZZO:Where?
VLADIMIR:It’stheheart.
POZZO:(disappointed).Damnation!VLADIMIR:Silence!
ESTRAGON:Perhapsithasstopped.
Theystraightenup.POZZO:Whichofyousmellssobad?
ESTRAGON:HehasstinkingbreathandIhavestinkingfeet.
POZZO:Imustgo.
ESTRAGON:Andyourhalf-hunter?
POZZO:Imusthaveleftitatthemanor.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Thenadieu.
POZZO:Adieu.
VLADIMIR:Adieu.
POZZO:Adieu.
Silence.Noonemoves.VLADIMIR:Adieu.
POZZO:Adieu.
ESTRAGON:Adieu.
Silence.POZZO:Andthankyou.
VLADIMIR:Thankyou.POZZO:Notatall.
ESTRAGON:Yesyes.
POZZO:Nono.
VLADIMIR:Yesyes.
ESTRAGON:Nono.
Silence.POZZO:Idon’tseemtobeable...(longhesitation)...todepart.ESTRAGON:Suchislife.
Pozzoturns,movesawayfromLuckytowardsthewings,payingouttheropeashegoes.
VLADIMIR:You’regoingthewrongway.
POZZO:Ineedarunningstart.(Havingcometotheendoftherope,i.e.offstage,hestops,turnsandcries.)Standback!(VladimirandEstragonstandback,looktowardsPozzo.Crackofwhip.)On!On!ESTRAGON:On!
VLADIMIR:On!
Luckymovesoff.POZZO:Faster!(Heappears,crossesthestageprecededby
Lucky.VladimirandEstragonwavetheirhats.ExitLucky.)On!On!(Onthepointofdisappearinginhisturnhestopsandturns.Theropetautens.NoiseofLuckyfallingoff.)Stool!
(VladimirfetchesstoolandgivesittoPozzowhothrowsittoLucky.)Adieu!
VLADIMIR:(waving).Adieu!Adieu!ESTRAGON:
POZZO:Up!Pig!(NoiseofLuckygettingup.)On!(ExitPozzo.)Faster!On!Adieu!Pig!Yip!Adieu!Longsilence.
VLADIMIR:Thatpassedthetime.
ESTRAGON:Itwouldhavepassedinanycase.
VLADIMIR:Yes,butnotsorapidly.
Pause.ESTRAGON:Whatdowedonow?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.
ESTRAGON:Let’sgo.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:We’rewaitingforGodot.
ESTRAGON:(despairingly).Ah!Pause.
VLADIMIR:Howthey’vechanged!
ESTRAGON:Who?
VLADIMIR:Thosetwo.
ESTRAGON:That’stheidea,let’smakealittleconversation.
VLADIMIR:Haven’tthey?
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Changed.
ESTRAGON:Verylikely.Theyallchange.Onlywecan’t.
VLADIMIR:Likely!It’scertain.Didn’tyouseethem?
ESTRAGON:IsupposeIdid.ButIdon’tknowthem.
VLADIMIR:Yesyoudoknowthem.
ESTRAGON:NoIdon’tknowthem.
VLADIMIR:Weknowthem,Itellyou.Youforgeteverything.
(Pause.Tohimself.)Unlessthey’renotthesame...
ESTRAGON:Whydidn’ttheyrecognizeusthen?
VLADIMIR:Thatmeansnothing.Itoopretendednottorecognizethem.Andthennobodyeverrecognizesus.
ESTRAGON:Forgetit.Whatweneed—ow!(Vladimirdoesnotreact.)Ow!VLADIMIR:(tohimself).Unlessthey’renotthesame...ESTRAGON:Didi!It’stheotherfoot!
Hegoeshobblingtowardsthemound.VLADIMIR:Unlessthey’renotthesame...
BOY:(off).Mister!
Estragonhalts.Bothlooktowardsthevoice.
ESTRAGON:Offwegoagain.
VLADIMIR:Approach,mychild.
EnterBoy,timidly.Hehalts.BOY:MisterAlbert...?
VLADIMIR:Yes.
ESTRAGON:Whatdoyouwant?
VLADIMIR:Approach!
TheBoydoesnotmove.ESTRAGON:(forcibly).Approachwhenyou’retold,can’tyou?
TheBoyadvancestimidly,halts.VLADIMIR:Whatisit?
BOY:Mr.Godot...
VLADIMIR:Obviously...(Pause.)Approach.ESTRAGON:(violently).Willyouapproach!(TheBoyadvancestimidly.)Whatkeptyousolate?
VLADIMIR:YouhaveamessagefromMr.Godot?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Well,whatisit?
ESTRAGON:Whatkeptyousolate?
TheBoylooksattheminturn,notknowingtowhichheshouldreply.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Lethimalone.
ESTRAGON:(violently).Youletmealone.(Advancing,totheBoy.)Doyouknowwhattimeitis?BOY:(recoiling).It’snotmyfault,Sir.ESTRAGON:Andwhoseisit?Mine?
BOY:Iwasafraid,Sir.
ESTRAGON:Afraidofwhat?Ofus?(Pause.)Answerme!VLADIMIR:Iknowwhatitis,hewasafraidoftheothers.
ESTRAGON:Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?
BOY:Agoodwhile,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Youwereafraidofthewhip?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Theroars?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Thetwobigmen.
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Doyouknowthem?
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Areyouanativeoftheseparts?(Silence.)Doyoubelongtotheseparts?
BOY:YesSir.
ESTRAGON:That’sallapackoflies.(ShakingtheBoybythearm.)Tellusthetruth!BOY:(trembling).Butitisthetruth,Sir!
VLADIMIR:Willyoulethimalone!What’sthematterwithyou?(EstragonreleasestheBoy,movesaway,coveringhisfacewithhishands.VladimirandtheBoyobservehim.Estragondropshishands.Hisfaceisconvulsed.)What’sthematterwithyou?
ESTRAGON:I’munhappy.
VLADIMIR:Notreally!Sincewhen?
ESTRAGON:I’dforgotten.
VLADIMIR:Extraordinarythetricksthatmemoryplays!
(Estragontriestospeak,renounces,limpstohisplace,sitsdownandbeginstotakeoffhisboots.ToBoy.)Well?
BOY:Mr.Godot—
VLADIMIR:I’veseenyoubefore,haven’tI?
BOY:Idon’tknow,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Youdon’tknowme?
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Itwasn’tyoucameyesterday?
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Thisisyourfirsttime?
BOY:YesSir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Wordswords.(Pause.)Speak.BOY:(inarush).Mr.Godottoldmetotellyouhewon’tcomethiseveningbutsurelyto-morrow.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Isthatall?
BOY:YesSir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:YouworkforMr.Godot?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Whatdoyoudo?
BOY:Imindthegoats,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Ishegoodtoyou?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Hedoesn’tbeatyou?
BOY:NoSir,notme.
VLADIMIR:Whomdoeshebeat?
BOY:Hebeatsmybrother,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Ah,youhaveabrother?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Whatdoeshedo?
BOY:Hemindsthesheep,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Andwhydoesn’thebeatyou?
BOY:Idon’tknow,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Hemustbefondofyou.
BOY:Idon’tknow,Sir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Doeshegiveyouenoughtoeat?(TheBoyhesitates.)Doeshefeedyouwell?
BOY:Fairlywell,Sir.
VLADIMIR:You’renotunhappy?(TheBoyhesitates.)Doyouhearme?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Well?
BOY:Idon’tknow,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Youdon’tknowifyou’reunhappyornot?
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:You’reasbadasmyself.(Silence.)Wheredoyousleep?
BOY:Intheloft,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Withyourbrother?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Inthehay?
BOY:YesSir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Allright,youmaygo.
BOY:WhatamItotellMr.Godot,Sir?
VLADIMIR:Tellhim...(hehesitates)...tellhimyousawus.(Pause.)Youdidseeus,didn’tyou?
BOY:YesSir.
Hestepsback,hesitates,turnsandexitrunning.Thelightsuddenlyfails.Inamomentitisnight.Themoonrisesatback,mountsinthesky,standsstill,sheddingapalelightonthescene.
VLADIMIR:Atlast!(EstragongetsupandgoestowardsVladimir,abootineachhand.Heputsthemdownatedgeofstage,straightensandcontemplatesthemoon.)Whatareyoudoing?
ESTRAGON:Paleforweariness.
VLADIMIR:Eh?
ESTRAGON:Ofclimbingheavenandgazingonthelikesofus.
VLADIMIR:Yourboots,whatareyoudoingwithyourboots?
ESTRAGON:(turningtolookattheboots).I’mleavingthemthere.(Pause.)Anotherwillcome,justas...as...asme,butwithsmallerfeet,andthey’llmakehimhappy.
VLADIMIR:Butyoucan’tgobarefoot!
ESTRAGON:Christdid.
VLADIMIR:Christ!WhathasChristgottodowithit?You’renotgoingtocompareyourselftoChrist!
ESTRAGON:AllmylifeI’vecomparedmyselftohim.
VLADIMIR:Butwhereheliveditwaswarm,itwasdry!
ESTRAGON:Yes.Andtheycrucifiedquick.
Silence.
VLADIMIR:We’venothingmoretodohere.
ESTRAGON:Noranywhereelse.
VLADIMIR:AhGogo,don’tgoonlikethat.To-morroweverythingwillbebetter.
ESTRAGON:Howdoyoumakethatout?
VLADIMIR:Didyounothearwhatthechildsaid?
ESTRAGON:No.
VLADIMIR:HesaidthatGodotwassuretocometo-morrow.
(Pause.)Whatdoyousaytothat?
ESTRAGON:Thenallwehavetodoistowaitonhere.
VLADIMIR:Areyoumad?Wemusttakecover.(HetakesEstragonbythearm.)Comeon.HedrawsEstragonafterhim.Estragonyields,thenresists.Theyhalt.
ESTRAGON:(lookingatthetree).Pitywehaven’tgotabitofrope.VLADIMIR:Comeon.Itscold.
HedrawsEstragonafterhim.Asbefore.ESTRAGON:Remindmetobringabitofropeto-morrow.
VLADIMIR:Yes.Comeon.
Hedrawshimafterhim.Asbefore.ESTRAGON:Howlonghavewebeentogetherallthetimenow?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.Fiftyyearsmaybe.
ESTRAGON:DoyourememberthedayIthrewmyselfintotheRhone?
VLADIMIR:Weweregrapeharvesting.
ESTRAGON:Youfishedmeout.
VLADIMIR:That’salldeadandburied.
ESTRAGON:Myclothesdriedinthesun.
VLADIMIR:There’snogoodharkingbackonthat.Comeon.
Hedrawshimafterhim.Asbefore.ESTRAGON:Wait!
VLADIMIR:I’mcold!
ESTRAGON:Wait!(HemovesawayfromVladimir.)Isometimeswonderifwewouldn’thavebeenbetteroffalone,eachoneforhimself.(Hecrossesthestageandsitsdownonthemound.)Weweren’tmadeforthesameroad.
VLADIMIR:(withoutanger).It’snotcertain.ESTRAGON:No,nothingiscertain.
VladimirslowlycrossesthestageandsitsdownbesideEstragon.
VLADIMIR:Wecanstillpart,ifyouthinkitwouldbebetter.
ESTRAGON:It’snotworthwhilenow.
Silence.VLADIMIR:No,it’snotworthwhilenow.
Silence.
Estragon’sbootsfrontcenter,heelstogether,toessplayed.Lucky’shatatsameplace.Thetreehasfourorfiveleaves.EnterVladimiragitatedly.Hehaltsandlookslongatthetree,thensuddenlybeginstomovefeverishlyaboutthestage.Hehaltsbeforetheboots,picksoneup,examinesit,sniffsit,manifestsdisgust,putsitbackcarefully.Comesandgoes.Haltsextremerightandgazesintodistanceoff,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.Comesandgoes.Haltsextremeleft,asbefore.Comesandgoes.Haltssuddenlyandbeginstosingloudly.
VLADIMIR:Adogcamein—
Havingbeguntoohighhestops,clearshisthroat,resumes:
AdogcameinthekitchenAndstoleacrustofbread.ThencookupwithaladleAndbeathimtillhewasdead.
ThenallthedogscamerunningAnddugthedogatomb—
Hestops,broods,resumes:ThenallthedogscamerunningAnddugthedogatombAndwroteuponthetombstoneFortheeyesofdogstocome:
AdogcameinthekitchenAndstoleacrustofbread.ThencookupwithaladleAndbeathimtillhewasdead.
ThenallthedogscamerunningAnddugthedogatomb—
Hestops,broods,resumes:
ThenallthedogscamerunningAnddugthedogatomb—
Hestops,broods.Softly.
Anddugthedogatomb...
Heremainsamomentsilentandmotionless,thenbeginstomovefeverishlyaboutthestage.Hehaltsbeforethetree,comesandgoes,beforetheboots,comesandgoes,haltsextremeright,gazesintodistance,extremeleft,gazesintodistance.EnterEstragonright,barefoot,headbowed.Heslowlycrossesthestage.Vladimirturnsandseeshim.VLADIMIR:Youagain!(Estragonhaltsbutdoesnotraisehishead.Vladimirgoestowardshim.)ComeheretillIembraceyou.ESTRAGON:Don’ttouchme!
Vladimirholdsback,pained.VLADIMIR:Doyouwantmetogoaway?(Pause.)Gogo!
(Pause.Vladimirobserveshimattentively.)Didtheybeatyou?(Pause.)Gogo!(Estragonremainssilent,headbowed.)Wheredidyouspendthe
night?
ESTRAGON:Don’ttouchme!Don’tquestionme!Don’tspeaktome!Staywithme!
VLADIMIR:DidIeverleaveyou?
ESTRAGON:Youletmego.
VLADIMIR:Lookatme.(Estragondoesnotraisehishead.Violently.)Willyoulookatme!
Estragonraiseshishead.Theylooklongateachother,thensuddenlyembrace,clappingeachotherontheback.Endoftheembrace.Estragon,nolongersupported,almostfalls.
ESTRAGON:Whataday!
VLADIMIR:Whobeatyou?Tellme.
ESTRAGON:Anotherdaydonewith.
VLADIMIR:Notyet.
ESTRAGON:Formeit’soveranddonewith,nomatterwhathappens.(Silence.)Iheardyousinging.VLADIMIR:That’sright,Iremember.
ESTRAGON:Thatfinishedme.Isaidtomyself,He’sallalone,hethinksI’mgoneforever,andhesings.
VLADIMIR:Oneisnotmasterofone’smoods.AlldayI’vefeltingreatform.(Pause.)Ididn’tgetupinthenight,notonce!ESTRAGON:(sadly).Yousee,youpissbetterwhenI’mnotthere.VLADIMIR:Imissedyou...andatthesametimeIwashappy.
Isn’tthataqueerthing?
ESTRAGON:(shocked).Happy?VLADIMIR:Perhapsit’snotquitetherightword.
ESTRAGON:Andnow?
VLADIMIR:Now?...(Joyous.)Thereyouareagain...(Indifferent.)Thereweareagain...(Gloomy.)ThereIamagain.ESTRAGON:Yousee,youfeelworsewhenI’mwithyou.Ifeelbetteralonetoo.
VLADIMIR:(vexed).Thenwhydoyoualwayscomecrawlingback?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:No,butIdo.It’sbecauseyoudon’tknowhowtodefendyourself.Iwouldn’thaveletthembeatyou.
ESTRAGON:Youcouldn’thavestoppedthem.
VLADIMIR:Whynot?
ESTRAGON:Therewastenofthem.
VLADIMIR:No,Imeanbeforetheybeatyou.Iwouldhavestoppedyoufromdoingwhateveritwasyouweredoing.
ESTRAGON:Iwasn’tdoinganything.
VLADIMIR:Thenwhydidtheybeatyou?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Ahno,Gogo,thetruthistherearethingsescapeyouthatdon’tescapeme,youmustfeelityourself.
ESTRAGON:ItellyouIwasn’tdoinganything.
VLADIMIR:Perhapsyouweren’t.Butit’sthewayofdoingitthatcounts,thewayofdoingit,ifyouwanttogoonliving.
ESTRAGON:Iwasn’tdoinganything.
VLADIMIR:Youmustbehappytoo,deepdown,ifyouonlyknewit.
ESTRAGON:Happyaboutwhat?
VLADIMIR:Tobebackwithmeagain.
ESTRAGON:Wouldyousayso?
VLADIMIR:Sayyouare,evenifit’snottrue.
ESTRAGON:WhatamItosay?
VLADIMIR:Say,Iamhappy.
ESTRAGON:Iamhappy.
VLADIMIR:SoamI.
ESTRAGON:SoamI.
VLADIMIR:Wearehappy.
ESTRAGON:Wearehappy.(Silence.)Whatdowedonow,nowthatwearehappy?
VLADIMIR:WaitforGodot.(Estragongroans.Silence.)Thingshavechangedheresinceyesterday.
ESTRAGON:Andifhedoesn’tcome.
VLADIMIR:(afteramomentofbewilderment).We’llseewhenthetimecomes.(Pause.)Iwassayingthatthingshavechangedheresinceyesterday.
ESTRAGON:Everythingoozes.
VLADIMIR:Lookatthetree.
ESTRAGON:It’sneverthesamepusfromonesecondtothenext.
VLADIMIR:Thetree,lookatthetree.
Estragonlooksatthetree.ESTRAGON:Wasitnotthereyesterday?
VLADIMIR:Yesofcourseitwasthere.Doyounotremember?
Wenearlyhangedourselvesfromit.Butyouwouldn’t.Doyounotremember?
ESTRAGON:Youdreamtit.
VLADIMIR:Isitpossibleyou’veforgottenalready?
ESTRAGON:That’sthewayIam.EitherIforgetimmediatelyorIneverforget.
VLADIMIR:AndPozzoandLucky,haveyouforgottenthemtoo?
ESTRAGON:PozzoandLucky?
VLADIMIR:He’sforgotteneverything!
ESTRAGON:Irememberalunaticwhokickedtheshinsoffme.
Thenheplayedthefool.
VLADIMIR:ThatwasLucky.
ESTRAGON:Irememberthat.Butwhenwasit?
VLADIMIR:Andhiskeeper,doyounotrememberhim?
ESTRAGON:Hegavemeabone.
VLADIMIR:ThatwasPozzo.
ESTRAGON:Andallthatwasyesterday,yousay?
VLADIMIR:Yesofcourseitwasyesterday.
ESTRAGON:Andherewherewearenow?
VLADIMIR:Whereelsedoyouthink?Doyounotrecognizetheplace?
ESTRAGON:(suddenlyfurious).Recognize!Whatistheretorecognize?AllmylousylifeI’vecrawledaboutinthemud!Andyoutalktomeaboutscenery!(Lookingwildlyabouthim.)Lookatthismuckheap!I’veneverstirredfromit!
VLADIMIR:Calmyourself,calmyourself.
ESTRAGON:Youandyourlandscapes!Tellmeabouttheworms!
VLADIMIR:Allthesame,youcan’ttellmethatthis(gesture)bearsanyresemblanceto...(hehesitates)...totheMaconcountryforexample.Youcan’tdenythere’sabigdifference.
ESTRAGON:TheMaconcountry!Who’stalkingtoyouabouttheMaconcountry?
VLADIMIR:Butyouwerethereyourself,intheMaconcountry.
ESTRAGON:NoIwasneverintheMaconcountry!I’vepukedmypukeofalifeawayhere,Itellyou!Here!IntheCackoncountry!
VLADIMIR:Butweweretheretogether,Icouldsweartoit!
Pickinggrapesforamancalled...(hesnapshisfingers)...can’tthinkofthenameoftheman,ataplacecalled...(snapshisfingers)...can’tthinkofthenameoftheplace,doyounot
remember?
ESTRAGON:(alittlecalmer).It’spossible.Ididn’tnoticeanything.
VLADIMIR:Butdownthereeverythingisred!
ESTRAGON:(exasperated).Ididn’tnoticeanything,Itellyou!Silence.Vladimirsighsdeeply.
VLADIMIR:You’reahardmantogetonwith,Gogo.
ESTRAGON:It’dbebetterifweparted.
VLADIMIR:Youalwayssaythatandyoualwayscomecrawlingback.
ESTRAGON:Thebestthingwouldbetokillme,liketheother.
VLADIMIR:Whatother?(Pause.)Whatother?
ESTRAGON:Likebillionsofothers.
VLADIMIR:(sententious).Toeverymanhislittlecross.(Hesighs.)Tillhedies.(Afterthought.)Andisforgotten.ESTRAGON:Inthemeantimeletustryandconversecalmly,sinceweareincapableofkeepingsilent.
VLADIMIR:You’reright,we’reinexhaustible.
ESTRAGON:It’ssowewon’tthink.
VLADIMIR:Wehavethatexcuse.
ESTRAGON:It’ssowewon’thear.
VLADIMIR:Wehaveourreasons.
ESTRAGON:Allthedeadvoices.
VLADIMIR:Theymakeanoiselikewings.
ESTRAGON:Likeleaves.
VLADIMIR:Likesand.
ESTRAGON:Likeleaves.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Theyallspeakatonce.
ESTRAGON:Eachonetoitself.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Rathertheywhisper.
ESTRAGON:Theyrustle.
VLADIMIR:Theymurmur.
ESTRAGON:Theyrustle.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Whatdotheysay?
ESTRAGON:Theytalkabouttheirlives.
VLADIMIR:Tohavelivedisnotenoughforthem.
ESTRAGON:Theyhavetotalkaboutit.
VLADIMIR:Tobedeadisnotenoughforthem.
ESTRAGON:Itisnotsufficient.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Theymakeanoiselikefeathers.
ESTRAGON:Likeleaves.
VLADIMIR:Likeashes.
ESTRAGON:Likeleaves.
Longsilence.VLADIMIR:Saysomething!
ESTRAGON:I’mtrying.
Longsilence.VLADIMIR:(inanguish).Sayanythingatall!ESTRAGON:Whatdowedonow?
VLADIMIR:WaitforGodot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!
Silence.VLADIMIR:Thisisawful!
ESTRAGON:Singsomething.
VLADIMIR:Nono!(Hereflects.)Wecouldstartalloveragainperhaps.
ESTRAGON:Thatshouldbeeasy.
VLADIMIR:It’sthestartthat’sdifficult.
ESTRAGON:Youcanstartfromanything.
VLADIMIR:Yes,butyouhavetodecide.
ESTRAGON:True.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Helpme!
ESTRAGON:I’mtrying.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Whenyouseekyouhear.
ESTRAGON:Youdo.
VLADIMIR:Thatpreventsyoufromfinding.
ESTRAGON:Itdoes.
VLADIMIR:Thatpreventsyoufromthinking.
ESTRAGON:Youthinkallthesame.
VLADIMIR:Nono,impossible.
ESTRAGON:That’stheidea,let’scontradicteachother.
VLADIMIR:Impossible.
ESTRAGON:Youthinkso?
VLADIMIR:We’reinnodangerofeverthinkinganymore.
ESTRAGON:Thenwhatarewecomplainingabout?
VLADIMIR:Thinkingisnottheworst.
ESTRAGON:Perhapsnot.Butatleastthere’sthat.
VLADIMIR:Thatwhat?
ESTRAGON:That’stheidea,let’saskeachotherquestions.
VLADIMIR:Whatdoyoumean,atleastthere’sthat?
ESTRAGON:Thatmuchlessmisery.
VLADIMIR:True.
ESTRAGON:Well?Ifwegavethanksforourmercies?
VLADIMIR:Whatisterribleistohavethought.ESTRAGON:Butdidthateverhappentous?
VLADIMIR:Whereareallthesecorpsesfrom?
ESTRAGON:Theseskeletons.
VLADIMIR:Tellmethat.
ESTRAGON:True.
VLADIMIR:Wemusthavethoughtalittle.
ESTRAGON:Attheverybeginning.
VLADIMIR:Acharnel-house!Acharnel-house!
ESTRAGON:Youdon’thavetolook.
VLADIMIR:Youcan’thelplooking.
ESTRAGON:True.
VLADIMIR:Tryasonemay.
ESTRAGON:Ibegyourpardon?
VLADIMIR:Tryasonemay.
ESTRAGON:WeshouldturnresolutelytowardsNature.
VLADIMIR:We’vetriedthat.
ESTRAGON:True.
VLADIMIR:Ohit’snottheworst,Iknow.
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Tohavethought.
ESTRAGON:Obviously.
VLADIMIR:Butwecouldhavedonewithoutit.
ESTRAGON:Quevoulez-vous?
VLADIMIR:Ibegyourpardon?
ESTRAGON:Quevoulez-vous.
VLADIMIR:Ah!quevoulez-vous.Exactly.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Thatwasn’tsuchabadlittlecanter.
VLADIMIR:Yes,butnowwellhavetofindsomethingelse.
ESTRAGON:Letmesee.
Hetakesoffhishat,concentrates.VLADIMIR:Letmesee.(Hetakesoffhishat,concentrates.
Longsilence.)Ah!Theyputontheirhats,relax.
ESTRAGON:Well?
VLADIMIR:WhatwasIsaying,wecouldgoonfromthere.
ESTRAGON:Whatwereyousayingwhen?
VLADIMIR:Attheverybeginning.
ESTRAGON:TheverybeginningofWHAT?
VLADIMIR:Thisevening...Iwassaying...Iwassaying...
ESTRAGON:I’mnotahistorian.
VLADIMIR:Wait...weembraced...wewerehappy...happy...whatdowedonowthatwe’rehappy...goonwaiting...
waiting...letmethink...it’scoming...goonwaiting...nowthatwe’rehappy...letmesee...ah!Thetree!
ESTRAGON:Thetree?
VLADIMIR:Doyounotremember?
ESTRAGON:I’mtired.
VLADIMIR:Lookatit.
Theylookatthetree.ESTRAGON:Iseenothing.
VLADIMIR:Butyesterdayeveningitwasallblackandbare.
Andnowit’scoveredwithleaves.
ESTRAGON:Leaves?
VLADIMIR:Inasinglenight.
ESTRAGON:ItmustbetheSpring.
VLADIMIR:Butinasinglenight!
ESTRAGON:Itellyouweweren’thereyesterday.Anotherofyournightmares.
VLADIMIR:Andwherewereweyesterdayeveningaccordingtoyou?
ESTRAGON:HowwouldIknow?Inanothercompartment.
There’snolackofvoid.
VLADIMIR:(sureofhimself).Good.Weweren’thereyesterdayevening.Nowwhatdidwedoyesterdayevening?
ESTRAGON:Do?
VLADIMIR:Tryandremember.
ESTRAGON:Do...Isupposeweblathered.
VLADIMIR:(controllinghimself).Aboutwhat?ESTRAGON:Oh...thisandthatIsuppose,nothinginparticular.(Withassurance.)Yes,nowIremember,yesterdayeveningwespentblatheringaboutnothinginparticular.That’sbeengoingonnowforhalfacentury.
VLADIMIR:Youdon’trememberanyfact,anycircumstance?
ESTRAGON:(weary).Don’ttormentme,Didi.VLADIMIR:Thesun.Themoon.Doyounotremember?
ESTRAGON:Theymusthavebeenthere,asusual.
VLADIMIR:Youdidn’tnoticeanythingoutoftheordinary?
ESTRAGON:Alas!
VLADIMIR:AndPozzo?AndLucky?
ESTRAGON:Pozzo?
VLADIMIR:Thebones.
ESTRAGON:Theywerelikefishbones.
VLADIMIR:ItwasPozzogavethemtoyou.
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Andthekick.
ESTRAGON:That’sright,someonegavemeakick.
VLADIMIR:ItwasLuckygaveittoyou.
ESTRAGON:Andallthatwasyesterday?
VLADIMIR:Showyourleg.
ESTRAGON:Which?
VLADIMIR:Both.Pullupyourtrousers.(EstragongivesalegtoVladimir,staggers.Vladimirtakestheleg.Theystagger.)Pullupyourtrousers.
ESTRAGON:Ican’t.
Vladimirpullsupthetrousers,looksattheleg,letsitgo.Estragonalmostfalls.
VLADIMIR:Theother.(Estragongivesthesameleg.)Theother,pig!(Estragongivestheotherleg.Triumphantly.)There’sthewound!Beginningtofester!
ESTRAGON:Andwhataboutit?
VLADIMIR:(lettinggotheleg).Whereareyourboots?
ESTRAGON:Imusthavethrownthemaway.
VLADIMIR:When?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Why?
ESTRAGON:(exasperated).Idon’tknowwhyIdon’tknow!VLADIMIR:No,Imeanwhydidyouthrowthemaway?
ESTRAGON:(exasperated).Becausetheywerehurtingme!VLADIMIR:(triumphantly,pointingtotheboots).Theretheyare!(Estragonlooksattheboots.)Attheveryspotwhereyouleftthemyesterday!
Estragongoestowardstheboots,inspectsthem
closely.ESTRAGON:They’renotmine.
VLADIMIR:(stupefied).Notyours!ESTRAGON:Minewereblack.Thesearebrown.
VLADIMIR:You’resureyourswereblack?
ESTRAGON:Welltheywereakindofgray.
VLADIMIR:Andthesearebrown.Show.
ESTRAGON:(pickingupaboot).Wellthey’reakindofgreen.
VLADIMIR:Show.(Estragonhandshimtheboot.Vladimirinspectsit,throwsitdownangrily.)Wellofallthe—
ESTRAGON:Yousee,allthat’salotofbloody—
VLADIMIR:Ah!Iseewhatitis.Yes,Iseewhat’shappened.
ESTRAGON:Allthat’salotofbloody—
VLADIMIR:It’selementary.Someonecameandtookyoursandleftyouhis.
ESTRAGON:Why?
VLADIMIR:Hisweretootightforhim,sohetookyours.
ESTRAGON:Butmineweretootight
VLADIMIR:Foryou.Notforhim.
ESTRAGON:(havingtriedinvaintoworkitout).I’mtired!(Pause.)Let’sgo.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:We’rewaitingforGodot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!(Pause.Despairing.)What’llwedo,what’llwedo!
VLADIMIR:There’snothingwecando.
ESTRAGON:ButIcan’tgoonlikethis!
VLADIMIR:Wouldyoulikearadish?
ESTRAGON:Isthatallthereis?
VLADIMIR:Thereareradishesandturnips.
ESTRAGON:Aretherenocarrots?
VLADIMIR:No.Anywayyouoverdoitwithyourcarrots.
ESTRAGON:Thengivemearadish.(Vladimirfumblesinhispockets,findsnothingbutturnips,finallybringsoutaradishandhandsittoEstragonwhoexaminesit,sniffsit.)It’sblack!VLADIMIR:It’saradish.
ESTRAGON:Ionlylikethepinkones,youknowthat!
VLADIMIR:Thenyoudon’twantit?
ESTRAGON:Ionlylikethepinkones!
VLADIMIR:Thengiveitbacktome.
Estragongivesitback.ESTRAGON:I’llgoandgetacarrot.
Hedoesnotmove.VLADIMIR:Thisisbecomingreallyinsignificant.
ESTRAGON:Notenough.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Whatabouttryingthem.
ESTRAGON:I’vetriedeverything.
VLADIMIR:No,Imeantheboots.
ESTRAGON:Wouldthatbeagoodthing?
VLADIMIR:It’dpassthetime.(Estragonhesitates.)Iassureyou,it’dbeanoccupation.
ESTRAGON:Arelaxation.
VLADIMIR:Arecreation.
ESTRAGON:Arelaxation.
VLADIMIR:Try.
ESTRAGON:You’llhelpme?
VLADIMIR:Iwillofcourse.
ESTRAGON:Wedon’tmanagetoobadly,ehDidi,betweenthetwoofus?
VLADIMIR:Yesyes.Comeon,we’lltrytheleftfirst.
ESTRAGON:Wealwaysfindsomething,ehDidi,togiveustheimpressionweexist?
VLADIMIR:(impatiently).Yesyes,we’remagicians.Butletuspersevereinwhatwehaveresolved,beforeweforget.(Hepicksupaboot.)Comeon,givemeyourfoot.(Estragonraiseshisfoot.)Theother,hog!(Estragonraisestheotherfoot.)Higher!(Wreathedtogethertheystaggeraboutthestage.Vladimir
succeedsfinallyingettingontheboot.)Tryandwalk.(Estragonwalks.)Well?
ESTRAGON:Itfits.
VLADIMIR:(takingstringfromhispocket).We’lltryandlaceit.
ESTRAGON:(vehemently).Nono,nolaces,nolaces!VLADIMIR:You’llbesorry.Let’strytheother.(Asbefore.)
Well?
ESTRAGON:(grudgingly).Itfitstoo.VLADIMIR:Theydon’thurtyou?
ESTRAGON:Notyet.
VLADIMIR:Thenyoucankeepthem.
ESTRAGON:They’retoobig.
VLADIMIR:Perhapsyou’llhavesockssomeday.
ESTRAGON:True.
VLADIMIR:Thenyou’llkeepthem?
ESTRAGON:That’senoughabouttheseboots.
VLADIMIR:Yes,but—
ESTRAGON:(violently).Enough!(Silence.)IsupposeImightaswellsitdown.
Helooksforaplacetositdown,thengoesandsitsdownonthemound.
VLADIMIR:That’swhereyouweresittingyesterdayevening.
ESTRAGON:IfIcouldonlysleep.
VLADIMIR:Yesterdayyouslept.
ESTRAGON:I’lltry.
Heresumeshisfoetalposture,hisheadbetweenhisknees.
VLADIMIR:Wait.(HegoesoverandsitsdownbesideEstragonandbeginstosinginaloudvoice.)
Byebyebyebye
Byebye—
ESTRAGON:(lookingupangrily).Notsoloud!VLADIMIR:(softly).Byebyebyebye
Byebyebyebye
Byebyebyebye
Byebye...
Estragonsleeps.Vladimirgetsupsoftly,takesoffhiscoatandlaysitacrossEstragon’sshoulders,thenstartswalkingupanddown,swinginghisarmstokeephimselfwarm.Estragonwakeswithastart,jumpsup,castsaboutwildly.Vladimirrunstohim,putshisarmsroundhim.)There...there...Didiisthere...don’tbeafraid...
ESTRAGON:Ah!
VLADIMIR:There...there...it’sallover.
ESTRAGON:Iwasfalling—
VLADIMIR:It’sallover,it’sallover.
ESTRAGON:Iwasontopofa—
VLADIMIR:Don’ttellme!Come,we’llwalkitoff.
HetakesEstragonbythearmandwalkshimupanddownuntilEstragonrefusestogoanyfurther.
ESTRAGON:That’senough.I’mtired.
VLADIMIR:You’dratherbestucktheredoingnothing?
ESTRAGON:Yes.
VLADIMIR:Pleaseyourself.
HereleasesEstragon,picksuphiscoatandputsiton.
ESTRAGON:Let’sgo.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:We’rewaitingforGodot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!(Vladimirwalksupanddown.)Canyounotstaystill?
VLADIMIR:I’mcold.
ESTRAGON:Wecametoosoon.
VLADIMIR:It’salwaysatnightfall.
ESTRAGON:Butnightdoesn’tfall.
VLADIMIR:It’llfallallofasudden,likeyesterday.
ESTRAGON:Thenit’llbenight.
VLADIMIR:Andwecango.
ESTRAGON:Thenit’llbedayagain.(Pause.Despairing.)What’llwedo,what’llwedo!
VLADIMIR:(halting,violently).Willyoustopwhining!I’vehadaboutmybellyfulofyourlamentations!
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
VLADIMIR:(seeingLucky’shat).Well!
ESTRAGON:Farewell.
VLADIMIR:Lucky’shat.(Hegoestowardsit.)I’vebeenhereanhourandneversawit.(Verypleased.)Fine!ESTRAGON:You’llneverseemeagain.
VLADIMIR:Iknewitwastherightplace.Nowourtroublesareover.(Hepicksupthehat,contemplatesit,straightensit.)Musthavebeenaveryfinehat.(HeputsitoninplaceofhisownwhichhehandstoEstragon.)Here.ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Holdthat.
EstragontakesVladimir’shat.VladimiradjustsLucky’shatonhishead.EstragonputsonVladimir’shatinplaceofhisownwhichhehandstoVladimir.VladimirtakesEstragon’shat.EstragonadjustsVladimir’shatonhishead.VladimirputsonEstragon’shatinplaceofLucky’swhichhehandstoEstragon.EstragontakesLucky’shat.VladimiradjustsEstragon’shatonhishead.EstragonputsonLucky’shatinplace
ofVladimir’swhichhehandstoVladimir.Vladimirtakeshishat.EstragonadjustsLucky’shatonhishead.VladimirputsonhishatinplaceofEstragon’swhichhehandstoEstragon.Estragontakeshishat.Vladimiradjustshishatonhishead.EstragonputsonhishatinplaceofLucky’swhichhehandstoVladimir.VladimirtakesLucky’shat.Estragonadjustshishatonhishead.VladimirputsonLucky’shatinplaceofhisownwhichhehandstoEstragon.EstragontakesVladimir’shat.VladimiradjustsLucky’shatonhishead.EstragonhandsVladimir’shatbacktoVladimirwhotakesitandhandsitbacktoEstragonwhotakesitandhandsitbacktoVladimirwhotakesitandthrowsitdown.Howdoesitfitme?
ESTRAGON:HowwouldIknow?
VLADIMIR:No,buthowdoIlookinit?
Heturnshisheadcoquettishlytoandfro,minceslikeamannequin.
ESTRAGON:Hideous.
VLADIMIR:Yes,butnotmoresothanusual?
ESTRAGON:Neithermorenorless.
VLADIMIR:ThenIcankeepit.Mineirkedme.(Pause.)HowshallIsay?(Pause.)Ititchedme.
HetakesoffLucky’shat,peersintoit,shakesit,knocksonthecrown,putsitonagain.
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Willyounotplay?
ESTRAGON:Playatwhat?
VLADIMIR:WecouldplayatPozzoandLucky.
ESTRAGON:Neverheardofit.
VLADIMIR:I’lldoLucky,youdoPozzo.(HeimitatesLuckysaggingundertheweightofhisbaggage.Estragonlooksathimwithstupefaction.)Goon.
ESTRAGON:WhatamItodo?
VLADIMIR:Curseme!
ESTRAGON:(afterreflection).Naughty!VLADIMIR:Stronger!
ESTRAGON:Gonococcus!Spirochete!
Vladimirswaysbackandforth,doubledintwo.VLADIMIR:Tellmetothink.
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Say,Think,pig!
ESTRAGON:Think,pig!
Silence.VLADIMIR:Ican’t!
ESTRAGON:That’senoughofthat.
VLADIMIR:Tellmetodance.
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
VLADIMIR:Dance,hog!(Hewrithes.ExitEstragonleft,precipitately.)Ican’t!(Helooksup,missesEstragon.)Gogo!(Hemoveswildlyaboutthestage.EnterEstragonleft,panting.HehastenstowardsVladimir,fallsintohisarms.)Thereyouareagainatlast!
ESTRAGON:I’maccursed!
VLADIMIR:Wherewereyou?Ithoughtyouweregoneforever.
ESTRAGON:They’recoming!
VLADIMIR:Who?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Howmany?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:(triumphantly).It’sGodot!Atlast!Gogo!It’sGodot!We’resaved!Let’sgoandmeethim!(HedragsEstragontowardsthewings.Estragonresists,pullshimselffree,exitright.)Gogo!Comeback!(Vladimirrunstoextremeleft,scansthehorizon.EnterEstragonright,hehastenstowardsVladimir,fallsintohisarms.)Thereyouareagainagain!ESTRAGON:I’minhell!
VLADIMIR:Wherewereyou?
ESTRAGON:They’recomingtheretoo!
VLADIMIR:We’resurrounded!(Estragonmakesarushtowardsback.)Imbecile!There’snowayoutthere.(HetakesEstragonbythearmanddragshimtowardsfront.Gesturetowardsfront.)There!Notasoulinsight!Offyougo!Quick!(HepushesEstragontowardsauditorium.Estragonrecoilsinhorror.)Youwon’t?(Hecontemplatesauditorium.)WellIcanunderstandthat.WaittillIsee.(Hereflects.)Youronlyhopeleftistodisappear.
ESTRAGON:Where?
VLADIMIR:Behindthetree.(Estragonhesitates.)Quick!Behindthetree.(Estragongoesandcrouches
behindthetree,realizesheisnothidden,comesoutfrombehindthetree.)Decidedlythistreewillnothavebeentheslightestusetous.
ESTRAGON:(calmer).Ilostmyhead.Forgiveme.Itwon’thappenagain.Tellmewhattodo.
VLADIMIR:There’snothingtodo.
ESTRAGON:Yougoandstandthere.(HedrawsVladimirtoextremerightandplaceshimwithhisbacktothestage.)There,don’tmove,andwatchout.(Vladimirscanshorizon,screeninghiseyeswithhishand.Estragonrunsandtakesupsamepositionextremeleft.Theyturntheirheadsandlookateachother.)Backtobacklikeinthegoodolddays.(Theycontinuetolookateachotherforamoment,thenresumetheirwatch.Longsilence.)Doyouseeanythingcoming?
VLADIMIR:(turninghishead.)What?
ESTRAGON:(louder).Doyouseeanythingcoming?
VLADIMIR:No.
ESTRAGON:NorI.
Theyresumetheirwatch.Silence.VLADIMIR:Youmusthavehadavision.
ESTRAGON:(turninghishead).What?
VLADIMIR:(louder).Youmusthavehadavision.ESTRAGON:Noneedtoshout!
Theyresumetheirwatch.Silence.VLADIMIR:
(turningsimultaneously).Doyou—ESTRAGON:
VLADIMIR:Ohpardon!
ESTRAGON:Carryon.
VLADIMIR:Nono,afteryou.
ESTRAGON:Nono,youfirst.
VLADIMIR:Iinterruptedyou.
ESTRAGON:Onthecontrary.
Theyglareateachotherangrily.VLADIMIR:Ceremoniousape!
ESTRAGON:Punctiliouspig!
VLADIMIR:Finishyourphrase,Itellyou!
ESTRAGON:Finishyourown!
Silence.Theydrawcloser,halt.VLADIMIR:Moron!
ESTRAGON:That’stheidea,let’sabuseeachother.
Theyturn,moveapart,turnagainandfaceeachother.
VLADIMIR:Moron!
ESTRAGON:Vermin!
VLADIMIR:Abortion!
ESTRAGON:Morpion!
VLADIMIR:Sewer-rat!
ESTRAGON:Curate!
VLADIMIR:Cretin!
ESTRAGON:(withfinality).Crritic!VLADIMIR:Oh!
Hewilts,vanquished,andturnsaway.ESTRAGON:Nowlet’smakeitup.
VLADIMIR:Gogo!
ESTRAGON:Didi!
VLADIMIR:Yourhand!
ESTRAGON:Takeit!
VLADIMIR:Cometomyarms!
ESTRAGON:Yourarms?
VLADIMIR:Mybreast!
ESTRAGON:Offwego!
Theyembrace.Theyseparate.Silence.VLADIMIR:Howtimeflieswhenonehasfun!
Silence.ESTRAGON:Whatdowedonow?
VLADIMIR:Whilewaiting.
ESTRAGON:Whilewaiting.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Wecoulddoourexercises.
ESTRAGON:Ourmovements.
VLADIMIR:Ourelevations.
ESTRAGON:Ourrelaxations.
VLADIMIR:Ourelongations.
ESTRAGON:Ourrelaxations.
VLADIMIR:Towarmusup.
ESTRAGON:Tocalmusdown.
VLADIMIR:Offwego.
Vladimirhopsfromonefoottotheother.Estragonimitateshim.
ESTRAGON:(stopping)That’senough.I’mtired.VLADIMIR:(stopping).We’renotinform.Whataboutalittledeep
breathing?
ESTRAGON:I’mtiredbreathing.
VLADIMIR:You’reright.(Pause.)Let’sjustdothetree,forthebalance.
ESTRAGON:Thetree?
Vladimirdoesthetree,staggeringaboutononeleg.
VLADIMIR:(stopping).Yourturn.Estragondoesthetree,staggers.
ESTRAGON:DoyouthinkGodseesme?
VLADIMIR:Youmustcloseyoureyes.
Estragoncloseshiseyes,staggersworse.ESTRAGON:(stopping,brandishinghisfists,atthetopofhisvoice).Godhavepityonme!VLADIMIR:(vexed).Andme?ESTRAGON:Onme!Onme!Pity!Onme!
EnterPozzoandLucky.Pozzoisblind.Luckyburdenedasbefore.Ropeasbefore,butmuchshorter,sothatPozzomayfollowmoreeasily.Luckywearingadifferenthat.AtthesightofVladimirandEstragonhestopsshort.Pozzo,continuingonhisway,bumpsintohim.
VLADIMIR:Gogo!
POZZO:(clutchingontoLuckywhostaggers).Whatisit?
Whoisit?
Luckyfalls,dropseverythingandbringsdownPozzowithhim.Theyliehelplessamongthescatteredbaggage.
ESTRAGON:IsitGodot?
VLADIMIR:Atlast!(Hegoestowardstheheap.)Reinforcementsatlast!
POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:IsitGodot?
VLADIMIR:Wewerebeginningtoweaken.Nowwe’resuretoseetheeveningout.
POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:Doyouhearhim?
VLADIMIR:Wearenolongeralone,waitingforthenight,waitingforGodot,waitingfor...waiting.Alleveningwehavestruggled,unassisted.Nowit’sover.It’salreadyto-morrow.
POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:Timeflowsagainalready.Thesunwillset,themoonrise,andweaway...fromhere.
POZZO:Pity!
VLADIMIR:PoorPozzo!
ESTRAGON:Iknewitwashim.
VLADIMIR:Who?
ESTRAGON:Godot.
VLADIMIR:Butit’snotGodot.
ESTRAGON:It’snotGodot?
VLADIMIR:It’snotGodot.
ESTRAGON:Thenwhoisit?
VLADIMIR:It’sPozzo,
POZZO:Here!Here!Helpmeup!
VLADIMIR:Hecan’tgetup.
ESTRAGON:Let’sgo.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:We’rewaitingforGodot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!
VLADIMIR:Perhapshehasanotherboneforyou.
ESTRAGON:Bone?
VLADIMIR:Chicken.Doyounotremember?
ESTRAGON:Itwashim?
VLADIMIR:Yes.
ESTRAGON:Askhim.
VLADIMIR:Perhapsweshouldhelphimfirst.
ESTRAGON:Todowhat?
VLADIMIR:Togetup.
ESTRAGON:Hecan’tgetup?
VLADIMIR:Hewantstogetup.
ESTRAGON:Thenlethimgetup.
VLADIMIR:Hecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.
Pozzowrithes,groans,beatsthegroundwithhisfists.
ESTRAGON:Weshouldaskhimforthebonefirst.Thenifherefuseswe’llleavehimthere.
VLADIMIR:Youmeanwehavehimatourmercy?
ESTRAGON:Yes.
VLADIMIR:Andthatweshouldsubordinateourgoodofficestocertainconditions?
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Thatseemsintelligentallright.Butthere’sonethingI’mafraidof.
POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:ThatLuckymightgetgoingallofasudden.Thenwe’dbeballocksed.
ESTRAGON:Lucky?
VLADIMIR:Theonethatwentforyouyesterday.
ESTRAGON:Itellyoutherewastenofthem.
VLADIMIR:No,beforethat,theonethatkickedyou.
ESTRAGON:Ishethere?
VLADIMIR:Aslargeaslife.(GesturetowardsLucky.)Forthemomentheisinert.Buthemightrunamuckanyminute.
POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:Andsupposewegavehimagoodbeatingthetwoofus?
VLADIMIR:Youmeanifwefellonhiminhissleep?
ESTRAGON:Yes.
VLADIMIR:Thatseemsagoodideaallright.Butcouldwedoit?Ishereallyasleep?(Pause.)No,thebestwouldbetotakeadvantageofPozzo’scallingforhelp—
POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:Tohelphim—
ESTRAGON:Wehelphim?VLADIMIR:Inanticipationofsometangiblereturn.
ESTRAGON:Andsupposehe—
VLADIMIR:Letusnotwasteourtimeinidlediscourse!
(Pause.Vehemently.)Letusdosomething,whilewehavethechance!Itisnoteverydaythatweareneeded.Notindeedthatwepersonallyareneeded.Otherswouldmeetthecaseequallywell,ifnotbetter.Toallmankindtheywereaddressed,thosecriesforhelpstillringinginourears!Butatthisplace,atthismomentoftime,allmankindisus,
whetherwelikeitornot.Letusmakethemostofit,beforeitistoolate!Letusrepresentworthilyforoncethefoulbroodtowhichacruelfateconsignedus!Whatdoyousay?(Estragonsaysnothing.)Itistruethatwhenwithfoldedarmsweweightheprosandconswearenolessacredittoourspecies.Thetigerboundstothehelpofhiscongenerswithouttheleastreflexion,orelseheslinksawayintothedepthsofthethickets.Butthatisnotthequestion.Whatarewedoinghere,thatisthequestion.Andweareblessedinthis,thatwehappentoknowtheanswer.Yes,inthisimmenseconfusiononethingaloneisclear.WearewaitingforGodottocome—
ESTRAGON:Ah!
POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:Orfornighttofall.(Pause.)Wehavekeptourappointmentandthat’sanendtothat.Wearenotsaints,butwehavekeptourappointment.Howmanypeoplecanboastasmuch?
ESTRAGON:Billions.
VLADIMIR:Youthinkso?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Youmayberight.
POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:AllIknowisthatthehoursarelong,undertheseconditions,andconstrainustobeguilethemwithproceedings
which—howshallIsay—whichmayatfirstsightseemreasonable,untiltheybecomeahabit.Youmaysayitistopreventourreasonfromfoundering.Nodoubt.Buthasitnotlongbeenstrayinginthenightwithoutendoftheabyssaldepths?That’swhatIsometimeswonder.Youfollowmyreasoning?
ESTRAGON:(aphoristicforonce).Weareallbornmad.Someremainso.
POZZO:Help!I’llpayyou!
ESTRAGON:Howmuch?
POZZO:Onehundredfrancs!
ESTRAGON:It’snotenough.
VLADIMIR:Iwouldn’tgosofarasthat.
ESTRAGON:Youthinkit’senough?
VLADIMIR:No,ImeansofarastoassertthatIwasweakintheheadwhenIcameintotheworld.Butthatisnotthequestion.
POZZO:Twohundred!
VLADIMIR:Wewait.Wearebored.(Hethrowsuphishand.)No,don’tprotest,weareboredtodeath,there’snodenyingit.Good.Adiversioncomesalongandwhatdowedo?Weletitgotowaste.Come,let’sgettowork!(Headvancestowardstheheap,stopsinhisstride.)Inaninstantallwillvanishandwe’llbealoneoncemore,inthemidstofnothingness!
Hebroods.
POZZO:Twohundred!
VLADIMIR:We’recoming!
HetriestopullPozzotohisfeet,fails,triesagain,stumbles,falls,triestogetup,fails.
ESTRAGON:What’sthematterwithyouall?
VLADIMIR:Help!
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
VLADIMIR:Don’tleaveme!They’llkillme!
POZZO:WhereamI?
VLADIMIR:Gogo!
POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:Help!
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
VLADIMIR:Helpmeupfirst,thenwe’llgotogether.
ESTRAGON:Youpromise?
VLADIMIR:Iswearit!
ESTRAGON:Andwe’llnevercomeback?
VLADIMIR:Never!
ESTRAGON:We’llgotothePyrenees.
VLADIMIR:Whereveryoulike.
ESTRAGON:I’vealwayswantedtowanderinthePyrenees.
VLADIMIR:You’llwanderinthem.
ESTRAGON:(recoiling).Whofarted?
VLADIMIR:Pozzo.
POZZO:Here!Here!Pity!
ESTRAGON:It’srevolting!
VLADIMIR:Quick!Givemeyourhand!
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.(Pause.Louder.)I’mgoing.VLADIMIR:WellIsupposeintheendI’llgetupbymyself.
(Hetries,fails.)Inthefullnessoftime.ESTRAGON:What’sthematterwithyou?
VLADIMIR:Gotohell.
ESTRAGON:Areyoustayingthere?
VLADIMIR:Forthetimebeing.
ESTRAGON:Comeon,getup,you’llcatchachill.
VLADIMIR:Don’tworryaboutme.
ESTRAGON:Comeon,Didi,don’tbepig-headed!
HestretchesouthishandwhichVladimirmakeshastetoseize.
VLADIMIR:Pull!
Estragonpulls,stumbles,falls.Longsilence.POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:We’vearrived.
POZZO:Whoareyou?
VLADIMIR:Wearemen.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Sweetmotherearth!
VLADIMIR:Canyougetup?
ESTRAGON:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Try.
ESTRAGON:Notnow,notnow.
Silence.POZZO:Whathappened?
VLADIMIR:(violently).Willyoustopit,you!Pest!Hecanthinkofnothingbuthimself!
ESTRAGON:Whataboutalittlesnooze?
VLADIMIR:Didyouhearhim?Hewantstoknowwhathappened!
ESTRAGON:Don’tmindhim.Sleep.
Silence.POZZO:Pity!Pity!
ESTRAGON:(withastart).Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:Wereyouasleep?
ESTRAGON:Imusthavebeen.
VLADIMIR:It’sthisbastardPozzoatitagain.
ESTRAGON:Makehimstopit.Kickhiminthecrotch.
VLADIMIR:(strikingPozzo).Willyoustopit!Crablouse!
(Pozzoextricateshimselfwithcriesofpainandcrawlsaway.Hestops,sawstheairblindly,callingforhelp.Vladimir,proppedonhiselbow,observeshisretreat.)He’soff!(Pozzocollapses.)He’sdown!
ESTRAGON:Whatdowedonow?
VLADIMIR:PerhapsIcouldcrawltohim.
ESTRAGON:Don’tleaveme!
VLADIMIR:OrIcouldcalltohim.
ESTRAGON:Yes,calltohim.
VLADIMIR:Pozzo!(Silence.)Pozzo!(Silence.)Noreply.ESTRAGON:Together.
VLADIMIR:Pozzo!Pozzo!
ESTRAGON:
VLADIMIR:Hemoved.
ESTRAGON:AreyousurehisnameisPozzo?
VLADIMIR:(alarmed).Mr.Pozzo!Comeback!Wewon’thurtyou!
Silence.ESTRAGON:Wemighttryhimwithothernames.
VLADIMIR:I’mafraidhe’sdying.
ESTRAGON:It’dbeamusing.
VLADIMIR:What’dbeamusing?
ESTRAGON:Totryhimwithothernames,oneaftertheother.
It’dpassthetime.Andwe’dbeboundtohitontherightonesoonerorlater.
VLADIMIR:ItellyouhisnameisPozzo.
ESTRAGON:We’llsoonsee.(Hereflects.)Abel!Abel!POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:Gotitinone!
VLADIMIR:Ibegintowearyofthismotif.
ESTRAGON:PerhapstheotheriscalledCain.Cain!Cain!
POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:He’sallhumanity.(Silence.)Lookatthelittlecloud.VLADIMIR:(raisinghiseyes).Where?
ESTRAGON:There.Inthezenith.
VLADIMIR:Well?(Pause.)Whatistheresowonderfulaboutit?
Silence.ESTRAGON:Let’spassonnowtosomethingelse,doyoumind?
VLADIMIR:Iwasjustgoingtosuggestit.
ESTRAGON:Buttowhat?
VLADIMIR:Ah!
Silence.ESTRAGON:Supposewegotuptobeginwith?
VLADIMIR:Noharmtrying.
Theygetup.ESTRAGON:Child’splay.
VLADIMIR:Simplequestionofwill-power.
ESTRAGON:Andnow?
POZZO:Help!
ESTRAGON:Let’sgo.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:We’rewaitingforGodot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!(Despairing.)What’llwedo,what’llwedo!
POZZO:Help!
VLADIMIR:Whatabouthelpinghim?
ESTRAGON:Whatdoeshewant?
VLADIMIR:Hewantstogetup.
ESTRAGON:Thenwhydoesn’the?
VLADIMIR:Hewantsustohelphimtogetup.
ESTRAGON:Thenwhydon’twe?Whatarewewaitingfor?
TheyhelpPozzotohisfeet,lethimgo.Hefalls.VLADIMIR:Wemustholdhim.(Theygethimupagain.Pozzosagsbetweenthem,hisarmsroundtheirnecks.)
Feelingbetter?
POZZO:Whoareyou?
VLADIMIR:Doyounotrecognizeus?
POZZO:Iamblind.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Perhapshecanseeintothefuture.
VLADIMIR:Sincewhen?
POZZO:Iusedtohavewonderfulsight—butareyoufriends?
ESTRAGON:(laughingnoisily).Hewantstoknowifwearefriends!
VLADIMIR:No,hemeansfriendsofhis.
ESTRAGON:Well?
VLADIMIR:We’veprovedweare,byhelpinghim.
ESTRAGON:Exactly.Wouldwehavehelpedhimifweweren’thisfriends?
VLADIMIR:Possibly.
ESTRAGON:True.
VLADIMIR:Don’tlet’squibbleaboutthatnow.
POZZO:Youarenothighwaymen?
ESTRAGON:Highwaymen!Dowelooklikehighwaymen?
VLADIMIR:Damnitcan’tyouseethemanisblind!
ESTRAGON:Damnitsoheis.(Pause.)Sohesays.POZZO:Don’tleaveme!
VLADIMIR:Noquestionofit.
ESTRAGON:Forthemoment.
POZZO:Whattimeisit?
VLADIMIR:(inspectingthesky).Seveno’clock...eighto’clock...
ESTRAGON:Thatdependswhattimeofyearitis.
POZZO:Isitevening?
Silence.VladimirandEstragonscrutinizethesunset.
ESTRAGON:It’srising.
VLADIMIR:Impossible.
ESTRAGON:Perhapsit’sthedawn.
VLADIMIR:Don’tbeafool.It’sthewestoverthere.
ESTRAGON:Howdoyouknow?
POZZO:(anguished).Isitevening?VLADIMIR:Anywayithasn’tmoved.
ESTRAGON:Itellyouit’srising.
POZZO:Whydon’tyouanswerme?
ESTRAGON:Giveusachance.
VLADIMIR:(reassuring).It’sevening,Sir,itsevening,nightisdrawingnigh.MyfriendherewouldhavemedoubtitandImustconfessheshookmeforamoment.ButitisnotfornothingIhavelivedthroughthislongdayandIcanassureyouitisveryneartheendofitsrepertory.(Pause.)Howdoyoufeelnow?ESTRAGON:Howmuchlongerarewetocarthimaround.
(Theyhalfreleasehim,catchhimagainashefalls.)Wearenotcaryatids!
VLADIMIR:Youweresayingyoursightusedtobegood,ifIheardyouright.
POZZO:Wonderful!Wonderful,wonderfulsight!
Silence.ESTRAGON:(irritably).Expand!Expand!VLADIMIR:Lethimalone.Can’tyouseehe’sthinkingofthedayswhenhewashappy.(Pause.)Memoriapraeteritorumbonorum—thatmustbeunpleasant.
ESTRAGON:Wewouldn’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Anditcameonyouallofasudden?
POZZO:Quitewonderful!
VLADIMIR:I’maskingyouifitcameonyouallofasudden.
POZZO:IwokeuponefinedayasblindasFortune.
(Pause.)SometimesIwonderifI’mnotstillasleep.VLADIMIR:Andwhenwasthat?
POZZO:Idon’tknow.
VLADIMIR:Butnolaterthanyesterday—
POZZO:(violently).Don’tquestionme!Theblindhavenonotionoftime.Thethingsoftimearehiddenfromthemtoo.
VLADIMIR:Welljustfancythat!Icouldhaveswornitwasjusttheopposite.
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
POZZO:Wherearewe?
VLADIMIR:Icouldn’ttellyou.
POZZO:Itisn’tbyanychancetheplaceknownastheBoard?
VLADIMIR:Neverheardofit.
POZZO:Whatisitlike?
VLADIMIR:(lookinground).It’sindescribable.It’slikenothing.There’snothing.There’satree.
POZZO:Thenit’snottheBoard.
ESTRAGON:(sagging).Somediversion!POZZO:Whereismymenial?
VLADIMIR:He’saboutsomewhere.
POZZO:Whydoesn’theanswerwhenIcall?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.Heseemstobesleeping.Perhapshe’sdead.
POZZO:Whathappenedexactly?
ESTRAGON:Exactly!
VLADIMIR:Thetwoofyouslipped.(Pause.)Andfell.POZZO:Goandseeishehurt.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’tleaveyou.
POZZO:Youneedn’tbothgo.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Yougo.ESTRAGON:Afterwhathedidtome?Never!
POZZO:Yesyes,letyourfriendgo,hestinksso.(Silence.)Whatishewaitingfor?
VLADIMIR:Whatyouwaitingfor?
ESTRAGON:I’mwaitingforGodot.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Whatexactlyshouldhedo?
POZZO:Welltobeginwithheshouldpullontherope,ashardashelikessolongashedoesn’tstranglehim.Heusuallyrespondstothat.Ifnotheshouldgivehimatasteofhisboot,inthefaceandtheprivatesasfaraspossible.
VLADIMIR:(toEstragon).Yousee,you’venothingtobeafraidof.It’sevenanopportunitytorevengeyourself.
ESTRAGON:Andifhedefendshimself?
POZZO:Nono,heneverdefendshimself.
VLADIMIR:I’llcomeflyingtotherescue.
ESTRAGON:Don’ttakeyoureyesoffme.
HegoestowardsLucky.VLADIMIR:Makesurehe’salivebeforeyoustart.Nopointinexertingyourselfifhe’sdead.
ESTRAGON:(bendingoverLucky).He’sbreathing.VLADIMIR:Thenlethimhaveit.
WithsuddenfuryEstragonstartskickingLucky,hurlingabuseathimashedoesso.Buthehurtshisfootandmovesaway,limpingandgroaning.
Luckystirs.ESTRAGON:Ohthebrute!
Hesitsdownonthemoundandtriestotakeoffhisboot.Buthesoondesistsanddisposeshimselfforsleep,hisarmsonhiskneesandhisheadonhisarms.
POZZO:What’sgonewrongnow?
VLADIMIR:Myfriendhashurthimself.
POZZO:AndLucky?
VLADIMIR:Soitishe?
POZZO:What?
VLADIMIR:ItisLucky?
POZZO:Idon’tunderstand.
VLADIMIR:AndyouarePozzo?
POZZO:CertainlyIamPozzo.
VLADIMIR:Thesameasyesterday?
POZZO:Yesterday?
VLADIMIR:Wemetyesterday.(Silence.)Doyounotremember?POZZO:Idon’trememberhavingmetanyoneyesterday.
Butto-morrowIwon’trememberhavingmetanyoneto-day.Sodon’tcountonmetoenlightenyou.
VLADIMIR:But—
POZZO:Enough!Uppig!
VLADIMIR:Youwerebringinghimtothefairtosellhim.Youspoketous.Hedanced.Hethought.Youhadyoursight.
POZZO:Asyouplease.Letmego!(Vladimirmovesaway.)Up!
Luckygetsup,gathersuphisburdens.VLADIMIR:Wheredoyougofromhere.
POZZO:On.(Lucky,ladendown,takeshisplacebeforePozzo.)Whip!(Luckyputseverythingdown,looksforwhip,findsit,putsitintoPozzo’shand,takesupeverythingagain.)Rope!(Luckyputseverythingdown,putsendofropeintoPozzo’shand,takesupeverythingagain.)
VLADIMIR:Whatisthereinthebag?
POZZO:Sand.(Hejerkstherope.)On!VLADIMIR:Don’tgoyet.
POZZO:I’mgoing.
VLADIMIR:Whatdoyoudowhenyoufallfarfromhelp?
POZZO:Wewaittillwecangetup.Thenwegoon.On!
VLADIMIR:Beforeyougotellhimtosing.
POZZO:Who?
VLADIMIR:Lucky.
POZZO:Tosing?
VLADIMIR:Yes.Ortothink.Ortorecite.
POZZO:Butheisdumb.
VLADIMIR:Dumb!
POZZO:Dumb.Hecan’tevengroan.
VLADIMIR:Dumb!Sincewhen?
POZZO:(suddenlyfurious).Haveyounotdonetormentingmewithyouraccursedtime!It’sabominable!When!When!Oneday,isthatnotenoughforyou,onedayhewentdumb,onedayIwentblind,onedaywe’llgodeaf,onedaywewereborn,onedayweshalldie,thesameday,thesamesecond,isthatnotenoughforyou?(Calmer.)Theygivebirthastrideofagrave,thelightgleamsaninstant,thenit’snightoncemore.(Hejerkstherope.)On!ExeuntPozzoandLucky.Vladimirfollowsthemtotheedgeofthestage,looksafterthem.Thenoiseoffalling,reinforcedbymimicofVladimir,announcesthattheyaredownagain.Silence.VladimirgoestowardsEstragon,contemplateshimamoment,thenshakeshimawake.ESTRAGON:(wildgestures,incoherentwords.Finally.)Whywillyouneverletmesleep?
VLADIMIR:Ifeltlonely.
ESTRAGON:IwasdreamingIwashappy.
VLADIMIR:Thatpassedthetime.
ESTRAGON:Iwasdreamingthat—
VLADIMIR:(violently).Don’ttellme!(Silence.)Iwonderishereallyblind.
ESTRAGON:Blind?Who?
VLADIMIR:Pozzo.
ESTRAGON:Blind?
VLADIMIR:Hetoldushewasblind.
ESTRAGON:Wellwhataboutit?
VLADIMIR:Itseemedtomehesawus.
ESTRAGON:Youdreamtit.(Pause.)Let’sgo.Wecan’t.Ah!
(Pause.)Areyousureitwasn’thim?VLADIMIR:Who?
ESTRAGON:Godot.
VLADIMIR:Butwho?
ESTRAGON:Pozzo.
VLADIMIR:Notatall!(Lesssure.)Notatall!(Stilllesssure.)Notatall!
ESTRAGON:IsupposeImightaswellgetup.(Hegetsuppainfully.)Ow!Didi!VLADIMIR:Idon’tknowwhattothinkanymore.
ESTRAGON:Myfeet!(Hesitsdownagainandtriestotakeoffhisboots.)Helpme!VLADIMIR:WasIsleeping,whiletheotherssuffered?AmIsleepingnow?To-morrow,whenIwake,orthinkIdo,whatshallIsayofto-day?ThatwithEstragonmyfriend,atthisplace,untilthefallofnight,IwaitedforGodot?ThatPozzopassed,withhiscarrier,andthathespoketous?
Probably.Butinallthatwhattruthwilltherebe?(Estragon,havingstruggledwithhisbootsinvain,isdozingoffagain.Vladimirlooksathim.)He’llknownothing.He’lltellmeabouttheblowshereceivedandI’llgivehimacarrot.(Pause.)Astrideofagraveandadifficultbirth.Downinthehole,lingeringly,thegrave-diggerputsontheforceps.Wehavetimetogrowold.Theairisfullofourcries.(Helistens.)Buthabitisagreatdeadener.(HelooksagainatEstragon.)Atmetoosomeoneislooking,ofmetoosomeoneissaying,Heissleeping,heknowsnothing,lethimsleepon.(Pause.)Ican’tgoon!(Pause.)WhathaveIsaid?
Hegoesfeverishlytoandfro,haltsfinallyatextremeleft,broods.EnterBoyright.Hehalts.Silence.
BOY:Mister...(Vladimirturns.)MisterAlbert...
VLADIMIR:Offwegoagain.(Pause.)Doyounotrecognizeme?BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Itwasn’tyoucameyesterday.
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Thisisyourfirsttime.
BOY:YesSir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:YouhaveamessagefromMr.Godot.
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Hewon’tcomethisevening.
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Buthe’llcometo-morrow.
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Withoutfail.
BOY:YesSir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Didyoumeetanyone?
BOY:NoSir.
VLADIMIR:Twoother...(hehesitates)...men?BOY:Ididn’tseeanyone,Sir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Whatdoeshedo,Mr.Godot?(Silence.)Doyouhearme?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Well?
BOY:Hedoesnothing,Sir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Howisyourbrother?
BOY:He’ssick,Sir.
VLADIMIR:Perhapsitwashecameyesterday.
BOY:Idon’tknow,Sir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:(softly).Hasheabeard,Mr.Godot?
BOY:YesSir.
VLADIMIR:Fairor...(hehesitates)...orblack?BOY:Ithinkit’swhite,Sir.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Christhavemercyonus!
Silence.BOY:WhatamItotellMr.Godot,Sir?
VLADIMIR:Tellhim...(hehesitates)...tellhimyousawmeandthat...(hehesitates)...thatyousawme.(Pause.Vladimiradvances,theBoyrecoils.Vladimirhalts,theBoyhalts.Withsuddenviolence.)You’resureyousawme,youwon’tcomeandtellmeto-morrowthatyouneversawme!Silence.Vladimirmakesasuddenspringforward,theBoyavoidshimandexitrunning.Silence.Thesunsets,themoonrises.AsinAct1.Vladimirstandsmotionlessandbowed.Estragonwakes,takesoffhisboots,getsupwithoneineachhandandgoesandputsthemdowncenterfront,thengoestowardsVladimir.ESTRAGON:What’swrongwithyou?
VLADIMIR:Nothing.
ESTRAGON:I’mgoing.
VLADIMIR:SoamI.
ESTRAGON:WasIlongasleep?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Whereshallwego?
VLADIMIR:Notfar.
ESTRAGON:Ohyes,let’sgofarawayfromhere.
VLADIMIR:Wecan’t.
ESTRAGON:Whynot?
VLADIMIR:Wehavetocomebackto-morrow.
ESTRAGON:Whatfor?
VLADIMIR:TowaitforGodot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!(Silence.)Hedidn’tcome?VLADIMIR:No.
ESTRAGON:Andnowit’stoolate.
VLADIMIR:Yes,nowit’snight.
ESTRAGON:Andifwedroppedhim?(Pause.)Ifwedroppedhim?VLADIMIR:He’dpunishus.(Silence.Helooksatthetree.)Everything’sdeadbutthetree.
ESTRAGON:(lookingatthetree).Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:It’sthetree.
ESTRAGON:Yes,butwhatkind?
VLADIMIR:Idon’tknow.Awillow.
EstragondrawsVladimirtowardsthetree.They
standmotionlessbeforeit.Silence.ESTRAGON:Whydon’twehangourselves?
VLADIMIR:Withwhat?
ESTRAGON:Youhaven’tgotabitofrope?
VLADIMIR:No.
ESTRAGON:Thenwecan’t.
Silence.VLADIMIR:Let’sgo.
ESTRAGON:Wait,there’smybelt.
VLADIMIR:It’stooshort.
ESTRAGON:Youcouldhangontomylegs.
VLADIMIR:Andwho’dhangontomine?
ESTRAGON:True.
VLADIMIR:Showallthesame.(Estragonloosensthecordthatholdsuphistrouserswhich,muchtoobigforhim,fallabouthisankles.Theylookatthecord.)Itmightdoatapinch.Butisitstrongenough?
ESTRAGON:We’llsoonsee.Here.
Theyeachtakeanendofthecordandpull.Itbreaks.Theyalmostfall.
VLADIMIR:Notworthacurse.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Yousaywehavetocomebackto-morrow?
VLADIMIR:Yes.
ESTRAGON:Thenwecanbringagoodbitofrope.
VLADIMIR:Yes.
Silence.ESTRAGON:Didi.
VLADIMIR:Yes.
ESTRAGON:Ican’tgoonlikethis.
VLADIMIR:That’swhatyouthink.
ESTRAGON:Ifweparted?Thatmightbebetterforus.
VLADIMIR:We’llhangourselvesto-morrow.(Pause.)UnlessGodotcomes.
ESTRAGON:Andifhecomes?
VLADIMIR:We’llbesaved.
Vladimirtakesoffhishat(Lucky’s),peersinsideit,feelsaboutinsideit,shakesit,knocksonthecrown,putsitonagain.
ESTRAGON:Well?Shallwego?
VLADIMIR:Pullonyourtrousers.
ESTRAGON:What?
VLADIMIR:Pullonyourtrousers.
ESTRAGON:Youwantmetopulloffmytrousers?
VLADIMIR:PullONyourtrousers.
ESTRAGON:(realizinghistrousersaredown).True.
WAITINGFORGODOTwasfirstpresented(asEnAttendantGodot)attheThéâtredeBabylone,38BoulevardRaspail,Paris,France,duringtheseasonof1952–3.TheplaywasdirectedbyRogerBlin,withdécorbySergioGerstein.Thecastwasasfollows:
ESTRAGONPierreLatour
VLADIMIRLucienRaimbourg
POZZORogerBlin
LUCKYJeanMartin
ABOYSergeLecointe
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