Waiting for Godot PDF by Samuel Beckett

 Other Works By Samuel Beckett Published By Grove Press Cascando and Other Short Dramatic Pieces Film Endgame Happy Days How It Is Krapp's Last Tape and Other Dramatic Pieces More Pricks Tha...

 Other Works By Samuel Beckett Published By Grove Press Cascando and Other Short Dramatic Pieces Film Endgame Happy Days How It Is Krapp's Last Tape and Other Dramatic Pieces More Pricks Than Kicks Murphy Poems in English Proust Stories & Texts for Nothing Molloy Malone Dies The U nnamable Wa iting for Godot Watt w A I T N I G  Go F R D T 0 0 tragicomedy in 2 acts by samuel beckett grove press, inc. new york Copyright © 1954 by Grove Press Translated from the original French text by the author · All Rights Reserved CAUTION: This play is fully protected, in whole, in part, or in any form under the copyright laws of the United States of America, the British Empire including the Dominion of Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union, and are subject to royalty. All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, radio, television, recitation, public reading, and any method of photographic reproduction, are strictly reserved. For amateur rights, apply to Dramatists Play Service, Inc., 440 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10016. For stock rights, apply to Samuel French, Inc., 25 West 45th Street, New York, New York 10036. For all other rights, apply to Grove Press, 214 Mercer St., New York, N.Y.10012 Forty-Seventh Printing Manufactured in the United States of America Estragon Vladimir Lucky Pozzo a boy A I...., , c A country road. A tree. Evening.  Estragon, sitting on a low mound, is trying to take off his boot. He pulls at it with both ha nds, panting. He gives up, exhausted, rests, tries again. As before. E nter Vladimir. ESTRAGON : (giving up again). Noth ing to be done. VLADIM IR : (advancing with short, stiff strides, legs wide apart). I'm beginning to come rou nd to that opinion. All my life I've tried to put it from me, saying, Vladimir, be reasonable, you haven't yet tried everything. And I resumed the struggle. (He broods, musing on the struggle. Turning to Estragon.) So there you are again. EST RAGON: Am I? VLADIM IR : I'm glad to see you back. I thought you were gone for ever. ESTRAGON: Me too. VLADIMIR: Together again at last! We11 have to celebrate this. But how? (He reflects.) Get up till I embrace you. ESTRAGON : (irritably). Not now, not now. VLADIMIR: (hurt, coldly). May one inquire where H is Highness spent the night? ESTRAGON : In a ditch. VLADIMIR : (admiringly). A ditch ! Where? ESTRAGON : (without gesture). Over there. VLADIMIR : And they didn't beat you? ESTRAGON : Beat me? Certainly they beat me. VLADIMIR : The same lot as usual? ESTRAGO N : The same? I don't know. 7 VLADIMIR : When I think of it... all these years... but for me... where would you he... (Decisively.) You'd be noth ing more tha n a little heap of bones at the present minute, no doubt about it. ESTRAGON : And what of it? VLADIM IR : (glo o m ily). I t's too much for one man. (Patz.se. Ch ee rfully. ) On the other hand what's the good of losing heart now, that's what I say. We should have thought of it a million years ago, in the nineties. EST RAGON: Ah stop blathering and help me off with this bloody thing. VLADIMIR : Hand in hand from the top of the Eiffel Tower, among the first. We were respectable in those days. Now it's too late. They woul dn't even let us up. (Estragon tears at his boot.) What are you doing? ESTRAGON : Taking off my boot. Did that never happen to you? VLADI MIR: Boots must be taken off every day, I 'm tired tel ling you that. Why don't you listen to me? ESTRAGON : {feebly). HcJp me! VLADIMIR: It hurts? ESTRAGON: (angrily). Hurts! He wants to know if it hurts ! VLADI MIR: (a ngril y). No one ever suffers but you. I don't count. I'd like to hear what you'd say if you had what I have. ESTRAGON : I t hurts? VLADIMIR : (angrily). Hurts ! He wants to know i f it hurt s ! ESTRAGON: (pointing). You might button it all the same. VL ADIMIR: (stooping).True. (He buttons his fly ). Never neglect the little things of life. ESTRAGON: What d o you expect, you always wait till the last.., moment. VL ADIMIR : (musingly). The last moment... (He meditates.) Hope deferred maketh the something sick, who said that? ESTRAGON : Why don't you help me? VL ADIMIR: Sometimes I feel it coming all the same. Then I go all queer.(He takes off his hat, peers inside it, feels about inside it, shakes it, puts it on again.) How shall I say? Relieved and at the same time... ( he searches for the word)... appalled. (With emphasis.) AP-PALLED. (He takes off his hat again, peers inside it.) Funny. (He knocks on the crown as though to dislodge a foreign body, peers into it again, puts it on again.) Nothing to be done. (Estragon with a supreme effort succeeds in pulling off his boot.He peers inside it, feels about inside it, turns it upside down, shakes it, looks on the ground to see if anything has fallen out, finds nothing, feels inside it again, staring sightlessly before him.) Well? ESTRAGON: Nothing. VL ADIMIR : Show. ESTRAGON: There's nothing to show. VLADIMIR : Try and put it on again. ESTRAGON : (examining his foot). I'll air it for a bit. VLADIMIR : There's man all over for you, blaming on his boots the faults of his feet. (He takes off his hat again, 8  peers inside it, feels about inside it, knocks on the crown, blows into it, puts it on again.) This i s getting alarming. (Silence.Vladimir deep in thought, Estragon puUing at his toes.) One of the th ieves was saved. (Pause.) It's a reasonable percen tage. ( Pause.) Gogo. ESTRAGON: What? VLADIM IR: Suppose we repented. EST RAGON: Repented what? VLADIMIR: Oh... (He reflects.) We wouldn't have to go into the details. ESTRAGON: Our being born? Vladimir breaks into a hearty laugh which he immediately stifles, his hand pressed to his pubis, his face contorted. VLADIM IR : One daren't even laugh any more. ESTRAGON: Dreadful privation. VLADIMIR: Merely smile. (He smiles suddenly from ear to ear, keeps smiling, ceases as suddenly.) It's not the same thing. Nothing to be done. (Pause.) Gogo. ESTRAGON: (irritably. ) What is i t ? VLADIMIR: Did you ever rea d the Bible? ESTRAGON: The Bible... (He reflects.) I must have taken a look at it. VLADIMIR: Do you remember the Gospels? ESTRAGON : I remember the maps of the Holy Land. Coloured they were. Very pretty. The Dead Sea was pale blue. The very l ook of it made me thirsty. That's where we11 go, I used to say, that's where we11 go for our honeymoo n. We'll swim. We'll be happy. VLADiMIR: You should have been a poet. ESTRAGON: I was. (Gesture toward.s his rags.) Isn't that obvious? S ilence. VLADIMIR: \Vhere was I... How's your foot? ESTRAGON: Swelling visibly. VLADIMIR: Ah yes, the two thieves.Do you remember the story? ESTRAGON: No. VLADIMIR: Shall I tell it to you? ESTRAGON: No. VLADIMIR: It'll pass the time.(Pause.) Two thieves, crucified at the same time as our Saviour.One­ ESTRAGON: Our what? VLADIMIR: Our Saviour.Two thieves.One is supposed to have been saved and the other... (he searches for the contrary of saved)... damned. ESTRAGON: Saved from what? VLADIMIR: Hell. ESTRAGON: I'm going. He does not move. VLADIMIR: And yet.(pause)..... how is it-this is not boring you I hope-how is it that of the four Evangelists only one speaks of a thief being saved.The four of them were there-or thereabouts-and only one speaks of a thief being saved. (Pause.) Come on, Gogo, return the ball, can't you, once in a way? ESTRAGON: (with exaggerated enthusiasm). I find this really most extraordinarily interesting. 9 VLADIMIR : One out of four. Of the other three two don't mention any thieves at all and the third says tha t both o f them abused him. ESTRAGON : Who? VLADIMIR : What? ESTRAGON : What's all this about? Abused who ? VLADI MIR : The S aviour. ESTRAGON : Why? VLADI MIR : Because he wouldn't save them. ESTRAGON : From hel l ? VLADIMIR : Imbecile! From death. EST RAGON: l thou ght you said hel l. VLADIMIR : From death, from death. ESTRAGON : Well what of it? VLADIMIR : Then the two of them must have been damned. ESTRAGON : And why not? VLADIMIR : But one of the four says that one of the two was saved. ESTRAGON: Well? They don't agree and that's all there is to it. VLADIMIR : But all fou r were there. And only one speaks of a thief being saved. Why believe him rather than the others? ESTRAGON : Who believes him? VLADIMIR: E verybody. It's the only vers ion they know. ESTRAGON : People a re bloody ignorant apes. He rises painfully, goes limping to extreme left, halts, gazes into distance off with his hand screening his eyes, turns, goes to extreme right, gazes into distance. Vladimir watches him, then  goes and picks up the boot, peers into it, drops it hastily. VLADIMIR : Pahl He spits. Estragon moves to center, halts with his back to auditorium. ESTRAGON : Charming spot. (He turns, advances to front, halts facing auditorium.) Inspiring prospects. (He turns to Vladimir.) Let's go. VLADIMIR : \Ve can't. ESTRAGON: Why not? VLADIMIR : We're waiting for Godot. ESTRAGON: (despairingly). Ah! (Pause.) You're sure it was here? VLADIMIR : What? E STRAGON: That we were to wait. VLADIMIR : He said by the tree. (They look at the tree.) Do you see any others. ESTRAGON : What is it? VLADIMIR : I don't know. A willow. ESTRAGON : Where are the leaves? VLADIMIR: It must be dead. ESTRAGON : No more weeping. VLADIMIR: Or perhaps it's not the season. ESTRAGON : Looks to me more like a bush. VL ADIMIR: A shrub. ESTRAGON : A bush. VLADIMIR : A-. What are you insinuating? That we've come to the wrong place? ESTRAGON : He should be here. VLADIMIR: He didn't say for sure he'd come. 10 ESTRAGON: And if he doesn't come? VLADIMIR: We'll come back to-morrow. ESTRAGON: And then the day after to-morrow. VLADIMIR : Possibly. ESTRAGON: And so on. VLADI MIR : The point is- ESTRAGON: Until he comes. VLADIM I R : You're merciless. ESTRAGON: We came here yesterday. VLADI M I R : Ah no, there you're mistake n. ESTRAGON: What did we do yesterday? VLADIMIR : Wha t did we do yesterday? ESTRAGON: Yes. VLADI MIR: Why... (Angrily. ) Nothing is certain when you're about. ESTRAGON: In my opinion we were here. VLADI M I R : (looking round). You recognize the place? ESTRAGON: I didn't say that. VLADIM I R : Well? ESTRAGON: That makes no difference. VLADIMIR: All the same... that tree (turning towards auditorium) that bog... ESTRAGON: You're sure it was this evening? VLADIMIR: What? ESTRAGON: That we were to wait. VLADIM I R : He said Saturday. (Pause.) I think. ESTRAGON: You think. VLADIMIR: I must have made a note of it. (He fumbles in his pockets, bursting with miscellaneous rubbish.) ESTRAGON : (very insidious). But what Saturday? And is it Saturday? Is it not rather Sunday? (Pause.) Or Monday? (Pause.) Or Friday? VLADIMIR : (looking wildly about him, as though the date was inscribed in the landscape). It's not possible! ESTRAGON : Or Thursday? VLADIMIR : What'll we do? EST RAGON: I f he came yesterday and we weren't here you may be sure he won't come again to-day. VLADIM I R : But you say we were here yesterday. ESTRAGON : I may be m istaken. (Pause.) Let's stop talking for a minute, do you mind? VLADI M I R : (feebly). All right. (Estragon sits down on the mound. Vladimir paces agitatedly to and fro, halting from time to time to gaze into distance off. Estragon falls asleep. Vladimir halts finally before Estragon.) Gogo!... Gogo!... GOGO! Estragon wakes with a start. ESTRAGON : (restored to the horror of his situation). I was asleep ! (Despairingly.) Why will you never let me sleep? VLADIMIR: I felt l onely. EST RAGON : I had a dream. VLADIMIR : Don't tell me! ESTRAGON: I dreamt that­ VLADIMIR: DONT TELL MEl ESTRAGON : (gesture towards the u niverse). This one is enough for you? (Silence.) I t's not nice of you, Didi. Who am I to tell my private nightmares to if I can't tell them to you? 11 VLADIMIR: Let them rema in private. You know I ca n't bear that. ESTRAGON: (coldly). There arc times when I wonder if it wouldn't be better for us to part. VLADIMIR: You would n't go far. ESTRAGON: That wo uld be too bad, really too bad. (Pause.) Wouldn't it, Didi, be really too ba d? (Pause.) When you th ink of the beauty of the way. (Pause.) And the goodness of the wayfarers. (Pa use. Wheedling.) Wouldn't it, Didi? VLADIMIR : Cal m yoursel f. ESTRAGON: (voluptuously). Calm... calm... The E nglish say cawm. (Pause.) You know the story of the E n gl ishman in the brothel? VLADI M IR: Yes. ESTRAGON: Tel l i t to me. VLADIMIR : Ah stop it! ESTRAGON: An Englishman having drunk a l ittle more than u sual proceeds to a brothel. The bawd asks him if he wants a fair one, a dark one or a red-haired one. Go on. VLADIM I R : STOP IT! Exit Vladimir hurriedly. Estragon gets up and follows him as fa r as the limit of the stage. Gestures of Estrago n like those of a spectator encouraging a pugilist. Enter Vladimir. He b rushes past Estrugon, crosses the stage with bowed head. Estragon takes a step towards him, halts. ESTRAGON: (gently). You wanted to speak to me? (S ile nce. Estragon takes a step forward.) You had something to say to me? (S ilence. Another step forward.) Didi... VLADIMIR: (without turning). I've nothing to say to you. ESTRAGON: (step forward). You're angry? (Silence. Step forward.) Forgive me. (Silence. Step forward. Estragon lays his hand on Vladimir's shoulder.) Come, Didi. (Silence. ) Give me your hand. (Vladimir half tu rns.) Embrace mel (Vladimir st iffe ns. ) Don't be stubborn ! ( Vladi mir softens. They e mbrace. Estragon recoils.) You stink of garlic! VLADIMIR: I t's for the kidneys. (Silence. Estragon looks attentively at the tree.) What do we do now? ESTRAGON: Wait. VLADIMIR: Yes, but while waiting. ESTRAGON: What about hanging ourselves? VLADIMIR: Hmm. It'd give us an erection. ESTRAGON: (highly excited). An erection ! VLADIMIR: With all that follows. Where it falls mandrakes grow. That's why they shriek when you pull them up. Did you not know that? ESTRAGON: Let's hang ourselves immediately! VLADIMIR: From a bough? (They go towards the tree.) I wouldn't trust it. ESTRAGON: We can always try. VLADIMIR: Go ahead. ESTRAGON: After you. VLADIMIR: No no, you first 12 ESTRAGON: Why me? VLADIMIR : You're lighter than I am. ESTRAGON: Just so! VLADIMIR : I don't understand. ESTRAGON : Usc your intelligence, can't you? Vladimir uses his intelligence. VLADIMIR : (finally ).I remain in the dark. ESTRAGON: Thi s is h o w it is. (He reflects.) T h e bough the bough... (Angrily.) Usc your head, can't you? VLADIM I R : You're my only hope. ESTRAGON : (tcith effort). Gogo light-bough not b reak-Gogo dead. Didi heavy-bou gh break-D i d i alone. \Vhereas- VLADIMIR : I hadn't thought of that. ESTRAGON : If it han gs you it11 hang anything. VLADIMIR : But am I heavier than you? ESTRAGON : So you tell me. I don't know. There's an even chance. Or nearly. VLADIMIR : Well? What do we do? ESTRAGON : Don't l et's do anything. It's safer. VLADIMIR: Let's wait and see what he says. ESTR AGON : Who? VLADI M I R : Godot. EST RAGON : Good idea. VLADIMIR: Let's wait till we k n ow e x actly how we stand. ESTRAGON : On the other hand it might be better to strike the i ron before it freezes. VLADIMIR : I'm curious to hear what he has to offer. Then we'll take i t or leave it. ESTRAGON : What exactly did we ask him for? VLADIMI R : Were you not there? ESTRAGON : I can't have been listening. VLADIMIR : Oh... Nothing very definite. ESTRAGON: A kind of prayer. VLADIMI R : Precisely. ESTRAGON: A vague supplication. VLADIM I R : Exactly. ESTRAGON : And what did he reply? VLADIMIR : That he'd see. ESTRAGON : That he couldn't promise anything. VLADIMIR : That he'd have to think it over. ESTRAGON : In the quiet of his home. VLADIMI R : Consult his family. ESTRAGON : His friends. VLADIMIR: His agents. ESTRAGON : His correspondents. VLADIMIR : His books. ESTRAGON: His bank account. VLADIMIR: Before taking a decision. ESTRAGON : It's the normal thing. VLADIMIR: Is it not? ESTRAGON : I think it is. VLADIMI R : I th ink SO too. Silence. ESTRAGON : (anxious). And we? VLADIMIR : I beg your pardon? ESTRAGON : I said, And we? VLADIMIR : I don't understand. ESTRAGON : Where do we come in? 13 VLADIMIR: Come in? ESTR AGON: Ta ke your time. VLADIMI R : C o me in? On our hands and knees. ESTR AGON: As bad as that? VLADIMI R : Your \Vorship wishes to assert his prerogatives? ESTRAGON: \Ve've no rights any more? La u gh of Vladimir, stifled as before, less the smile. VLADIMIR: You'd make me laugh if it wasn't proh i b ited. ESTR AGON: We've lost our r ights? VLADIMIR: (distinctly). We got rid of them. Silence. They renwin motionless, arms dangling, heads sunk, sagging at the knees. ESTRAGON: (feebly). We're not tied? (Pa use.) We're not­ V LADI MIR: Listen! They listen, grotesquely rigid. ESTR AGON: I hear nothing. VLADIMIR: Hsstl (They listen. Estragon loses his balance, a lmost falls. He clutches the arm of Vladimir who totters. They listen, huddled together.) Nor I. Sighs of relief. They relax and separate. ESTRAGON: You g a ve me a fright. VLADIMIR: I thought it was h e. ESTRAGON: Who? VLADIM IR: Codot. EST RAGON: Pahl The wind in the reeds. VLADIM I R : I could have sworn I heard shouts. ESTRAGON: And why would he shout? VLADIMIR: At his horse. Silence. ESTR AGON: (violently). I'm hungry! VLADIMIR: Do you want a carrot? ESTRAGON: Is that all there is? VLADIMIR: I might have some turnips. ESTRAGON: Give me a carrot. (Vladimir rummages in his pockets, takes out a turnip and gives it to Estragon who takes a bite out of it. Angrily.) It's a turnip! VLADIMIR: Oh pardon! I could have sworn it was a carrot. (He rummages again in his pockets, finds nothing but turnips. ) All that's turnips. (He rummages. ) You must have eaten the last. (He rummages. ) Wait, I have it. (He brings out a carrot and gives it to Estragon. ) There, dear fellow. (Estragon wipes the carrot on his sleeve and begins to eat it. ) Make it last, that's the end of them. ESTRAGON: (chewing ). I asked you a question. VLADIMIR: Ah. ESTRAGON: Did you reply? VLADIMIR: How's the carrot? ESTRAGON: It's a carrot. VLADIMIR: So much the better, so much the better. (Pause. ) What was it you wanted to know? ESTRAGON: I've forgotten. (Chews. ) That's what annoys me. (He looks at the carrot appreciatively, dangles it between finger and thumb. ) 111 never forget this carrot. (He sucks the end of it meditatively. ) Ah yes, now I remember. VLADIMIR: Well? ESTRAGON: (his mouth full, vacuously ). We're not tied? VLADIMIR: I don't hear a word you're saying. 14 ESTRAGON: (chews, stcallows). I'm asking you if we're tied. VLADI M IR: Tied? EST RAGON: Ti-ed. VLADIM IR: How do you mean tied? EST RAGON : Down. VLADIMIR : But to whom? By whom? EST RAGON : To your man. VLADI M I R : To Godot? Tied to Godot! What an idea! No question of it. (Pause.) For the moment. ESTRAGON: His name is Godot? VLADIMIR: I think so. ESTRAGON: Fancy that. (He raises what remains of the carrot by the stub of leaf, twirls it before his eyes.) Funny, the more you eat the worse it gets. VLADIMIR: With me it's just the opposite. ESTRAGON: In other words? VLADI M I R: I get used to the muck as I go along. ESTRAGON: (after prol onge d reflection). Is that the opposite? VLADIMIR: Question of temperament. ESTRAGON: Of character. VLADIMIR: Nothing you can do about it. ESTRAGON: No use struggling. VLADIMIR: One is what one is. ESTRAGON: No use wriggling. VLADIMIR: The essential doesn't change. ESTRAGON: Nothing to be done. (H e proffers the remains of the carrot to Vladimir.) Like to finish it? A terrible cry, close at hand. Estragon drops the carrot. They remain motionless, then together make a sudden rush towards the wings. Estragon  stops halfway, runs back, picks up the carrot, stuffs it i n his pocket, runs to rejoin Vladimir who is waiting for him, stops again, runs back, picks up his boot, runs to rejoin Vladimir. Huddled together, shoulders hunched, cringing away from the menace, they wait. Enter Pozzo and Lucky. Pozzo drives Lucky by means of a rope passed round his neck, so that Lucky is the first to enter, followed by the rope which is long enough to let him reach the middle of the stage before Pozzo appears. Lucky carries a heavy bag, a folding stool, a picnic basket and a greatcoat, Pozzo a whip. Pozzo: (off). On! (Crack of whip. Pozzo appears. They cross the stage. Lucky passe s before Vladimir and Estragon a nd exit. Pozzo at the sight of Vladimir and Estrago n stops short. The rope tautens. Pozzo jerks at it violently.) Back! Noise of Lucky falling with all his baggage. Vladimir and Estragon turn towards h im, half wishing half fearing to go to his assistance. Vladimir take s a step towards Lucky, Estragon holds him back by the sleeve. VLADIMIR: Let me go ! EST RAGON: Stay where you are! Pozzo: Be careful ! He's wicked. (Vladimir and Estragon turn towards Pozzo.) With strangers. ESTRAGON: ) Is that him? (unde rtone. VLADIMIR: Who? ESTRAGON: (trying to remember the name). Er.. 15 VLADIMIR: Godot? ESTRAGON: Yes. pozzo: I present myself: Pozzo. VLADIMIR: (to Estragon). Not at all! ESTRAGON: He said Godot. VLADIMIR: Not at alii ESTRAGON: (timidly, to Pozzo). You're not lr. Godot, Sir? Pozzo: (terrifying voice). I am Pozzo! (Silence.) Pozzol (Silence.) Does that name mean nothing to you? (Silence.) I say does that name mean nothing to you? Vladimir and Estragon look a t each other questioningly. ESTRAGON: (pretending to search). Bozzo...Bozzo VLADIMIR: (ditto). Pozzo.. Pozzo. Pozzo: PPPOZZZO! ESTRAGON: Ah! Pozzo...let me see... Pozzo VLADIMIR: Is it Pozzo or Bozzo? ESTRAGON: Pozzo...no... I'm afraid I... no... I don't seem to... Pozzo advances threateningly. VLADIMIR: (conciliating). I once knew a family called Gozzo. The mother had the clap. ESTRAGON: (hastily). We're not from these parts, Sir. POZZO: (halting). You are human beings none the less. (He puts on his glasses.) As far as one can see.(He takes off his glasses.) Of the same species as ID)'self. (He bursts into an enormous laugh.) Of the same species as Pozzo! Made in God's image! VLADIMIR: \Veil you see-  Pozz o : (peremptory ).Who is Godot? ESTRAG ON : Godot? Pozz o: You took me for Godot. VLADI M I R : Oh no, Sir, not for an instant, Sir. POZZO: Whpjs he? VLADIM IR : Oh he's a...he's a kind of acquaintance.. ESTRAGON : Nothing of the kind, we hardly know him. VL ADI M I R : True...we don't know him very well... but all the same... ESTRAG ON : Personally I wouldn't even know him if I saw him. pozz o : You took me for him. ESTRAG ON : (recoiling before Pozzo ). That's to say...you understand... the dusk... the strain... waiting... I confess... I imagined...for a second... Po zz o : Waiting? So you were waiting for him? VLADI M I R : Well you see­ POZZO : Here? 0 my land? VLADI M I R : We didn't intend any harm. E STRAGON : We meant well. POZZO: The road is free to all. VLADI M I R : That's how we looked at it. Pozzo : It's a disgrace.But there you are. ESTRAG ON : Nothing we can do about it. POZZ O : (with magnanimous gesture). Let's say no more about it.(He jerks the rope.) Up pig! (Pause.) Every time he drops he falls asleep.(Jerks the rope. ) Up hog! (Noise of I.ucky getting up and picking up his baggage. Pozzo jerks the rope.) Back! (Enter Lucky backwards. ) Stop! (Lucky 16 stops.) Tuml (Lucky turns. To Vladimir t}nd Estragon, affably.) Gentlemen, I am happy to have met you. (Before their incredulous expression.) Yes yes, since rely happy. (He jerks the rope.) Closer ! (Lucky advances.) Stop! (Lucky stops.) Yes, the road seems long when one journeys all alone for... (he consults his wat ch)... yes... (he calculates)... yes, six hours, that's right, s ix hours on end, and n ever a soul in sight. (To Lucky.) Coati (Lucky puts down the bag, advances, gives the coat, goes back to his place, takes up the bag.) Hold that! (Pozzo holds out the whip Lucky advances and, both his hands being. occupied, takes the whip in his mouth, then goes back to his place. Pozzo begins to put o n his coat, stops.) Coat! (Lucky puts down bag, basket and stool, advances, helps Pozzo on with his coat, goes back to his place and takes up bag, basket and stool.) Touch of autumn in the air this evening. (Pozzo finishes buttoning his coat, stoops, inspects himself, straightens up.) Whip! (Lucky advances, stoops, Pozzo snatches the whip from his mouth, Lucky goes back to his place.) Yes, gentlemen, I can n ot go for long without the society of my l ikes (he puts on his glasses and looks at the two likes) even when the l ikeness is an i mp e r fect one. (He takes off his glasses.) Stool ! (Lucky puts down bag and basket, advances, opens stool, puts it down, goes back to his place, takes up bag and basket.) Closer! (Lucky puts down bag and basket,  adcances, moves stool, goes back to his place, takes up bag and basket. Pozzo sits down, places the butt of his whip against Lucky's chest and pushes.) Back! (Lucky takes a step back.) Further! (Lucky takes another step back.) Stop! (Lucky stops. To Vladimir and Estragon.) That is why, with your permission, I propose to dally with you a moment, before I venture any further.Basket! (Lucky advances, gives the basket, goes back to his place.) The fresh air stimulates the jaded appetite.(He opens the basket, takes out a piece of chicken and a bottle of wine.) Basket! (Lucky advances, picks up the basket and goes back to his place.) Further! (Lucky takes a step back.) He stinks.Happy days! He drinks from the bottle, puts it down and begins to eat. Silence. Vladimir and Estragon, cautiously at first, then more boldly, begin to circle about Lucky, inspecting him up and down. Pozzo eats his chicken voraciously, throwing away the bones after having sucked them. Lucky sags slowly, until bag and basket touch the ground, then straightens up with a start and begins to sag again. Rhythm of one sleeping on his feet. ESTRAGON: What ails him? VLADIMIR: He looks tired. ESTRAGON: Why doesn't he put down his bags? VLADIMIR: How do I know? (They close in on him.) Careful! ESTRAGON: Say something to him. 17 VLADIMIR : Look ! EST RAGON: What? VLADIM!R : (71ointing). His neck! EST RAGON: (looking at the neck). I see nothing. VLADIMIR : Here. Estragon goes over beside Vladimir. ESTRAGON: Oh I say ! VLADIMIR : A run ning sore ! ESTRAGON: It's the rope. VLADIMIR : It's the rubb ing. ESTRAGON : I t's i nevitable. VLADIMIR : I t's the knot. ESTRAGON: I t's the chafing. They resume their inspection, dwell on the face. VLADIMIR : (grudgingly). He's not bad looking. ESTRAGON: (shrugging his shoulders, wry face). Would you say so? VLADIMIR : A trifle effeminate. ESTRAGON: Look at the slobber. VLADIMIR : I t's inevitable. ESTRAGON: Look a t the slaver. VLADIMIR : Perhaps he's a halfwit. ESTRAGON: A cretin. VLADIMI R : (looking closer). Looks like a goiter. ESTRAGON: (ditto). I t's not certa in. VLADIMIR : He's panting. ESTRAGON : I t's i nevitable. VLADIMIR : And his eyes ! ESTRAGON : Wha t about them? VLADIMIR : Goggl in g out of his head. ESTRAG ON : Looks at his last gasp to me. VLADI M I R : It's not certain. (Pause.) Ask h i m a question. ESTRAGON : Would that be a good thing? VLADI M I R : What do we risk? ESTRAGON : (timidly).M ister... VLADIM IR : L ou de r. ESTRAGON : (louder).M i ster... P ozzo : Leave him in peace! (They tum towards Pozzo who, having finished eating, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. ) Can't you see he wants to rest? Basket! (He strikes a match and begins to light his pipe.Estragon sees the chicken bones on the ground and stares at them greedily.As Lucky does not move Pozzo throws the match angrily away and jerks the rope.) Basket! (Lucky starts, almost falls, recovers his senses, advances, puts the bottle in the basket and goes back to his place. Estragon stares at the bones.Pozzo strikes another match and lights his pipe.) What can you expect, it's not his job. (He pulls at his pipe, stretches out his legs.) Ahl That's better. ESTRAGON: (timidly ). Please Sir... pozzo: What is it, my good man? ESTRAGON : Er...you've finished with the...er.. you don't need the... er... bones, Sir? VLADIMIR: (scandalized).You couldn't have waited? POZZO: No no, he does well to ask. Do I need the bones? (He turns them over with the end of his whip.) No, personally I do not need them any more. (Estragon takes a step towards the bones.) But 18... (E stragon stops short)... b u t in theory the bones go to the carr ier. Ile is therefore the one to ask. (Estragon turns to tcards Lucky, hesitates.) Go on, go on, don't be afra id, ask him, he'll tell you. E stra go n goes tOtcards Lucky, stops b efore him. ESTRAGON: lister... excuse me, lister... pozzo: You're being spoken to, pig ! Heply! (To Estragon.) Try him aga i n. ESTRAGON: Excuse me, li ster, the bones, you won't be wanting the bones ? Lucky looks long at Estragon. Pozzo : (in ra pt ures). !\ lister! ( Lucky bows his head.) Reply! Do you want them or don't you? (Silence of Lucky. To Estragon.) They're yours. ( E strago n nuzkes a dart at the bones, picks them up and b egi ns to gnaw them.) I don't like it. I've never known him refu se a bone before. (He looks anxiously at Lucky.) Nice business i t'd be if he fell s ick on me! He puffs at his pipe. VL ADIMIR: (ex p loding). I t's a scandal! Silence. Flabbergasted, E st ragon stops gnawing, looks at Pozzo and Vladimi r in turn. Pozzo o ut wardly calm. Vladimir embarrassed. POZZO: (to Vladimir). Are you alluding to anyth ing in particular? V L ADIM IR: (stutteringly resolut e). To ! an... (gesture towards Lucky)... l ike that... I think that... no... a human being... no... it's a scanda l ! EST RAGON : (not to be outdone). A disgrace! He resumes his gnau:ing. POZZO: You are severe. (To Vladimir.) \Vhat age are you, if it's not a rude question? (Silence.) Sixty? Seventy? (To Estragon.) What age v.:ould you say he was? EST RAGON : Eleven. Pozzo: I am impertinent. (He k nocks out his pipe ag a inst the whip, gets up.) I must be getting on. Thank you for your society. (He reflects.) Unless I smoke another pipe before I go. What do you say? (They say nothing.) Oh I'm only a small smoker, a very small smoker, I'm not in the habit of smoking two pipes one on top of the other, it makes (hand to heart, sighing) my heart go pit-a-pat. (Silence.) It's the nicotine, one absorbs it in spite of one's precautions. (S ighs.) You know how it is. (Silence.) But perhap s you don't smoke? Yes? No? It's of no importance. (S ilence.) But how am I to sit down now, without affectation, nO\\" that I have risen? Without appearing to-how shall I say-..,..,ithout appearing to falter. (To Vladimir.) I beg your pardon? (Silence.) Perhaps you didn't speak? (S ilence.) It's of no importance. Let me see. He reflects. ESTRAGON: Ah! That's better. He puts the bones in his pocket. VLADIMIR: Let's go. EST RAGON : So soon? 19  p ozzo : One moment! (He ;erks the rope.) Stool! (He poi n ts u;ith his u;hip. Lucky moves the st(lol.) fore! T h ere! ( He sits down. Lucky goes back to his place. ) Done it! He fills his pipe. VLADIMIR : (vehemently).Let's go! p ozzo : I hope I'm not driYing you away. \Vait a little longer, you'l! lle.'" uegret it. ESTRAGON : (scenting charity). We're in no h u rr. y p ozzo : (having lit his pipe). The second is never so sweet...(he takes the pipe out of his mouth, contemplates it)...as the first I mean. (He pu ts the pipe back in his mouth. ) But it's S\\'eet just the same. VLADIMIR : I'm going. POZZO : He can no longer endur my presenc.J a_!ll perhaps not pagi u _ larJy.human, but who cares? (To VladimirfThink twice before you do anything rash.Suppose you go now while it is still day, for there is no denying it is still day.(They all look up ) Good. (They stop loo king at the sky.) at the sky. What happens in that ca se-( he takes the pipe out of his mouth, examines it)-I m out-(he relights ' his pipe)-i n that case-(pu ff) -in that case-(puff) -what happens in that case to your appointment with this... Godet... Godot... Godin... am·how vou ; " see --wha.J:_mean, - -- -- who has..,·our - - __,. - " future in his hands - ,___..--... (pause)...at least ____..... - vour i. mmediate future? ' VLADIMIR: Who told you? pozzo: He speaks to me again! If this goes on much longer we'll soon be old friends. ESTRAGON: Why doesn't he put down his bags? Pozzo: I too would be happy to meet him. The more people I meet the happier lbecome. From the meanest creature one departs wiser, richer, more conscious of one's blessings. Even y o u... (he looks at them o sten tatiously in turn to make it clear they are both meant)... even you, who knows, will have added to my store. ESTRAGON: Why doesn't he put down his bags? POZZO: But that would surprise me. VLADIMIR: You're being asked a question. Pozzo: (delighted). A question! Who? What? A moment ago you were calling me Sir, in fear and trembling. Now you're asking me questions. No good will come of this! VLADIMIR: (to Estragon). I think he's listening. ESTRAGON: (circling about Lucky). What? VLADIMIR: You can ask him now. He's on the alert. EST RAGON: Ask him what? VLADIMIR: W hy he doesn't put down his bags. ESTRAGON: I wonder. VLADIMIR: Ask him, can't you? Pozzo: (who has followed these exchanges with anxious attention,fearing lest the question get lost).You want to k now why he doesn't put down his bags, as you call them. VLADIMIR: That's it. 20  PO ZZO : (to Estragon). You arc sure you agree with that? ESTR AGO N: He's puffing like a grampus. pozzo: The answer is this. (To E st rag on. ) But stay still, I beg of you, you're making me nervous! VLADI M I R : Here. ESTRAGO N : What is it? VLADI M I R : He's about to speak. Estragon goes over beside Vladimir. Motionless, side by side, they u:ait. P O ZZO : Good. Is everybody ready? Is everybody looking at me? (He looks at Lucky, ;erks the ro71e. Lucky raises his head.) Will you look at me, pig! (Lucky looks at him.) Good. (He puts the pipe in his pocket, takes out a little caporizer and sprays his throat, puts back the vaporizer in his pocket, clears his throat, spits, takes out the vapo rizer a gain, sprays his throat again, 7mts back the vaporizer in his pocket.) I am ready. Is everybody listening? Is ever ybody ready? (He looks at them all in turn, jerks the rope.) Hog! (Lucky raises his head.) I don't like talking in a vacuum. Good. Let me sec. He reflects. ESTR AGO N: I'm going. P O ZZO : What was it exactly you wanted to know? VLADIMIR : Why hc- PO ZZO : (ang rily). Don't interrupt me! (Pause. Calmer.) If we all speak at once we'll never get anywhere. (Pause.) What was I saying? (Pau se. Louder.) What was I saying?  Vladimir mimics one carrying a heavy burden. Pozzo looks at him, puzzled. ESTRAGON : (forcibly). Bag s. (He points at Lucky.) Why? A lways hold. (He sags, panting.) Never put down. (He opens his hands, straightens up with relief.) Why? pozzo : Ah! Why couldn't you say so before? Why he doesn't_ ak _himself comfortable? L e t s ' try and get thi s clea r. Has h HQUhe ri gh t to? Certainly heliaS._lt_f ll s that he doesn't want to. There's reasoning for you. And why doesn't he want to? (Pause.) Gentlemen, the reason is this. VL ADIMIR : (to Estragon). Make a note of this. pozzo : He wants to im pres s me, so that I'll keep him. ESTRAG ON : What? P ozzo : Perhaps I haven't got it quite right. He wants to mollify me, so that I'll give u p the idea of parting with him. No, that's not exactly it either. VLADIMIR : You want to get rid of him? Pozzo : He wants to cod me, bu t he won't. VLADIMIR : You want to get rid of him? P ozzo : He imagines that when I see how well he carries I'll be tempted to k ee p him on in that capacity. ESTRAG ON : You've had enough of him? Pozzo : In r e ali ty he carries like a pig. It's not his job. VLADIM I R : You want to get rid of him? P ozzo : He imagines that when I see him in defatigable I'll regret my decision. S uch is his miserable scheme. As though I were short of slaves! (All three look at Lucky. ) Atlas , son of Jupiter! 21  (Silence.) Wel l, that's that I think. Anything else? Vaporizer. VLADIMIR: You want to get rid of him? p ozzo: Remark that I might just as well have been in his shoes and he in mi ne. I f chan ce had not willed otherwise. To each one his due. VLADIMIR: You waa gerrim? P o zzo : I beg your pardon ? VLADIMIR: You want to get rid of him? Pozzo : I do. But i n stead of driving him away as I mi ght have done, I mean instead of simply kicking him out on his arse, i n the goodness of my heart I am bringin g him to the fair, where I hope to get a good price for him. The truth is you can't drive such creatures away. The best thing would be to kill them. Lucky weeps. ESTRAGON: H e's cryi ng! POZZO: Old dogs have more dignity. (He proffers his handkerchief to Estragon.) Comfort him, since you p i ty him. (Estragon hesitates.) Come on. (Estragon takes the handkerchief.) Wipe away his tears, he1l feel less forsaken. Estragon hesitates. VLADIM IR: H ere, give it to me, 111 do it. Estragon refuses to give the handkerchief. Childish gestures. P o zzo : M ake haste, before he stops. (Estragon approaches Lucky and 1Tillkes to wipe his eyes. Lucky kicks him violently in the shins. Estragon drops the  handkerchief, recoils, staggers about the stage howling with pain.) Hanky ! Lucky puts down bag and basket, picks up handkerchief and gives it to Pozzo, goes back to his place, picks up bag a nd basket. ESTRAGO N : Oh the swine ! (He pulls up the leg of his trousers.) He's crippled m e l p ozzo : I told you he didn't like strangers. VLADI M IR : (to Estragon). Show. (Estragon shows his leg. To Pozzo, angrily.) He's bleeding! Po zzo: It's a good sign. ESTRAGON : (on one leg). I 'Il never walk again! VLADI M I R : (tenderly). I'll carry you. (Pause.) If necessary. Pozzo: H e's stopped crying. (To Estragon.) You have replaced him as it were. (Lyrically.) The tears of the world are a constant quantity. For each one who begins to weep somewhere else another stops. The same is true of the laugh. (He laughs.) Let us not then speak ill of our generation, it is not any u nhappier than its predecessors. (Pause.) Let us not speak well of it either. (Pause.) Let us not speak of it at all. (Pause. Judiciously. ) It is true the population has increased. VLADI M I R : Try and walk. Estragon takes a few limping steps, stops before Lucky and spits on him, then goes and sits down on the mound. p ozzo : G ss " ho".taught m alL these beautiful things. (Pause. Pointing to Lucky.) My Lucky ! 22 VLADI M I R : (looking at the sky). Will night never come? POZZO : But for him all my thoughts, all my feeli ngs, would have been of common things. (Pause. With extraordinary v e hemence.) Professional worries! (Calmer.) Beauty, grace, truth of the first water, I knew they were all beyond me. So I took a knook. VLADI M I R : (st a r t l e d from his inspect io n of the sky). A knook? Pozzo : That was nearly sixty years ago... (he consults his watch)... yes, nearly sixty. (Drawing himself up pro udly.) You wouldn't think it to look at me, would you? Compared to him I look l ike a young man, no? ( Pa us e. ) Hat!( Lucky puts down the b as ket and takes off his hat. His long white -- < · - - , hair falls about his face. He put s h is hat under his arm and pickS iip ihe basket.) Now l ook. (Pozzo takes off his hat.l H e is completely bald. He puts on his hat again.) Did you see? VLADI M I R : And now you tu m him away? Such an old and faithful servant! ESTRAGON: Swine! Pozzo more and more ag itat ed. VLADI M I R : After having sucked all the good out of him you chuck him away l ike a... l ike a banana skin. Real ly... P ozzo : (g ro a ni ng , clut c hin g his head). I can't bear it.. any longer... the way he goes on... you've no idea... it's terrible... he must go... (he wa ves his arms)... I'm going mad... ( h e 1 A ll four wear bowlers.  collapses, his head in his hands)... I can't bear it... any longer... Silence. All look at Pozzo. VLADI M I R : He can't bear it. E STRAG ON : Any longer. VLADI M I R : He's going mad. ESTRAGON : It's terrible. VLADI M I R : (to Lucky ). How dare you! It's abominable! Such a , / good master! Crucify him like that! ter so many years ! Really! Po zzo : (sobbing ).H e used to be so kind... so helpful... and entertaining... my good angel... and now... he's killing me ESTRAG ON : (to Vladimir ). Does he want to replace him? VLADI M I R : What? ESTRAG ON : Does he want someone to take his place or not? VLADI M I R : I don't think so. ESTRAG ON : What? VLAD I M I R : I don't know. ESTRAGON : Ask him. Po zzo : (calmer ). Gentlemen, I don't know what came over me. Forgive me. Forget all I said. (More and more his old self.) I don't remember exactly what it was, but you may be sure there wasn't a word of truth in it. (Drawing himself up, striking his chest. ) Do I look like a man that can be made to suffer? Frankly? (He rummages in his pockets.) What have I done with my pipe? VLADI M I R : Charming evening we're having. ESTRAG ON ; Unforgettable. 23 VLADI M I R : And i t s ' not over. EST RAG O N : Appa rently no t. VLADI M I R : I t s only beginning. ' ESTRAGO N : I t's awfu l. VLADI M I R : \V o r se than t h e pantomime. EST RAGON : The circus. VLADI M I R : The music-hall. E S T RAGO N : The circus. P OZZO : What can I h a v e done with that briar? ESTRAGO N : He's a scream. He's lost his dudeen. Laughs no isily. VLADI M I R : J'll be back. He hastens towards the wings. E STRAGON : End of t h e corridor, on the left. VLADI M I R : Keep my seat. Exit Vladimir. Pozzo: (on the point of tears). I 've lost my Kapp and Peterso n ! ESTRAGO N : (convulsed with merriment ). HeJJ £ t4.. death of ­ mel POZZO : You didn't see by any chance-. (He misses Vladi m ir. ) Oh l He's gon e ! Without saying goodbye! How could he! He might have waited) E STRAGON : He would have b urst. Pozzo : Oh ! (Pause.) Oh well then of course in that case... EST RAGO N : Come here. pozzo : Wh a t for? ESTRAGO N : You'll see. Pozzo : You want me to get up? ESTRAG0:-1 : Quick ! (Pozzo gets u p and goes over beside Estragon. Estragon points off.) Look! p ozzo : (ha c i n g put o n his glasses). Oh I say! ESTRAGON : It's all over. Enter Vladimir, somber. He shoulders Lucky out of his wa y, kicks ocer the stool, comes and goes agitatedly. P ozzo: He's not pleased. ESTRAG0:-1: (to Vladimir). You missed a treat. Pity. Vladimir halts, straightens the stool, comes and goes, calmer. POZZO : He subsides. (Looking round.) I ndeed all subsides. A great calm descends. (Raising his hand.) Listen! Pan sle eps. VLADI M I R : Will night never come? All three look at the sky. p ozzo: You don't feel like going until it does? E STRAG0 :-1 : Well you see- P OZ ZO : Why it's very natural, very natural. I myself in your situation, if I had an appointment with a Godin... Godet... Godot... anyhow you see who I mean , I'd wait till it was black night before I gave u p. (He looks at the stool.) I'd very much like to sit down , but I don't quite know how to go about it. ESTRAGO N : Could I be of any hel p? P ozzo: If you asked me perhaps. ESTRAG O N : What? POZZO : If you asked me to sit down. EST RAGON : Would that be a help? 24  POZZO : I fa ncy so. ESTRAGON : H ere we go. Be seated, Sir, I beg of you. P OZZO : No no, I woul dn't think of it! (Pa use Aside.) Ask. me a gain. EST RAGON : Come come, take a scat I beseech you, you'll get pneu monia. P OZZO : You real ly think so? E S TRAGON : Why it's absolu tely certain. P OZZO : No doubt you arc right. (He sits do wn ) Done it. again !(Pause.) Thank you, dear fellow. (He consults his u;atch.) But I must really be getting along, if I am to observe-my schedule. VLADI M I R : Time has stopped. P OZZO : (cuddling h is watch to his ear). Don't you believe it, Sir, don't you belieYe it. (He puts his u;atch. \ ,. l I back in his pocket.) Wha tever you like, but not that E S T RAGON : (to Pozzo). E\'erything seems black to him to-day. POZZO : Except the firmament. (He lau gh s , pleased u:ith this witticism.) But I see what i t is, you are not I !j , from these parts, you don't know what our twi lights can do. S hall I tell you? ( Sil e n ce. Estragoii is fiddling with his boot again, Vladimir with his hat.) I can't refuse you. (Vaporizer.) A little attention , if you please. (Vladimir and Estragon continue their fiddling, L uc ky is half asleep. Po zzo cracks his whip feebly.) Wha t s the ' matter with this whip? (He gets up m ul cracks it mo re vigorously, finally with su c cess. Lucky ju m ps. Vladimir's hat, Estrago n s boot, L ucky's '  hat, fall to the ground. Pozzo throws down the whip.) Worn out, this whip. (He looks at Vladimir and Estragon.) What was I saying? VLADI MIR : Let's go. ESTRAGO N : But take the weight off your feet, I implore you, you'll catch your death. Pozzo : True. (He sits down. To Estragon.) What is your name? EST RAGO N : Adam. P o zzo : ( w ho hasn't listened). Ah yes! The night. (He raises his head.) But be a little more attentive, for p-ity's sake, otherwise we'll never get anywhere. (He looks at the sky.) Look ! (All look at the sky except Lucky who is dozing off again. Pozzo jerks the rope.) Will you look at the sky, pig! (Lucky looks at the sky.) Good, that's enough. (They stop looking at the sky.) What is there so extraordinary about it? Qua sky. It is pale and luminous like any sky at this hour of the day. (Pause.) In these latitudes. (Pause.) When the weather is fine. (Lyrical.) An hour ago (he looks at his watch, prosaic) roughly (lyrical) after having poured forth even since (he hesitates, prosaic) say ten o'clock in the morning (lyrical) tirelessly torrents of red and white light it begins to lose its effulgence, to grow pale (gesture of the two hands lapsing by stages) pale, ever a little paler, a little paler until (dramatic pause, ample gesture of the two hands flung wide apart) pppfff! finished( it comes to rest. But-(hand raised in admonition)- 25  but behind this veil of gentleness and peace night is charging (vibrantly) and will burst upon u s (snaps his fi n gers) pop! l ike tha t ! (his i nspi ra t i o n leaves him) just when we least expect it. (Silence. Gloom ily.) That's how it is -n tbi _ b itc h ()(!l!l earth. Long silence. ESTRAGO N : So long as one knows. VLADI M I R : One can bide one's time. E STRAGO N : One k nows what to expect. V LADI M I R : No furth er need to worry. ESTRAGON : S i mply wa it. VLADI M I R : \Ve're used to it. He picks up his hat, peers inside it, shakes it, puts it on. p o zzo : H ow did you find me? (Vladimir and Estragon look at him blankly.) Good? Fair? M iddl i n g? Poor? Positively bad? V L AD I M I R : (first to understand). Oh very good, very very good. P o zzo : (to Estragon). And you, S ir? ESTRAGO N : Oh tray bong, tray tray tray bong. P ozzo : (fervently). Bless you, gentlemen, bless you! (Pause.) I have such need of encoura gement! (Pause.) I weakened a little towards the end, you didn't notice? VLADI M I R : Oh perhaps just a teeny weeny little bit. ESTRAGON : I thought it was intentional. P OZZO : You see my memory is defective. Silence. ESTRAGON : In the meantime nothing happens. p ozzo : You find it tedious? ESTRAGON : Somewhat. p ozzo : (to Vladimir). And you, Sir? VLADI M I R : I've been better entertained. Silence. Pozzo struggles inwa dJ.y._ POZZO : Gentlemen, you have been... civil to me: - ­ ESTRAGO N : Not a t all! VLADI M I R : What an idea l P ozzo : Yes yes, you have been correct. So that I ask myself is there anything I can do in my turn for these honest fellows who are having such a dull, dull time. ESTRAGO N : Even ten francs would be a help. VLADI M I R : We are not beggars! P ozzo : Is there anything I can do, that's what I ask myself, to cheer them up? I have given them bones, I have talked to them about this and that, I have explained the twilight, admittedly. But is it enough, that's what tortures me, is it enough? E STRAGON : Even five. VLADI M I R : (to Estragon, i ndigna ntly). That's enough! ESTRAGO N : I couldn't accept less. P ozzo : Is it enough? No doubt. But I am liberal. It's my nature. This evening. So much the worse for me. (He jerks the rope. Lucky looks at him. ) For I shall suffer, no doubt about that. (He picks up the whip. ) What do you prefer? Shall we have him dance, or sing, or recite, or think, or- ESTRAGON : Who? 26  POZZO : Who ! You know how to think, you two? VLADI M I R : He thinks? POZZO : Certa inly. Aloud. H e even use d to think very prettily once, I could listen to h i m for hours. Now... (he shudders). So much th e worse for me. Well, would you like him to think something for us? EST RAGON : I'd rather he'd dance, it'd be more fun. P ozzo : Not necessarily. ESTRAGON : Wouldn't it, Didi, be more fu n ? VLADI M I R : I'd like well to hear him think. ESTRAGO N : Perhaps he could dance first and think afterwards, if it isn't too much to ask him. VLADI M I R : (to Pozzo ). Would that be possible? POZZO : By all means, nothing simpler. I t's the natural order. He laughs briefly. V L A DI M I R : Then let him dance. S i le n c e. Pozzo : Do you hear, hog? EST RAGON : He never refuses? POZZO : He refused once. (Silence.) Dance, m i sery ! Lucky p uts down bag and basket, advances towards front, turns to Pozzo. Lucky dances. He stops. ESTRAGON : Is that all? P OZZO : E ncore ! Lucky executes the samemovements, stops. ESTRAGON : Pooh! I'd do as well myself. (He imitates Lucky, almost fa lls. ) With a little practice.. Pozzo : He used to dance the farandole, the fling, the brawl, the jig, the fandango and even the hornpipe. He capered. For joy. Now that's the best he can do. Do you know what he calls it? ESTRAGON : The Scapegoat's Agony. V L ADI M IR : The Hard Stool. Pozzo : The Net. He thinks he's entangled in a net. VLADI M I R : (sq u ir m i ng like an aesthete). There's something about it... Lucky TTUJkes to return to his burdens. P O ZZO : \Voaa ! Lucky st iffe n s. ESTRAGON : Tell us about the time he refused. Pozzo : With pleasure, with pleasure. (He fumbles i n his p oc ke ts ). Wait. (He fumbles.) What have I done with my spray? ( H e fum b le s ) Well now isn't that.... (He looks up, consternation on his fe a t ures. Fai n t l y ) I can't find my pulverizer!. ESTRAGO N: (faintly). My left lung i s very weak ! (He coughs fee b ly. In ringing tones.) But my right lung is a s s o u n d as a bel l ! P ozzo : (normal voice). N o matter ! What was I saying. (He p o n de rs. ) Wait. (Ponders.) Well now isn't that. (He raises his head.) Help m e ! ESTRAGON : Wait! VLADI M I R : Wai t ! P O ZZO : Wait ! All t hree take o ff their hats simultaneously, press their hand.$ to their foreheads, c o n c entrate. ESTRAGO N : (triumphantly). Ah! 27 VLADI M I R : He has it. P OZZO : (im patient). \Vel !? E S T RAGO N : Why doesn't he put down his bags? VLADI M I R : Rubbish! P OZZO : Are you sure? VLADI M I R : D a mn it haven't you al ready told us? p o zzo : I've already told you? E S T RAG O N : He's already told us? V L ADI M I R : Anyway he has put them down. ESTRAGO N : (gwnce at Luck y). So he has. And what of it? VLADI M IR : S i nce h e has put dO\vn his bags it i s impossible we should have asked why he does not do so. P OZZO : Stoutly reasoned! ESTRAGO N : And why has he put them down? p o zzo : An swer u s that. VLADI M I R : I n order to danc e. E S T RAGO N : Tm e! P o zzo : Tmel S ilence. The y put on their hats. ESTRAGON : Nothing happens, n obody comes, nobody goes, it's awfu l l VLADI M I R : (to Pozzo). Tell him to think. P o zzo : G ive him his hat. VLADI M I R : H i s hat? P OZZO : He can't think without his hat. VLADI M I R : (to Estragon). Gi ve him his hat. EST RAGON : M e ! After what he did to me! Never! VLAD IMIR : 111 give it to h i m. He does not mo ve. EST RAGON : (to Pozzo). Tell him to go and fetch it.  P OZZO : I t's better to give it to him. VLADI M I R : I'll give it to him. He picks up the hat and tenders it at arm's length to Lucky, who does rwt move. p ozzo : You must put it on his head : ESTRAGON : (to Pozzo). Tell him t o take it. Pozzo : I t's better to put it on his head. VLADI M I R : I'll put it on his head. He goes round behind Lucky, approaches him cautiously, puts the hat on his head and recoils smartly. Lucky dOes not move. Silence. ESTRAGON : What's he waiting for? Pozzo: Stand back ! (Vladimir and Estragon move away from Lucky. Pozzo ;erks the rope. Lucky looks at Pozzo.) Think, pig! (Pause. Lucky begins to dance.) Stop ! (Lucky stops.) Forward! (Lucky advances.) Stop! (Lucky stops.) Think! Silence. LUCKY : On the other hand wii:h regard to- POZZO : Stop !(Lucky stops.) Back! (Lucky moves back.) Stop! (Lucky stops.) Tum! (Lucky turns towards auditorium.) Th ink! During Lucky's tirade the others react as follows. 1) Vladimir and Estragon all attention, Pozzo de;ected and disgusted. 2 ) Vwdimir and Estragon begin to protest, Pozzo's sufferings increase. 3) Vladimir and Estragon attentive again, Pozzo more and more agitated and groaning. 4) Vladimir a nd Estragon protest violently. Pozzo 28  ju mps up, pulls on the rope. General outcry. Lucky pulls on the rope, staggers, shouts his text. All three th row themselves o n Lucky who struggles and shouts his text. LUCKY : Given the existence as uttered forth in the public works of Puncher and Wattmann of a personal Cod q uaquaquaqua with white beard quaquaquaqua ou tside time without extension who from the heights of divine apathia divine athambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with some exceptions for reasons unknown but time will tell and suffers l ike the divine M iranda with those who for reasons unknown but time will tell are plun ged in torment plunged in fire whose fire flames i f that con tinues and who can doubt i t will fire the firmament that is to say blast hell to heaven so bl u e still and calm so calm with a calm wh ich even though interm ittent is better than noth ing but not so fast and considering what is m ore that as a result of the labors left u n fin ished crowned by the Acacacacademy of Anthropopopometry of Essy- in-Possy of Testew and Cunard it is established beyond all doubt all other doubt than that which cl i n gs to the labors of men that as a result of the labors unfin ished of Testew and Cunard it is established as hereinafter but not so fast for reasons unknown that as a result of the public works of Puncher and Wattmann it is establ ished beyond all doubt that in view of the labors of Fartov and Belcher left  unfinished for reasons unknown of Testew and Cunard left unfinished it is established what many deny that man in Possy of Testew and Cunard that man in Essy that man in short that man in brief in spite of the strides of alimentation and defecation wastes and pines wastes and pines and concurrently s imultaneously what is more for reasons unknown in spite of the strides of physical culture the practice of sports such as tennis football running cycling swimming Hying floating riding gliding conating camogie skating tennis of all kinds dying flying sports of all sorts autumn summer winter winter tennis of all kinds hockey of all sorts penicilline and succedanea in a word I resume flying gliding golf over nine and eighteen holes tennis of all sorts in a word for reasons unknown in Feckham Peckham Fulham Clapham namely concurrently simultaneously what is more for reasons unknown but time will tell fades away I resume Fulham Clapham in a word the dead loss per head since the death of Bishop Berkeley being to the tune of one inch four ounce per bead approximately by and large more or Jess to the nearest decimal good measure round figures stark naked in the stockinged feet in Connemara in a word for reasons unknown no matter what matter the facts are there and con sidering what is more much more grave that in the light of the Jabors lost of Steinweg and Peterman it appears what is more much more grave that in the light the Jight 29  the light of the labors lost of Steinweg and Peterma n that in the plains i n the mountains by the seas by the rivers r u n n i n g water run n i n g fire the air is the same and then the earth na mely the air and then the ea rth in the grea t cold the great dark the air and the earth abode of stones i n the great col d alas alas i n the year of their Lord six hundred and something the air the earth the sea the earth abode of stones i n the grea t deeps the great cold on sea on land and in the air I resume for reasons unknown i n spite of the tennis the facts are there but time will tell I resume alas alas on on in short i n fine on on abode of stones who can doubt it I resume but not so fast I resume the skull fading fading fading and concurrently simultaneously what i s more for reasons unknown in spite of the tennis on on the beard the flames the tears the stones so blue so calm alas alas on on the skull the skull the skull the skull in Con nemara in spite of the tennis the labors abandoned left u nfinished graver still abode of stones in a word I resume alas alas abandoned unfinished the skull the skull in Connemara in spite of the ten nis the skull alas the stones Cunard (melee, final vociferations) tennis... the stones... so calm... Cunard... unfinished... P OZZO : His h a t ! Vladimir seizes Lucky's hat. Silence of Lucky. He falls. Silence. Panting of the victors. ESTRAGON : J\venged! Vladimir examines the hat, peers inside it. p ozzo : Give me tha t ! (He snatches the hat from Vladimir, throws it on the ground, tramples on it.) There's a n end to his thinking! VLADIMIR : But will he be able to walk? p ozzo : Walk or crawl ! (He kicks Lucky.) Up pig! ESTRAGON : Perhaps he's dead. VLADI M I R : You'll kill him. P OZZO : U p scum ! (He jerks the rope.) Help mel VLADI M IR : How? POZZO : Raise him u p ! Vladimir and Estragon hoist Lucky to his feet, support him an instant, then let him go. He falls. ESTRAGON : He's doing it on purpose! P OZZO : You must hold him. (Pause.) Come on, come on, raise him up. ESTRAGON : To hell with him! VLADIMIR : Come on, once more. ESTRAGON : What does he take us for? They raise Lucky, hold him up. P OZZO : Don't let him go! (Vladimir and Estragon totter.) Don't move ! (Pozzo fetches bag and basket and brings them towards Lucky.) Hold him tight ! (He puts the bag in Lucky's hand. Lucky drops it immediately.) Don't let him go ! (He puts back the bag in Lucky's hand. Gradually, at the feel of the bag, Lucky recovers his senses and his fingers finally close round the handle.) Hold him tight ! (As before with basket.) Now! You can let him go. 30  ( V ladi m ir and Estragon move away from Lucky who totters, reels, sags, but succeeds in re ma i n i n g on h is feet, bag a nd basket i n his hands. Pozzo steps back, cracks his wh ip.) Forward ! (Lucky totters forward.) Back ! (Lucky totters back.) Tu m ! (L ucky turns.) Done i t ! He can walk. (Turning to Vladi m i r and Estragon.) Thank you, gentlemen, and let me... (he fum bles in h is pockets)... let me wish you... (fumbles).. wish you... (fumbles)... what have I done with my watch? (Fumbles.) A genuine half-hunter, gentlemen, with deadbeat escapement! (Sobbing.) Twas my gra npa gave i t to m e ! (He searches on the ground, Vladimir and Estragon likewise. Pozzo turns over with his foot the remains of Lucky's hat.) Wel l now isn't that just- VLADIM I R : Perhaps i t's in your fob. Pozzo : Wait! (He doubles up in an attempt to apply his ear to his stomach, listens. Silence.) I hear nothing. (He beckons them to approach. Vladimir and Estragon go over to him, bend over his stomach.) Surely one should hear the tick-tick. VLADI M I R : Silence! All listen, bent double. ESTRAGO N : I hear something. POZZO : Where? VLADI M I R : It's the heart. Pozzo : (disappointed). Damnation! VLADIM I R : Silence! E S T RAGON : Perhaps it has stopped. They straighten up. P OZZO : Which of you smells so bad? E S T RAGON : He has stinking breath and I have stinki n g feet. P OZZO : I must go. E S T RAGON : And your half-hunter? pozzo : I must have left it at the manor. Silence. EST RAGO N : Then adieu. POZZO : Adieu. V L ADI M I R : Adieu. P OZZO : Adieu. Silence. No one moves. VLADI M I R : Adieu. POZZO : Adieu. E S T RAGON : Adieu. Silence. pozzo : And tha nk you. VLADI M I R : Thank you. POZZO : Not at all. E S T RAGON : Yes yes. P OZZO : No no. VLADI M I R : Yes yes. E S T RAGO N : No no. Silence. P OZZO : I don't seem to be able... (long hesitation)... to depart. E ST RAGON : Such is l ife. Pozzo turns, moves away from Lucky towards the wings, paying out the rope as he goes. 31 VLADI M I R : You're going the wrong way. P OZZO : I need a ru n n i ng start. (Having come to the end of the rope, i.e. off stage, he stops, t u rns a nd cries.) Stan d back ! (Vladim ir and Estragon stand back, look towards Pozzo. Crack of whip.) On! On! EST RAGON : On! VLADI M I R : On! Lucky moves off. pozzo : Faster! (He appears, crosses the stage preceded by Lucky. Vladimir and Estrago n wace their hnts. Exit Lucky.) On! On ! (On the poin t of disappearing in his turn he stops and turns. The rope tautens. Noise of Lucky falling off.) Stool ! (Vladimir fetches stool and gives it to Pozzo who throws it to Lucky.) Adieu! V L ADI M I R : (waving). Adieu ! Adieu ! E S T RAGON : P OZZO : Up! Pig! (Noise of Lucky getti ng up.) On! (Exit Pozzo.) Faster! On! Adieu ! Pig! Yip ! Adieu! Long silence. V L ADI M I R : That passed the time. E S T RAGON : It would have passed in any case. VLADI M I R : Yes, bu t not SO rapidly. Pause. ESTRAGO N : What do we do now? VLADI M I R : I don't know. ESTRAGO N : Let's go. V L ADI M I R : \Ve can't. ESTRAGO N : Why not? V L ADI M I R : \Ve're w ait in g for Godot. ESTRAGON : (despairingly). Ah! Pause. VLADIMIR : How they've changed! ESTRAGON : Who? VLADIM IR : Those two. ESTRAGON : That's the i dea, let's make a l ittle conversation. VLADIMIR : H aven't they? ESTRAGON : What? VLADIM IR : Changed. ESTRAGO : V ry l ikely. They all change. Only we can't. VLADIMIR : Likely! It's certain. Didn't you see them? ESTRAGON : I suppose I did. But I don't know them. VLADIMIR : Yes you do know them. ESTRAGON : No I don't know them. VLADIMIR : We know them, I tell you. You forget everything. (Pause. - To himself.) U nless they're not the same.. ESTRAGON : Why didn't they recognize us then? VLADIMIR : That means nothing. I too pretended not to recognize them. And then nobody ever recognizes - us. ESTRAGON : Forget it. What we need-ow! (Vladimir does not react.) Ow! VLADIMIR : -(ta.hl!!lselt). Unless t!t y)_ _,not h sa e... _ ,.. ESTRAGON : Didi! It's the other foot ! / He goes hobbling towards the mound. VLADIMIR : Unless they're not the same... BOY : (off). M ister! Estragon halts. Both look towards the voice. ESTRAGON : Off we go again. 32 VLADIMIR : Approach, my child. Enter Boy, timidly. 11 e halts. BOY : !\ l ister Albert... ? VLADI M I R : Yes. ESTRAGON : What do you want? VLADIMIR : Approach ! The Boy does not m o ve. ESTRAGON : (forcibly). Approach when you're tol d, can't you ? The Boy advances timidly, halts. VLADI M I R : What is it? BOY : M r. Codot... VLADIMIR : Obviously... (Pause.) A pproach. ESTRAGON : (violently). Will you approa ch ! (The Boy advances t i m i dly ) What kept you so late?. VLADI M I R : You have a message from Mr. Codot? BOY : Yes Sir. VLADIM I R : Well, what i s it? ESTRAGON : What kept you so l ate ? The Boy looks at them in turn, not knowing to which he should reply. VLADIMIR : (to Estragon). Let him alone. ESTRAGON : (violently). You let m e alone. (Advancing, to the Boy.) Do you know what time it i s ? BOY : (recoiling). I t's not my fault, S i r. ESTRAGON : And whose is it? M ine? BOY : I was afraid, Sir. ESTRAGON : Afraid of what? Of us? (Pause.) A nswer m e l VLADIMIR : I know what it is, he was afraid of the others. ESTRAGON : How long have you been here ? BOY : A good while, S i r. VLADIMIR : You were afraid of the whip? BOY : Yes S ir. VLADIMIR : The roars? BOY : Yes Sir. VLADIMIR : The two big men. BOY : Yes Sir. VLADIMIR : Do you know them? BOY : No Sir. VLADIMIR : Are you a native of these parts? (Silence.) Do you belong to these parts? BOY : Yes Sir. ESTRAGON : That's all a pack of lies. (Shaking the Boy by the arm.) Tell us the truth ! BOY : (trembling). But it is the truth, Sir! VLADIMIR : Will you let him alone! What's the matter with you? (Estragon releases the Boy, moves away, covering his face with his hands. Vladimir and the Boy observe him. Estragon drops his hands. His face is convulsed.) What's the matter with you? ESTRAGON : I'm unhappy. VLADIMIR: Not really ! Since when? ESTRAGON : I'd forgotten. VLADIMIR : Extraordinary the tricks that memory plays ! (Estragon tries to speak, renounces, limps to his place, sits down and begins to take off his boots. To Boy.) Well? BOY : Mr. Godot- VLADIMI R : I've seen you before, haven't I? BOY : I don't know, Sir. VLADIMIR : You don't know me? 33  BOY : No Sir. VLADIMIR: It wasn't you came yesterday? B OY : No S ir. VLADI M I R : Th is is your first time? BOY : Yes Sir. Silence. VLADIMIR : Word words. (Pa use.) Speak. BOY : (in a rush). :\ l r. Godot told me to tell you he won't come this even ing but su rely to-morrow. Silence. VLADIMIR: I s that all? BOY : Yes Sir. Silence. VLADIMIR: You work for :\ l r. Godot? BOY : Yes Sir. VLA DIMIR : What do you do? BOY : I mind th ats, S ir. ' ----... VLADIMIR: Is he good to yoU? - ::r- BOY : Yes S i r. VLADIMIR : He doesn't beat you? BOY : No S i r, not me. V L A D IMIR: \Vhom docs he beat ? BOY : He beats my brother, Sir. VLADIMI R : Ah, you have a brother? BOY : Yes S ir. VL ADIMIR: What does he do? BOY : He minds the sheep, Sir. V L ADIMIR : A n d why doesn't he beat you ? BOY : I don't know, Sir. VLADIMIR: He must be fond of you.  BOY : I do n t know, Sir. ' Silence. VLADI M I R : Does he give you enough to eat? (The Boy hesitates.) Does h e feed you well? BOY : Fairly well, Sir. VLADI M I R : You're not u nhappy ? (The Boy hesitates.) Do you hear me? BOY : Yes S ir. VLADIM I R : Well? BOY : I don't know, Sir. VLADIM I R : You don't know if you're unhappy or not? BOY : No Sir. VLADIM IR : You're as bad as myself. (Silence.) Where do you sleep? B OY : In the loft, Sir. VLADIM I R : With your brother? BOY : Yes Sir. VLADIM I R : In the hay? BOY : Yes Sir. Silence. VLADI M IR : All right, you may go. BOY : What am I to tell Mr. Godot, Sir? VLADI M I R : Tell him... (he hesitates)... tell him you saw us. (Pause.) You did see us, didn't you? B OY : Yes Sir. He steps back, hesitates, turns and exit running. The light suddenly fails. In a moment it is night. The moon rises at back, mounts in the sky, stands still, shedding a pale light on the scene. 34  VLADI MIR : At last! (Estragon gets up and goes towards Vladimir, a boot in each hand. He puts them down at edge of stage, straightens a nd contem p lates the moon.) W ha t are you doing? ESTRAGO N : Pale for weariness. VLADI M I R : Eh? ESTRAGON : Of cl imbing heaven a nd gaz ing on the l ikes of us. VLADIMIR : Your boots, what are you doing with your boots? ESTRAGON : (turning to look at the boots). I'm leaving them there. (Pa use.) Another will come, just as... as... as me, but with smaller feet, and they'll make him happy. VLADIM IR : But you can't go barefoot! ESTRAGON : Christ did. V L ADIMIR : Christl What has Christ got to do with it? You're not going to compare yourself to Christl EST RAGON : All my life I've compared myself to him. V L ADIMIR : But where he lived it was warm, it was dry! ESTRAGON : Yes. And they crucified quick. Silence. V L ADIMIR : We've nothing more to d o here. ESTRAGON : Nor anywhere else. V L ADIMIR : Ah Gogo, don't go on like that. To-morrow everything will be better. ESTRAGON : How do you make that out? VLADIMI R : Did you not hear what the child said? ESTRAGON : No. VLADIMIR : He said that Godot was sure to come to-morrow. (Pause.) What do you say to that? EST RAGON : Then all we have to do is to wait on here. VLADIMIR : Are you mad? We must take cover. (He takes Estragon by the arm.) Come on. He draws Estragon after him. Estragon yields, then resists. They halt. ESTRAGON : (looking at the tree). Pity we haven't got a bit of rope. VLADIMIR : Come on. It's cold. He draws Estragon after him. As before. ESTRAGON : Remind me to bring a b i t of rope to-morrow. VLADIMIR : Yes. Come on. He draws him after him. As before. ESTRAGON : How long have we been together all the time now? VLADIMIR : I don't know. Fi fty years maybe. ESTRAGON : Do you remember the day I threw myself into the Rhone? VLADIMIR : \Ve were grape harvesting. ESTRAGON : You fished me out. VLADIMIR : That's all dead and b uried. ESTRAGON : My clothes dried in the sun. VLADIMIR: There's no good harking back on that. Come on. He draws him after him. As before. ESTRAGON : \Vait! VLADI MIR : I'm col d ! ESTRAGON : W a i t ! (He moves away from Vladimir.) I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't have been better off alone, each one for himself. (He crosses the stage and sits down on the mound.) We weren't made for the same road. 35 V L ADIMIR : (without anger). I t s not certa in. ' ESTRAG ON : No, nothin g i s certain. Vladimir slowly crosses the stage and sits down beside Estragon. VLADIMIR: We can still part, if you think it would be better. ESTRAGON : It's not worth while now. Silence. VLADIMIR: No, it's not worth while now. Silence. ESTRAGON : Well, shall we go? VLADIMIR : Yes, let's go. They do not move. Curtain A I I T c Next ooy. Same time. Same place.  Estragon's boots front center, heels together, toes splayed. Lucky's hat at same place. The tree has four or five leaves. Enter Vladimir agitatedly. He halts and looks long at the tree, then suddenly begins to move feverishly about the stage. He halts before the boots, picks one up, examines it, sniffs it, manifests disgust, puts it back carefully. Comes and goes. Halts extreme right and gazes into distance off, shading his eyes with his hand. Comes and goes. Halts extreme left, as before. Comes and goes. Halts suddenly and begins to sing loudly. VLADIM I R : A dog came in- Having begun too high he stops, clears his throat, resumes: A dog came in the kitchen And stole a cr u st of bread. Then cook up w ith a ladle And beat him till he was dead. Then all the dogs came running And dug the dog a tomb- He stops, broods, resumes: Then all the dogs came running And dug the dog a tomb And wrote upon the tombstone For the eyes of dogs to come : A dog came in the kitchen And stole a crust of bread. 37  Then cook up with a ladle And beat him till he was dead. Then all the dogs ca me running And dug the dog a tomb- He stops, broods, resumes: Then all the dogs came running And dug the dog a tomb- He stops, broods. Softly. And dug the dog a tomb.. He remains a moment silent and motionless, then begins to move feverishly about the stage. He halts before the tree, comes a nd goes, before the boots, comes and goes, halts extreme right, gazes into distance, extreme left, gazes into distance. Enter Estragon right, barefoot, head bowed. He slowly crosses the stage. Vladimir turns and sees him. VLADIMIR : You aga i n ! (Estragon halts but does not raise his head. Vladimir goes towards him.) Come here till I embrace you. ESTRAGON : Don't touch me! Vladimir holds back, pained. VLADIM IR : D o you want me t o go away? (Pause.) Gogo ! (Pause. Vladimir observes him attentively.) Did they beat you? (Pause.) Gogo ! (Estragon remains silent, head bowed.) Where did you spend the n ight? ESTRAGON : Don't touch m e ! Don't question m e ! Don't speak to mel Stay with mel VLADI M I R : Did I ever leave you? ESTRAGON : You let me go. V L ADI M I R : Look at me. (Estragon does not raise his head. Violently.) Will you look at mel Estragon raises his head. They look long at each other, then suddenly embrace, clapping each other on the back. End of the embrace. Estragon, no longer supported, almost falls. ESTRAGON : What a day ! VLADIM I R : Who beat you? Tell me. ESTRAGON : Another day done with. VL ADIM IR : Not yet. ESTRAGON : For me it's over and done with, no matter what happens. (Silence.) I heard you singing. VLADIM IR : That's right, I remember. ESTRAGON : That finished me. I said to myself, He's all alone, he thinks I'm gone for ever, and he sings. VLADIMIR : One is not m aster of one's moods. All day I've felt in great form. (Pause.) I didn't get up in the night, not once ! EST RAGON : (sadly). You see, you piss better when I'm not there. VLADI MIR : I missed you... and at the same time I was happy. Isn't that a queer thing? ESTRAGON : (shocked). Happy? VLADIMIR : Perhaps it's not quite the right word. E STRAGON : And now? VLADI M I R : Now?... (Joyous.) There you are again... (Indifferent.) There we are again... (Gloomy.) There I am again. 38 ESTRAGON : You see, you feel worse when I'm with you. I feel better alone too. VLADIMIR : (vexed). Then why do you always come crawling back? EST RAGON : I don't know V LADIMIR : No, but I do. I t's because you don't know how to defend yourself. I wouldn't have let them beat you. ESTRAGON : You couldn't have stopped them. VLADIMIR : Why not? EST RAGON : There was ten of them. VLADIMIR : No, I mean before they beat you. I would have stopped you from doing whatever it was you were doing. ESTRAGON : I wasn't doing anything. VLADIMIR : Then why did they beat you? ESTRAGON : I don't know. VLADIMIR : Ah no, Gogo, the truth is there are things escape you that don't escape me, you must feel it yourself. ESTRAGON : I tell you I wasn't doing anything. VLADIMIR : Perhaps you weren't. But it's the way of doing i t that counts, the way of doing it, if y o u want to go on l iving. ESTRAGON : I wasn't doing anything. VLADI MIR : You must be happy too, deep down, if you only knew it. ESTRAGON : Happy about what? VLADIMIR : To be back with me again. ESTRAGON : \Vould you say so? VLADIMIR : Say you are, even if it's not true. ESTRAGON : What am I to say? VLADI M I R : Say, I am happy. ESTRAGON : I am happy. VLADI M I R : So am I. ESTRAGON : So am I. A VL DIM I R : We are happy. ESTRAGON : We are happy. (Silence.) What do we do now, now that we are happy? VL A D I M IR : Wait for Godot. (Estragon groans. Silence.) Things have changed here since yes. erday. ESTRAGON : And if he doesn't com e. -. -· ·. VLADIMIR : (after a moment of bewilderment). We'll see when the time comes. (Pause.) I was saying that things have changed here since yesterday. EST RAGON : Everything oozes. VLADI M I R : Look at the tree. ESTRAGON : It's never the same pus from one second to the next. VLADIMIR : The tree, look at the tree. Estragon looks at the tree. ESTRAGON : Was it not there yesterday? V LADI M I R : Yes of course it wa s there. Do you not remember? We nearly hanged ourselves from it. But you wouldn't. Do you not remember? EST RAGON : You dreamt it. VLADI M I R : Is it possible you've forgotten already? ESTRAGON : That's the way I am. E ither I forget immediately or I never forget. 39 VLADIMIR : And Pozzo and Lucky, have you forgotten them too? ESTRAGON : Pozzo and Lucky? VLADIMIR : H e's forgotten everything! ESTRAGON : I remember a lunatic who kicked th e shins off me. Then he played the fool. VLADIMIR : That was Lucky. ESTRAGON : I remember tha t. But when was it? VLADIMIR : And his keeper, do you not remember him? ESTRAGON : He gave me a bone. VLADIMIR : That was Pozzo. ESTRAGON : And all that was yesterday, you say? VLADIMIR : Yes of course it was yesterday. EST RAGON : And here where we are now? VLADIMIR : Where else do you think? Do you not recognize the place? ESTRAGON : (suddenly furious). Recognize! What is there to recognize? All my lousy life I've crawled about i n the mud! And you talk to me about scenery! (Looking wildly about him.) Look at th is muckhea p l I 've never stirred from it! VLADIMIR : Calm yourself, calm yourself. ESTRAGON : You and your landscapes! Tell me about the worms! VLADI M I R : All the same, you can't tell me that this (gesture) bears any resemblance to... (he hesitates). to the Macon country for example. You can't Cllife e-n c. - -- · · - deny ihe a o ig · ESTRAGON : The M acon country ! Who's talking to you about the Macon country? VLADIMIR : But you were there yourself, in the Macon country. ESTRAGON : No I was never in the Maco n country! I've puked my puke of a life away here, I tell you ! Here ! I n the Cackon C()Untry l VLADIMIR : But we were there together, I could swear to it! Picking grapes for a man called... (he snaps his fingers)... can't think of the name of the man, at a place called... (snaps his fingers)... can't think of the name of the place, do you not remember? ESTRAGON : (a little calmer). I t's possible. I didn't notice a nything. VLADIMIR : But down there everything is red! ESTRAGoN : (exasr ratedfioian't no H y thing, I tell you ! Silence. Vla di mi r sighs deeply. VLADIMIR : You're a hard man to get on with, Gogo. ESTRAGON : I t'd be better if we parted VLADIMIR : You al ways say that and you always come crawling back. ESTRAGON : The best thing would be to kill me, like the other. VLADIMIR : What other? (Pause.) What other? ESTRAGON : Like billions of others. VLADIMIR : (sententious). To every man his l ittle cross. (He sighs.) Till he dies. (Aftertlwught.) And is forgotten. EST RAGON : In the meantime let u s try and converse calmly, since we are incapable of keeping silent. VLADIMIR : You're right, we're i nexhaustible. ESTRAGON : I t's so we won't think. 40 VLADIMIR : \Ve have that excuse. ESTRAGON : I t's so we wo n't he a r. VLADI M I R : \Ve have our reaso ns. EST RAGON : A ll the dead voices. VLADI M I R : Th_ y make a noise l ike wings. ESTRAGON : Like l eaves. VLADI M IR : L ike sand. ESTRAGON : Like leaves. Silence. VLADI M IR : They all speak at once. ESTRAGON : Each one to i tself. S ilence. VLADI:\! I R : Rather they whisper. ESTRAGO:-< : They rustle. VLADIMIR : They murmur. ESTRAGO:-< : They rustle. Silence. VLADIMIR : \Vhat do they say? ESTRAGON : They talk about their l ives. VLADIM IR : To have lived is not enough for them. ESTRAGON : They have to talk about i t. VLADI M IR : To be dead i s not enough for th em. EST RAGON : It is not sufficient. Silence. VLADIMIR : They make a noise l ike feathers. ESTRAGON : Like leaves. VLADIMIR : L ike ashes. ESTRAGON : Like leaves. Long silence. VLADIMIR : Say someth ing! ESTRAGON : I'm trying. Long silence. VLADIMIR : (in anguish). Say anything at alll ESTRAGON : What do we do now?. Godot. VLADIMIR : Wait for- - ESTRAGON : Ah! Silence. VLADIMIR : This is awful! ESTRAGON : Sing something. VLADIMIR : No n o ! (He reflects.) We could start all over again perhaps. ESTRAGON : That should be easy. VLADIMIR : I t's the start that's difficult. ESTRAGON : You can start from anything. VLADIMIR : Yes, but you have to decide. EST RAGON ; True. Silence. VLADIMIR : Help m e ! ESTRAGON : I ' m trying. Silence. VLADIMIR : When you seek you hear. ESTRAGON ; You do. VLADIM IR : That prevents you from finding. ESTRAGON : I t does. VLADIMIR : That prevents you from thinking. E STRAGON : You think all the same. VLADIMIR : No no, impossible. ESTRAGON : That's the idea, let's contradict each other. VLADIMIR : l m p sibl-;. - - - ---" - - - - ,_ ESTRAGON : You think so? 41 V LADI M I R : We're in no da nger of es fro m ? - ESTRAGON : The Se5J( el etons V LADI M IR : Tel l me that. ESTRA