1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

Waiting for Godot

tragicomedy in 2 acts

By
Samuel Beckett

Estragon

Vladimir

Lucky

Pozzo

aboy

ACT I
Act2

BacktoSamuelBeckettResources

Acountryroad.Atree.

Evening.

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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

Estragon,sittingonalowmound,istryingtotakeoffhisboot.Hepullsatitwithboth
hands,panting.#

Imagefromtimil.com

Hegivesup,exhausted,rests,triesagain.
Asbefore.
EnterVladimir.
ESTRAGON:
(givingupagain).Nothingtobedone.
VLADIMIR:
(advancingwithshort,stiffstrides,legswideapart).I'mbeginningtocomeroundto
thatopinion.AllmylifeI'vetriedtoputitfromme,sayingVladimir,bereasonable,
youhaven'tyettriedeverything.AndIresumedthestruggle.(Hebroods,musingonthe
struggle.TurningtoEstragon.)Sothereyouareagain.
ESTRAGON:
AmI?
VLADIMIR:
I'mgladtoseeyouback.Ithoughtyouweregoneforever.
ESTRAGON:
Metoo.
VLADIMIR:
Togetheragainatlast!We'llhavetocelebratethis.Buthow?(Hereflects.)GetuptillI
embraceyou.
ESTRAGON:
(irritably).Notnow,notnow.
VLADIMIR:
(hurt,coldly).MayoneinquirewhereHisHighnessspentthenight?
ESTRAGON:
Inaditch.
VLADIMIR:
(admiringly).Aditch!Where?
ESTRAGON:
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(withoutgesture).Overthere.
VLADIMIR:
Andtheydidn'tbeatyou?
ESTRAGON:
Beatme?Certainlytheybeatme.
VLADIMIR:
Thesamelotasusual?
ESTRAGON:
Thesame?Idon'tknow.
VLADIMIR:
WhenIthinkofit...alltheseyears...butforme...wherewouldyoube...
(Decisively.)You'dbenothingmorethanalittleheapofbonesatthepresentminute,no
doubtaboutit.
ESTRAGON:
Andwhatofit?
VLADIMIR:
(gloomily).It'stoomuchforoneman.(Pause.Cheerfully.)Ontheotherhandwhat'sthe
goodoflosingheartnow,that'swhatIsay.Weshouldhavethoughtofitamillionyears
ago,inthenineties.
ESTRAGON:
Ahstopblatheringandhelpmeoffwiththisbloodything.
VLADIMIR:
HandinhandfromthetopoftheEiffelTower,amongthefirst.Wewererespectablein
thosedays.Nowit'stoolate.Theywouldn'tevenletusup.(Estragontearsathisboot.)
Whatareyoudoing?
ESTRAGON:
Takingoffmyboot.Didthatneverhappentoyou?
VLADIMIR:
Bootsmustbetakenoffeveryday,I'mtiredtellingyouthat.Whydon'tyoulistento
me?
ESTRAGON:
(feebly).Helpme!
VLADIMIR:
Ithurts?
ESTRAGON:
(angrily).Hurts!Hewantstoknowifithurts!
VLADIMIR:
(angrily).Nooneeversuffersbutyou.Idon'tcount.I'dliketohearwhatyou'dsayif
youhadwhatIhave.
ESTRAGON:
Ithurts?
VLADIMIR:
(angrily).Hurts!Hewantstoknowifithurts!
ESTRAGON:
(pointing).Youmightbuttonitallthesame.
VLADIMIR:
(stooping).True.(Hebuttonshisfly.)Neverneglectthelittlethingsoflife.
ESTRAGON:
Whatdoyouexpect,youalwayswaittillthelastmoment.
VLADIMIR:
(musingly).Thelastmoment...(Hemeditates.)Hopedeferredmakeththesomething
sick,whosaidthat?
ESTRAGON:
Whydon'tyouhelpme?
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VLADIMIR:
SometimesIfeelitcomingallthesame.ThenIgoallqueer.(Hetakesoffhishat,peers
insideit,feelsaboutinsideit,shakesit,putsitonagain.)HowshallIsay?Relievedand
atthesametime...(hesearchesfortheword)...appalled.(Withemphasis.)AP
PALLED.(Hetakesoffhishatagain,peersinsideit.)Funny.(Heknocksonthecrown
asthoughtodislodgeaforeignbody,peersintoitagain,putsitonagain.)Nothingto
bedone.(Estragonwithasupremeeffortsucceedsinpullingoffhisboot.Hepeers
insideit,feelsaboutinsideit,turnsitupsidedown,shakesit,looksonthegroundtosee
ifanythinghasfallenout,findsnothing,feelsinsideitagain,staringsightlesslybefore
him.)Well?
ESTRAGON:
Nothing.
VLADIMIR:
Showme.
ESTRAGON:
There'snothingtoshow.
VLADIMIR:
Tryandputitonagain.
ESTRAGON:
(examininghisfoot).I'llairitforabit.
VLADIMIR:
There'smanalloverforyou,blamingonhisbootsthefaultsofhisfeet.(Hetakesoff
hishatagain,peersinsideit,feelsaboutinsideit,knocksonthecrown,blowsintoit,
putsitonagain.)Thisisgettingalarming.(Silence.Vladimirdeepinthought,Estragon
pullingathistoes.)Oneofthethieveswassaved.(Pause.)It'sareasonablepercentage.
(Pause.)Gogo.
ESTRAGON:
What?
VLADIMIR:
Supposewerepented.
ESTRAGON:
Repentedwhat?
VLADIMIR:
Oh...(Hereflects.)Wewouldn'thavetogointothedetails.
ESTRAGON:
Ourbeingborn?
Vladimirbreaksintoaheartylaughwhichheimmediatelystifles,hishandpressedto
hispubis,hisfacecontorted.
VLADIMIR:
Onedaren'tevenlaughanymore.
ESTRAGON:
Dreadfulprivation.
VLADIMIR:
Merelysmile.(Hesmilessuddenlyfromeartoear,keepssmiling,ceasesassuddenly.)
It'snotthesamething.Nothingtobedone.(Pause.)Gogo.
ESTRAGON:
(irritably).Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:
DidyoueverreadtheBible?
ESTRAGON:
TheBible...(Hereflects.)Imusthavetakenalookatit.
VLADIMIR:
DoyouremembertheGospels?
ESTRAGON:
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IrememberthemapsoftheHolyLand.Colouredtheywere.Verypretty.TheDeadSea
waspaleblue.Theverylookofitmademethirsty.That'swherewe'llgo,Iusedtosay,
that'swherewe'llgoforourhoneymoon.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...(he
searchesforthecontraryofsaved)...damned.
ESTRAGON:
Savedfromwhat?
VLADIMIR:
Hell.
ESTRAGON:
I'mgoing.
Hedoesnotmove.
VLADIMIR:
Andyet...(pause)...howisitthisisnotboringyouIhopehowisitthatofthe
fourEvangelistsonlyonespeaksofathiefbeingsaved.Thefourofthemwerethereor
thereaboutsandonlyonespeaksofathiefbeingsaved.(Pause.)Comeon,Gogo,
returntheball,can'tyou,onceinaway?
ESTRAGON:
(withexaggeratedenthusiasm).Ifindthisreallymostextraordinarilyinteresting.
VLADIMIR:
Oneoutoffour.Oftheotherthree,twodon'tmentionanythievesatallandthethird
saysthatbothofthemabusedhim.
ESTRAGON:
Who?
VLADIMIR:
What?
ESTRAGON:
What'sallthisabout?Abusedwho?
VLADIMIR:
TheSaviour.
ESTRAGON:
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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.Whybelievehim
ratherthantheothers?
ESTRAGON:
Whobelieveshim?
VLADIMIR:
Everybody.It'stheonlyversiontheyknow.
ESTRAGON:
Peoplearebloodyignorantapes.
Herisespainfully,goeslimpingtoextremeleft,halts,gazesintodistanceoffwithhis
handscreeninghiseyes,turns,goestoextremeright,gazesintodistance.Vladimir
watcheshim,thengoesandpicksuptheboot,peersintoit,dropsithastily.
VLADIMIR:
Pah!
Hespits.Estragonmovestocenter,haltswithhisbacktoauditorium.
ESTRAGON:
Charmingspot.(Heturns,advancestofront,haltsfacingauditorium.)Inspiring
prospects.(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:
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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'llcomebacktomorrow.
ESTRAGON:
Andthenthedayaftertomorrow.
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.
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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,burstingwithmiscellaneous
rubbish.)
ESTRAGON:
(veryinsidious).ButwhatSaturday?AndisitSaturday?IsitnotratherSunday?
(Pause.)OrMonday?(Pause.)OrFriday?
VLADIMIR:
(lookingwildlyabouthim,asthoughthedatewasinscribedinthelandscape).It'snot
possible!
ESTRAGON:
OrThursday?
VLADIMIR:
What'llwedo?
ESTRAGON:
Ifhecameyesterdayandweweren'thereyoumaybesurehewon'tcomeagaintoday.
VLADIMIR:
Butyousaywewerehereyesterday.
ESTRAGON:
Imaybemistaken.(Pause.)Let'sstoptalkingforaminute,doyoumind?
VLADIMIR:
(feebly).Allright.(Estragonsitsdownonthemound.Vladimirpacesagitatedlytoand
fro,haltingfromtimetotimetogazeintodistanceoff.Estragonfallsasleep.Vladimir
haltsfinallybeforeEstragon.)Gogo!...Gogo!...GOGO!
Estragonwakeswithastart.
ESTRAGON:
(restoredtothehorrorofhissituation).Iwasasleep!(Despairingly.)Whywillyou
neverletmesleep?
VLADIMIR:
Ifeltlonely.
ESTRAGON:
Ihadadream.
VLADIMIR:
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Don'ttellme!
ESTRAGON:
Idreamtthat
VLADIMIR:
DON'TTELLME!
ESTRAGON:
(gesturetowardtheuniverse).Thisoneisenoughforyou?(Silence.)It'snotniceof
you,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.)Andthegoodnessofthe
wayfarers.(Pause.Wheedling.)Wouldn'tit,Didi?
VLADIMIR:
Calmyourself.
ESTRAGON:
(voluptuously.)Calm...calm...TheEnglishsaycawm.(Pause.)Youknowthestory
oftheEnglishmaninthebrothel?
VLADIMIR:
Yes.
ESTRAGON:
Tellittome.
VLADIMIR:
Ahstopit!
ESTRAGON:
AnEnglishmanhavingdrunkalittlemorethanusualproceedstoabrothel.Thebawd
askshimifhewantsafairone,adarkoneoraredhairedone.Goon.
VLADIMIR:
STOPIT!
ExitVladimirhurriedly.Estragongetsupandfollowshimasfarasthelimitofthe
stage.GesturesofEstragonlikethoseofaspectatorencouragingapugilist.Enter
Vladimir.HebrushespastEstragon,crossesthestagewithbowedhead.Estragontakes
asteptowardshim,halts.
ESTRAGON:
(gently.)Youwantedtospeaktome?(Silence.Estragontakesastepforward.)Youhad
somethingtosaytome?(Silence.Anotherstepforward.)Didi...
VLADIMIR:
(withoutturning).I'venothingtosaytoyou.
ESTRAGON:
(stepforward).You'reangry?(Silence.Stepforward).Forgiveme.(Silence.Step
forward.EstragonlayshishandonVladimir'sshoulder.)Come,Didi.(Silence.)Give
meyourhand.(Vladimirhalfturns.)Embraceme!(Vladimirstiffens.)Don'tbe
stubborn!(Vladimirsoftens.Theyembrace.#

Estragonrecoils.)Youstinkofgarlic!
VLADIMIR:

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It'sforthekidneys.(Silence.Estragonlooksattentivelyatthetree.)Whatdowedo
now?
ESTRAGON:
Wait.
VLADIMIR:
Yes,butwhilewaiting.
ESTRAGON:
Whatabouthangingourselves?
VLADIMIR:
Hmm.It'dgiveusanerection.
ESTRAGON:
(highlyexcited).Anerection!
VLADIMIR:
Withallthatfollows.Whereitfallsmandrakesgrow.That'swhytheyshriekwhenyou
pullthemup.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).GogolightboughnotbreakGogodead.Didiheavyboughbreak
Didialone.Whereas
VLADIMIR:
Ihadn'tthoughtofthat.
ESTRAGON:
Ifithangsyouit'llhanganything.
VLADIMIR:
ButamIheavierthanyou?
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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.
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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:
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Ihearnothing.
VLADIMIR:
Hsst!(Theylisten.Estragonloseshisbalance,almostfalls.Heclutchesthearmof
Vladimir,whototters.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,takesoutaturnipandgivesitto
Estragonwhotakesabiteoutofit.Angrily.)It'saturnip!
VLADIMIR:
Ohpardon!Icouldhaveswornitwasacarrot.(Herummagesagaininhispockets,
findsnothingbutturnips.)Allthat'sturnips.(Herummages.)Youmusthaveeatenthe
last.(Herummages.)Wait,Ihaveit.(HebringsoutacarrotandgivesittoEstragon.)
There,dearfellow.#

(Estragonwipesthecarrotonhissleeveandbeginstoeatit.)Makeitlast,that'stheend
ofthem.
ESTRAGON:
(chewing).Iaskedyouaquestion.
VLADIMIR:
Ah.
ESTRAGON:
Didyoureply?
VLADIMIR:
How'sthecarrot?
ESTRAGON:
It'sacarrot.
VLADIMIR:
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Somuchthebetter,somuchthebetter.(Pause.)Whatwasityouwantedtoknow?
ESTRAGON:
I'veforgotten.(Chews.)That'swhatannoysme.(Helooksatthecarrotappreciatively,
danglesitbetweenfingerandthumb.)I'llneverforgetthiscarrot.(Hesuckstheendofit
meditatively.)Ahyes,nowIremember.
VLADIMIR:
Well?
ESTRAGON:
(hismouthfull,vacuously).We'renottied?
VLADIMIR:
Idon'thearawordyou'resaying.
ESTRAGON:
(chews,swallows).I'maskingyouifwe'retied.
VLADIMIR:
Tied?
ESTRAGON:
Tied.
VLADIMIR:
Howdoyoumeantied?
ESTRAGON:
Down.
VLADIMIR:
Buttowhom?Bywhom?
ESTRAGON:
Toyourman.
VLADIMIR:
ToGodot?TiedtoGodot!Whatanidea!Noquestionofit.(Pause.)Forthemoment.
ESTRAGON:
HisnameisGodot?
VLADIMIR:
Ithinkso.
ESTRAGON:
Fancythat.(Heraiseswhatremainsofthecarrotbythestubofleaf,twirlsitbeforehis
eyes.)Funny,themoreyoueattheworseitgets.
VLADIMIR:
Withmeit'sjusttheopposite.
ESTRAGON:
Inotherwords?
VLADIMIR:
IgetusedtothemuckasIgoalong.
ESTRAGON:
(afterprolongedreflection).Isthattheopposite?
VLADIMIR:
Questionoftemperament.
ESTRAGON:
Ofcharacter.
VLADIMIR:
Nothingyoucandoaboutit.
ESTRAGON:
Nousestruggling.
VLADIMIR:
Oneiswhatoneis.
ESTRAGON:
Nousewriggling.
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VLADIMIR:
Theessentialdoesn'tchange.
ESTRAGON:
Nothingtobedone.(HeprofferstheremainsofthecarrottoVladimir.)Liketofinish
it?
Aterriblecry,closeathand.Estragondropsthecarrot.Theyremainmotionless,then
togethermakeasuddenrushtowardsthewings.Estragonstopshalfway,runsback,
picksupthecarrot,stuffsitinhispocket,runstorejoinVladimirwhoiswaitingfor
him,stopsagain,runsback,picksuphisboot,runstorejoinVladimir.Huddled
together,shouldershunched,cringingawayfromthemenace,theywait.#

EnterPozzoandLucky.PozzodrivesLuckybymeansofaropepassedroundhisneck,
sothatLuckyisthefirsttoenter,followedbytheropewhichislongenoughtolethim
reachthemiddleofthestagebeforePozzoappears.Luckycarriesaheavybag,a
foldingstool,apicnicbasketandagreatcoat,Pozzoawhip.
POZZO:
(off).On!(Crackofwhip.Pozzoappears.Theycrossthestage.Luckypassesbefore
VladimirandEstragonandexit.PozzoatthesightofVladimirandEstragonstops
short.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:
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Yes.
POZZO:
Ipresentmyself:Pozzo.
VLADIMIR:
(toEstragon).Notatall!
ESTRAGON:
HesaidGodot.
VLADIMIR:
Notatall!
ESTRAGON:
(timidly,toPozzo).You'renotMr.Godot,Sir?
POZZO:
(terrifyingvoice).IamPozzo!(Silence.)Pozzo!(Silence.)Doesthatnamemean
nothingtoyou?(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.)Asfarasone
cansee.(Hetakesoffhisglasses.)Ofthesamespeciesasmyself.(Heburstsintoan
enormouslaugh.)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...
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ESTRAGON:
Personally,Iwouldn'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!(NoiseofLucky
gettingupandpickinguphisbaggage.Pozzojerkstherope.)Back!(EnterLucky
backwards.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Turn!(Luckyturns.ToVladimirandEstragon,
affably.)Gentlemen,Iamhappytohavemetyou.(Beforetheirincredulousexpression.)
Yesyes,sincerelyhappy.(Hejerkstherope.)Closer!(Luckyadvances.)Stop!(Lucky
stops.)Yes,theroadseemslongwhenonejourneysallalonefor...(heconsultshis
watch)...yes...(hecalculates)...yes,sixhours,that'sright,sixhoursonend,and
neverasoulinsight.(ToLucky.)Coat!(Luckyputsdownthebag,advances,givesthe
coat,goesbacktohisplace,takesupthebag.)Holdthat!(Pozzoholdsoutthewhip.
Luckyadvancesand,bothhishandsbeingoccupied,takesthewhipinhismouth,then
goesbacktohisplace.Pozzobeginstoputonhiscoat,stops.)Coat!(Luckyputsdown
thebag,basketandstool,helpsPozzoonwithhiscoat,goesbacktohisplaceandtakes
upbag,basketandstool.)Touchofautumnintheairthisevening.(Pozzofinishes
buttoninguphiscoat,stoops,inspectshimself,straightensup.)Whip!(Luckyadvances,
stoops,Pozzosnatchesthewhipfromhismouth,Luckygoesbacktohisplace.)Yes,
gentlemen,Icannotgoforlongwithoutthesocietyofmylikes(heputsonhisglasses
andlooksatthetwolikes)evenwhenthelikenessisanimperfectone.(Hetakesoffhis
glasses.)Stool!(Luckyputsdownbagandbasket,advances,opensstool,putsitdown,
goesbacktohisplace,takesupbagandbasket.)Closer!(Luckyputsdownbagand
basket,advances,movesstool,goesbacktohisplace,takesupbagandbasket.Pozzo
sitsdown,placesthebuttofhiswhipagainstLucky'schestandpushes.)Back!(Lucky
takesastepback.)Further!(Luckytakesanotherstepback.)Stop!(Luckystops.To
VladimirandEstragon.)Thatiswhy,withyourpermission,Iproposetodallywithyou
amoment,beforeIventureanyfurther.Basket!(Luckyadvances,givesthebasket,goes
backtohisplace.)Thefreshairstimulatesthejadedappetite.(Heopensthebasket,
takesoutapieceofchickenandabottleofwine.)Basket!(Luckyadvances,picksupthe

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basketandgoesbacktohisplace.)Further!(Luckytakesastepback.)Hestinks.Happy
days!
Hedrinksfromthebottle,putsitdownandbeginstoeat.Silence.#

VladimirandEstragon,cautiouslyatfirst,thenmoreboldly,begintocircleabout
Lucky,inspectinghimupanddown.Pozzoeatshischickenvoraciously,throwingaway
thebonesafterhavingsuckedthem.Luckysagsslowly,untilbagandbaskettouchthe
ground,thenstraightensupwithastartandbeginstosagagain.Rhythmofone
sleepingonhisfeet.
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:
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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:
Lookslikehislastgasptome.
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VLADIMIR:
It'snotcertain.(Pause.)Askhimaquestion.
ESTRAGON:
Wouldthatbeagoodthing?
VLADIMIR:
Whatdowerisk?
ESTRAGON:
(timidly).Mister...
VLADIMIR:
Louder.
ESTRAGON:
(louder).Mister...
POZZO:
Leavehiminpeace!(TheyturntowardPozzowho,havingfinishedeating,wipeshis
mouthwiththebackofhishand.)Can'tyouseehewantstorest?Basket!(Hestrikesa
matchandbeginstolighthispipe.Estragonseesthechickenbonesonthegroundand
staresatthemgreedily.AsLuckydoesnotmovePozzothrowsthematchangrilyaway
andjerkstherope.)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?(Heturnsthemoverwiththeendof
hiswhip.)No,personallyIdonotneedthemanymore.(Estragontakesasteptowards
thebones.)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'veneverknownhimtorefusea
bonebefore.(HelooksanxiouslyatLucky.)Nicebusinessit'dbeifhefellsickonme!
Hepuffsathispipe.
VLADIMIR:
(exploding).It'sascandal!
Silence.Flabbergasted,Estragonstopsgnawing,looksatPozzoandVladimirinturn.
Pozzooutwardlycalm.Vladimirembarrassed.
POZZO:
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(ToVladimir).Areyoualludingtoanythinginparticular?
VLADIMIR:
(stutteringlyresolute).Totreataman...(gesturetowardsLucky)...likethat...I
thinkthat...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.)Imustbegetting
on.Thankyouforyoursociety.(Hereflects.)UnlessIsmokeanotherpipebeforeIgo.
Whatdoyousay?(Theysaynothing.)OhI'monlyasmallsmoker,averysmallsmoker,
I'mnotinthehabitofsmokingtwopipesoneontopoftheother,itmakes(handto
heart,sighing)myheartgopitapat.(Silence.)It'sthenicotine,oneabsorbsitinspite
ofone'sprecautions.(Sighs.)Youknowhowitis.(Silence.)Butperhapsyoudon't
smoke?Yes?No?It'sofnoimportance.(Silence.)ButhowamItositdownnow,
withoutaffectation,nowthatIhaverisen?WithoutappearingtohowshallIsay
withoutappearingtofalter.(ToVladimir.)Ibegyourpardon?(Silence.)Perhapsyou
didn'tspeak?(Silence.)It'sofnoimportance.Letmesee...
Hereflects.
ESTRAGON:
Ah!That'sbetter.
Heputsthebonesinhispocket.
VLADIMIR:
Let'sgo.
ESTRAGON:
Sosoon?
POZZO:
Onemoment!(Hejerkstherope.)Stool!(Hepointswithhiswhip.Luckymovesthe
stool.)More!There!(Hesitsdown.Luckygoesbacktohisplace.)Doneit!
Hefillshispipe.
VLADIMIR:
(vehemently).Let'sgo!
POZZO:
IhopeI'mnotdrivingyouaway.Waitalittlelonger,you'llneverregretit.
ESTRAGON:
(scentingcharity).We'reinnohurry.
POZZO:
(havinglithispipe).Thesecondisneversosweet...(hetakesthepipeoutofhis
mouth,contemplatesit)...asthefirstImean.(Heputsthepipebackinhismouth.)But
it'ssweetjustthesame.
VLADIMIR:
I'mgoing.
POZZO:
Hecannolongerenduremypresence.Iamperhapsnotparticularlyhuman,butwho
cares?(ToVladimir.)Thinktwicebeforeyoudoanythingrash.Supposeyougonow
whileitisstillday,forthereisnodenyingitisstillday.(Theyalllookupatthesky.)
Good.(Theystoplookingatthesky.)Whathappensinthatcase(hetakesthepipeout
ofhismouth,examinesit)I'mout(herelightshispipe)inthatcase(puff)inthat
case(puff)whathappensinthatcasetoyourappointmentwiththis...Godet...
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Godot...Godin...anyhowyouseewhoImean,whohasyourfutureinhishands...
(pause)...atleastyourimmediatefuture?
VLADIMIR:
Whotoldyou?
POZZO:
Hespeakstomeagain!Ifthisgoesonmuchlongerwe'llsoonbeoldfriends.
ESTRAGON:
Whydoesn'theputdownhisbags?
POZZO:
Itoowouldbehappytomeethim.ThemorepeopleImeetthehappierIbecome.From
themeanestcreatureonedepartswiser,richer,moreconsciousofone'sblessings.Even
you...(helooksatthemostentatiouslyinturntomakeitcleartheyarebothmeant)...
evenyou,whoknows,willhaveaddedtomystore.
ESTRAGON:
Whydoesn'theputdownhisbags?
POZZO:
Butthatwouldsurpriseme.
VLADIMIR:
You'rebeingaskedaquestion.
POZZO:
(delighted).Aquestion!Who?What?AmomentagoyouwerecallingmeSir,infear
andtrembling.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,fearinglestthequestionget
lost).Youwanttoknowwhyhedoesn'tputdownhisbags,asyoucallthem.
VLADIMIR:
That'sit.
POZZO:
(toEstragon).Youaresureyouagreewiththat?
ESTRAGON:
He'spuffinglikeagrampus.
POZZO:
Theansweristhis.(ToEstragon).Butstaystill,Ibegofyou,you'remakingme
nervous!
VLADIMIR:
Here.
ESTRAGON:
Whatisit?
VLADIMIR:
He'sabouttospeak.
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EstragongoesoverbesideVladimir.Motionless,sidebyside,theywait.
POZZO:
Good.Iseverybodyready?Iseverybodylookingatme?(HelooksatLucky,jerksthe
rope.Luckyraiseshishead.)Willyoulookatme,pig!(Luckylooksathim.)Good.(He
putsthepipeinhispocket,takesoutalittlevaporizerandsprayshisthroat,putsback
thevaporizerinhispocket,clearshisthroat,spits,takesoutthevaporizeragain,sprays
histhroatagain,putsbackthevaporizerinhispocket.)Iamready.Iseverybody
listening?Iseverybodyready?(Helooksatthemallinturn,jerkstherope.)Hog!
(Luckyraiseshishead.)Idon'tliketalkinginavacuum.Good.Letmesee.
Hereflects.
ESTRAGON:
I'mgoing.
POZZO:
Whatwasitexactlyyouwantedtoknow?
VLADIMIR:
Whyhe
POZZO:
(angrily).Don'tinterruptme!(Pause.Calmer.)Ifweallspeakatoncewe'llneverget
anywhere.(Pause.)WhatwasIsaying?(Pause.Louder.)WhatwasIsaying?
Vladimirmimicsonecarryingaheavyburden.Pozzolooksathim,puzzled.
ESTRAGON:
(forcibly).Bags.(HepointsatLucky.)Why?Alwayshold.(Hesags,panting.)Never
putdown.(Heopenshishands,straightensupwithrelief.)Why?
POZZO:
Ah!Whycouldn'tyousaysobefore?Whyhedoesn'tmakehimselfcomfortable?Let's
tryandgetthisclear.Hashenottherightto?Certainlyhehas.Itfollowsthathedoesn't
wantto.There'sreasoningforyou.Andwhydoesn'thewantto?(Pause.)Gentlemen,
thereasonisthis.
VLADIMIR:
(toEstragon).Makeanoteofthis.
POZZO:
Hewantstoimpressme,sothatI'llkeephim.
ESTRAGON:
What?
POZZO:
PerhapsIhaven'tgotitquiteright.Hewantstomollifyme,sothatI'llgiveuptheidea
ofpartingwithhim.No,that'snotexactlyiteither.
VLADIMIR:
Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:
Hewantstocodme,buthewon't.
VLADIMIR:
Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:
HeimaginesthatwhenIseehowwellhecarriesI'llbetemptedtokeephimoninthat
capacity.
ESTRAGON:
You'vehadenoughofhim?
POZZO:
Inrealityhecarrieslikeapig.It'snothisjob.
VLADIMIR:
Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:

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HeimaginesthatwhenIseehimindefatigableI'llregretmydecision.Suchishis
miserablescheme.AsthoughIwereshortofslaves!(AllthreelookatLucky.)Atlas,son
ofJupiter!(Silence.)Well,that'sthat,Ithink.Anythingelse?
Vaporizer.
VLADIMIR:
Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:
RemarkthatImightjustaswellhavebeeninhisshoesandheinmine.Ifchancehad
notwilledotherwise.Toeachonehisdue.
VLADIMIR:
Youwaagerrim?
POZZO:
Ibegyourpardon?
VLADIMIR:
Youwanttogetridofhim?
POZZO:
Ido.ButinsteadofdrivinghimawayasImighthavedone,Imeaninsteadofsimply
kickinghimoutonhisarse,inthegoodnessofmyheartIambringinghimtothefair,
whereIhopetogetagoodpriceforhim.Thetruthisyoucan'tdrivesuchcreatures
away.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,goesback
tohisplace,picksupbagandbasket.
ESTRAGON:
Ohtheswine!(Hepullsupthelegofhistrousers.)He'scrippledme!
POZZO:
Itoldyouhedidn'tlikestrangers.
VLADIMIR:
(toEstragon).Showme.(Estragonshowshisleg.ToPozzo,angrily.)He'sbleeding!
POZZO:
It'sagoodsign.
ESTRAGON:
(ononeleg).I'llneverwalkagain!
VLADIMIR:
(tenderly).I'llcarryyou.(Pause.)Ifnecessary.
POZZO:
He'sstoppedcrying.(ToEstragon.)Youhavereplacedhimasitwere.(Lyrically.)The
tearsoftheworldareaconstantquantity.Foreachonewhobeginstoweep,somewhere
elseanotherstops.Thesameistrueofthelaugh.(Helaughs.)Letusnotthenspeakill
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ofourgeneration,itisnotanyunhappierthanitspredecessors.(Pause.)Letusnot
speakwellofiteither.(Pause.)Letusnotspeakofitatall.(Pause.Judiciously.)Itis
truethepopulationhasincreased.
VLADIMIR:
Tryandwalk.
Estragontakesafewlimpingsteps,stopsbeforeLuckyandspitsonhim,thengoesand
sitsdownonthemound.
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!(Luckyputsdownthe
basketandtakesoffhishat.Hislongwhitehairfallsabouthisface.Heputshishat
underhisarmandpicksupthebasket.)Nowlook.(Pozzotakesoffhishat.[Allfourwear
bowlers.]Heiscompletelybald.Heputsonhishatagain.)Didyousee?
VLADIMIR:
Andnowyouturnhimaway?Suchanoldandfaithfulservant!
ESTRAGON:
Swine!
Pozzomoreandmoreagitated.
VLADIMIR:
Afterhavingsuckedallthegoodoutofhimyouchuckhimawaylikea...likea
bananaskin.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:
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What?
ESTRAGON:
Doeshewantsomeonetotakehisplaceornot?
VLADIMIR:
Idon'tthinkso.
ESTRAGON:
What?
VLADIMIR:
Idon'tknow.
ESTRAGON:
Askhim.
POZZO:
(calmer).Gentlemen,Idon'tknowwhatcameoverme.Forgiveme.ForgetallIsaid.
(Moreandmorehisoldself.)Idon'trememberexactlywhatitwas,butyoumaybesure
therewasn'tawordoftruthinit.(Drawinghimselfup,strikinghischest.)DoIlooklike
amanthatcanbemadetosuffer?Frankly?(Herummagesinhispockets.)WhathaveI
donewithmypipe?
VLADIMIR:
Charmingeveningwe'rehaving.
ESTRAGON:
Unforgettable.
VLADIMIR:
Andit'snotover.
ESTRAGON:
Apparentlynot.
VLADIMIR:
It'sonlybeginning.
ESTRAGON:
It'sawful.
VLADIMIR:
Worsethanthepantomime.
ESTRAGON:
Thecircus.
VLADIMIR:
Themusichall.
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!
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POZZO:
Youdidn'tseebyanychance(HemissesVladimir.)Oh!He'sgone!Withoutsaying
goodbye!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,comes
andgoesagitatedly.
POZZO:
He'snotpleased.
ESTRAGON:
(toVladimir).Youmissedatreat.Pity.
Vladimirhalts,straightensthestool,comesandgoes,calmer.
POZZO:
Hesubsides.(Lookinground.)Indeedallsubsides.Agreatcalmdescends.(Raisinghis
hand.)Listen!Pansleeps.
VLADIMIR:
Willnightnevercome?
Allthreelookatthesky.
POZZO:
Youdon'tfeellikegoinguntilitdoes?
ESTRAGON:
Wellyousee
POZZO:
Whyit'sverynatural,verynatural.Imyselfinyoursituation,ifIhadanappointment
withaGodin...Godet...Godot...anyhow,youseewhoImean,I'dwaittillitwas
blacknightbeforeIgaveup.(Helooksatthestool.)I'dverymuchliketositdown,but
Idon'tquiteknowhowtogoaboutit.
ESTRAGON:
CouldIbeofanyhelp?
POZZO:
Ifyouaskedmeperhaps.
ESTRAGON:
What?
POZZO:
Ifyouaskedmetositdown.
ESTRAGON:
Wouldthatbeahelp?
POZZO:
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Ifancyso.
ESTRAGON:
Herewego.Beseated,Sir,Ibegofyou.
POZZO:
Nono,Iwouldn'tthinkofit!(Pause.Aside.)Askmeagain.
ESTRAGON:
Comecome,takeaseatIbeseechyou,you'llgetpneumonia.
POZZO:
Youreallythinkso?
ESTRAGON:
Whyit'sabsolutelycertain.
POZZO:
Nodoubtyouareright.(Hesitsdown.)Doneitagain!(Pause.)Thankyou,dearfellow.
(Heconsultshiswatch.)ButImustreallybegettingalong,ifIamtoobservemy
schedule.
VLADIMIR:
Timehasstopped.
POZZO:
(cuddlinghiswatchtohisear).Don'tyoubelieveit,Sir,don'tyoubelieveit.(Heputs
hiswatchbackinhispocket.)Whateveryoulike,butnotthat.
ESTRAGON:
(toPozzo).Everythingseemsblacktohimtoday.
POZZO:
Exceptthefirmament.(Helaughs,pleasedwiththiswitticism.)ButIseewhatitis,you
arenotfromtheseparts,youdon'tknowwhatourtwilightscando.ShallItellyou?
(Silence.Estragonisfiddlingwithhisbootagain,Vladimirwithhishat.)Ican'trefuse
you.(Vaporizer.)Alittleattention,ifyouplease.(VladimirandEstragoncontinuetheir
fiddling,Luckyishalfasleep.Pozzocrackshiswhipfeebly.)What'sthematterwiththis
whip?(Hegetsupandcracksitmorevigorously,finallywithsuccess.Luckyjumps.
Vladimir'shat,Estragon'sboot,Lucky'shat,falltotheground.Pozzothrowsdownthe
whip.)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.)Butbealittlemore
attentive,forpity'ssake,otherwisewe'llnevergetanywhere.(Helooksatthesky.)
Look!(AlllookattheskyexceptLuckywhoisdozingoffagain.Pozzojerkstherope.)
Willyoulookatthesky,pig!(Luckylooksatthesky.)Good,that'senough.(Theystop
lookingatthesky.)Whatistheresoextraordinaryaboutit?Quasky.Itispaleand
luminouslikeanyskyatthishouroftheday.(Pause.)Intheselatitudes.(Pause.)When
theweatherisfine.(Lyrical.)Anhourago(helooksathiswatch,prosaic)roughly
(lyrical)afterhavingpouredforthevensince(hehesitates,prosaic)sayteno'clockin
themorning(lyrical)tirelesslytorrentsofredandwhitelightitbeginstoloseits
effulgence,togrowpale(gestureofthetwohandslapsingbystages)pale,everalittle
paler,alittlepaleruntil(dramaticpause,amplegestureofthetwohandsflungwide
apart)pppfff!finished!itcomestorest.But(handraisedinadmonition)butbehind
thisveilofgentlenessandpeace,nightischarging(vibrantly)andwillburstuponus

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(snapshisfingers)pop!likethat!(hisinspirationleaveshim)justwhenweleastexpect
it.(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.)Ihavesuchneedof
encouragement!(Pause.)Iweakenedalittletowardstheend,youdidn'tnotice?
VLADIMIR:
Ohperhapsjustateenyweenylittlebit.
ESTRAGON:
Ithoughtitwasintentional.
POZZO:
Youseemymemoryisdefective.
Silence.
ESTRAGON:
Inthemeantime,nothinghappens.
POZZO:
Youfindittedious?
ESTRAGON:
Somewhat.
POZZO:
(toVladimir).Andyou,Sir?
VLADIMIR:
I'vebeenbetterentertained.
Silence.Pozzostrugglesinwardly.
POZZO:
Gentlemen,youhavebeen...civiltome.
ESTRAGON:
Notatall!
VLADIMIR:
Whatanidea!
POZZO:

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Yesyes,youhavebeencorrect.SothatIaskmyselfisthereanythingIcandoinmy
turnforthesehonestfellowswhoarehavingsuchadull,dulltime.
ESTRAGON:
Eventenfrancswouldbeahelp.
VLADIMIR:
Wearenotbeggars!
POZZO:
IsthereanythingIcando,that'swhatIaskmyself,tocheerthemup?Ihavegiventhem
bones,Ihavetalkedtothemaboutthisandthat,Ihaveexplainedthetwilight,
admittedly.Butisitenough,that'swhattorturesme,isitenough?
ESTRAGON:
Evenfive.
VLADIMIR:
(toEstragon,indignantly).That'senough!
ESTRAGON:
Icouldn'tacceptless.
POZZO:
Isisenough?Nodoubt.ButIamliberal.It'smynature.Thisevening.Somuchthe
worseforme.(Hejerkstherope.Luckylooksathim.)ForIshallsuffer,nodoubtabout
that.(Hepicksupthewhip.)Whatdoyouprefer?Shallwehavehimdance,orsing,or
recite,orthink,or
ESTRAGON:
Who?
POZZO:
Who!Youknowhowtothink,youtwo?
VLADIMIR:
Hethinks?
POZZO:
Certainly.Aloud.Heevenusedtothinkveryprettilyonce,Icouldlistentohimfor
hours.Now...(heshudders).Somuchtheworseforme.Well,wouldyoulikehimto
thinksomethingforus?
ESTRAGON:
I'dratherhedance,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:
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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,thejig,thefandangoandeventhe
hornpipe.Hecapered.Forjoy.Nowthat'sthebesthecando.Doyouknowwhathe
callsit?
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.)What
haveIdonewithmyspray?(Hefumbles.)Wellnowisn'tthat...(Helooksup,
consternationonhisfeatures.Faintly.)Ican'tfindmypulverizer!
ESTRAGON:
(faintly).Myleftlungisveryweak!(Hecoughsfeebly.Inringingtones.)Butmyright
lungisassoundasabell!
POZZO:
(normalvoice).Nomatter!WhatwasIsaying.(Heponders.)Wait.(Ponders.)Well
nowisn'tthat...(Heraiseshishead.)Helpme!
ESTRAGON:
Wait!
VLADIMIR:
Wait!
POZZO:
Wait!
Allthreetakeofftheirhatssimultaneously,presstheirhandstotheirforeheads,
concentrate.
ESTRAGON:
(triumphantly).Ah!
VLADIMIR:
Hehasit.
POZZO:
(impatient).Well?
ESTRAGON:
Whydoesn'theputdownhisbags?
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VLADIMIR:
Rubbish!
POZZO:
Areyousure?
VLADIMIR:
Damnithaven'tyoualreadytoldus?
POZZO:
I'vealreadytoldyou?
ESTRAGON:
He'salreadytoldus?
VLADIMIR:
Anywayhehasputthemdown.
ESTRAGON:
(glanceatLucky).Sohehas.Andwhatofit?
VLADIMIR:
Sincehehasputdownhisbagsitisimpossibleweshouldhaveaskedwhyhedoesnot
doso.
POZZO:
Stoutlyreasoned!
ESTRAGON:
Andwhyhasheputthemdown?
POZZO:
Answerusthat.
VLADIMIR:
Inordertodance.
ESTRAGON:
True!
POZZO:
True!
Silence.Theyputontheirhats.
ESTRAGON:
Nothinghappens,nobodycomes,nobodygoes,it'sawful!
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.
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POZZO:
Youmustputitonhishead.
ESTRAGON:
(toPozzo).Tellhimtotakeit.
POZZO:
It'sbettertoputitonhishead.
VLADIMIR:
I'llputitonhishead.
HegoesroundbehindLucky,approacheshimcautiously,putsthehatonhisheadand
recoilssmartly.Luckydoesnotmove.Silence.
ESTRAGON:
What'shewaitingfor?
POZZO:
Standback!(VladimirandEstragonmoveawayfromLucky.Pozzojerkstherope.
LuckylooksatPozzo.)Think,pig!(Pause.Luckybeginstodance.)Stop!(Luckystops.)
Forward!(Luckyadvances.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Think!
Silence.
LUCKY:
Ontheotherhandwithregardto
POZZO:
Stop!(Luckystops.)Back!(Luckymovesback.)Stop!(Luckystops.)Turn!(Luckyturns
towardsauditorium.)Think!

DuringLucky'stiradetheothersreactasfollows.
1)VladimirandEstragonallattention,Pozzodejectedanddisgusted.
2)VladimirandEstragonbegintoprotest,Pozzo'ssufferingsincrease.
3)VladimirandEstragonattentiveagain,Pozzomoreandmoreagitatedandgroaning.
4)VladimirandEstragonprotestviolently.Pozzojumpsup,pullsontherope.General
outcry.Luckypullsontherope,staggers,shoutshistext.Allthreethrowthemselveson
Luckywhostrugglesandshoutshistext.

LUCKY:
GiventheexistenceasutteredforthinthepublicworksofPuncherandWattmann
of a personal God quaquaquaqua with white beard quaquaquaqua outside time
withoutextensionwhofromtheheightsofdivineapathiadivineathambiadivine
aphasialovesusdearlywithsomeexceptionsforreasonsunknownbuttimewill
tellandsufferslikethedivineMirandawiththosewhoforreasonsunknownbut
time will tell are plunged in torment plunged in fire whose fire flames if that
continuesandwhocandoubtitwillfirethefirmamentthatistosayblasthellto
heavensobluestillandcalmsocalmwithacalmwhicheventhoughintermittent
isbetterthannothingbutnotsofastandconsideringwhatismorethatasaresult
of the labors left unfinished crowned by the Acacacacademy of
Anthropopopometry of EssyinPossy of Testew and Cunard it is established
beyondalldoubtallotherdoubtthanthatwhichclingstothelaborsofmenthat
as a result of the labors unfinished of Testew and Cunnard it is established as
hereinafterbutnotsofastforreasonsunknownthatasaresultofthepublicworks
of Puncher and Wattmann it is established beyond all doubt that in view of the
laborsofFartovandBelcherleftunfinishedforreasonsunknownofTestewand
Cunard left unfinished it is established what many deny that man in Possy of
TestewandCunardthatmaninEssythatmaninshortthatmaninbriefinspiteof
thestridesofalimentationanddefecationwastesandpineswastesandpinesand
concurrently simultaneously what is more for reasons unknown in spite of the
strides of physical culture the practice of sports such as tennis football running
cyclingswimmingflyingfloatingridingglidingconatingcamogieskatingtennis
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ofallkindsdyingflyingsportsofallsortsautumnsummerwinterwintertennisof
allkindshockeyofallsortspenicillinandsuccedaneainawordIresumeflying
glidinggolfovernineandeighteenholestennisofallsortsinawordforreasons
unknown in Feckham Peckham Fulham Clapham namely concurrently
simultaneouslywhatismoreforreasonsunknownbuttimewilltellfadesawayI
resume Fulham Clapham in a word the dead loss per head since the death of
BishopBerkeleybeingtothetuneofoneinchfourounceperheadapproximately
byandlargemoreorlesstothenearestdecimalgoodmeasureroundfiguresstark
naked in the stockinged feet in Connemara in a word for reasons unknown no
matterwhatmatterthefactsarethereandconsideringwhatismoremuchmore
gravethatinthelightofthelaborslostofSteinwegandPetermanitappearswhat
ismoremuchmoregravethatinthelightthelightthelightofthelaborslostof
Steinweg and Peterman that in the plains in the mountains by the seas by the
riversrunningwaterrunningfiretheairisthesameandthentheearthnamelythe
airandthentheearthinthegreatcoldthegreatdarktheairandtheearthabodeof
stones in the great cold alas alas in the year of their Lord six hundred and
somethingtheairtheearththeseatheearthabodeofstonesinthegreatdeepsthe
greatcoldonseaonlandandintheairIresumeforreasonsunknowninspiteof
thetennisthefactsaretherebuttimewilltellIresumealasalasononinshortin
fineononabodeofstoneswhocandoubtitIresumebutnotsofastIresumethe
skull fading fading fading and concurrently simultaneously what is 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
Connemarainspiteofthetennisthelaborsabandonedleftunfinishedgraverstill
abodeofstonesinawordIresumealasalasabandonedunfinishedtheskullthe
skullinConnemarainspiteofthetennistheskullalasthestonesCunard(mle,
finalvociferations)
#

Imagefromtimil.com

...tennis...thestones...socalm...Cunard...unfinished...
POZZO:
Hishat!
VladimirseizesLucky'shat.SilenceofLucky.Hefalls.Silence.Pantingofthevictors.
ESTRAGON:
Avenged!
Vladimirexaminesthehat,peersinsideit.
POZZO:
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Givemethat!(HesnatchesthehatfromVladimir,throwsitontheground,trampleson
it.)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!(Pozzofetchesbagand
basketandbringsthemtowardsLucky.)Holdhimtight!(HeputsthebaginLucky's
hand.Luckydropsitimmediately.)Don'tlethimgo!(HeputsbackthebaginLucky's
hand.Gradually,atthefeelofthebag,Luckyrecovershissensesandhisfingersfinally
closeroundthehandle.)Holdhimtight!(Asbeforewithbasket.)#

Now!Youcanlethimgo.(VladimirandEstragonmoveawayfromLuckywhototters,
reels,sags,butsucceedsinremainingonhisfeet,bagandbasketinhishands.Pozzo
stepsback,crackshiswhip.)Forward!(Luckytottersforward.)Back!(Luckytotters
back.)Turn!(Luckyturns.)Doneit!Hecanwalk.(TurningtoVladimirandEstragon.)
Thankyou,gentlemen,andletme...(hefumblesinhispockets)...letmewishyou..
.(fumbles)...wishyou...(fumbles)...whathaveIdonewithmywatch?(Fumbles.)
Agenuinehalfhunter,gentlemen,withdeadbeatescapement!(Sobbing.)Twasmy
granpagaveittome!(Hesearchesontheground,VladimirandEstragonlikewise.
PozzoturnsoverwithhisfoottheremainsofLucky'shat.)Wellnowisn'tthatjust
VLADIMIR:
Perhapsit'sinyourfob.
POZZO:
Wait!(Hedoublesupinanattempttoapplyhiseartohisstomach,listens.Silence.)I
hearnothing.(Hebeckonsthemtoapproach,VladimirandEstragongoovertohim,
bendoverhisstomach.)Surelyoneshouldheartheticktick.
VLADIMIR:
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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:
Andyourhalfhunter?
POZZO:
Imusthaveleftitatthemanor.
Silence.
ESTRAGON:
Thenadieu.
POZZO:
Adieu.
VLADIMIR:
Adieu.
POZZO:
Adieu.
Silence.Noonemoves.
VLADIMIR:
Adieu.
POZZO:
Adieu.
ESTRAGON:
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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,turns
andcries.)Standback!(VladimirandEstragonstandback,looktowardsPozzo.Crack
ofwhip.)On!On!
ESTRAGON:
On!
VLADIMIR:
On!
Luckymovesoff.
POZZO:
Faster!(Heappears,crossesthestageprecededbyLucky.VladimirandEstragonwave
theirhats.ExitLucky.)On!On!(Onthepointofdisappearinginhisturnhestopsand
turns.Theropetautens.NoiseofLuckyfallingoff.)Stool!(Vladimirfetchesstooland
givesittoPozzowhothrowsittoLucky.)Adieu!
VLADIMIRandESTRAGON:
(waving).Adieu!Adieu!
POZZO:
Up!Pig!(NoiseofLuckygettingup.)On!(ExitPozzo.)Faster!On!Adieu!Pig!Yip!
Adieu!
Longsilence.
VLADIMIR:
Thatpassedthetime.
ESTRAGON:
Itwouldhavepassedinanycase.
VLADIMIR:
Yes,butnotsorapidly.
Pause.
ESTRAGON:
Whatdowedonow?
VLADIMIR:
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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'renot
thesame...
ESTRAGON:
Whydidn'ttheyrecognizeusthen?
VLADIMIR:
Thatmeansnothing.Itoopretendednottorecognizethem.Andthennobodyever
recognizesus.
ESTRAGON:
Forgetit.WhatweneedOw!(Vladimirdoesnotreact.)Ow!
VLADIMIR:
(tohimself).Unlessthey'renotthesame...
ESTRAGON:
Didi!It'stheotherfoot!
Hegoeshobblingtowardsthemound.
VLADIMIR:
Unlessthey'renotthesame...
BOY:
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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

(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.
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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.Vladimirand
theBoyobservehim.Estragondropshishands.Hisfaceisconvulsed.)What'sthe
matterwithyou?
ESTRAGON:
I'munhappy.
VLADIMIR:
Notreally!Sincewhen?
ESTRAGON:
I'dforgotten.
VLADIMIR:
Extraordinarythetricksthatmemoryplays!(Estragontriestospeak,renounces,limps
tohisplace,sitsdownandbeginstotakeoffhisboots.ToBoy.)Well?

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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

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'tcomethiseveningbutsurely
tomorrow.
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.
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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

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.Inamomentit
isnight.Themoonrisesatback,mountsinthesky,standsstill,sheddingapalelighton
thescene.
VLADIMIR:
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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

Atlast!(EstragongetsupandgoestowardsVladimir,abootineachhand.Heputs
themdownatedgeofstage,straightensandcontemplatesthemoon.)#

Whatareyoudoing?
ESTRAGON:
Paleforweariness.
VLADIMIR:
Eh?
ESTRAGON:
Ofclimbingheavenandgazingonthelikesofus.
VLADIMIR:
Yourboots,whatareyoudoingwithyourboots?
ESTRAGON:
(turningtolookattheboots).I'mleavingthemthere.(Pause.)Anotherwillcome,just
as...as...asme,butwithsmallerfeet,andthey'llmakehimhappy.
VLADIMIR:
Butyoucan'tgobarefoot!
ESTRAGON:
Christdid.
VLADIMIR:
Christ!WhathasChristgottodowithit.You'renotgoingtocompareyourselfto
Christ!
ESTRAGON:
AllmylifeI'vecomparedmyselftohim.
VLADIMIR:
Butwhereheliveditwaswarm,itwasdry!
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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

ESTRAGON:
Yes.Andtheycrucifiedquick.
Silence.
VLADIMIR:
We'venothingmoretodohere.
ESTRAGON:
Noranywhereelse.
VLADIMIR:
AhGogo,don'tgoonlikethat.Tomorroweverythingwillbebetter.
ESTRAGON:
Howdoyoumakethatout?
VLADIMIR:
Didyounothearwhatthechildsaid?
ESTRAGON:
No.
VLADIMIR:
HesaidthatGodotwassuretocometomorrow.(Pause.)Whatdoyousaytothat?
ESTRAGON:
Thenallwehavetodoistowaitonhere.
VLADIMIR:
Areyoumad?Wemusttakecover.(HetakesEstragonbythearm.)Comeon.
HedrawsEstragonafterhim.Estragonyields,thenresists.Theyhalt.
ESTRAGON:
(lookingatthetree).Pitywehaven'tgotabitofrope.
VLADIMIR:
Comeon.It'scold.
HedrawsEstragonafterhim.Asbefore.
ESTRAGON:
Remindmetobringabitofropetomorrow.
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:
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1/16/2017 Waiting for Godot -- Act 1

Wait!(HemovesawayfromVladimir.)Isometimeswonderifwewouldn'thavebeen
betteroffalone,eachoneforhimself.(Hecrossesthestageandsitsdownonthe
mound.)Weweren'tmadeforthesameroad.
VLADIMIR:
(withoutanger).It'snotcertain.
ESTRAGON:
No,nothingiscertain.
VladimirslowlycrossesthestageandsitsdownbesideEstragon.#

VLADIMIR:
Wecanstillpart,ifyouthinkitwouldbebetter.
ESTRAGON:
It'snotworthwhilenow.
Silence.
VLADIMIR:
No,it'snotworthwhilenow.
Silence.
ESTRAGON:
Well,shallwego?
VLADIMIR:
Yes,let'sgo.
Theydonotmove.

Curtain.

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