Endgame

A PLAY IN ONE ACT

By
Samuel Beckett

 Bare interior.

Grey Light.

 Left and right back, high up, two small windows, curtains drawn.

 Front right, a door. Hanging near door, its face to wall, a picture.

 Front left, touching each other, covered with an old sheet, two ashbins.

Center, in an armchair on castors, covered with an old sheet, Hamm.

 otionless by the door, his eyes fi!ed on Hamm, Clov. "ery red face.

 Brief tableau.
 Clov goes and stands under window left. #tiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. He
turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window
right. He turns and looks at window left. He goes out, comes back immediately with a small step$
ladder, carries it over and sets it down und er window left, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He
 gets down, takes si! steps %for e!ample& towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries
carries it
over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes
three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under
window left, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down,
d own, takes one step
towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right,
 gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, goes with ladder towards ashbins,
halts, turns, carries back ladder and sets it down un der window right, goes to ashbins, removes
 sheet covering them, folds it over his arm. He raises one lid, stoops and looks into bin. Brief
laugh. He closes lid. #ame with other bin. He goes to Hamm, removes sheet covering him, folds
it over his arm. 'n a dressing$gown, a stiff to(ue
to(ue on his head, a large blood$stained handkerchief
over his face, a whistle hanging from his neck, a rug over his
h is knees, thick socks on his feet,
 Hamm seems to be asleep. Clov looks him over. Brief laugh. He goes to door, halts, turns
towards auditorium.

CLOV %fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly&:

tonelessly&:
Finished, its !inished, nea"ly !inished, it must #e nea"ly !inished$
%*ause.&
%"ain u&'n g"ain, 'ne #y 'ne, and 'ne day, suddenly, the"es a hea&, a little hea&, the
im&'ssi#le hea&$
%*ause.&
I cant #e &unished any m'"e$
%*ause.&
Ill g' n'( t' my kitchen, ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet, and (ait !'" him t' (histle me$
%*ause.&
 Nice dimensi'ns, nice &"'&'"ti'ns, Ill lean 'n the ta#le, and l''k at the (all, and (ait !'"
him t' (histle me$
%He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to
window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. *ause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under
the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. "ery red face. Glasses with
black lenses.&
HAMM:
)e*
%he yawns&
 *t' &lay$
%He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds
the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He
clears his throat, +oins the tips of his fingers.&
Can the"e #e mise"y*
%he yawns&
 *l'!tie" than mine+ N' d'u#t$ F'"me"ly$ But n'(+
 Clov goes and stands under window left. #tiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. He
turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window
right. He turns and looks at window left. He goes out, comes back immediately with a small step$
ladder, carries it over and sets it down und er window left, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He
 gets down, takes si! steps %for e!ample& towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries
carries it
over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes
three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under
window left, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down,
d own, takes one step
towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right,
 gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, goes with ladder towards ashbins,
halts, turns, carries back ladder and sets it down un der window right, goes to ashbins, removes
 sheet covering them, folds it over his arm. He raises one lid, stoops and looks into bin. Brief
laugh. He closes lid. #ame with other bin. He goes to Hamm, removes sheet covering him, folds
it over his arm. 'n a dressing$gown, a stiff to(ue
to(ue on his head, a large blood$stained handkerchief
over his face, a whistle hanging from his neck, a rug over his
h is knees, thick socks on his feet,
 Hamm seems to be asleep. Clov looks him over. Brief laugh. He goes to door, halts, turns
towards auditorium.

CLOV %fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly&:

tonelessly&:
Finished, its !inished, nea"ly !inished, it must #e nea"ly !inished$
%*ause.&
%"ain u&'n g"ain, 'ne #y 'ne, and 'ne day, suddenly, the"es a hea&, a little hea&, the
im&'ssi#le hea&$
%*ause.&
I cant #e &unished any m'"e$
%*ause.&
Ill g' n'( t' my kitchen, ten !eet #y ten !eet #y ten !eet, and (ait !'" him t' (histle me$
%*ause.&
 Nice dimensi'ns, nice &"'&'"ti'ns, Ill lean 'n the ta#le, and l''k at the (all, and (ait !'"
him t' (histle me$
%He remains a moment motionless, then goes out. He comes back immediately, goes to
window right, takes up the ladder and carries it out. *ause. Hamm stirs. He yawns under
the handkerchief. He removes the handkerchief from his face. "ery red face. Glasses with
black lenses.&
HAMM:
)e*
%he yawns&
 *t' &lay$
%He takes off his glasses, wipes his eyes, his face, the glasses, puts them on again, folds
the handkerchief and puts it back neatly in the breast pocket of his dressing gown. He
clears his throat, +oins the tips of his fingers.&
Can the"e #e mise"y*
%he yawns&
 *l'!tie" than mine+ N' d'u#t$ F'"me"ly$ But n'(+
 %*ause.&
)y !athe"+
%*ause.&
)y m'the"+
%*ause.&
)y$$$ d'g+
%*ause.&
Oh I am (illing t' #eliee they su!!e" as much as such c"eatu"es can su!!e"$ But d'es that
mean thei" su!!e"ings e-ual mine+ N' d'u#t$
%*ause.&
 N', all is a*
%he yawns&
 *#s'lute,
%proudly&
the #igge" a man is the !ulle" he is$
%*ause. Gloomily.&
And the em&tie"$
%He sniffs.&
Cl'.
%*ause.&
 N', al'ne$
%*ause.&
/hat d"eams. Th'se !'"ests.
%*ause.&
En'ugh, its time it ended, in the shelte", t''$
%*ause.&
And yet I hesitate, I hesitate t'$$$ t' end$ Yes, the"e it is, its time it ended and yet I
hesitate t'*
%He yawns.&
 *t' end$
%awns.&
%'d, Im ti"ed, Id #e #ette" '!! in #ed$
%He whistles. -nter Clov immediately. He halts beside the chair.&
Y'u &'llute the ai".
%*ause.&
%et me "eady, Im g'ing t' #ed$
CLOV:
Ie 0ust g't y'u u&$
HAMM:
And (hat '! it+
CLOV:
I cant #e getting y'u u& and &utting y'u t' #ed ee"y !ie minutes, I hae things t' d'$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
1id y'u ee" see my eyes+
CLOV:
  N'$
HAMM:
1id y'u nee" hae the cu"i'sity, (hile I (as slee&ing, t' take ' !! my glasses and l''k at
my eyes+
CLOV:
Pulling #ack the lids+
%*ause.&
 N'$
HAMM:
One '! these days Ill sh'( them t' y'u$
%*ause.&
It seems theye g'ne all (hite$
%*ause.&
/hat time is it+
CLOV:
The same as usual$
HAMM %gesture towards window right&:
2ae y'u l''ked+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
/ell+
CLOV:
3e"'$
HAMM:
Itd need t' "ain$
CLOV:
It ('nt "ain$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
A&a"t !"'m that, h'( d' y'u !eel+
CLOV:
I d'nt c'm&lain$
HAMM:
Y'u !eel n'"mal+
CLOV %irritably&:
I tell y'u I d'nt c'm&lain$
HAMM:
I !eel a little st"ange$
%*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
2ae y'u n't had en'ugh+
CLOV:
 Yes.
%*ause.&
O! (hat+
HAMM:
O! this$$$ this$$$ thing$
CLOV:
I al(ays had$
%*ause.&
 N't y'u+
HAMM %gloomily&:
Then the"es n' "eas'n !'" it t' change$
CLOV:
It may end$
%*ause.&
All li!e l'ng the same -uesti'ns, the same ans(e"s$
HAMM:
%et me "eady$
%Clov does not move.&
%' and get the sheet$
%Clov does not move.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Ill gie y'u n'thing m'"e t' eat$
CLOV:
Then (ell die$
HAMM:
Ill gie y'u 0ust en'ugh t' kee& y'u !"'m dying$ Y'ull #e hung"y all the time$
CLOV:
Then (e ('nt die$
%*ause.&
Ill g' and get the sheet$
%He goes towards the door.&
HAMM:
 N'.
%Clov halts.&
Ill gie y'u 'ne #iscuit &e" day$
%*ause.&
One and a hal!$
%*ause.&
/hy d' y'u stay (ith me+
CLOV:
/hy d' y'u kee& me+
HAMM:
The"es n' 'ne else$
CLOV:
The"es n'(he"e else$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u"e leaing me all the same$
CLOV:
Im t"ying$
HAMM:
Y'u d'nt l'e me$
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
Y'u l'ed me 'nce$
CLOV:
Once.
HAMM:
Ie made y'u su!!e" t'' much$
%*ause.&
2aent I+
CLOV:
Its n't that$
HAMM:
I haent made y'u su!!e" t'' much+
CLOV:
Yes.
HAMM %relieved&:
Ah, y'u gae me a !"ight.
%*ause. Coldly&
F'"gie me$
%*ause. Louder.&
I said, F'"gie me$
CLOV:
I hea"d y'u$
%*ause.&
2ae y'u #led+
HAMM:
Less$
%*ause.&
Is it n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV:
 N'$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
2'( a"e y'u" eyes+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
2'( a"e y'u" legs+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
But y'u can m'e$
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM %violently&:
Then m'e.
%Clov goes to back wall, leans against it with his forehead and hands.&
/he"e a"e y'u+
CLOV:
2e"e$
HAMM:
C'me #ack.
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
/he"e a"e y'u+
CLOV:
2e"e$
HAMM:
/hy d'nt y'u kill me+
CLOV:
I d'nt kn'( the c'm#inati'n '! the cu&#'a"d$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
%' and get t(' #icycle4(heels$
CLOV:
The"e a"e n' m'"e #icycle4(heels$
HAMM:
/hat hae y'u d'ne (ith y'u" #icycle+
CLOV:
I nee" had a #icycle$
HAMM:
The thing is im&'ssi#le$
CLOV:
/hen the"e (e"e still #icycles I (e&t t' hae 'ne$ I c"a(led at y'u" !eet$ Y'u t'ld me t'
g' t' hell$ N'( the"e a"e n'ne$
HAMM:
And y'u" "'unds+ /hen y'u ins&ected my &au&e"s$ Al(ays 'n !''t+
CLOV:
S'metimes 'n h'"se$
%he lid of one of the bins lifts and the hands of /agg appear,
 gripping the rim. hen his head emerges. /ightcap. "ery white face.
 /agg yawns, then listens.&
Ill leae y'u, I hae things t' d'$
HAMM:
In y'u" kitchen+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Outside '! he"e its death$
%*ause.&
All "ight, #e '!!$
%-!it Clov. *ause.&
/e"e getting 'n$
NAGG:
)e &a&.
HAMM:
Accu"sed &"'genit'".
NAGG:
)e &a&.
HAMM:
The 'ld !'lks at h'me. N' decency le!t. %u55le, gu55le, thats all they think '!$
%He whistles. -nter Clov. He halts beside the chair.&
/ell. I th'ught y'u (e"e leaing me$
CLOV:
Oh n't 0ust yet, n't 0ust yet$
NAGG:
)e &a&.
HAMM:
%ie him his &a&$
CLOV:
The"es n' m'"e &a&$
HAMM %to /agg&:
1' y'u hea" that+ The"es n' m'"e &a&$ Y'ull nee" get any m'"e &a&$
NAGG:
I (ant me &a&.
HAMM:
%ie him a #iscuit$
%-!it Clov.&
Accu"sed !'"nicat'". 2'( a"e y'u" stum&s+
NAGG:
 Nee" mind me stum&s$
%-nter Clov with biscuit.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the #iscuit$
%He gives biscuit to /agg who fingers it, sniffs it.&
NAGG %plaintively&:
/hat is it+
CLOV:
S&"atts medium$
NAGG %as before&:
Its ha"d. I cant.
HAMM:
B'ttle him.
%Clov pushes /agg back into the bin, closes the lid.&
CLOV %returning to his place beside the chair&:
I! age #ut kne(.
HAMM:
Sit 'n him.
CLOV:
I cant sit$
HAMM:
T"ue$ And I cant stand$
CLOV:
S' it is$
HAMM:
Ee"y man his s&ecialty$
%*ause.&
 N' &h'ne calls+
%*ause.&
1'nt (e laugh+
CLOV %after reflection&:
I d'nt !eel like it$
HAMM %after reflection&:
 N'" I$
%*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
 Natu"e has !'"g'tten us$
CLOV:
The"es n' m'"e natu"e$
HAMM:
 N' m'"e natu"e. Y'u e6agge"ate$
CLOV:
In the icinity$
HAMM:
But (e #"eathe, (e change. /e l'se 'u" hai", 'u" teeth. Ou" #l''m. Ou" ideals.
CLOV:
Then she hasnt !'"g'tten us$
HAMM:
But y'u say the"e is n'ne$
CLOV %sadly&:
 N' 'ne that ee" lied ee" th'ught s' c"''ked as (e$
HAMM:
 /e d' (hat (e can$
CLOV:
/e sh'uldnt$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u"e a #it '! all "ight, a"ent y'u+
CLOV:
A smithe"een$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
This is sl'( ('"k$
%*ause.&
Is it n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV:
 N'$
%*ause.&
Ill leae y'u, I hae things t' d'$
HAMM:
In y'u" kitchen+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
/hat, Id like t' kn'($
CLOV:
I l''k at the (all$
HAMM:
The (all. And (hat d' y'u see 'n y'u" (all+ )ene, mene+ Naked #'dies+
CLOV:
I see my light dying$
HAMM:
Y'u" light dying. Listen t' that. /ell, it can die 0ust as (ell he"e, y'u" light$ Take a l''k
at me and then c'me #ack and tell me (hat y'u think '! y'u" light$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Y'u sh'uldnt s&eak t' me like that$
%*ause.&
HAMM %coldly&:
F'"gie me$
%*ause. Louder.&
I said, F'"gie me$
CLOV:
I hea"d y'u$
%he lid of /agg0s bin lifts. His hands appear, gripping the rim. hen his head emerges.
 'n his mouth the biscuit. He listens.&
HAMM:
1id y'u" seeds c'me u&+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
1id y'u sc"atch "'und them t' see i! they had s&"'uted+
CLOV:
They haent s&"'uted$
HAMM:
Pe"ha&s its still t'' ea"ly$
CLOV:
I! they (e"e g'ing t' s&"'ut they ('uld hae s&"'uted$
%"iolently.&
Theyll nee" s&"'ut.
%*ause. /agg takes biscuit in his hand.&
HAMM:
This is n't much !un$
%*ause.&
But thats al(ays the (ay at the end '! the day, isnt it, Cl'+
CLOV:
Al(ays$
HAMM:
Its the end '! the day like any 'the" day, isnt it, Cl'+
CLOV:
L''ks like it$
%*ause.&
HAMM %anguished&:
/hats ha&&ening, (hats ha&&ening+
CLOV:
S'mething is taking its c'u"se$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
All "ight, #e '!!$
%He leans back in his chair, remains motionless. Clov does not move, heaves a great
 groaning sigh. Hamm sits up.&
I th'ught I t'ld y'u t' #e '!!$
CLOV:
Im t"ying$
%He goes to the door, halts.&
Ee" since I (as (hel&ed$
%-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
/e"e getting 'n$
%He leans back in his chair, remains motionless. /agg knocks on the lid of the other bin.
 *ause. He knocks harder. he lid lifts and the hands of /ell appear, gripping the rim.
hen her head emerges. Lace cap. "ery white face.&
NELL:
/hat is it, my &et+
 %*ause.&
Time !'" l'e+
NAGG:
/e"e y'u aslee&+
NELL:
Oh n'.
NAGG:
7iss me$
NELL:
/e cant$
NAGG:
T"y$
%heir heads strain towards each other, fail to meet, fall ap art again.&
NELL:
/hy this !a"ce, day a!te" day+
%*ause.&
NAGG:
Ie l'st me t''th$
NELL:
/hen+
NAGG:
I had it yeste"day$
NELL %elegiac&:
Ah yeste"day$
%hey turn painfully towards each other.&
NAGG:
Can y'u see me+
NELL:
2a"dly$ And y'u+
NAGG:
/hat+
NELL:
Can y'u see me+
NAGG:
2a"dly$
NELL:
S' much the #ette", s' much the #ette"$
NAGG:
1'nt say that$
%*ause.&
Ou" sight has !ailed$
NELL:
Yes$
%*ause. hey turn away from each other.&
NAGG:
Can y'u hea" me+
NELL:
Yes$ And y'u+
NAGG:
Yes$
%*ause.&
Ou" hea"ing hasnt !ailed$
NELL:
Ou" (hat+
NAGG:
Ou" hea"ing$
NELL:
 N'$
%*ause.&
2ae y'u anything else t' say t' me+
NAGG:
1' y'u "emem#e"*
NELL:
 N'$
NAGG:
/hen (e c"ashed 'n 'u" tandem and l'st 'u" shanks$
%hey laugh heartily.&
NELL:
It (as in the A"dennes$
%hey laugh less heartily.&
NAGG:
On the "'ad t' Sedan$
%hey laugh still less heartily.&
A"e y'u c'ld+
NELL:
Yes, &e"ished, and y'u+
NAGG:
%*ause.&
Im !"ee5ing$
%*ause.&
1' y'u (ant t' g' in+
NELL:
Yes$
NAGG:
Then g' in$
%/ell does not move.&
/hy d'nt y'u g' in+
NELL:
I d'nt kn'($
%*ause.&
NAGG:
2as he changed y'u" sa(dust+
NELL:
It isnt sa(dust$
%*ause. 1arily.&
Can y'u n't #e a little accu"ate, Nagg+
NAGG:
Y'u" sand then$ Its n't im&'"tant$
NELL:
It is im&'"tant$
%*ause.&
NAGG:
It (as sa(dust 'nce$
NELL:
Once.
NAGG:
And n'( its sand$
%*ause.&
F"'m the sh'"e$
%*ause. 'mpatiently.&
 N'( its sand he !etches !"'m the sh'"e$
NELL:
 N'( its sand$
NAGG:
2as he changed y'u"s+
NELL:
 N'$
NAGG:
 N'" mine$
%*ause.&
I ('nt hae it.
%*ause. Holding up the biscuit.&
1' y'u (ant a #it+
NELL:
 N'$
%*ause.&
O! (hat+
NAGG:
Biscuit$ Ie ke&t y'u hal!$
%He looks at the biscuit. *roudly.&
Th"ee -ua"te"s$ F'" y'u$ 2e"e$
%He proffers the biscuit.&
 N'+
%*ause.&
1' y'u n't !eel (ell+
HAMM %wearily&:
8uiet, -uiet, y'u"e kee&ing me a(ake$
%*ause.&
 Talk s'!te"$
%*ause.&
I! I c'uld slee& I might make l'e$ Id g' int' the (''ds$ )y eyes ('uld see$$$ the sky,
the ea"th$ Id "un, "un, they ('uldnt catch me$
%*ause.&
 Natu"e.
%*ause.&
The"es s'mething d"i&&ing in my head$
%*ause.&
A hea"t, a hea"t in my head$
%*ause.&
NAGG:
1' y'u hea" him+ A hea"t in his head.
%He chuckles cautiously.&
NELL:
One mustnt laugh at th'se things, Nagg$ /hy must y'u al(ays laugh at them+
NAGG:
 N't s' l'ud.
NELL %without lowering her voice&:
 N'thing is !unnie" than unha&&iness, I g"ant y'u that$ But*
NAGG %shocked&:
Oh.
NELL:
Yes, yes, its the m'st c'mical thing in the ('"ld$ And (e laugh, (e laugh, (ith a (ill, in
the #eginning$ But its al(ays the same thing$ Yes, its like the !unny st'"y (e hae hea"d
t'' '!ten, (e still !ind it !unny, #ut (e d'nt laugh any m'"e$
%*ause.&
2ae y'u anything else t' say t' me+
NAGG:
 N'$
NELL:
A"e y'u -uite su"e+
%*ause.&
Then Ill leae y'u$
NAGG:
1' y'u n't (ant y'u" #iscuit+
%*ause.&
Ill kee& it !'" y'u$
%*ause.&
I th'ught y'u (e"e g'ing t' leae me$
NELL:
I am g'ing t' leae y'u$
NAGG:
C'uld y'u gie me a sc"atch #e!'"e y'u g'+
NELL:
 N'$
 %*ause.&
/he"e+
NAGG:
In the #ack$
NELL:
 N'$
%*ause.&
9u# y'u"sel! against the "im$
NAGG:
Its l'(e" d'(n$ In the h'll'($
NELL:
/hat h'll'(+
NAGG:
The h'll'(.
%*ause.&
C'uld y'u n't+
%*ause.&
Yeste"day y'u sc"atched me the"e$
NELL %elegiac&:
Ah yeste"day$
NAGG:
C'uld y'u n't+
%*ause.&
/'uld y'u like me t' sc"atch y'u+
%*ause.&
A"e y'u c"ying again+
NELL:
I (as t"ying$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Pe"ha&s its a little ein$
%*ause.&
NAGG:
/hat (as that he said+
NELL:
Pe"ha&s its a little ein$
NAGG:
/hat d'es that mean+
%*ause.&
That means n'thing$
%*ause.&
Shall I tell y'u the st'"y '! the tail'"+
NELL:
 N'$
%*ause.&
/hat !'"+
NAGG:
T' chee" y'u u&$
NELL:
Its n't !unny$
NAGG:
It al(ays made y'u laugh$
%*ause.&
The !i"st time I th'ught y'ud die$
NELL:
It (as 'n Lake C'm'$
%*ause.&
One A&"il a!te"n''n$
%*ause.&
Can y'u #eliee it+
NAGG:
/hat+
NELL:
That (e 'nce (ent 'ut "'(ing 'n Lake C'm'$
%*ause.&
One A&"il a!te"n''n$
NAGG:
/e had g't engaged the day #e!'"e$
NELL:
Engaged.
NAGG:
Y'u (e"e in such !its that (e ca&si5ed$ By "ights (e sh'uld hae #een d"'(ned$
NELL:
It (as #ecause I !elt ha&&y$
NAGG %indignant&:
It (as n't, it (as n't, it (as my STO9Y and n'thing else$ 2a&&y. 1'nt y'u laugh at it
still+ Ee"y time I tell it$ 2a&&y.
NELL:
It (as dee&, dee&$ And y'u c'uld see d'(n t' the #'tt'm$ S' (hite$ S' clean$
NAGG:
Let me tell it again$
%2aconteur0s voice.&
An Englishman, needing a &ai" '! st"i&ed t"'use"s in a hu""y !'" the Ne( Yea" !estiities,
g'es t' his tail'" (h' takes his measu"ements$
%ailor0s voice.&
Thats the l't, c'me #ack in !'u" days, Ill hae it "eady$ %''d$ F'u" days late"$
%ailor0s voice.&
S' s'""y, c'me #ack in a (eek, Ie made a mess '! the seat$ %''d, thats all "ight, a
neat seat can #e e"y ticklish$ A (eek late"$
%ailor0s voice.&
F"ight!ully s'""y, c'me #ack in ten days, Ie made a hash '! the c"'tch$ %''d, cant #e
hel&ed, a snug c"'tch is al(ays a tease"$ Ten days late"$
 %ailor0s voice.&
1"ead!ully s'""y, c'me #ack in a !'"tnight, Ie made a #alls '! the !ly$ %''d, at a
 &inch, a sma"t !ly is a sti!! &"'&'siti'n$
%*ause. /ormal voice.&
I nee" t'ld it ('"se$
%*ause. Gloomy.&
I tell this st'"y ('"se and ('"se$
%*ause. 2aconteur0s voice.&
/ell, t' make it sh'"t, the #lue#ells a"e #l'(ing and he #all'ckses the #utt'nh'les$
%Customer0s voice.&
%'d damn y'u t' hell, Si", n', its indecent, the"e a"e limits. In si6 days, d' y'u hea" me,
si6 days, %'d made the ('"ld$ Yes Si", n' less Si", the /O9L1. And y'u a"e n't #l''dy
(ell ca&a#le '! making me a &ai" '! t"'use"s in th"ee m'nths.
%ailor0s voice, scandali)ed.&
But my dea" Si", my dea" Si", l''k*
%disdainful gesture, disgustedly&
 *at the ('"ld*
%*ause.&
and l''k*
%loving gesture, proudly&
 *at my T9O;SE9S.
%*ause. He looks at /ell who has remained impassive, her eyes unseeing. He breaks into
a high forced laugh, cuts it short, pokes his head towards /ell, launches his laugh
again.&
HAMM:
Silence.
%/agg starts, cuts short his laugh.&
NELL:
Y'u c'uld see d'(n t' the #'tt'm$
HAMM %e!asperated&:
2ae y'u n't !inished+ /ill y'u nee" !inish+
%1ith sudden fury.&
/ill this nee" !inish+
%/agg disappears into his bin, closes the lid behind him. /ell does not move. Fren)iedly.&
)y kingd'm !'" a nightman.
%He whistles. -nter Clov.&
Clea" a(ay this muck. Chuck it in the sea.
%Clov goes to bins, halts.&
NELL:
S' (hite$
HAMM:
/hat+ /hats she #lathe"ing a#'ut+
%Clov stoops, takes /ell0s hand, feels her pulse.&
NELL %to Clov&:
1ese"t.
%Clov lets go her hand, pushes her back in the bin, closes the lid.&
CLOV %returning to his place beside the chair&:
She has n' &ulse$
HAMM:
/hat (as she d"ielling a#'ut+
CLOV:
She t'ld me t' g' a(ay, int' the dese"t$
HAMM:
1amn #usy#'dy. Is that all+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
/hat else+
CLOV:
I didnt unde"stand$
HAMM:
2ae y'u #'ttled he"+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
A"e they #'th #'ttled+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Sc"e( d'(n the lids$
%Clov goes towards door.&
Time en'ugh$
%Clov halts.&
)y ange" su#sides, Id like t' &ee$
CLOV %with alacrity&:
Ill g' get the cathete"$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
Time en'ugh$
%Clov halts.&
%ie me my &ain kille"$
CLOV:
Its t'' s''n$
%*ause.&
Its t'' s''n 'n t'& '! y'u" t'nic, it ('uldnt act$
HAMM:
In the m'"ning they #"ace y'u u& and in the eening they calm y'u d'(n$ ;nless its the
'the" (ay "'und$
%*ause.&
That 'ld d'ct'", hes dead natu"ally+
CLOV:
2e (asnt 'ld$
HAMM:
But hes dead+
CLOV:
 Natu"ally$
%*ause.&
Y'u ask me that+
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Take me !'" a little tu"n$
%Clov goes behind the chair and pushes it forward.&
 N't t'' !ast.
%Clov pushes chair.&
9ight "'und the ('"ld.
%Clov pushes chair.&
2ug the (alls, then #ack t' the cente" again$
%Clov pushes chair.&
I (as "ight in the cente", (asnt I+
CLOV %pushing&:
Yes$
HAMM:
/ed need a &"'&e" (heel4chai"$ /ith #ig (heels$ Bicycle (heels.
%*ause.&
A"e y'u hugging+
CLOV %pushing&:
Yes$
HAMM %groping for wall&:
Its a lie. /hy d' y'u lie t' me+
CLOV %bearing closer to wall&:
The"e. The"e.
HAMM:
St'&.
%Clov stops chair close to back wall. Hamm lays his hand against wall.&
Old (all.
%*ause.&
Bey'nd is the$$$ 'the" hell$
%*ause. "iolently.&
Cl'se". Cl'se". ;& against.
CLOV:
Take a(ay y'u" hand$
%Hamm withdraws his hand. Clov rams chair against wall.&
The"e.
%Hamm leans towards wall, applies his ear to it.&
HAMM:
1' y'u hea"+
%He strikes the wall with his knuckles.&
1' y'u hea"+ 2'll'( #"icks.
 %He strikes again.&
All thats h'll'(.
%*ause. He straightens up. "iolently.&
Thats en'ugh$ Back.
CLOV:
/e haent d'ne the "'und$
HAMM:
Back t' my &lace.
%Clov pushes chair back to center.&
Is that my &lace+
CLOV:
Yes, thats y'u" &lace$
HAMM:
Am I "ight in the cente"+
CLOV:
Ill measu"e it$
HAMM:
)'"e '" less. )'"e '" less.
CLOV %moving chair slightly&:
The"e.
HAMM:
Im m'"e '" less in the cente"+
CLOV:
Id say s'$
HAMM:
Y'ud say s'. Put me "ight in the cente".
CLOV:
Ill g' and get the ta&e$
HAMM:
9'ughly. 9'ughly.
%Clov moves chair slightly.&
Bang in the cente".
CLOV:
The"e.
%*ause.&
HAMM:
I !eel a little t'' !a" t' the le!t$
%Clov moves chair slightly.&
 N'( I !eel a little t'' !a" t' the "ight$
%Clov moves chair slightly.&
I !eel a little t'' !a" !'"(a"d$
%Clov moves chair slightly.&
 N'( I !eel a little t'' !a" #ack$
%Clov moves chair slightly.&
1'nt stay the"e$
%i.e. behind the chair&
 y'u gie me the shie"s$
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
CLOV:
I! I c'uld kill him Id die ha&&y$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
/hats the (eathe" like+
CLOV:
As usual$
HAMM:
L''k at the ea"th$
CLOV:
Ie l''ked$
HAMM:
/ith the glass+
CLOV:
 N' need '! the glass$
HAMM:
L''k at it (ith the glass$
CLOV:
Ill g' and get the glass$
%-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
 N' need '! the glass.
%-nter Clov with telescope.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the glass$
%He goes to window right, looks up at it.&
I need the ste&s$
HAMM:
/hy+ 2ae y'u sh"unk+
%-!it Clov with telescope.&
I d'nt like that, I d'nt like that$
%-nter Clov with ladder, but without telescope.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the ste&s$
%He sets down ladder under window right, gets up on it, reali)es he has not the telescope,
 gets down.&
I need the glass$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM %violently&:
But y'u hae the glass.
CLOV %halting, violently&:
 N', I haent the glass.
%-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
 This is deadly$
%-nter Clov with the telescope. He goes towards ladder.&
CLOV:
Things a"e liening u&$
%He gets up on ladder, raises the telescope, lets it fall.&
I did it 'n &u"&'se$
%He gets down, picks up the telescope, turns it on auditorium.&
I see$$$ a multitude$$$ in t"ans&'"ts$$$ '! 0'y$
%*ause. He lowers telescope, looks at it.&
Thats (hat I call a magni!ie"$
%He turns toward Hamm.&
/ell+ 1'nt (e laugh+
HAMM %after reflection&:
I d'nt$
CLOV %after reflection&:
 N'" I$
%He gets up on ladder, turns the telescope on the without.&
Lets see$
%He looks, moving the telescope.&
3e"'$$$
%he looks&
$$$5e"'$$$
%he looks&
$$$and 5e"'$
HAMM:
 N'thing sti"s$ All is*
CLOV:
3e"*
HAMM %violently&:
/ait till y'u"e s&'ken t'.
%/ormal voice.&
All is$$$ all is$$$ all is (hat+
%"iolently.&
All is (hat+
CLOV:
/hat all is+ In a ('"d+ Is that (hat y'u (ant t' kn'(+ <ust a m'ment$
%He turns the telescope on the without, looks, lowers the telescope, turns towards
 Hamm.&
C'"&sed$
%*ause.&
/ell+ C'ntent+
HAMM:
L''k at the sea$
CLOV:
Its the same$
HAMM:
 L''k at the 'cean.
%Clov gets down, takes a few steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it
over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, turns the telescope on the without,
looks at length. He starts, lowers the telescope, e!amines it, turns it again on the
without.&
CLOV:
 Nee" seen anything like that.
HAMM %an!ious&:
/hat+ A sail+ A !in+ Sm'ke+
CLOV %looking&:
The light is sunk$
HAMM %relieved&:
Pah. /e all kne( that$
CLOV %looking&:
The"e (as a #it le!t$
HAMM:
The #ase$
CLOV %looking&:
Yes$
HAMM:
And n'(+
CLOV %looking&:
All g'ne$
HAMM:
 N' gulls+
CLOV %looking&:
%ulls.
HAMM:
And the h'"i5'n+ N'thing 'n the h'"i5'n+
CLOV %lowering the telescope, turning towards Hamm, e!asperated&:
/hat in %'ds name c'uld the"e #e 'n the h'"i5'n+
%*ause.&
HAMM:
The (aes, h'( a"e the (aes+
CLOV:
The (aes+
%He turns the telescope on the waves.&
Lead$
HAMM:
And the sun+
CLOV %looking&:
3e"'$
HAMM:
But it sh'uld #e sinking$ L''k again$
CLOV %looking&:
1amn the sun$
HAMM:
Is is night al"eady then+
CLOV %looking&:
 N'$
HAMM:
Then (hat is it+
CLOV %looking&:
%"ay$
%Lowering the telescope, turning towards Hamm, louder.&
%"ay.
%*ause. #till louder.&
%99AY.
%*ause. He gets down, approaches Hamm from behind, whispers in his ear.&
HAMM %starting&:
%"ay. 1id I hea" y'u say g"ay+
CLOV:
Light #lack$ F"'m &'le t' &'le$
HAMM:
Y'u e6agge"ate$
%*ause.&
1'nt stay the"e, y'u gie me the shie"s$
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
CLOV:
/hy this !a"ce, day a!te" day+
HAMM:
9'utine$ One nee" kn'(s$
%*ause.&
Last night I sa( inside my #"east$ The"e (as a #ig s'"e$
CLOV:
Pah. Y'u sa( y'u" hea"t$
HAMM:
 N', it (as liing$
%*ause. 3nguished.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
/hats ha&&ening+
CLOV:
S'mething is taking its c'u"se$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Cl'.
CLOV %impatiently&:
/hat is it+
HAMM:
 /e"e n't #eginning t'$$$ t'$$$ mean s'mething+
CLOV:
)ean s'mething. Y'u and I, mean s'mething.
%Brief laugh.&
Ah thats a g''d 'ne.
HAMM:
I ('nde"$
%*ause.&
Imagine i! a "ati'nal #eing came #ack t' ea"th, ('uldnt he #e lia#le t' get ideas int' his
head i! he '#se"ed us l'ng en'ugh$
%"oice of rational being.&
Ah, g''d, n'( I see (hat it is, yes, n'( I unde"stand (hat they"e at.
%Clov starts, drops the telescope and begins to scratch his belly with both hands. /ormal
voice.&
And (ith'ut g'ing s' !a" as that, (e 'u"seles$$$
%with emotion&
$$$(e 'u"seles$$$ at ce"tain m'ments$$$
%"ehemently.&
T' think &e"ha&s it ('nt all hae #een !'" n'thing.
CLOV %anguished, scratching himself&:
I hae a !lea.
HAMM:
A !lea. A"e the"e still !leas+
CLOV:
On me the"es 'ne$
%#cratching.&
;nless its a c"a# l'use$
HAMM %very perturbed&:
But humanity might sta"t !"'m the"e all 'e" again. Catch him, !'" the l'e '! %'d.
CLOV:
Ill g' and get the &'(de"$
%-!it Clov.&
HAMM:
A !lea. This is a(!ul. /hat a day.
%-nter Clov with a sprinkling$tin.&
CLOV:
Im #ack again, (ith the insecticide$
HAMM:
Let him hae it.
%Clov loosens the top of his trousers, pulls it forward and shakes powder into the
aperture. He stoops, looks, waits, starts, fren)iedly shakes more powder, stoops, looks,
waits.&
CLOV:
The #asta"d.
HAMM:
1id y'u get him+
CLOV:
L''ks like it$
%He drops the tin and ad+usts his trousers.&
;nless hes laying d'gg'$
HAMM:
Laying. Lying, y'u mean$ ;nless hes lying d'gg'$
CLOV:
Ah+ One says lying+ One d'esnt say laying+
HAMM:
;se y'u" head, cant y'u$ I! he (as laying (ed #e #itched$
CLOV:
Ah$
%*ause.&
/hat a#'ut that &ee+
HAMM:
Im haing it$
CLOV:
Ah thats the s&i"it, thats the s&i"it.
%*ause.&
HAMM %with ardour&:
Lets g' !"'m he"e, the t(' '! us. S'uth. Y'u can make a "a!t and the cu""ents (ill ca""y
us a(ay, !a" a(ay, t' 'the"$$$ mammals.
CLOV:
%'d !'"#id.
HAMM:
Al'ne, Ill em#a"k al'ne. %et ('"king 'n that "a!t immediately$ T'm'""'( Ill #e g'ne
!'"ee"$
CLOV %hastening towards door&:
Ill sta"t st"aight a(ay$
HAMM:
/ait.
%Clov halts.&
/ill the"e #e sha"ks, d' y'u think+
CLOV:
Sha"ks+ I d'nt kn'($ I! the"e a"e the"e (ill #e$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
/ait.
%Clov halts.&
Is it n't yet time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV %violently&:
 N'.
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
/ait.
%Clov halts.&
 2'( a"e y'u" eyes+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
But y'u can see$
CLOV:
All I (ant$
HAMM:
2'( a"e y'u" legs+
CLOV:
Bad$
HAMM:
But y'u can (alk$
CLOV:
I c'me$$$ and g'$
HAMM:
In my h'use$
%*ause. 1ith prophetic relish.&
One day y'ull #e #lind like me$ Y'ull #e sitting he"e, a s&eck in the 'id, in the da"k,
!'"ee", like me$
%*ause.&
One day y'ull say t' y'u"sel!, Im ti"ed, Ill sit d'(n, and y'ull g' and sit d'(n$ Then
y'ull say, Im hung"y, Ill get u& and get s'mething t' eat$ But y'u ('nt get u&$ Y'ull
say, I sh'uldnt hae sat d'(n, #ut since I hae Ill sit 'n a little l'nge", then Ill get u&
and get s'mething t' eat$ But y'u ('nt get u& and y'u ('nt get anything t' eat$
%*ause.&
Y'ull l''k at the (all a (hile, then y'ull say, Ill cl'se my eyes, &e"ha&s hae a little
slee&, a!te" that Ill !eel #ette", and y'ull cl'se them$ And (hen y'u '&en them again
the"ell #e n' (all any m'"e$
%*ause.&
In!inite em&tiness (ill #e all a"'und y'u, all the "esu""ected dead '! all the ages ('uldnt
!ill it, and the"e y'ull #e like a little #it '! g"it in the middle '! the ste&&e$
%*ause.&
Yes, 'ne day y'ull kn'( (hat it is, y'ull #e like me, e6ce&t that y'u ('nt hae any'ne
(ith y'u, #ecause y'u ('nt hae had &ity 'n any'ne and #ecause the"e ('nt #e any'ne
le!t t' hae &ity 'n y'u$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Its n't ce"tain$
%*ause.&
And the"es 'ne thing y'u !'"g't$
HAMM:
Ah+
CLOV:
I cant sit d'(n$
HAMM %impatiently&:
 /ell y'ull lie d'(n then, (hat the hell. O" y'ull c'me t' a standstill, sim&ly st'& and
stand still, the (ay y'u a"e n'($ One day y'ull say, Im ti"ed, Ill st'&$ /hat d'es the
attitude matte"+
%*ause.&
CLOV:
S' y'u all (ant me t' leae y'u$
HAMM:
 Natu"ally$
CLOV:
Then Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
Y'u cant leae us$
CLOV:
Then I ('nt leae y'u$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
/hy d'nt y'u !inish us+
%*ause.&
Ill tell y'u the c'm#inati'n '! the cu&#'a"d i! y'u &"'mise t' !inish me$
CLOV:
I c'uldnt !inish y'u$
HAMM:
Then y'u ('nt !inish me$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u, I hae things t' d'$
HAMM:
1' y'u "emem#e" (hen y'u came he"e+
CLOV:
 N'$ T'' small, y'u t'ld me$
HAMM:
1' y'u "emem#e" y'u" !athe"+
CLOV %wearily&:
Same ans(e"$
%*ause.&
Y'ue asked me these -uesti'ns milli'ns '! times$
HAMM:
I l'e the 'ld -uesti'ns$
%1ith fervour.&
Ah the 'ld -uesti'ns, the 'ld ans(e"s, the"es n'thing like them.
%*ause.&
It (as I (as a !athe" t' y'u$
CLOV:
Yes$
%He looks at Hamm fi!edly.&
Y'u (e"e that t' me$
HAMM:
)y h'use a h'me !'" y'u$
CLOV:
Yes$
%He looks about him.&
This (as that !'" me$
HAMM %proudly&:
But !'" me,
%gesture towards himself&
n' !athe"$ But !'" 2amm,
%gesture towards surroundings&
n' h'me$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
1id y'u ee" think '! 'ne thing+
CLOV:
 Nee"$
HAMM:
That he"e (e"e d'(n in a h'le$
%*ause.&
But #ey'nd the hills+ Eh+ Pe"ha&s its still g"een$ Eh+
%*ause.&
Fl'"a. P'm'na.
%-cstatically.&
Ce"es.
%*ause.&
Pe"ha&s y'u ('nt need t' g' e"y !a"$
CLOV:
I cant g' e"y !a"$
%*ause.&
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
Is my d'g "eady+
CLOV:
2e lacks a leg$
HAMM:
Is he silky+
CLOV:
2es kind '! a P'me"anian$
HAMM:
%' and get him$
CLOV:
2e lacks a leg$
HAMM:
 %' and get him.
%-!it Clov.&
/e"e getting 'n$
%-nter Clov holding by one of its three legs a black toy dog.&
CLOV:
Y'u" d'gs a"e he"e$
%He hands the dog to Hamm who feels it, fondles it.&
HAMM:
2es (hite, isnt he+
CLOV:
 Nea"ly$
HAMM:
/hat d' y'u mean, nea"ly+ Is he (hite '" isnt he+
CLOV:
2e isnt$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'ue !'"g'tten the se6$
CLOV %ve!ed&:
But he isnt !inished$ The se6 g'es 'n at the end$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u haent &ut 'n his "i##'n$
CLOV %angrily&:
But he isnt !inished, I tell y'u. Fi"st y'u !inish y'u" d' g and then y'u &ut 'n his "i##'n.
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Can he stand+
CLOV:
I d'nt kn'($
HAMM:
T"y$
%He hands the dog to Clov who places it on the ground.&
/ell+
CLOV:
/ait.
%He s(uats down and tries to get the dog to stand on its three legs, fails, lets it go. he
dog falls on its side.&
HAMM %impatiently&:
/ell+
CLOV:
2es standing$
HAMM %groping for the dog&:
/he"e+ /he"e is he+
%Clov holds up the dog in a standing position.&
CLOV:
 The"e$
%He takes Hamm0s hand and guides it towards the dog0s head.&
HAMM %his hand on the dog0s head&:
Is he ga5ing at me+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM %proudly&:
As i! he (e"e asking me t' take him !'" a (alk+
CLOV:
I! y'u like$
HAMM %as before&:
O" as i! he (e"e #egging me !'" a #'ne$
%He withdraws his hand.&
Leae him like that, standing the"e im&l'"ing me$
%Clov straightens up. he dog falls on its side.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
2ae y'u had y'u" isi'ns+
CLOV:
Less$
HAMM:
Is )'the" Peggs light 'n+
CLOV:
Light. 2'( c'uld any'nes light #e 'n+
HAMM:
E6tinguished.
CLOV:
 Natu"ally its e6tinguished$ I! its n't 'n its e6tinguished$
HAMM:
 N', I mean )'the" Pegg$
CLOV:
But natu"ally shes e6tinguished.
%*ause.&
/hats the matte" (ith y'u t'day+
HAMM:
Im taking my c'u"se$
%*ause.&
Is she #u"ied+
CLOV:
Bu"ied. /h' ('uld hae #u"ied he"+
HAMM:
Y'u$
CLOV:
)e. 2aent I en'ugh t' d' (ith'ut #u"ying &e'&le+
HAMM:
 But y'ull #u"y me$
CLOV:
 N' I ('nt #u"y y'u$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
She (as #'nny 'nce, like a !l'(e" '! the !ield$
%1ith reminiscent leer.&
And a g"eat 'ne !'" the men.
CLOV:
/e t'' (e"e #'nny*'nce$ Its a "a"e thing n't t' hae #een #'nny*'nce$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
%' and get the ga!!$
%Clov goes to the door, halts.&
CLOV:
1' this, d' that, and I d' it$ I nee" "e!use$ /hy+
HAMM:
Y'u"e n't a#le t'$
CLOV:
S''n I ('nt d' it any m'"e$
HAMM:
Y'u ('nt #e a#le t' any m'"e$
%-!it Clov.&
Ah the c"eatu"es, the c"eatu"es, ee"ything has t' #e e6&lained t' them$
%-nter Clov with gaff.&
CLOV:
2e"es y'u" ga!!$ Stick it u&$
%He gives the gaff to Hamm who, wielding it like a puntpole, tries to move his chair.&
HAMM:
1id I m'e+
CLOV:
 N'$
%Hamm throws down the gaff.&
HAMM:
%' and get the 'ilcan$
CLOV:
/hat !'"+
HAMM:
T' 'il the cast'"s$
CLOV:
I 'iled them yeste"day$
HAMM:
Yeste"day. /hat d'es that mean+ Yeste"day.
CLOV %violently&:
 That means that #l''dy a(!ul day, l'ng ag', #e!'"e this #l''dy a(!ul day$ I use the
('"ds y'u taught me$ I! they d'nt mean anything any m'"e, teach me 'the"s$ O" let me
 #e silent$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
I 'nce kne( a madman (h' th'ught the end '! the ('"ld had c'me$ 2e (as a &ainte"* 
and eng"ae"$ I had a g"eat !'ndness !'" him$ I used t' g' and see him, in the asylum$ Id
take him #y the hand and d"ag him t' the (ind'($ L''k. The"e. All that "ising c'"n. And
the"e. L''k. The sails '! the he""ing !leet. All that l'eliness.
%*ause.&
2ed snatch a(ay his hand and g' #ack int' his c'"ne"$ A&&alled$ All he had seen (as
ashes$
%*ause.&
2e al'ne had #een s&a"ed$
%*ause.&
F'"g'tten$
%*ause.&
It a&&ea"s the case is$$$ (as n't s'$$$ s' unusual$
CLOV:
A madman+ /hen (as that+
HAMM:
Oh (ay #ack, (ay #ack, y'u (e"ent in the land '! the liing$
CLOV:
%'d #e (ith th'se days$
%*ause. Hamm raises his to(ue.&
HAMM:
I had a g"eat !'ndness !'" him$
%*ause. He puts on his to(ue again.&
2e (as a &ainte"*and eng"ae"$
CLOV:
The"e a"e s' many te""i#le things$
HAMM:
 N', n', the"e a"e n't s' many n'($
%*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
1' y'u n't think this has g'ne 'n l'ng en'ugh+
CLOV:
Yes.
%*ause.&
/hat+
HAMM:
This$$$ this$$$ thing$
CLOV:
 Ie al(ays th'ught s'$
%*ause.&
Y'u n't+
HAMM %gloomily&:
Then its a day like any 'the" day$
CLOV:
As l'ng as it lasts$
%*ause.&
All li!e l'ng the same inanities$
HAMM:
I cant leae y'u$
CLOV:
I kn'($ And y'u cant !'ll'( me$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
I! y'u leae me h'( shall I kn'(+
CLOV %briskly&:
/ell y'u sim&ly (histle me and i! I d'nt c'me "unning it means Ie le!t y'u$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u ('nt c'me and kiss me g''d#ye+
CLOV:
Oh I sh'uldnt think s'$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
But y'u might #e me"ely dead in y'u" kitchen$
CLOV:
The "esult ('uld #e the same$
HAMM:
Yes, #ut h'( ('uld I kn'(, i! y'u (e"e me"ely dead in y'u" kitchen+
CLOV:
/ell$$$ s''ne" '" late" Id sta"t t' stink$
HAMM:
Y'u stink al"eady$ The (h'le &lace stinks '! c'"&ses$
CLOV:
The (h'le unie"se$
HAMM %angrily&:
T' hell (ith the unie"se$
%*ause.&
Think '! s'mething$
CLOV:
/hat+
HAMM:
An idea, hae an idea$
%3ngrily.&
A #"ight idea.
CLOV:
Ah g''d$
%He starts pacing to and fro, his eyes fi!ed on the ground, his hands behind his back. He
halts.&
The &ains in my legs. Its un#eliea#le. S''n I ('nt #e a#le t' think any m'"e$
HAMM:
Y'u ('nt #e a#le t' leae me$
%Clov resumes his pacing.&
/hat a"e y'u d'ing+
CLOV:
2aing an idea$
%He paces.&
Ah.
%He halts.&
HAMM:
/hat a #"ain.
%*ause.&
/ell+
CLOV:
/ait.
%He meditates. /ot very convinced.&
Yes$$$
%He raises his head.&
I hae it. I set the ala"m$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
This is &e"ha&s n't 'ne '! my #"ight days, #ut !"ankly*
CLOV:
Y'u (histle me$ I d'nt c'me$ The ala"m "ings$ Im g'ne$ It d'esnt "ing$ Im dead $
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Is it ('"king+
%*ause. 'mpatiently.&
The ala"m, is it ('"king+
CLOV:
/hy ('uldnt it #e ('"king+
HAMM:
Because its ('"ked t'' much$
CLOV:
But its ha"dly ('"ked at all$
HAMM %angrily&:
Then #ecause its ('"ked t'' little.
CLOV:
Ill g' and see$
%-!it Clov. Brief ring of alarm offstage. -nter Clov with alarm$clock. He holds it against
 Hamm0s ear and releases alarm. hey listen to it ringing to the end. *ause.&
 Fit t' (ake the dead. 1id y'u hea" it+
HAMM:
=aguely$
CLOV:
The end is te""i!ic.
HAMM:
I &"e!e" the middle$
%*ause.&
Is is n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV:
 N'.
%He goes to door, turns.&
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
Its time !'" my st'"y$ 1' y'u (ant t' listen t' my st'"y+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
Ask my !athe" i! he (ants t' listen t' my st'"y$
%Clov goes to bins, raises the lid of /agg0s, stoops, looks into it. *ause. He straightens
up.&
CLOV:
2es aslee&$
HAMM:
/ake him$
%Clov stoops, wakes /agg with the alarm. 4nintelligible words. Clov straightens up.&
CLOV:
2e d'esnt (ant t' listen t' y'u" st'"y$
HAMM:
Ill gie him a #'n4#'n$
%Clov stoops. 3s before.&
CLOV:
2e (ants a suga"4&lum$
HAMM:
2ell get a suga"4&lum$
%Clov stoops. 3s before.&
CLOV:
Its a deal$
%He goes towards door. /agg0s hands appear, gripping the rim. hen the head emerges.
Clov reaches door, turns.&
1' y'u #eliee in the li!e t' c'me+
HAMM:
)ine (as al(ays that$
%-!it Clov.&
%'t him that time.
NAGG:
 Im listening$
HAMM:
Sc'und"el. /hy did y'u engende" me+
NAGG:
I didnt kn'($
HAMM:
/hat+ /hat didnt y'u kn'(+
NAGG:
That itd #e y'u$
%*ause.&
Y'ull gie me a suga"4&lum+
HAMM:
A!te" the auditi'n$
NAGG:
Y'u s(ea"+
HAMM:
Yes$
NAGG:
On (hat+
HAMM:
)y h'n'"$
%*ause. hey laugh heartily.&
NAGG:
T('$
HAMM:
One$
NAGG:
One !'" me and 'ne !'"*
HAMM:
One. Silence.
%*ause.&
/he"e (as I+
%*ause. Gloomily.&
Its !inished, (e"e !inished$
%*ause.&
 Nea"ly !inished$
%*ause.&
The"ell #e n' m'"e s&eech$
%*ause.&
S'mething d"i&&ing in my head, ee" since the !'ntanelles$
%#tifled hilarity of /agg.&
S&lash, s&lash, al(ays 'n the same s&'t$
%*ause.&
Pe"ha&s its a little ein$
%*ause.&
A little a"te"y$
 %*ause. ore animated.&
En'ugh '! that, its st'"y time, (he"e (as I+
%*ause. /arrative tone.&
The man came c"a(ling t'(a"ds me, 'n his #elly$ Pale, ('nde"!ully &ale and thin, he
seemed 'n the &'int '!*
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
 N', Ie d'ne that #it$
%*ause. /arrative tone.&
I calmly !illed my &i&e*the mee"schaum, lit it (ith$$$ let us say a esta, d"e( a !e(
 &u!!s$ Aah.
%*ause.&
/ell, (hat is it y'u (ant+
%*ause.&
It (as an e6t"a4'"dina"ily #itte" day, I "emem#e", 5e"' #y the the"m'mete"$ But
c'nside"ing it (as Ch"istmas Ee the"e (as n'thing$$$ e6t"a4'"dina"y a#'ut that$
Seas'na#le (eathe", !'" 'nce in a (ay$
%*ause.&
/ell, (hat ill (ind #l'(s y'u my (ay+ 2e "aised his !ace t' me, #lack (ith mingled di"t
and tea"s$
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
That sh'uld d' it$
%/arrative tone.&
 N' n', d'nt l''k at me, d'nt l''k at me$ 2e d"'&&ed his eyes and mum#led s'mething,
a&'l'gies I &"esume$
%*ause.&
Im a #usy man, y'u kn'(, the !inal t'uches, #e!'"e the !estiities, y'u kn'( (hat it is$
%*ause. Forcibly.&
C'me 'n n'(, (hat is the '#0ect '! this inasi'n+
%*ause.&
It (as a gl'"i'us #"ight day, I "emem#e", !i!ty #y the heli'mete", #ut al"eady the sun (as
sinking d'(n int' the$$$ d'(n am'ng the dead$
%/ormal voice.&
 Nicely &ut, that$
%/arrative tone.&
C'me 'n n'(, c'me 'n, &"esent y'u" &etiti'n and let me "esume my la#'"s$
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
The"es English !'" y'u$ Ah (ell$$$
%/arrative tone.&
It (as then he t''k the &lunge$ Its my little 'ne, he said$ Tsstss, a little 'ne, thats #ad$
)y little #'y, he said, as i! the se6 matte"ed$ /he"e did he c'me !"'m+ 2e named the
h'le$ A g''d hal!4day, 'n h'"se$ /hat a"e y'u insinuating+ That the &lace is still
inha#ited+ N' n', n't a s'ul, e6ce&t himsel! and the child*assuming he e6isted$ %''d$ I
en-ui"ed a#'ut the situati'n at 7', #ey'nd the gul!$ N't a sinne"$ %''d$ And y'u e6&ect
me t' #eliee y'u hae le!t y'u" little 'ne #ack the"e, all al'ne, and alie int' the
 #a"gain+ C'me n'(.
%*ause.&
It (as a h'(ling day, I "emem#e", a hund"ed #y the anen'mete"$ The (ind (as tea"ing u&
the dead &ines and s(ee&ing them$$$ a(ay$
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
A !ee#le #it, that$
%/arrative tone.&
C'me 'n, man, s&eak u&, (hat is it y'u (ant !"'m me, I hae t' &ut u& my h'lly$
%*ause.&
/ell t' make it sh'"t it !inally t"ans&i"ed that (hat he (anted !"'m me (as$$$ #"ead !'"
his #"at+ B"ead+ But I hae n' #"ead, it d'esnt ag"ee (ith me$ %''d$ Then &e"ha&s a
little c'"n+
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
That sh'uld d' it$
%/arrative tone.&
C'"n, yes, I hae c'"n, its t"ue, in my g"ana"ies$ But use y'u" head$ I gie y'u s'me c'"n,
a &'und, a &'und and a hal!, y'u #"ing it #ack t' y'u" child and y'u make him*i! hes
still alie*a nice &'t '! &'""idge$
%/agg reacts.&
a nice &'t and a hal! '! &'""idge, !ull '! n'u"ishment$ %''d$ The c'l'"s c'me #ack int'
his little cheeks*&e"ha&s$ And then+
%*ause.&
I l'st &atience$
%"iolently.&
;se y'u" head, cant y'u, use y'u" head$ Y'u"e 'n ea"th, the"es n' cu"e !'" that.
%*ause.&
It (as an e6ceedingly d"y day, I "emem#e", 5e"' #y the hyg"'mete"$ Ideal (eathe", !'"
my lum#ag'$
%*ause. "iolently.&
But (hat in %'ds name d' y'u imagine+ That the ea"th (ill a(ake in the s&"ing+ That
the "ie"s and seas (ill "un (ith !ish again+ That the"es manna in heaen still !'"
im#eciles like y'u+
%*ause.&
%"adually I c''led d'(n, su!!iciently at least t' ask him h'( l'ng he had taken 'n the
(ay$ Th"ee (h'le days$ %''d$ In (hat c'nditi'n he had le!t the child$ 1ee& in slee&$
%Forcibly.&
But dee& in (hat slee&, dee& in (hat slee& al"eady+
%*ause.&
/ell t' make it sh'"t I !inally '!!e"ed t' take him int' my se"ice$ 2e had t'uched a
ch'"d$ And then I imagined al"eady that I (asnt much l'nge" !'" this ('"ld$
%He laughs. *ause.&
/ell+
%*ause.&
/ell+ 2e"e i! y'u (e"e ca"e!ul y'u might die a nice natu"al death, in &eace and c'm!'"t$
%*ause.&
/ell+
%*ause.&
In the end he asked me ('uld I c'nsent t' take in the child as (ell*i! he (e"e still alie$
 %*ause.&
It (as the m'ment I (as (aiting !'"$
%*ause.&
/'uld I c'nsent t' take in the child$$$
%*ause.&
I can see him still, d'(n 'n his knees, his hands !lat 'n the g"'und, gla"ing at me (ith his
mad eyes, in de!iance '! my (ishes$
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
Ill s''n hae !inished (ith this st'"y$
%*ause.&
;nless I #"ing in 'the" cha"acte"s$
%*ause.&
But (he"e ('uld I !ind them+
%*ause.&
/he"e ('uld I l''k !'" them+
%*ause. He whistles. -nter Clov.&
Let us &"ay t' %'d$
NAGG:
)e suga"4&lum.
CLOV:
The"es a "at in the kitchen.
HAMM:
A "at. A"e the"e still "ats+
CLOV:
In the kitchen the"es 'ne$
HAMM:
And y'u haent e6te"minated him+
CLOV:
2al!$ Y'u distu"#ed us$
HAMM:
2e cant get a(ay+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
Y'ull !inish him late"$ Let us &"ay t' %'d$
CLOV:
Again.
NAGG:
)e suga"4&lum.
HAMM:
%'d !i"st.
%*ause.&
A"e y'u "ight+
CLOV %resigned&:
O!! (e g'$
HAMM %to /agg&:
 And y'u+
NAGG %clasping his hands, closing his eyes, in a gabble&:
Ou" Fathe" (hich a"t*
HAMM:
Silence. In silence. /he"e a"e y'u" manne"s+
%*ause.&
O!! (e g'$
%3ttitudes of prayer. #ilence. 3bandoning his attitude, discouraged.&
/ell+
CLOV %abandoning his attitude&:
/hat a h'&e. And y'u+
HAMM:
S(eet damn all.
%o /agg.&
And y'u+
NAGG:
/ait.
%*ause. 3bandoning his attitude.&
 N'thing d'ing.
HAMM:
The #asta"d.. 2e d'esnt e6ist$
CLOV:
 N't yet$
NAGG:
)e suga"4&lum.
HAMM:
The"e a"e n' m'"e suga" &lums.
%*ause.&
NAGG:
Its natu"al$ A!te" all Im y'u" !athe"$ Its t"ue i! it hadnt #een me it ('uld hae #een
s'me'ne else$ But thats n' e6cuse$
%*ause.&
Tu"kish 1elight, !'" e6am&le, (hich n' l'nge" e6ists, (e all kn'( that, the"e is n'thing
in the ('"ld I l'e m'"e$ And 'ne day Ill ask y'u !'" s'me, in "etu"n !'" a kindness, and
y'ull &"'mise it t' me$ One must lie (ith the times$
%*ause.&
/h'm did y'u call (hen y'u (e"e a tiny #'y, and (e"e !"ightened, in the da"k+ Y'u"
m'the"+ N'$ )e$ /e let y'u c"y$ Then (e m'ed y'u 'ut '! ea"sh't, s' that (e might
slee& in &eace$
%*ause.&
I (as aslee&, as ha&&y as a king, and y'u ('ke me u& t' hae me listen t' y'u$ It (asnt
indis&ensa#le, y'u didnt "eally need t' hae me listen t' y'u$
%*ause.&
I h'&e the day (ill c'me (hen y'ull "eally need t' hae me listen t' y'u, and need t'
hea" my 'ice, any 'ice$
%*ause.&
 Yes, I h'&e Ill lie till then, t' hea" y'u calling me like (hen y'u (e"e a tiny #'y, and
(e"e !"ightened, in the da"k, and I (as y'u" 'nly h'&e$
%*ause. /agg knocks on lid of /ell0s bin. *ause.&
 Nell.
%*ause. He knocks louder. *ause. Louder.&
 Nell.
%*ause. /agg sinks back into his bin, closes the lid behind him. *ause.&
HAMM:
Ou" "eels n'( a"e ended$
%He gropes for the dog.&
The d'gs g'ne$
CLOV:
2es n't a "eal d'g, he cant g'$
HAMM %groping&:
2es n't the"e$
CLOV:
2es lain d'(n$
HAMM:
%ie him u& t' me$
%Clov picks up the dog and gives it to Hamm. Hamm holds it in his arms. *ause. Hamm
throws away the dog.&
1i"ty #"ute.
%Clov begins to pick up the ob+ects lying on the ground.&
/hat a"e y'u d'ing+
CLOV:
Putting things in '"de"$
%He straightens up. Fervently.&
Im g'ing t' clea" ee"ything a(ay.
%He starts picking up again.&
HAMM:
O"de".
CLOV %straightening up&:
I l'e '"de"$ Its my d"eam$ A ('"ld (he"e all ('uld #e silent and still, and ea ch thing in
its last &lace, unde" the last dust$
%He starts picking up again.&
HAMM %e!asperated&:
/hat in %'ds name d' y'u think y'u"e d'ing+
CLOV %straightening up&:
Im d'ing my #est t' c"eate a little '"de"$
HAMM:
1"'& it.
%Clov drops the ob+ects he has picked up.&
CLOV:
A!te" all, the"e '" else(he"e$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM %irritably&:
 /hats ("'ng (ith y'u" !eet+
CLOV:
)y !eet+
HAMM:
T"am&. T"am&.
CLOV:
I must hae &ut 'n my #''ts$
HAMM:
Y'u" sli&&e"s (e"e hu"ting y'u+
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u$
HAMM:
 N'.
CLOV:
/hat is the"e t' kee& me he"e+
HAMM:
The dial'gue$
%*ause.&
Ie g't 'n (ith my st'"y$
%*ause.&
Ie g't 'n (ith it (ell$
%*ause. 'rritably.&
Ask me (he"e Ie g't t'$
CLOV:
Oh, #y the (ay, y'u" st'"y+
HAMM %surprised&:
/hat st'"y+
CLOV:
The 'ne y'ue #een telling y'u"sel! all y'u" days$
HAMM:
Ah y'u mean my ch"'nicle+
CLOV:
Thats the 'ne$
%*ause.&
HAMM %angrily&:
7ee& g'ing, cant y'u, kee& g'ing.
CLOV:
Y'ue g't 'n (ith it, I h'&e$
HAMM %modestly&:
Oh n't e"y !a", n't e"y !a"$
%He sighs.&
The"e a"e days like that, 'ne isnt ins&i"ed$
%*ause.&
 N'thing y'u can d' a#'ut it, 0ust (ait !'" it t' c'me$
%*ause.&
  N' !'"cing, n' !'"cing, its !atal$
%*ause.&
Ie g't 'n (ith it a little all the same$
%*ause.&
Techni-ue, y'u kn'($
%*ause. 'rritably.&
I say Ie g't 'n (ith it a little all the same$
CLOV %admiringly&:
/ell I nee". In s&ite '! ee"ything y'u (e"e a#le t' get 'n (ith it.
HAMM %modestly&:
Oh n't e"y !a", y'u kn'(, n't e"y !a", #ut nee"theless, #ette" than n'thing$
CLOV:
Bette" than n'thing. Is it &'ssi#le+
HAMM:
Ill tell y'u h'( it g'es$ 2e c'mes c"a(ling 'n his #elly*
CLOV:
/h'+
HAMM:
/hat+
CLOV:
/h' d' y'u mean, he+
HAMM:
/h' d' I mean. Yet an'the"$
CLOV:
Ah him$ I (asnt su"e$
HAMM:
C"a(ling 'n his #elly, (hining !'" #"ead !'" his #"at$ 2es '!!e"ed a 0'# as ga"dene"$
Be!'"e*
%Clov bursts out laughing.&
/hat is the"e s' !unny a#'ut that+
CLOV:
A 0'# as ga"dene".
HAMM:
Is that (hat tickles y'u+
CLOV:
It must #e that$
HAMM:
It ('uldnt #e the #"ead+
CLOV:
O" the #"at$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
The (h'le thing is c'mical, I g"ant y'u that$ /hat a#'ut haing a g''d gu!!a(, the t('
'! us t'gethe"+
CLOV %after reflection&:
I c'uldnt gu!!a( again t'day$
HAMM %after reflection&:
 N'" I$
%*ause.&
I c'ntinue then$ Be!'"e acce&ting (ith g"atitude he asks i! he may hae his little #'y (ith
him$
CLOV:
/hat age+
HAMM:
Oh tiny$
CLOV:
2e ('uld hae clim#ed the t"ees$
HAMM:
All the little 'dd 0'#s$
CLOV:
And then he ('uld hae g"'(n u&$
HAMM:
=e"y likely$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
7ee& g'ing, cant y'u, kee& g'ing+
HAMM:
Thats all$ I st'&&ed the"e$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
1' y'u see h'( it g'es 'n+
HAMM:
)'"e '" less$
CLOV:
/ill it n't s''n #e the end+
HAMM:
Im a!"aid it (ill$
CLOV:
Pah. Y'ull make u& an'the"$
HAMM:
I d'nt kn'($
%*ause.&
I !eel "athe" d"ained$
%*ause.&
The &"'l'nged c"eatie e!!'"t$
%*ause.&
I! I c'uld d"ag mysel! d'(n t' the sea. Id make a &ill'( '! sand !'" my head and the tide
('uld c'me$
CLOV:
The"es n' m'"e tide$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
 %' and see is she dead$
%Clov goes to bins, raises the lid of /ell0s, stoops, looks into it. *ause.&
CLOV:
L''ks like it$
%He closes the lid, straightens up. Hamm raises his to(ue. *ause. He puts it on again.&
HAMM %with his hand to his to(ue&:
And Nagg+
%Clov raises lid of /agg0s bin, stoops, looks into it. *ause.&
CLOV:
1'esnt l''k like it$
%He closes the lid, straightens up.&
HAMM %letting go his to(ue&:
/hats he d'ing+
%Clov raises lid of /agg0s bin, stoops, looks into it. *ause.&
CLOV:
2es c"ying$
%He closes lid, straightens up.&
HAMM:
Then hes liing$
%*ause.&
1id y'u ee" hae an instant '! ha&&iness+
CLOV:
 N't t' my kn'(ledge$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
B"ing me unde" the (ind'($
%Clov goes towards chair.&
I (ant t' !eel the light 'n my !ace$
%Clov pushes chair.&
1' y'u "emem#e", in the #eginning, (hen y'u t''k me !'" a tu"n+ Y'u used t' h'ld the
chai" t'' high$ At ee"y ste& y'u nea"ly ti&&ed me 'ut$
%1ith senile (uaver.&
Ah g"eat !un, (e had, the t(' '! us, g"eat !un$
%Gloomily.&
And then (e g't int' the (ay '! it$
%Clov stops the chair under window right.&
The"e al"eady+
%*ause. He tilts back his head.&
Is it light+
CLOV:
It isnt da"k$
HAMM %angrily&:
Im asking y'u is it light+
CLOV:
Yes$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
The cu"tain isnt cl'sed+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
/hat (ind'( is it+
CLOV:
The ea"th$
HAMM:
I kne( it.
%3ngrily.&
But the"es n' light the"e. The 'the".
%Clov pushes chair towards window left.&
The ea"th.
%Clov stops the chair under window left. Hamm tilts back his head.&
Thats (hat I call light.
%*ause.&
Feels like a "ay '! sunshine$
%*ause.&
 N'+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
It isnt a "ay '! sunshine I !eel 'n my !ace+
CLOV:
 N'$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Am I e"y (hite+
%*ause. 3ngrily.&
Im asking y'u am I e"y (hite+
CLOV:
 N't m'"e s' than usual$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
O&en the (ind'($
CLOV:
/hat !'"+
HAMM:
I (ant t' hea" the sea$
CLOV:
Y'u ('uldnt hea" it$
HAMM:
Een i! y'u '&ened the (ind'(+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
Than its n't ('"th (hile '&ening it+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM %violently&:
%violently&:
Than '&en it.
%Clov gets up on the ladder, opens the window. *ause.&
2ae y'u '&ened it+
CLOV:
Yes$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Y'u s(ea" y'ue '&ened it+
CLOV:
Yes$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
/ell$$$.
%*ause.&
It must #e e"y calm$
%*ause. "iolently.&
Im asking y'u is it e"y calm.
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Its #ecause the"e a"e n' m'"e naigat'"s$
%*ause.&
Y'u haent much c'ne"sati'n all '! a sudden$ 1' y'u n't !eel (ell+
CLOV:
Im c'ld$
HAMM:
/hat m'nth a"e (e+
%*ause.&
Cl'se the (ind'(, (e"e g'ing #ack$
%Clov closes the window, gets down, pushes
pu shes the chair back to its place, remains standing
behind it, head bowed.&
1'nt stand the"e, y'u gie me the shie"s.
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
Fathe".
%*ause. Louder.&
Fathe".
%*ause.&
%' and see did he hea" me$
%Clov goes to /agg0s bin, raises the lid, stoops. 4nintelligible words. Clov straightens
up.&
CLOV:
 Yes$
HAMM:
B'th times+
%Clov stoops. 3s before.&
CLOV:
Once 'nly$
HAMM:
The !i"st time '" the sec'nd+
%Clov stoops. 3s before.&
CLOV:
2e d'esnt kn'($
HAMM:
It must hae #een the sec'nd$
CLOV:
/ell nee" kn'($
%He closes lid.&
HAMM:
Is he still c"ying+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
The dead g' !ast$
%*ause.&
/hats he d'ing+
CLOV:
Sucking his #iscuit$
HAMM:
Li!e g'es 'n$
%Clov returns to his place beside the chair.&
%ie me the "ug, Im !"ee5ing$
CLOV:
The"e a"e n' m'"e "ugs$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
7iss me$
%*ause.&
/ill y'u n't kiss me+
CLOV:
 N'$
HAMM:
On the !'"ehead$
CLOV:
I ('nt kiss y'u any(he"e$
%*ause.&
HAMM %holding out his hand&:
hand&:
%ie me y'u" hand at least$
 %*ause.&
/ill y'u n't gie me y'u" hand+
CLOV:
I ('nt t'uch y'u$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
%ie me the d'g$
%Clov looks round for the dog.&
 N'.
CLOV:
1' y'u n't (ant y'u" d'g+
HAMM:
 N'$
CLOV:
Then Ill leae y'u$
HAMM %head bowed, absently&:
Thats "ight$
%Clov goes to door, turns.&
CLOV:
I! I d'nt kill that "at hell die$
HAMM %as before&:
Thats "ight$
%-!it Clov. *ause.&
)e t' &lay$
%He takes out his handkerchief, unfolds it, ho lds it spread out before him.&
/e"e getting 'n$
%*ause.&
Y'u (ee&, and (ee&, !'" n'thing, s' as n't t' laugh, and little #y little$$$ y'u #egin t'
g"iee$
%He folds the handkerchief, puts it back in his pocket, raises his head.&
All th'se I might hae hel&ed$
%*ause.&
2el&ed.
%*ause.&
Saed$
%*ause.&
Saed.
%*ause.&
The &lace (as c"a(ling (ith them
%*ause. "iolently.&
;se y'u" head, cant y'u, use y'u" head, y'u"e 'n ea"th, the"es n' cu"e !'" that.
%*ause.&
%et 'ut '! he"e and l'e 'ne an'the". Lick y'u" neigh#'" as y'u"sel!.
%*ause. Calmer.&
/hen it (asnt #"ead they (anted it (as c"um&ets$
%*ause. "iolently.&
 Out '! my sight and #ack t' y'u" &etting &a"ties.
%*ause.&
All that, all that.
%*ause.&
 N't een a "eal d'g.
%Calmer.&
The end is in the #eginning and yet y'u g' 'n$
%*ause.&
Pe"ha&s I c'uld g' 'n (ith my st'"y, end it and #egin an'the"$
%*ause.&
Pe"ha&s I c'uld th"'( mysel! 'ut 'n the !l''"$
%He pushes himself painfully off his seat, falls back again.&
1ig my nails int' the c"acks and d"ag mysel! !'"(a"d (ith my !inge"s$
%*ause.&
It (ill #e the end and the"e Ill #e, ('nde"ing (hat can hae #"'ught it 'n and ('nde"ing
(hat can hae$$$
%he hesitates&
$$$(hy it (as s' l'ng c'ming$
%*ause.&
The"e Ill #e, in the 'ld shelte", al'ne against the silence and$$$
%he hesitates&
$$$the stillness$ I! I can h'ld my &eace, and sit -uiet, it (ill #e all 'e" (ith s'und, and
m'ti'n, all 'e" and d'ne (ith$
%*ause.&
Ill hae called my !athe" and Ill hae called my$$$
%he hesitates&
$$$my s'n$ And een t(ice, '" th"ee times, in case they sh'uldnt hae hea"d me, the !i"st
time, '" the sec'nd$
%*ause.&
Ill say t' mysel!, 2ell c'me #ack$
%*ause.&
And then+
%*ause.&
And then+
%*ause.&
2e c'uldnt, 2e has g'ne t'' !a"$
%*ause.&
And then+
%*ause. "ery agitated.&
All kinds '! !antasies. That Im #eing (atched. A "at. Ste&s. B"eath held and then$$$
%He breathes out.&
Then #a##le, #a##le, ('"ds, like the s'lita"y child (h' tu"ns himsel! int' child"en, t(',
th"ee, s' as t' #e t'gethe", and (his&e" t'gethe", in the da"k$
%*ause.&
)'ment u&'n m'ment, &atte"ing d'(n, like the millet g"ains '!$$$
%he hesitates&
 $$$that 'ld %"eek, and all li!e l'ng y'u (ait !'" that t' m'unt u& t' a li!e$
%*ause. He opens his mouth to continue, renounces.&
Ah lets get it 'e".
%He whistles. -nter Clov with alarm$clock. He halts beside the chair.&
/hat+ Neithe" g'ne n'" dead+
CLOV:
In s&i"it 'nly$
HAMM:
/hich+
CLOV:
B'th$
HAMM:
%'ne !"'m me y'ud #e dead$
CLOV:
And ice e"sa$
HAMM:
Outside '! he"e its death.
%*ause.&
And the "at+
CLOV:
2es g't a(ay$
HAMM:
2e cant g' !a"$
%*ause. 3n!ious.&
Eh+
CLOV:
2e d'esnt need t' g' !a"$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Is it n't time !'" my &ain4kille"+
CLOV:
Yes$
HAMM:
Ah. At last. %ie it t' me. 8uick.
%*ause.&
CLOV:
The"es n' m'"e &ain4kille"$
%*ause.&
HAMM %appalled&:
%''d$$$.
%*ause.&
 N' m'"e &ain4kille".
CLOV:
 N' m'"e &ain4kille"$ Y'ull nee" get any m'"e &ain4kille"$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
 But the little "'und #'6$ It (as !ull.
CLOV:
Yes$ But n'( its em&ty$
%*ause. Clov starts to move about the room. He is looking for a place to put down the
alarm$clock.&
HAMM %soft&:
/hatll I d'+
%*ause. 'n a scream.&
/hatll I d'+
%Clov sees the picture, takes it down, stands it on the floor with its face to the wall, hangs
up the alarm$clock in its place.&
/hat a"e y'u d'ing+
CLOV:
/inding u&$
HAMM:
L''k at the ea"th$
CLOV:
Again.
HAMM:
Since its calling t' y'u$
CLOV:
Is y'u" th"'at s'"e+
%*ause.&
/'uld y'u like a l'5enge+
%*ause.&
 N'$
%*ause.&
Pity$
%Clov goes, humming, towards window right, halts before it, looks up at it.&
HAMM:
1'nt sing$
CLOV %turning towards Hamm&:
One hasnt the "ight t' sing any m'"e+
HAMM:
 N'$
CLOV:
Then h'( can it end+
HAMM:
Y'u (ant it t' end+
CLOV:
I (ant t' sing$
HAMM:
I cant &"eent y'u$
%*ause. Clov turns towards window right.&
CLOV:
/hat did I d' (ith that ste&s+
 %He looks around for ladder.&
Y'u didnt see that ste&s+
%He sees it.&
Ah, a#'ut time$
%He goes towards window left.&
S'metimes I ('nde" i! Im in my "ight mind$ Then it &asses 'e" and Im as lucid as
 #e!'"e$
%He gets up on ladder, looks out of window.&
Ch"ist, shes unde" (ate".
%He looks.&
2'( can that #e+
%He pokes forward his head, his hand above his eyes.&
It hasnt "ained$
%He wipes the pane, looks. *ause.&
Ah (hat a !''l I am. Im 'n the ("'ng side.
%He gets down, takes a few steps towards window right.&
;nde" (ate".
%He goes back for ladder.&
/hat a !''l I am.
%He carries ladder towards window right.&
S'metimes I ('nde" i! Im in my "ight senses$ Then it &asses '!! and Im as intelligent as
ee"$
%He sets down ladder under window right, gets up on it, looks out of window. He turns
towards Hamm.&
Any &a"ticula" sect'" y'u !ancy+ O" me"ely the (h'le thing+
HAMM:
/h'le thing$
CLOV:
The gene"al e!!ect+ <ust a m'ment$
%He looks out of window. *ause.&
HAMM:
Cl'$
CLOV %absorbed&:
)mm$
HAMM:
1' y'u kn'( (hat it is+
CLOV %as before&:
)mm$
HAMM:
I (as nee" the"e$
%*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV %turning towards Hamm, e!asperated&:
/hat is it+
HAMM:
I (as nee" the"e$
CLOV:
Lucky !'" y'u$
%He looks out of window.&
HAMM:
A#sent, al(ays$ It all ha&&ened (ith'ut me$ I d'nt kn'( (hats ha&&ened$
%*ause.&
1' y'u kn'( (hats ha&&ened+
%*ause.&
Cl'.
CLOV %turning towards Hamm, e!asperated&:
1' y'u (ant me t' l''k at this muckhea&, yes '" n'+
HAMM:
Ans(e" me !i"st$
CLOV:
/hat+
HAMM:
1' y'u kn'( (hats ha&&ened+
CLOV:
/hen+ /he"e+
HAMM %violently&:
/hen. /hats ha&&ened+ ;se y'u" head, cant y'u. /hat has ha&&ened+
CLOV:
/hat !'" Ch"ists sake d'es it matte"+
%He looks out of window.&
HAMM:
I d'nt kn'($
%*ause. Clov turns towards Hamm.&
CLOV %harshly&:
/hen 'ld )'the" Pegg asked y'u !'" 'il !'" he" lam& and y'u t'ld he" t' get 'ut t' hell,
y'u kne( (hat (as ha&&ening then, n'+
%*ause.&
Y'u kn'( (hat she died '!, )'the" Pegg+ O! da"kness$
HAMM %feebly&:
I hadnt any$
CLOV %as before&:
Yes, y'u had$
%*ause.&
HAMM:
2ae y'u the glass+
CLOV:
 N', its clea" en'ugh as it is$
HAMM:
%' and get it$
%*ause. Clov casts up his eyes, brandishes his fists. He loses balance, clutches on to the
ladder. He starts to get down, halts.&
CLOV:
 The"es 'ne thing Ill nee" unde"stand$
%He gets down.&
/hy I al(ays '#ey y'u$ Can y'u e6&lain that t' me+
HAMM:
 N'$$$ Pe"ha&s its c'm&assi'n$
%*ause.&
A kind '! g"eat c'm&assi'n$
%*ause.&
Oh y'u ('nt !ind it easy, y'u ('nt !ind it easy$
%*ause. Clov begins to move about the room in search of the telescope.&
CLOV:
Im ti"ed '! 'u" g'ings 'n, e"y ti"ed$
%He searches.&
Y'u"e n't sitting 'n it+
%He moves the chair, looks at the place where it stood, resumes his search.&
HAMM %anguished&:
1'nt leae me the"e.
%3ngrily Clov restores the chair to its place.&
Am I "ight in the cente"+
CLOV:
Y'ud need a mic"'sc'&e t' !ind this*
%He sees the telescope.&
Ah, a#'ut time$
%He picks up the telescope, gets up on the ladder, turns the telescope on the without.&
HAMM:
%ie me the d'g$
CLOV %looking&:
8uiet.
HAMM %angrily&:
%ie me the d'g.
%Clov drops the telescope, clasps his hands to his head. *ause. He gets down
 precipitately, looks for the dog, sees it, picks it up, hastens towards Hamm and strikes
him violently on the head with the dog.&
CLOV:
The"es y'u" d'g !'" y'u$
%he dog falls to the ground. *ause.&
HAMM:
2e hit me.
CLOV:
Y'u d"ie me mad, Im mad.
HAMM:
I! y'u must hit me, hit me (ith the a6e$
%*ause.&
O" (ith the ga!!, hit me (ith the ga!!$ N't (ith the d'g$ /ith the ga!!$ O" (ith the a6e$
%Clov picks up the dog and gives it to Hamm who takes it in his arms.&
CLOV %impatiently&:
 Lets st'& &laying.
HAMM:
 Nee".
%*ause.&
Put me in my c'!!in$
CLOV:
The"e a"e n' m'"e c'!!ins$
HAMM:
Then let it end.
%Clov goes towards ladder.&
/ith a #ang.
%Clov gets up on ladder, gets down again, looks for telescope, sees it, picks it up, gets up
on ladder, raises telescope.&
O! da"kness. And me+ 1id any'ne ee" hae &ity 'n me+
CLOV %lowering the telescope, turning towards Hamm&:
/hat+
%*ause.&
Is it me y'u"e "e!e""ing t'+
HAMM %angrily&:
An aside, a&e. 1id y'u nee" hea" an aside #e!'"e+
%*ause.&
Im (a"ming u& !'" my last s'lil'-uy$
CLOV:
I (a"n y'u$ Im g'ing t' l''k at this !ilth since its an '"de"$ But its the last time$
%He turns the telescope on the without.&
Lets see$
%He moves the telescope.&
 N'thing$$$ n'thing$$$ g''d$$$ g''d$$$ n'thing$$$ g''*
%He starts, lowers the telescope, e!amines it, turns it again on the without. *ause.&
Bad luck t' it.
HAMM:
)'"e c'm&licati'ns.
%Clov gets down.&
 N't an unde"&l't, I t"ust$
%Clov moves ladder nearer window, gets up on it, turns telescope on the without.&
CLOV %dismayed&:
L''ks like a small #'y.
HAMM %sarcastic&:
A small$$$ #'y.
CLOV:
Ill g' and see$
%He gets down, drops the telescope, goes towards door, turns.&
Ill take the ga!!$
%He looks for the gaff, sees it, picks it up, hastens towards door.&
HAMM:
 N'.
 %Clov halts.&
CLOV:
 N'+ A &'tential &"'c"eat'"+
HAMM:
I! he e6ists hell die the"e '" hell c'me he"e$ And i! he d'esnt$$$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Y'u d'nt #eliee me+ Y'u think Im inenting+
%*ause.&
HAMM:
Its the end, Cl', (ee c'me t' the end$ I d'nt need y'u any m'"e$
%*ause.&
CLOV:
Lucky !'" y'u$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
Leae me the ga!!$
%Clov gives him the gaff, goes towards door, halts, looks at alarm$clock, takes it down,
looks round for a better place to put it, goes to bins, puts it on lid of /agg0s bin. *ause.&
CLOV:
Ill leae y'u$
%He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
Be!'"e y'u g'$$$
%Clov halts near door.&
$$$say s'mething$
CLOV:
The"e is n'thing t' say$
HAMM:
A !e( ('"ds$$$ t' &'nde"$$$ in my hea"t$
CLOV:
Y'u" hea"t.
HAMM:
Yes$
%*ause. Forcibly.&
Yes.
%*ause.&
/ith the "est, in the end, the shad'(s, the mu"mu"s, all the t"'u#le, t' end u& (ith$
%*ause.&
Cl'$$$ 2e nee" s&'ke t' me$ Then, in the end, #e!'"e he (ent, (ith'ut my haing asked
him, he s&'ke t' me$ 2e said$$$
CLOV %despairingly&:
Ah$$$.
HAMM:
S'mething$$$ !"'m y'u" hea"t$
CLOV:
 )y hea"t.
HAMM:
A !e( ('"ds$$$ !"'m y'u" hea"t$
%*ause.&
CLOV %fi!ed ga)e, tonelessly, towards auditorium&:
They said t' me, Thats l'e, yes, yes, n't a d'u#t, n'( y'u see h'(*
HAMM:
A"ticulate.
CLOV %as before&:
2'( easy it is$ They said t' me, Thats !"iendshi&, yes, yes, n' -uesti'n, y'u e !'und it$
They said t' me, 2e"es the &lace, st'&, "aise y'u" head and l''k at all that #eauty$ That
'"de". They said t' me, C'me n'(, y'u"e n't a #"ute #east, think u&'n these things and
y'ull see h'( all #ec'mes clea"$ And sim&le. They said t' me, /hat skilled attenti'n
they get, all these dying '! thei" ('unds$
HAMM:
En'ugh.
CLOV %as before&:
I say t' mysel!* s'metimes, Cl', y'u must lea"n t' su!!e" #ette" than that i! y'u (ant
them t' (ea"y '! &unishing y'u* 'ne day$ I say t' mysel!*s'metimes, Cl', y'u must
 #e #ette" than that i! y'u (ant them t' let y'u g'*'ne day$ But I !eel t'' 'ld, and t''
!a", t' !'"m ne( ha#its$ %''d, itll nee" end, Ill nee" g'$
%*ause.&
Then 'ne day, suddenly, it ends, it changes, I d'nt unde"stand, it dies, '" its me, I d'nt
unde"stand that eithe"$ I ask the ('"ds that "emain* slee&ing, (aking, m'"ning, eening$
They hae n'thing t' say$
%*ause.&
I '&en the d''" '! the cell and g'$ I am s' #'(ed I 'nly see my !eet, i! I '&en my eyes,
and #et(een my legs a little t"ail '! #lack dust$ I say t' mysel! that the ea"th is
e6tinguished, th'ugh I nee" sa( it lit$
%*ause.&
Its easy g'ing$
%*ause.&
/hen I !all Ill (ee& !'" ha&&iness$
%*ause. He goes towards door.&
HAMM:
Cl'.
%Clov halts, without turning.&
 N'thing$
%Clov moves on.&
Cl'.
%Clov halts, without turning.&
CLOV:
This is (hat (e call making an e6it$
HAMM:
Im '#liged t' y'u, Cl'$ F'" y'u" se"ices$
CLOV %turning sharply&:
 Ah &a"d'n, its I am '#liged t' y'u$
HAMM:
Its (e a"e '#liged t' each 'the"$
%*ause. Clov goes towards door.&
One thing m'"e$
%Clov halts.&
A last !a'"$
%-!it Clov.&
C'e" me (ith the sheet$
%Long pause.&
 N'+ %''d$
%*ause.&
)e t' &lay$
%*ause. 1earily.&
Old endgame l'st '! 'ld, &lay and l'se and hae d'ne (ith l'sing$
%*ause. ore animated.&
Let me see$
%*ause.&
Ah yes.
%He tries to move the chair, using the gaff as before. -nter Clov, dressed for the road.
 *anama hat, tweed coat, raincoat over his arm, umbrella, bag. He halts by the door and
 stands there, impassive and motionless, his eyes fi!ed on Hamm, till the end.&
 Hamm gives up5
%''d$
%*ause.&
1isca"d$
%He throws away the gaff, makes to throw away the dog, thinks better of it.&
Take it easy$
%*ause.&
And n'(+
%*ause.&
9aise hat$
%He raises his to(ue.&
Peace t' 'u"$$$ a"ses$
%*ause.&
And &ut 'n again$
%He puts on his to(ue.&
1euce$
%*ause. He takes off his glasses.&
/i&e$
%He takes out his handkerchief and, without unfolding it, wipes his glasses.&
And &ut 'n again$
%He puts on his glasses, puts back the handkerchief in his pocket.&
/e"e c'ming$ A !e( m'"e s-ui"ms like that and Ill call$
%*ause.&
A little &'et"y$
 %*ause.&
Y'u &"ayed*
%*ause. He corrects himself.&
Y'u C9IE1 !'" night> it c'mes*
%*ause. He corrects himself.&
It FALLS: n'( c"y in da"kness$
%He repeats, chanting.&
Y'u c"ied !'" night> it !alls: n'( c"y in da"kness$
%*ause.&
 Nicely &ut, that$
%*ause.&
And n'(+
%*ause.&
)'ments !'" n'thing, n'( as al(ays, time (as nee" and time is 'e", "eck'ning cl'sed
and st'"y ended$
%*ause. /arrative tone.&
I! he c'uld hae his child (ith him$$$
%*ause.&
It (as the m'ment I (as (aiting !'"$
%*ause.&
Y'u d'nt (ant t' a#and'n him+ Y'u (ant him t' #l''m (hile y'u a"e (ithe"ing+ Be
the"e t' s'lace y'u" last milli'n last m'ments+
%*ause.&
2e d'esnt "eali5e, all he kn'(s is hunge", and c'ld, and death t' c"'(n it all$ But y'u.
Y'u 'ught t' kn'( (hat the ea"th is like, n'(adays$ Oh I &ut him #e!'"e his
"es&'nsi#ilities.
%*ause. /ormal tone.&
/ell, the"e (e a"e, the"e I am, thats en'ugh$
%He raises the whistle to his lips, hesitates, drops it. *ause.&
Yes, t"uly.
%He whistles. *ause. Louder. *ause.&
%''d$
%*ause.&
Fathe".
%*ause. Louder.&
Fathe".
%*ause.&
%''d$
%*ause.&
/e"e c'ming$
%*ause.&
And t' end u& (ith+
%*ause.&
1isca"d$
%He throws away the dog. He tears the whistle from his neck.&
/ith my c'm&liments$