MS-BL-LCP-1954-23

[0296] Or Thursday?

[0297] What'll we do?

[0298] If he came yesterday and we weren't here you may be sure he won't come again to-day.

[0299] But you say we were here yesterday.

[0300] I may be mistaken. [0301] (pause) [0302] Let's stop talking for a minute, do you mind?

[0303] (Feebly) [0304] All right.

[0305] (ESTRAGON sits down on the mound. [0306] VLADIMIR paces agitatedly up and down, hatling from time to time to gaze into distance off. [0307] ESTRAGON falls asleep. [0308] VLADIMIR halts before Estragon)

[0309] Gogo!..[0311]Gogo!..[0313]GOGO!

[0315] (Restored to the horror of his situation) [0316] I was asleep! [0317] (reproachfully) [0318] Why will you never let me sleep?

[0319] I felt lonely.

[0320] I had a dream.

[0321] Don't tell me!

[0322] I dreamt that -

[0323] DON'T TELL ME!

[0324] (Gesture towards the universe) [0325] This one is enough for you? [0326] (silence) [0327] It's not nice of you, Didi. [0328] Who am I to tell my private nightmares to if I can't tell them to you?

[0329] Let them remain private. [0330] You know I can't bear that.

[0331] (Coldly) [0332] There are times when I wonder if it wouldn't be better for us to part.

[0333] You wouldn't go far.

[0334] That would be too bad, really too bad. [0335] (pause) [0336] Wouldn't it, Didi, be really too bad? [0337] (pause) [0338] When you think of the beauty of the way. [0339] (pause) [0340] And the goodness of the wayfarers. [0341] (pause. [0342] Wheedling)

[0343] Wouldn't it, Didi?

[0344] Calm yourself.

[0345] (Voluptuously) [0346] Calm...[0347]calm...[0349]The English say cawm. [0350] (Pause) [0351] You know the story of the Englishman in the brothel?

[0352] Yes.

[0353] Tell it to me.

[0354] Ah stop it!

[0355] An Englishman having drunk a little more than usual takes himself to a brothel. [0356] The bawd asks him if he wants a fair one, a dark one or a red-haired one. [0357] Go on.

[0358] STOP IT!

[0363] (Gently) [0364] You wanted to speak to me? [0365] (Silence. [0366] ESTRAGON takes a step forward) [0367] You had something to say to me? [0368] (Silence. [0369] Another step forward) [0370] Didi...

[0371] (Without turning) [0372] I've nothing to say to you.

[0373] (Step forward) [0374] You're angry? [0375] (Silence. [0376] Step forward) [0377] Forgive me. [0378] (Silence. [0379] Step forward. [0380] ESTRAGON lays his hand on Vladimir's shoulder) [0381] Come, Didi. [0382] (Silence) [0383] Give me your hand. [0384] (VLADIMIR turns) [0385] Embrace me! [0386] (VLADIMIR stiffens) [0387] Don't be stubborn. [0388] (VLADIMIR softens. [0389] They embrace. [0390] ESTRAGON recoils) [0391] You stink of garlic!

[0392] It's good for the kidneys. [0393] (Silence. [0394] ESTRAGON looks attentively at the tree) [0395] What do we do now?

[0396] We wait.

[0397] Yes, but while we wait.

[0398] What about hanging ourselves?

[0398|001] Hmm. [0399] It'd give us an erection.

[0400] (Highly excited) [0401] An erection!

[0402] With all that ensues. [0403] Where it falls mandrakes grow. [0404] That's why they shriek when you tear them up. [0405] Did you not know that?

[0406] Let's hang ourselves immediately.

[0407] From a bough? [0408] (they go towards the tree) [0409] I wouldn't trust it.

[0410] We can always try.

[0411] Go ahead.

[0412] After you.

[0413] No no, you first.

[0414] Why me?

[0415] You're lighter than I am.

[0416] Just so!

[0417] I don't understand.

[0418] Use your intelligence, can't you.

[0420] (Finally) [0421] I remain in the dark.

[0422] This is how it is. [0423] (he reflects) [0424] The bough... the bough...[0425] (angrily) [0426] Use your head, can't you?

[0427] You're my only hope.

[0428] (With effort) [0429] Gogo light - bough not break - Gogo dead. [0430] Didi heavy - bough break - Didi alone. [0432] Whereas -

[0434] I hadn't thought of that.

[0436] If it hangs you it'll hang me.

[0437] But am I heavier than you?

[0438] So you tell me. [0439] I don't know. [0440] There's an even chance. [0441] Or nearly.

[0442] Well? What do we do?

[0443] Don't let's do anything. [0444] It's safer.

[0445] Let's wait and see what he says.

[0446] Who?

[0447] Godot.

[0448] Good idea.

[0449] Let's wait till we know exactly how we stand.

[0450] On the other hand it might be better to strike the iron before it freezes.

[0451] I'm curious to hear what he says. [0452] Then we'll take it or leave it.

[0453] What exactly did we ask him to do for us?

[0454] Were you not there?

[0455] I can't have been listening.

[0456] Oh...[0457]nothing very definite.

[0458] A kind of prayer.

[0459] Precisely.

[0460] A vague supplication.

[0461] If you like.

[0462] And what did he reply?

[0463] That he'd see.

[0464] That he couldn't promise anything.

[0465] That he'd have to think it over.

[0466] Quietly.

[0467] Consult his family.

[0468] His friends.

[0469] His agents.

[0470] His correspondents.

[0471] His books.

[0472] His bank account.

[0473] Before taking a decision.

[0474] It's the normal thing.

[0475] Is it not?

[0476] I think it is.

[0477] I think so to .

[0479] (Anxious) [0480] And we?

[0481] I beg your pardon?

[0482] I said, And we?

[0483] I don't understand.

[0484] Where do we come in?

[0485] Come in?

[0486] Take your time.

[0487] Come in? [0488] On our hands and knees.

[0489] As bad as that!

[0490] Your Worship wishes to assert his prerogatives?

[0491] We've no rights any more?

[0494] You'd make me laugh, if it wasn't prohibited.

[0495] We've lost our rights?

[0497] We waived them.

[0500] (Feebly) [0501] We're not tied? [0502] (pause) [0503] We're not -

[0504] (Raising his hand) [0505] Listen!

[0507] I hear nothing.

[0508] Hssst!