MS-HRC-SB-6-4-1

[0169] No.

[0170] Shall I tell it to you?

[0171] No.

[0172] It'll pass the time. [0173] (Pause.) [0174] Two thieves, crucified at the same time as our Saviour. [0175] One -

[0176] Our what?

[0177] Our Saviour. [0178] Two thieves. [0179] One is supposed to have been saved and the other ... (he searches for the contrary of saved)... damned.

[0180] Saved from what?

[0181] Hell.

[0182] I'm going.

[0184] And yet... [0185] (pause)... [0186] how is it - [0187] this is not boring you I hope - [0189] how is it that of the four Evangelists only one speaks of a thief being saved? [0190] The four of them were there - or thereabouts - [0191] and only one speaks of a thief being saved. [0192] (Pause.) [0193] Come on, Didi, return the ball, can't you, once in a way?

[0193|001] (with exaggerated enthusiasm) [0194] I find this really most extraordinarily interesting.

[0195] One out of four. [0196] Of the other three two don't mention any thieves at all and the third says that both of them abused him.

[0197] Who?

[0198] What?

[0199] What's all this about? [0201] Abused who?

[0202] The Saviour.

[0203] Why?

[0204] Because he wouldn't save them.

[0205] From Hell?

[0206] Imbecile! [0207] From death!

[0207|001] I thought you said hell.

[0207|002] From death, from death.

[0208] Well, what of it?

[0209] Then the two of them must have been damned.

[0210] And why not?

[0211] But one of the four says that one of the two was saved.

[0212] Well? [0213] They don't agree and that's all there is to it.

[0214] But all four were there. [0215] And only one speaks of a thief being saved? [0216] Why believe him rather than the others?

[0217] Who believes him?

[0218] Everybody. [0219] It's the only version they know.

[0220] People are ignorant bloody apes. [0221] He rises painfully, goes limping to extreme left, halts, gazes into distance off with his hand screening his eyes, turns, goes to extreme right, gazes into distance. [0222] Vladimir watches him, then goes and picks up the boot, peers into it, drops it hastily.

[0223] Pah!

[0226] Charming spot. [0227] (He turns, advances to front, halts facing auditorium.) [0228] Inspiring prospects. [0229] (He turns to Vladimir.) [0230] Let's go.

[0231] We can't

[0232] Why not?

[0233] We're waiting for Godot.

[0233|001] (despairingly) [0234] Ah! [0235] (Pause) [0236] You're sure it was here?

[0237] What?

[0238] That we were to wait.

[0239] He said by the tree. [0240] (They look at the tree.) [0241] Do you see any others?

[0242] What is it?

[0242|001] I don't know. [0243] A willow.

[0244] Where are the leaves?

[0245] It must be dead.

[0246] No more weeping.

[0247] Or perhaps it's not the season.

[0248] Looks to me more like a bush.

[0249] A s^hrub.

[0250] A bush.

[0251] A -. [0253] What are you insinuating? [0254] That we've come to the wrong place?

[0255] He should be here.

[0256] He didn't say for sure he'd come.

[0257] And if he doesn't come?

[0258] We'll come back to-morrow.

[0259] And then the day after to-morrow.

[0260] Possibly.

[0261] And so on.

[0262] The point is -

[0263] Until he comes.

[0264] You're merciless.

[0265] We came here yesterday.

[0266] Ah no, there you're mistaken.

[0267] What did we do yesterday?

[0268] What did we do yesterday?

[0269] Yes.

[0270] Why... [0271] (Angrily) [0272] Nothing is certain when you're about.

[0273] In my opinion we were here.

[0274] ^(looking round.). [0275] You recognize the place?

[0276] I didn't say that.

[0277] Well?

[0278] That makes no difference.

[0279] All the same... that tree... (turning towards the auditorium) ... that bog...

[0280] You're sure it was this evening?

[0281] What?

[0282] That we were to wait.

[0283] He said Saturday. [0284] (Pause) [0285] I think.

[0286] You think.

[0287] I must have made a note of it. [0288]
He fumbles in his pockets, bursting with miscellaneous rubbish.

[0288|001] (Very insidious) [0289] But what Saturday? [0290] And is it Saturday? [0291] Is it not rather Sunday? [0291|001] (Pause.) [0292] Or monday? [0292|001] (Pause.) [0293] Or Friday?