[3067] That seems a good idea all right. [3068] But could we do it? [3069] Is he really asleep? [3070] (Pause.) [3071] No the best would be to take advantage of

[p. 44v]

[p. 45r]

VLADIMIR

[3071] Pozzo's calling for help .^-

POZZO

[3071|001] Help!

VLADIMIR

[3071|002] To help him -

ESTRAGON

[3071|003] We help him?

VLADIMIR

[3071|004] In anticipation of some tangible return.

ESTRAGON

[3075] And suppose he -

VLADIMIR

[3076] Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! [3077] (Pause.[3078] Vehemently.) [3079] Let us do something, while we have the chance! [3080] It is not every day that we are needed. [3081] Not indeed that we personally are needed. [3082] Others would meet the case equally well, if not better. [3083] To all mankind they were addressed, those cries for help still ringing in our ears. [3084] But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. [3085] Let us make the most of it, before it is too late! [3086] Let us represent worthily for once the foul brood to which a cruel fate consigned us! [3087] What do you say? [3088] (Estragon says nothing.) [3089] It is true that when with folded arms we weigh the pros and cons we are no less a credit to

[p. 45v]

[p. 46r]

VLADIMIR

[3089] our species. [3090] The tiger bounds to the help of his congeners without the least reflection, [3091] or else he slinks away into the depths of the thickets. [3092] But that is not the question. [3093] What are we doing here, that is the question. [3094] And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. [3095] Yes, in this immense confusion one thing is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come -

ESTRAGON

[3096] Ah!

POZZO

[3096|001] Help!

VLADIMIR

[3097] Or for night to fall. [3098] (Pause.) [3099] We have kept our appointment and that's an end to that. [3100] We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. [3101] How many people can boast as much?

ESTRAGON

[3102] Billions.

VLADIMIR

[3103] You think so.

ESTRAGON

[3104] I don't know.

VLADIMIR

[3105] You may be right.

POZZO

[3106] Help!

VLADIMIR

[3107] All I know is that the hours are long, under these conditions, and constrain us to beguile them with

[p. 46v]

[p. 47r]

VLADIMIR

[3107] proceedings which - how shall I say - which may at first sight appear ~~xxx~~ reasonable, until they become a habit. [3108] You may say it is to prevent our reason from foundering. [3109] No doubt. [3110] But has it not long been straying in the night without end of the abyssal depths. That's what I sometimes wonder. [3111] You follow my reasoning.

ESTRAGON

[3111|001] (aphoristic for once). [3112] We are all born mad. [3113] Some remain so.

POZZO

[3114] Help! I'll pay you.

ESTRAGON

[3115] How much?

POZZO

[3116] One hundred francs.

ESTRAGON

[3117] It's not enough.

VLADIMIR

[3118] I wouldn't go as far as that.

ESTRAGON

[3119] You think it enough.

VLADIMIR

[3120] No, I mean so far as to assert that I was weak in the head when I came into the world. [3121] But that is not the question.

POZZO

[3122] Two hundred!

VLADIMIR

[3123] We wait. [3124] We are bored. [3125] (He throws up his hand.) [3126] No, don't protest, we are bored to death, there's no

[p. 47v]

[p. 48r]

VLADIMIR

[3126] denying it. [3127] Good. [3128] A diversion comes along and what do we do? [3129] We let it go to waste. [3130] Come, let's get to work. [3131] (He advances towards the heap, stops in his stride.) [3132] In an instant all will vanish and we'll be alone once more, in the midst of nothingness!