MS-HRC-SB-4-2-5

[0086] I have now every reason to suspect at the...(hesitates)...
crest of the wave - or thereabouts.[0087] Celebrated the awful
occasion, as in recent years, quietly at the Winehouse.[0088] Not
a soul.[0089] Sat before the fire with closed eyes, separating
the grain from the husks.[0090] Jotted down a few notes, on the
back of an envelope.[0091] Good to be back in my den, in my old
rags.

[0092] Have just eaten I regret to say three bananas and
only with difficulty refrained from a fourth.[0093] Fatal things
for a man with my condition.[0094] (Vehemently.)[0095] Cut 'em out!
[0096] (Pause.)[0097] This new light above my table is a great improve-
ment.[0098] With all this darkness round me I feel less alone.
[0099] (Pause.)[0100] In a way.[0101] (Pause.)[0102] I love to get up and move about
in it, then back here to...(hesitates)...me.[0103] (Pause.)[0104] Krapp.

[0105] Pause.
[0106] The grain, now what I wonder do I mean by that, I mean...
(hesitates)...I suppose I mean those things worth having
when all the dust has - when all my dust has settled.[0107] I
close my eyes and try and imagine them.
[0108] Pause. [0109] Krapp closes his eyes briefly.

[0110] Extraordinary silence this evening, I strain my ears and
do not hear a sound.[0111] Old Miss McGlome always i^sings at this
hour.[0112] But not tonight.[0113] Songs of her girlhood, she says.
[0114] Hard to think of her as a girl.[0115] Wonderful woman though.
[0116] Connaught, I fancy.[0117] (Pause.)[0118] Shall I sing at her age, when
I am her age, if I ever am?[0119] No.[0120] (Pause.)[0121] Did I sing as a
boy?[0122] No.[0123] (Pause.)[0124] Did I ever sing?[0125] No.
[0126] Pause.

[0127] Just been listening to an old year, passages at random.
[0128] I did not check in the book, but it must be at least ten
or twelve years ago.[0129] At that time I think I must hav was
still living on and off with Bianca in Kedar Street.[0130] Well
out of that, Jesus yes![0131] Hopeless business.[0132] (Pause.)[0133] Not
much about her, apart from a tribute to her eyes.[0134] Very
warm.[0135] I suddenly saw them again.[0136] (Pause.)[0137] Incomparable!

[0139] Ah well...[0140](Pause.)[0141] These old P.M.s are gruesome, but I
often find them - (Krapp switches off, broods, switches on)
- a help before embarking on a new...(hesitates)...retro-
spect.[0142] Hard to believe I was ever that young whelp.[0143] The v
voice![0144] Jesus![0145] And the aspirations![0146] (Brief laugh in which
Krapp joins.)[0147] And the resolutions!

[0148] (Brief laugh in which
Krapp joins.)[0149] To drink less, in particular.[0150] (Brief laugh
of Krapp alone.)[0151] Statistics.[0152] Seventeen hundred hours, out
of the preceding eight thousand odd, consumed on licensed
premises alone.[0153] More than 20%, say 40% of his waking life.
[0154] (Pause.)[0155] Plans for a less...(hesitates)...engrossing sexual
life.[0156] Last illness of his father.Flagging pursuit of

[0157] Flagging pursuit of