MS-UoR-1659

[0086] crest of the wave - or thereabouts.[0087] Celebrated the
awful occasion, as in recent years, quietly at the
Winehouse.[0088] Not a [living] soul.[0089] Sat before the [fite] 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] The new light above
my table is a great improvement.[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 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] Connacht, I fancy.[0117] (Pause.)[0118] Shall I sing 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 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] Incompat^rable![0138] (Pause.)

[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)...retrospect.
[0142] Hard to believe I was ever that young whelp.[0143]The voice!
[0144] Jesus![0145] And the resolutions! ^{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.[0157] Flagging pursuit of happiness.