Waiting for GodotAct II

Evening. Bench or waiting shed. Tree.Estragon's boots front center, heels together, toes splayed. Lucky's hat at same place. The tree has four or five leaves. Enter Vladimir agitatedly. He halts and looks long at the tree, then suddenly begins to move feverishly about the stage. He halts before the boots, picks one up, examines it, sniffs it, manifests disgust, puts it back carefully. Comes and goes. Halts extreme right and gazes into distance off, shading his eyes with his hand. Comes and goes. Halts extreme left, as before. Comes and goes. Halts suddenly and begins to sing loudly.

Vladimir:The sunll come out

(stops, clears throat, continues)

The sun'll come out tomorrowBet your bottom dollar that tomorrowthere'll be sunJust thinkin' about tomorrowClears away the cobwebs and the sorrow till' there's noneThe sun'll come out tomorrowSo you got to hang ontill' tomorrow, come what may!

(stops, broods, resumes)

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrowYou're always a day away!Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrowYou're always a day away!

He remains a moment silent and motionless, then begins to move feverishly about the stage. He halts before the tree, comes and goes, before the boots, comes and goes, halts extreme right, gazes into distance, extreme left, gazes into distance. Enter Estragon right, barefoot, head bowed. He slowly crosses the stage. Vladimir turns and sees him.

Vladimir: Oh its you again! Come here! Let me hug you! (opens arms)Estragon: Dont touch me! (V holds back feeling pained)V: Gogo, do you want me to go away? (Observes) Did someone do something to you? (E still bowing down) Where did you sleep?E: Dont touch me, dont ask me, dont talk to me! Just stay with me.V: Did I ever leave you?E: You let me go.V: (calmly) Look at me. (E does not look, V says louder) LOOK AT ME I SAID!(E looks, they look at each other, hug, V lets go, E falls to ground)E: I heard you singing.V: Yeah, I was.E: Okay thats it. Youre all alone and you think Im gone forever, so you sing?!V: You dont control my emotions! Im singing because I feel great today!E: See? You feel better when Im not there.V: Of course I missed you. But isnt it strange that I was happy?E: (shocked) Happy?!V: Umnot exactly happy.E: Then what?V: What?E: See? Youre not happy when Im with you. Thats fine! Im better alone also!V: Then why do you still go with me?E: I dont know.V: You dont know, but I do.E: Then why?V: Because you cant defend yourself! I wouldve defended you, yknow.E: But you cant beat them! There were ten of them.V: Why did they beat you? What did you do?E: I dont know.V: What did you do, Gogo?E: I didnt do anything! (silence)V: You know what? I think deep down, youre also happy.E: Happy because?V: Because Im with you again.E: Really?V: Yes.E: Then what should I say?V: Say, I am happy.E: I am happy.V: So am I.E. So am I.V: We are happy.E: We are happy.(silence)E: What do we do now that we are happy?V: We wait for Godot. E: But what if he doesnt come?V: Well see.(Silence)V: Things have changed here since yesterday. (V looks around, stops at tree) I mean the tree, look at it!E: (looks at tree) Wasnt it there yesterday?V: It was! Remember? We even tried to hang ourselves there.E: (sarcastically) Yeah right.V: You forgot it already?E: Yup. Thats me! (winks at audience)V: Did you forget Pozzo and Lucky too?E: Huh? Pozzo and who?V: GOGO FORGOT EVERYTHING!E: Well, I remember a lunatic who kicked me.V: That was Lucky.E: And someone gave me a bone.V: That was Pozzo.E: He gave mea BONE.V: Yup.E: And all that was yesterday?V: Yup.E: Where are we now?V: This place doesnt look familiar? You dont recognize this place?E: (angry) Recognize? Recognize?! Look at all this! I never left it my whole life!V: Youre hard to get along with, Gogo.E: Fine then! Lets separate. V: You always say that, but you always come back to me!E: It would be best if you kill me instead!V: You know what? Youre right. We keep fighting.E: Lets try to talk calmly. So we wont think.V: So we have an excuse.E: So we wont hear.V: We have reasons.E: All the dead voices.V: They sound like leaves.E: Like sand.V: Like LEAVES! They whisper to each other at once.E: They rustle.V: They murmur.E: They RUSTLE!(silence)V: SAY SOMETHING!E: Im trying!(silence)E: What should we do now?V: Wait for Godot.(E groans)V: Fine, what do you want to do while waiting?E: Let me see. (takes off hat)V: Let me see. (takes off hat, followed by long silence) Ah! Lets try to remember what happened.E: You think Ill remember?V: Wait we hugged, then we were happy, then we waited, thenumoh yeah! Its the tree!E: What about it?V: Look at the tree!(Both look at tree)V: Last night it was all bare, and now it has leaves! In one night only!E: But we werent here last night!V: Then where were we?E: How am I supposed to know?V: If we werent here, then what did we do last night? Try to remember, Gogo.E: OhhhI remember! We talked about stuff.V: Like?E: Nothing in particular.V: Do you remember the sun and the moon?E: I think they were there.V: Remember anything weird? Pozzo and Lucky? The bones?E: Oh right, the bones.V: Pozzo gave them to you.E: The kick? I remember a kick.V: That was Lucky.E: And that was yesterday?V: Yes. (silence) Show me your legs. Both of them.(E stares blankly)V: Pull up your trousers! (Takes one leg then staggers, pulls up trousers) Theres the wound!E: What about?V: (lets go of leg) Where are your boots?E: I think I threw them away.V: When?E: I dont know.V: Why?E: I dont know why I dont know! Those boots hurt my feet.V: (points to boots) There they are! Look! (E looks at boots) Right where you left them yesterday.(E examines boots)E: Theyre not mine! Mine were black. These are brown.V: Show me. (V inspects boots, throws them down angrily) Ah! I see whats happened.E: What?V: Someone came and took your boots and left you his. Maybe because his were too tight.E: But my boots were too tight!V: For you, not him.E: Im tired! Lets go.V: We cant.E: Why not?V: Were waiting for Godot.E: (groans) What to do then?!V: Theres nothing to do.E: I cant go on like this!(silence)V: What about trying them?E: But I tried everything!V: Im talking about the boots, idiot!E: Is that even a good idea?V: It will pass the time. Try.E: Youll help me?V: Yes yes. Well try the left first. Come on, give me your left foot.(E raises right foot)V: The other, pig!(E raises left foot, V helps him wear boot, struggles, succeeds)V: Well? E: (grudgingly) Theyre too big.V: Maybe someday youll have socks.E: Maybe. (silence) Thats enough about boots.V: Yes, but E: Enough! Im gonna sit. (sits on bench) Im sleepy, Didi.V: You sat there yesterday, and you slept.E: Ill try to sleep then. (goes to fetal position)V: Wait (clears voice *ehem ehem*, sits beside E, starts to sing lullaby LOUDLY)E: Not too loud!(V sings lullaby softly, E sleeps, V puts coat around E, V stands, E jolts up from sleep and panics)V: (runs to E and hugs him) There, there. Didi is here, dont be scared E: I had a dream!V: Calm down E: (panics) I was falling, and then, then, then V: Its over! Its okay now.E: I was on top of a V: Shhwell walk it off.E: Im tired.V: Youd rather do nothing?E: Yes.V: Fine then. (picks up coat and wears it)E: Lets go.V: No.E: Why not?V: Were waiting for Godot!E: (groans) What will be do then?!V: (looks at E, mad) Stop complaining!E: Fine, then Ill go. Goodbye.V: (sees hat) Wait, Luckys hat! (goes towards hat)E: Youll never see me again.V: I knew it! This was the place!E: What? V: Here, hold this. (hands hat)Estragon takes Vladimir's hat. Vladimir adjusts Lucky's hat on his head. Estragon puts on Vladimir's hat in place of his own which he hands to Vladimir. Vladimir takes Estragon's hat. Estragon adjusts Vladimir's hat on his head. Vladimir puts on Estragon's hat in place of Lucky's which he hands to Estragon. Estragon takes Lucky's hat. Vladimir adjusts Estragon's hat on his head. Estragon puts on Lucky's hat in place of Vladimir's which he hands to Vladimir. Vladimir takes his hat, Estragon adjusts Lucky's hat on his head. Vladimir puts on his hat in place of Estragon's which he hands to Estragon. Estragon takes his hat. Vladimir adjusts his hat on his head. Estragon puts on his hat in place of Lucky's which he hands to Vladimir. Vladimir takes Lucky's hat. Estragon adjusts his hat on his head. Vladimir puts on Lucky's hat in place of his own which he hands to Estragon. Estragon takes Vladimir's hat. Vladimir adjusts Lucky's hat on his head. Estragon hands Vladimir's hat back to Vladimir who takes it and hands it back to Estragon who takes it and hands it back to Vladimir who takes it and throws it down.V: Does it fit?E: How would I know?V: But how do I look?E: Hideous.V: Ill keep it anyway. My hat was itchy.E: Ill go now, Didi.V: Will you not role-play?E: Role-play who?V: Pozzo and Lucky. Ill do Lucky, you do Pozzo. (imitates Lucky acting weak, E looks at V) Go on, be Pozzo.E: How?V: Curse me!E: (stares for a while then acts like Pozzo meanly) Naughty!V: Curse me more!E: Stupid! Idiot! Hog!V: Now tell me to think. Say, Think, pig!E: Think, pig!V: Tell me to dance!E: (stops acting) Whatever, Im leaving. (exit stage on left)V: (imitates Pozzo) Dance, hog! (imitates Lucky) I cant! (looks around, sees E isnt there) Gogo! (moves wildly around stage)(Enter E walking towards V, E looking scared)E: Theyre coming! I dont know who or how many, but theyre coming!V: (happily) Its Godot! At last, Gogo, Godot is here! Were saved! Lets go meet him! (Drags E towards right side, E resists, pulls himself free) Gogo! Come back! (V runs to the left opposite Es side, looks at E, falls into arms) There you are again!E: Im in hell! Theyre coming there too! V: Were surrounded! (E runs to back of stage) Idiot! Theres no way out there! Quick, hide behind the tree! (E crouches in front of tree, realizes he isnt hidden, stands)V: (Sarcastically) Whoa, youre so hidden I cant see!E: (Calmer) Sorry. I lost my head. Now tell me what to do.V: Theres nothing to do.E: You, stand there. (E points to right, V goes to right and faces side of stage) Dont move and watch out. (V scans horizon, E goes to left and imitates V)E: (Loudly) Do you see anything wrong.V: Nope.E: Me too. (Resume watch Silence)V: I think you just saw something.E: What?V: YOU JUST IMAGINED IT! E: Dont shout! (Silence)E & V: Do you-V: Sorry.E: Continue.V: After you.E: You first.(Glares at each other)V: You go first, stupid!E: No! You first, moron! (Silence) V: Thats it! Lets insult each other.E: Vermin!V: Feeder!E: Noob!V: Stupid!E: Butthole!V: Oh!E: Okay! Now lets be friends again.V: Gogo!E: Didi!V: Take my hand!E: Come to my arms!(They hug, separate, silence)V: Times so fast when were having fun.(Silence)E: So what do we do while waiting? (Silence)V: We can exercise! Follow me. (Hops from one foot to the other)(E imitates)E: (Stops) Enough Im tired.V: (Stops) Lets do the tree.E: The tree?V: (Stays on one leg) (Stops) Your turn.E: (does the tree, falls) Do you think God can see me.V: Close your eyes.E: (closes eyes, shouts) God! Have pity on me!V: And me!Enter Pozzo and Lucky. Pozzo is blind. Lucky burdened as before. Rope as before, but much shorter, so that Pozzo may follow more easily. Lucky wearing a different hat. At the sight of Vladimir and Estragon he stops short. Pozzo, continuing on his way, bumps into him.V: Gogo!P: (Holds Lucky) What is it? Whos there?(Lucky and Pozzo fall and lands on scattered baggage)E: Is it Godot?V: At last! (Runs to P & L)P: Help!E: Is it Godot?P: Help!E: Can you hear him?V: Finally! Were finally done waiting! Its finally over!P: Help! Please have pity!V: Poor Pozzo!E: I knew its him! V: Who?E: Its Godot!V: But its not Godot.E: Oh. (Sad) Its not?V: Nope.E: Who is it?V: Its Pozzo.P: Here! Here! Help me stand!V: She cant stand.E: Lets go.V: No.E: Why?V: Were waiting for Godot. Perhaps Pozzo has another bone for you.E: What?V: He gave you bones yesterday, remember?E: It was her?V: Yes, lets help her first.E: He cant get up by herself?V: She cant.(Pozzo groans in pain, beats ground with fists)E: We should ask him for the bone first. If he says no, then well leave him alone.V: Seems like a good idea. P: Help!V: But what if Lucky goes insane all of a sudden? Then were screwed.E: Whos Lucky?V: The one who attacked you yesterday.E: Oh, hes here?V: As large as life, yes. (Gestures towards Lucky) For now hes motionless, but he might go crazy any time now.P: Help! Anyone! E: Lucky might be sleeping. What if we beat him up now?V: Sounds like a plan. But is he really asleep? I think its best to take advantage of Pozzos condition instead.P: (Crying out loud) Help me, please!V: To help-E: We help Pozzo?V: In order to get something good in return.E: But what if-V: Lets not waste time, Gogo! (Pause) We should do something, while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. When people need help, they address all mankind. But at this moment, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Lets make the most out of it, before its too late! What do you say?(E says nothing)V: The question is what are we actually doing here? And were blessed enough such that we happen to know the answer. In this entire confusion one thing is clear: that we are waiting for Godot-P: Help!V: -or for the night to fall.P: Help! Ill pay you!E: How much?P: One hundred francs!E: Nope, not enough.P: Two hundred!V: Gogo, we are bored. And now that something like this comes along, what do we do? Let it go to waste? Come on, lets help.P: Three hundred! V: Were coming!(V tries to pull Pozzo up, fails, tries again, and stumbles, falls) E: Whats wrong, Didi?V: Help! Dont leave me, Gogo!E: Im coming!V: Theyre going to kill me!P: Where am I?V: Gogo! Help!P: Help me too!V: Help me first, and then well leave together.E: And well never come backV: Never!(Silence)E: (Smells around, recoils) Who farted?V: (points to Pozzo) It was Pozzo!E: (Loudly) Alright! Im leaving!V: Wait! Help me up!E: (Stretches his hand to V)V: Pull!(E pulls, stumbles, falls. Long Silence)P: Im still here! Help!V: Were right here!P: Who are you?!V: We are men. (Looks at E who is on the ground) Can you get up yourself?E: I dont know.P: I need help here!V: (Violently at P) Stop it, you! You think of nothing but yourself!P: Help! Help!E: What is it?V: Its this bastard Pozzo again.E: Make her stop. Kick her.V: (Kicking P) Will you stop it!(P cries with pain and crawls away, still calling for help.)V: Shes off!(P collapses)V: And shes down! E: Call her!V: Pozzo! (Silencelouder) Pozzo! (Silence) No reply.E: Together. One, two-V: Pozzo!E: Not yet! One, two threeE & V: Pozzo!E: Are you sure her names Pozzo?V: (Alarmed) Miss Pozzo! Come back, we wont hurt you!E: Why dont we try calling her other names?V: I tell you, her name is Pozzo.E: We shall see. Hmm ah! Abel! Abel!P: Help!E: Cain! Cain!P: Help!E: Shes everyone!(V goes to P, kneels down next to P)V: Are you Pozzo?P: Certainly I am.V: Same as yesterday?P: (Confused) Huh?V: We met yesterday, remember?P: I dont remember having met anyone yesterday. But tomorrow I wont remember having met anyone today.(P pulls Luckys leash)P: Get up, Lucky!V: Yesterday, you were bringing Lucky to sell him. You spoke to us, and Lucky danced and he thought and you had your sight.P: (To L) Up, pig!(L stands up)P: Hand me the whip. (L opens bag, searches, finds whip, gives it to Pozzo, picks up bag) V: Whats in the bag?P: Sand (pulls leash) On! Lets go!V: Dont go yet. What if you fall again?P: We wait till we can get up. Then we go on.E: Before you go, tell him to sing.P: But he is dumb. (Pause) And mute.V: Mute?! Since when?!P: (Furious) Will you ever stop tormenting me?! You keep asking me when, when and when! So one day he went mute, one day, I went blind, one day, we were born, one day, we will die, isnt that enough for you? (Jerks leash) On!(Silence)P: Wheres my slave? Why doesnt he answer when I call?V: I dont know. He might be sleeping. Or maybe hes dead.P: What happened, exactly?V: The two of you slipped. (pause) Oh, and+ you fell!P: Go and see if hes hurt.E: But we cant leave you.V: (to E) You go!E: After you say he kicked me yesterday? Never!P: Just go. (pause, then to V) What is he waiting for?V: Yeah, what are you waiting for?E: Im waiting for Godot.(Silence)V: What exactly should my friend do?P: He should pull on the rope as hard as he likes. Lucky usually responds to that. If not, he should be kicked in the face.V: (to E) See, theres nothing to be afraid of. Take it as an opportunity for revenge.E: What if he defends himself?P: No, no, he doesnt do that.V: Ill come flying to the rescue.E: Then keep your eyes on me, Didi.(E goes towards L)V: Hey, make sure hes alive first! No point kicking him if hes already dead.E: (bending over L) Hes breathing.V: Then let him have it.With sudden fury Estragon starts kicking Lucky, hurling abuse at him as he does so. But he hurts his foot and moves away, limping. Lucky stirs silently.E: Ouch! (sits down and tries to take off boot, ends up curling in fetal position)P: Whats gone wrong?(silence)P: What time is it?V: (inspecting the sky) Seven oclockeight maybe?E: Depends on the time of the year.P: Is it night?(Silence. V and E inspect the sunset)E: I think its dawn.V: Dont be stupid. Its the west over there.P: (anguished) Is it evening?!V: It is, sir, its evening. (pause) You were saying your sight used to be good.P: It was wonderful. Wonderful, wonderful sight!E: (irritably) Expound! V: Leave him alone. Cant you see hes thinking of his happy days? P: (sadly) Then I woke up one day as blind as fortune. (pause) Sometimes I wonder if Im not still asleep.V: When was that?P: (violently) Dont question me! The things of time are hidden from the blind.E: Im going.P: Where are we?V: I couldnt tell you.(E and V get up)P: Help!E: (ignoring P) Lets go.V: We cant.E: Why not?V: Were waiting for Godot.E: (groans) Whatll we do then?P: HELP ME IM BEGGING YOU.V: What about help Pozzo?E: What does she want?V: To get up.E: Then why doesnt she?V: She wants us to help her get up.E: Then what are we waiting for?(They help P to her feet, let her go, she falls)V: We must hold her. (They get her up again, her arms around their necks.)P: Who are you?V: You do not recognize us?P: I am BLIND. Are you friends?E: (laughing) She wants to know if were friends! V: We have proven we are, by helping her.P: You are not highwaymen?E: Do we look like highwaymen to you?!V: He cant SEE, damn it!Exit Pozzo and Lucky. Vladimir follows them to the edge of the stage, looks after them. The noise of falling followed by Vs cringing announces they are down again. Silence. V goes to E, who is sleeping, and shakes him awake.E: (wild gestures) Will you ever let me sleep?!V: I felt lonely.E: Well I was dreaming I was happy. I was dreaming thatV: (violently) Dont tell me! (pause) I wonder if shes really blind.E: Who?V: Pozzo. She told us she was blind. But it seemed like she saw us.E: Lets go.V: We cant.(silence)E: Oh. Right. (pause) Are you sure it wasnt him?V: Who?E: Godot. Are you sure Pozzo isnt Godot?V: Not at all! I dont know what to think anymore. E: My feet! (tries to stand in pain, sits down and tries to take off boots) Help me!V: (thinking out loud) I wonder, am I sleeping now? Tomorrow, when I wake up, what shall I say of today? That I waited for Godot with my friend Estragon? That Pozzo passed, with his slave, and that he spoke to us? What truth will there be?(E drifts off to sleep again)V: (looking at E) And hell know nothing. He is sleeping, he knows nothing, let him sleep on. (pause) What have I said?!V walks feverishly around stage, halts at extreme left. Enter Messenger right, stops. Silence)M: Mister(Vladimir turns) Mister AlbertV: Oh here we go again. Do you not recognize me?M: No sir.V: You werent here yesterday?M: No sir.V: This is your first time?M: Yes sir.V: You have a message from Mr. Godot?M: Yes sir.V: He wont come this evening?M: No sir.V: But hell come tomorrow?M: Yes sir.(silence)V: Are you sure?M: Yes sir.V: Did you meet anyone? Two otherpeople?B: I didnt see anyone, sir.V: Tell me, what does Mr. Godot do?M: He does nothing, Sir.V: How is your brother?M: Hes sick, sir.V: Perhaps it was he who came here yesterday.M: I dont know, sir.(silence)V: Does Mr. Godot have a beard?M: He does, sir.V: Fair or(hesitates) black?M: I think its white, sir.V: Christ have mercy on us!M: What am I to tell Mr. Godot, sir?V: Tell himtell him that you saw me and thatthat YOU saw ME.(pause. V advances, M recoils. V halts, M halts.)V: (With sudden violence) Youre sure you saw me, you wont come and tell me tomorrow that you never saw me! Silence. Vladimir makes a sudden spring forward and the messenger avoids him and exits running. Silence. The sun sets, the moon rises. Vladimir stands motionless and head bowed. Estragon wakes up, takes off boots, gets up with one in each hand and does and puts them down center front, then walks to Vladimir.E: Whats wrong, Didi?V: Nothing.E: Im going.V: So am I.E: Was I long asleep?V: I dont know.(silence)E: Where shall we go?V: Not far.E: Oh yes, lets go far!V: We cant. we have to come back tomorrow.E: What for?V: To wait for Godot.E: Ah! (pause) He didnt come today?V: No.E: And now its night. What if we dropped him?V: Hed punish us. (Pause, V looks at tree) Everythings dead but the tree.E: (looks at tree) What is it?V: I dont know. A willow, maybe?E draws V towards the tree. They stand motionless before it. Silence.E: Hey, why dont we hang ourselves?V: With what?E: Heres my belt.V: Its too short.Estragon loosens belt that holds up his trousers, which, much too big for him, fall to his ankles.E: It might help. But is it strong enough?V: Well see. Here, hold this.They each take an end of the belt and pull. It breaks. They almost fall.(silence)E: So you say we have to come back tomorrow?V: Yes.E: Then tomorrow we can bring good rope for hanging.(silence)E: Didi?V: Yes?E: I cant go on like this.V: Thats just what you think.E: It might be better if we parted.V: Well just hang ourselves tomorrow. (pause) Unless Godot comes.E: And if he comes?V: Then were saved.Vladimir takes off hat, peers inside it, shakes it, puts it on again.E: Shall we go?V: Pull on your trousers.E: You want me to pull off my trousers?V: Pull ON your trousers.E: (realizing his trousers are down) Oh. (pulls up trousers)V: Well? Shall we go?E: Yes, Didi, lets go.They do not move.