Crucify him like that! After so many years! Really!
POZZO:
( sobbing ) . He used to be so kind . . . so helpful . . . and entertaining . . . my good angel . . . and now . . . he's killing me.
ESTRAGON:
( to Vladimir ) . Does he want to replace him?
VLADIMIR:
What?
ESTRAGON:
Does he want someone to take his place or not?
VLADIMIR:
I don't think so.
ESTRAGON:
What?
VLADIMIR:
I don't know.
ESTRAGON:
Ask him.
POZZO:
( calmer ) . Gentlemen, I don't know what came over me. Forgive me. Forget all I said. ( More and more his old self. ) I don't remember exactly what it was, but you may be sure there wasn't a word of truth in it. ( Drawing himself up, striking his chest. ) Do I look like a man that can be made to suffer? Frankly? ( He rummages in his pockets. ) What have I done with my pipe?
VLADIMIR:
Charming evening we're having.
ESTRAGON:
Unforgettable.
VLADIMIR:
And it's not over.
ESTRAGON:
Apparently not.
VLADIMIR:
It's only beginning.
ESTRAGON:
It's awful.
VLADIMIR:
Worse than the pantomime.
ESTRAGON:
The circus.
VLADIMIR:
The music-hall.
ESTRAGON:
The circus.
POZZO:
What can I have done with that briar?
ESTRAGON:
He's a scream. He's lost his dudeen.
Laughs noisily.
VLADIMIR:
I'll be back.
He hastens towards the wings.
ESTRAGON:
End of the corridor, on the left.
VLADIMIR:
Keep my seat.
Exit Vladimir.
POZZO:
( on the point of tears ) . I've lost my Kapp and Peterson!
ESTRAGON:
( convulsed with merriment ) . He'll be the death of me!
POZZO:
You didn't see by any chance– ( He misses Vladimir. ) Oh! He's gone! Without saying goodbye! How could he! He might have waited!
ESTRAGON:
He would have burst.
POZZO:
Oh! ( Pause. ) Oh well then of course in that case . . .
ESTRAGON:
Come here.
POZZO:
What for?
ESTRAGON:
You'll see.
POZZO:
You want me to get up?
ESTRAGON:
Quick! ( Pozzo gets up and goes over beside Estragon. Estragon points off. ) Look!
POZZO:
( having put on his glasses ) . Oh I say!
ESTRAGON:
It's all over.
Enter Vladimir, somber. He shoulders Lucky out of his way, kicks over the stool, comes and goes agitatedly.
POZZO:
He's not pleased.
ESTRAGON:
( to Vladimir ) . You missed a treat. Pity.
Vladimir halts, straightens the stool, comes and goes, calmer.
POZZO:
He subsides. ( Looking round. ) Indeed all subsides. A great calm descends. ( Raising his hand. ) Listen! Pan sleeps.
VLADIMIR:
Will night never come?
All three look at the sky.
POZZO:
You don't feel like going until it does?
ESTRAGON:
Well you see—
POZZO:
Why it's very natural, very natural. I myself in your situation, if I had an appointment with a Godin . . . Godet . . . Godot . . . anyhow, you see who I mean, I'd wait till it was black night before I gave up. ( He looks at the stool. ) I'd very much like to sit down, but I don't quite know how to go about it.
ESTRAGON:
Could I be of any help?
POZZO:
If you asked me perhaps.
ESTRAGON:
What?
POZZO:
If you asked me to sit down.
ESTRAGON:
Would that be a help?
POZZO:
I fancy so.
ESTRAGON:
Here we go. Be seated, Sir, I beg of you.
POZZO:
No no, I wouldn't think of it! ( Pause. Aside. ) Ask me again.
ESTRAGON:
Come come, take a seat I beseech you, you'll get pneumonia.
POZZO:
You really think so?
ESTRAGON:
Why it's absolutely certain.
POZZO:
No doubt you are right. ( He sits down. ) Done it again! ( Pause. ) Thank you, dear fellow. ( He consults his watch. ) But I must really be getting along, if I am to observe my schedule.
VLADIMIR:
Time has stopped.
POZZO:
( cuddling his watch to his ear ) . Don't you believe it, Sir, don't you believe it. ( He puts his watch back in his pocket. ) Whatever you like, but not that.
ESTRAGON:
( to Pozzo ) . Everything seems black to him today.
POZZO:
Except the firmament. ( He laughs, pleased with this witticism. ) But I see what it is, you are not from these parts, you don't know what our twilights can do. Shall I tell you? ( Silence. Estragon is fiddling with