Waiting for Godot Read Free Page A

from the menace,
they wait.

Enter Pozzo and Lucky. Pozzo drives Lucky by means of a rope passed round his
neck, so that Lucky is the first to enter, followed by the rope which is long
enough to let him reach the middle of the stage before Pozzo appears. Lucky
carries a heavy bag, a folding stool, a picnic basket and a greatcoat, Pozzo a
whip.
     
    POZZO:
(off). On! (Crack of whip. Pozzo appears. They cross the stage. Lucky passes
before Vladimir and Estragon and exit. Pozzo at the sight of Vladimir and
Estragon stops short. The rope tautens. Pozzo jerks at it violently.) Back!
Noise of Lucky falling with all his baggage. Vladimir and Estragon turn towards
him, half wishing half fearing to go to his assistance. Vlamdimir takes a step
towards Lucky, Estragon holds him back by the sleeve.
     
    VLADIMIR:
Let me go!
     
    ESTRAGON:
Stay where you are!
     
    POZZO:
Be careful! He's wicked. (Vladimir and Estragon turn towards Pozzo.) With
strangers.
     
    ESTRAGON:
(undertone). Is that him?
     
    VLADIMIR:
Who?
     
    ESTRAGON:
(trying to remember the name). Er . . .
     
    VLADIMIR:
Godot?
     
    ESTRAGON:
Yes.
     
    POZZO:
I present myself: Pozzo.
     
    VLADIMIR:
(to Estragon). Not at all!
     
    ESTRAGON:
He said Godot.
     
    VLADIMIR:
Not at all!
     
    ESTRAGON:
(timidly, to Pozzo). You're not Mr. Godot, Sir?
     
    POZZO:
(terrifying voice). I am Pozzo! (Silence.) Pozzo! (Silence.) Does that name mean
nothing to you? (Silence.) I say does that name mean nothing to you?
Vladimir and Estragon look at each other questioningly.
     
    ESTRAGON:
(pretending to search). Bozzo . . . Bozzo . . .
     
    VLADIMIR:
(ditto). Pozzo . . . Pozzo . . .
     
    POZZO:
PPPOZZZO!
     
    ESTRAGON:
Ah! Pozzo . . . let me see . . . Pozzo . . .
     
    VLADIMIR:
Is it Pozzo or Bozzo?
     
    ESTRAGON:
Pozzo . . . no . . . I'm afraid I . . . no . . . I don't seem to . . .
Pozzo advances threateningly.
     
    VLADIMIR:
(conciliating). I once knew a family called Gozzo. The mother had the clap.
     
    ESTRAGON:
(hastily). We're not from these parts, Sir.
     
    POZZO:
(halting). You are human beings none the less. (He puts on his glasses.) As far as
one can see. (He takes off his glasses.) Of the same species as myself. (He
bursts into an enormous laugh.) Of the same species as Pozzo! Made in God's
image!
     
    VLADIMIR:
Well you see�
     
    POZZO:
(peremptory). Who is Godot?
     
    ESTRAGON:
Godot?
     
    POZZO:
You took me for Godot.
     
    VLADIMIR:
Oh no, Sir, not for an instant, Sir.
     
    POZZO:
Who is he?
     
    VLADIMIR:
Oh he's a . . . he's a kind of acquaintance.
     
    ESTRAGON:
Nothing of the kind, we hardly know him.
     
    VLADIMIR:
True . . . we don't know him very well . . . but all the same . . .
     
    ESTRAGON:
Personally, I wouldn't even know him if I saw him.
     
    POZZO:
You took me for him.
     
    ESTRAGON:
(recoiling before Pozzo). That's to say . . . you understand . . . the dusk . . . the
strain . . . waiting . . . I confess . . . I imagined . . . for a second . . .
     
    POZZO:
Waiting? So you were waiting for him?
     
    VLADIMIR:
Well you see�
     
    POZZO:
Here? On my land?
     
    VLADIMIR:
We didn't intend any harm.
     
    ESTRAGON:
We meant well.
     
    POZZO:
The road is free to all.
     
    VLADIMIR:
That's how we looked at it.
     
    POZZO:
It's a disgrace. But there you are.
     
    ESTRAGON:
Nothing we can do about it.
     
    POZZO:
(with magnanimous gesture). Let's say no more about it. (He jerks the rope.) Up
pig! (Pause.) Every time he drops he falls asleep. (Jerks the rope.) Up hog!
(Noise of Lucky getting up and picking up his baggage. Pozzo jerks the rope.)
Back! (Enter Lucky backwards.) Stop! (Lucky stops.) Turn! (Lucky turns. To
Vladimir and Estragon, affably.) Gentlemen, I am happy to have met you.
(Before their incredulous expression.) Yes yes, sincerely happy. (He jerks the
rope.) Closer! (Lucky advances.) Stop! (Lucky stops.) Yes, the road seems long
when one journeys all alone for . . . (he consults his watch) . . . yes . . .