YP AH DAYS

Other Works By Samuel Beckett

Published By Grove Press

Cascando and Other Short Dramatic Pieces

Endgame

Film

ppy
aH Days

How t
I Is

Krapp's LastTape and Other Dramatic Pieces

More Pricks Than Kicks

Murphy

Poems in English

roust
P

Stories &I1 exts

T for othing
N

olloy
M

lone
aM Dies

T he Unnamable

Waiting forGodot

Watt
 LEUMAS
BECKT

HAP Y DAYS

A PLAY NI
OWT STCA

E V O R G, S E . R C P N I
NEW KROY
Copyright© 1961I by Grove Press, nc.
I

All Rights Reserved

ibrary
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Act I

eSxpanseo( ofo( corc

s h e d o (graso( risingo(c e n t r eo( to( owo l (
m o un d .o( G e n t l eo( opls (ose own
d ( o oot ( fro n t o ( fsna ( o
it
e hero( id s (
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ot
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eolazingo( l ight .o(

eP re)o(pompiero( trompe e u l ' o eilo( bac kcl o t h o ( t o (
r e p r e s n to( un b ro ke n o ( p l a in o ( a n do( skyo( e L e c e ind ( og to(
m e to( ino(faro( distance.o(
Im b e d e do( up( o to( a b o ve o ( he ro( waisto( ino(exacto(
c e ntreo( o fo (m o und,o( WINNIE.o( A b o u t o ( fifty,o( wel o(
pres rved,o( blond( fo r o ( pref e re n c e ,o ( pluevp,o( armso(
a n do( sh o ul d e r so( bare,o( owo l ( b o di ce ,o ( bigo( b o s o m ,o(
p e a r lo( n e c k l e t .o( Sheo( is( o dis c o ve r e do( sle p in. eg ( o hero(
(
os m r a on( t h e o (g r o un do( b e fo r e o ( her,o( hero( b e a d o ( on(
hero( arms.o( B e sideo( h e ro(o n o ( g ro un do( t o ( hero( ft el (
o ao(
ca pa cio uso( blacko( b a g ,o( s h oppingo( va rie t y ,o(ando( to(
h ro( e righto( ao(c o l apsibleo( c o l apsedo( p a ra s o l ,o(b e a ko (

7I1
 8I1 I SAMUEL B E C KE TT

o fo (ha n dl eo( emrgingo( fro mo( s he a t h .o(

eyo( hero( r ight o ( ando( r e a r,o(lyingo( aslepo( ono( gro un d,o(

hddei no( b yo (m o un d,o( su ILLIE.o(

L o n go( pa us e .o( AI1 b e l o (ringso( piercingly ,o( sayo( teno(

e L e c o n ds ,o( stops.o( S h e o (do e so(n o t o ( move.o( Pause.o( e o e lo(
m o r e o (piercinglon,o( sayo( five( o s e c o n ds(
oe Sheo(w a ke s .o (
e o e l o(s t o ps .o( She o (ra is e s o (hero(b e a d,o (ga z e s o ( fs' o nt .o (
L o ngo( pa us e . o ( S h e o ( s t ra ight e n so( up,o( lay so(he ro ( ha n dso(
e g a to (o no (gr o un d,o ( thro w s o ( b a c koh(roe ( b e a do (,sa do(
gazstso( a t o (ze( it h .o(L o ngo(pa e c e .o (

WINNIE (gazingo( ato( zsy it h ) . o Ano

( therh heavenlyeh day.eh
e( Pa us e .o( H e a do (b a c koleve(l,o( e y e so( fro nt ,o (pa us e .o(
Sheo(cpes la L( o basR so( t o ( b re a s t ,o( c o s le so( e y e s .o( Lipso(
m o veo( inIin1 a udi b l eo(pr a y e r ,osayo( ( te no(sec os. ds .o(
Lipso( s t il l .o( H a n d so(reem i no( cl a s pe d.o( L o e k . ) o (Fo reh
Jeh es u Christeh s akeehAme n .eh ( E y e so( o pe( ,o( handso(
un cl a s p,o( r e t urno(t o ( m o un d.o( Pa us e .o( Sheo(cpss la ( o
ha n dso( t o ( rb e a s to( again,o( c o sl e so( ey es,o( ips l (
o s u o ve o (
againo( ino( i n a udib l eo( a dde n dum ,o( s a yo ( fiveo(c es o n ds .o(
L o e b . )o (Wohe h ed l w i t h o u eh endeh Ame.en h ( e S y so( e osI e n ,o(
bandso( unclasp,o( r e t urno(t o ( m o un d.o ( Pause . )o(
h
e, n i g B Winie.eh ( P a us e a )o(Beginh youreh ayd h e,
Wi.eein h ( Pa us e .o( S h e o (tuerso( ( ot g,o ab ( rumskgeso(
ino( ito(eb ith o ut o ( movingo( ito( fro m o ( itso( plac e ,o (bringso(
outo( t o o t hb rus h,o( rumma geso( again,o( bringso( o ut o (
PPY
AH D A YS I 9I1

egato( tubeo( o fo (to o thp a ste ,o( turnso( shacsso( feuo n o g , o (

unscrewso( ca p o ( o f o ( tub e ,o ( a l y soca (po( o n o (ge u o u n d ,o(
s que e z so( wi tho( dietcultyo( s e l o( b l o b ( o fo (p a s teo( o n (
bru s h ,oh ( o l dso( tub eo( ino( o n e o ( ha n d o (a n d o ( brush e so( te e tho(
w i tho( o the r.o( Sheo(turn so( m o d e s tl yo( a s i d eo( a n d o ( ha c ko (
to o (h e ro ( rghto
i ( t o (spito( o u to (b e hi n d o ( m o un d . o ( I n o (thiso(
p o s itio no( h roe ( e y e so( r se to(o n ( W ILLIeS .o( She o (pits s ( o
o ut. o ( She o (cra n e so( ao(ttlil ( oe furthero( ha c ko( odna ( d o wn .o(
Lo ud . ) o (H o -o o!eh ( Pa use .o( L o u d e ( r . )o(Ho-oo!eh
( Pa us e .o( eye(dro( smileo( a so( sh eo(turnso( hacko(fro nod ,o(
sl a yso( do w no( b rus h . ) o ( meP h er Wilehli - ( e xa m in e so(
tub e ,o( ( oe l i m s ff
o )o( -runingeh oe- t - ( l o o k so(fos,o(
c a p ) - ahh e wel - ( fi n d so( ca p )o(- can'teh b e h lpe eh h ed
- ( s cre w so( no o (ca p )o( -justeh oneh fe o hthoseh o l deh
things - ( l a y s o ( doekno( tu b e )o ( - anothereh ofehthoseh
oldehgshint - ( t urn so( to w a rd so( ha g )o(- justehcan'teh
b e h cured - (rummageso( in(
o ha g )o( - cannoteh beh
cen e d - ( b ringso( outo( smalo( mirr o r,o (turnso( ha c ko (
s e ro n t)o ( - a heyes- h ( i n s p e ctso( te e tho (i n o (mi e r o r )o ( -
poh ero ared h e eWe- e ( t estin go( uppero( fro n to ( te e tho(
witho(thum b ,o( indistinc tly ) - godeh Lord!eh
- ( p u in l go( ha c koup( pero( ( op i l to o (inspecto( gums,o( d o . ) o (
-g odeh God!eh - (p ul lingo( h a c koc(o rn e ro( o f o ( m o utheIo(
m o utho( o p e n ,o( d o . ) o (- ahehwell- ( o the ro ( c o rnerefo(
d o . )o(- n oeh worse- ( a b a n d o nso( inspec tio n ,o (
no rm a l o ( ps e c h -n ) o (oeh bet r,h n o e h worse - ( l ae) so(
d o wno( mirr o r )o (- oen h c han geeh - ( w i pe s o (fingerso(o n (
 10 I SA MUEL BE CKE TT

gras)o( - n oeh pain- ( l o o k so(foro(to o thb ruoa h)o- (

rdah h
ey l yna - ( t a ke s o ( upo(to o th b rus h)o- ( greateh
thingeh tha - ( e xamineso( ha n dleo( o fo (brush)o( -
h
eghinton likeh e it- ( e xa m in e so( ha n d l e ,o( reads)o( -

he rup ...eh ?tahw - ( p ause) - ?tahw - ( l aoL so(

d o wno( brush)o( - h eha mey - ( t urnso( towardso( bag)o(
- h er o p Willie- (rusaageso( in(o bag)o( - n oeheWesth
- ( rum geam )o s ( -foreh anything- ( b rings( o outo(
spectacleso( in( o ca s e )o(-noeh interest - ( t uer( os c ab ko(
front)o( -ih en life - ( t a ke so(spectacleso( fro m o ( case)o(
- poreh deareh Will i e h- ( layso( downo(case)o( - sleepeh
foreh ever - ( o p e n so( spectacles)o( - marveh es u o l gifteh
- ( p utso( o n o ( spec tacles)o( - nothingeh t oeh t o u c heh it­
( l o o k so(foro(to o thb rus h)o- ( ineh myeh opin eh -
( t a ke so(upo(t o o thb rus h)o( - ? ea w l h es deias h soeas
( e xamineso( ha n d l eo( o fo (brush)o(- wisheh Iaw hadeh h et i
- ( e xamineso( ha n d l e ,o( r a e )os d ( en g- h einu . . .eh
reup h e . .?tahw . e h - ( l a y s o ( d o wno( brush)o(- linb deh
ne,t - ( t a ke s o ( ffoo ( spectacles)o( - hea h well - ( l ayso(
downo( spectacles)o( - seeneh enough - ( f e l so(ino(
b o ic d eo(fo ro( ha n d ke c r hief)o(- A esI a esop w - ( t a ke so(
o uto (f o l d e do( ha n d k erchief)o( - b yeh O
eo n - ( s ha ke so(
o ut o ( e . a n d ke rch ief)o( - haw het areh thoseh wondeerfuleh
lines- (wi p e so(one( ey ) - l e eeo henoeehh es i meee
( w ipeso(theo(o t h ) re - ewoehh e s .eahw h e Iaw see - ( l o o k so(
foro( spec Isit )o sel ( - aheh yes - ( t a ke so(ep po( s pe ctsh cle s )o(
HAPPY DAYS I 11I1

- wo u ld n' ta w a
ed wa it- (t a rtsso(p o l i sh i n go(
spectacles,o( br e a t h i ngo( o n o ( l e n s e )o( - o raw wo uah daw ek ?aw
- ( p o lishes)o( - e do lyaw lig h t - ( p o lishes)o( - b o ba w
u p a w o u ta w o f a w d a r k - ( p o lishes)o( - b l a e i e a w o fa w h e l lishaw
ligh t . a w (St o p so ( p o l i sh in g,o( ra i se so( fa ceo(t o ( sky,o( pauseu,o(
h e a do( b a c kol e ve(l ,o( r e sum e so( po lishing,o( st o p so (
p o lishing,o( c ra n eso(bac ko( t o ( h e ro ( rig h t o ( a n d o ( d o wn . )o(
H o eA o o !a w ( a use P . o ( Te n d e ro ( s m il eo( a so ( sh eo( turnso(
b a c kofro ( n t o ( ando( r e sum e so( p o lishing.o( Smileo( off.)o(
Ma r v e ll o u s a w gift - ( s t o p so ( p o l ish in g,o( l a y so( dows.o(
spectacles)o( - wis haw Iaw hadaw it- (foldso( handoo
ke r c h ief)o(- a ha w we ll - ( p ut s o (h a n d k e rch ie fo(b a c ko (
i n o (b o dice)o( - c a n ' ta w c o m p la in - (o o k l so( fo ro (
spectacles)o( - n oaw n o - (a kt e so(up o (spectacles)o( -
m u s a f ' ta w c o m p la e, - ( h o l d so(upo(s p e ct a cl e seHo( l o o kso (
t h ro u gh o (lens) - s o a w m u c h a w toaw b e a w t heC n kfu law for am
( l o o k so( t h ro u gho(o t h e ro (lens)o( - noaw p a in - (p ut so(
o n o ( spectacles)o( - h a r d ly a w a ny - (o o k l so( fo ro(
to thbr ush)o(- wo n d e r fu law ted ingaw t h a t - (ake t so (
upo(t o o t h b r ei sh )o(- n o ted in gaw likeaw it - (xameineso(
h a n d l eo( o fo (b rush )o(- slightaw h e a d ach eaw s o m e tim e saw
- (xaemineso( h a n d l e ,o( r e a s) d - or u a r a n t e e daw . . . a w
g e now n eaw . . p u r .e a w a w . . wh . a a t?a w w - (o o k l so( cl o ser)or
g e n u in e a w p u r eaw . . - . a w (a ket so (h a n d ke rchiefo(fro m o (
b o ice d )o( a haw y e s
- - (sh a ke so( o ut o ( h a n d k e r c h ief )o(
- o c a s i o n a law miabdaw me, g r ae, n e - e.stas.tso(wipingo(
 1 2I1 I SAMUEL BE CKET T

ha n d l e o (o fo (brusho(Ye itaw c o m e s - ( w i p e s )o( - th e na w

goe s a w - ( w i pingo( e . e cha n i ca l y )o(- a h a w ye saw -
( wi p i n g ) - manyaw me r c ie s - ( w i ping ) - g r e a taw
me r c ie s - ( s to p s o ( wi p i n g ,o( fixe do( l o s to ( g ae. e ,o(
b ro k s n l y )o(- p reCa' e r saw p e r h a p saw no ta w f oraw na u gh taw -
( p a us e ,o( do . ) o (- e r sttaw th ing - ( p a us e ,o( d o . )- o (
lastaw th ing - ( h e a do (d o wn ,o ( re s um e so( oripng,o( s t o p so(
w i p n g,o( be a do( up ,o (c a l m e d,o( wi p e so( ey e s ,o(fo l dso(
h a n dker ch feei f( o p utso( toi (bsn cko(( oni b o di c e ,o exa( e.sBsa so(
er a n d l eo(o fo (brush,o(re a ds )o( - fullyaw gu a r n t e e da w . oW. aw
ge na r ne a w p u r eaw . . - . o (( l o o k so(c o s le r )o(- ge nu ineaw
p u r eaw . . ( e y a k e so(offo(s p e cta cl e s ,o( al y s o (the m o ( a n do(
.

ep rus ho(d o w n ,o( gae.eso( b e fo reo( h r.e )o(e. ldaw thin gs .aw
e(Pause . ) o ( e. ldaw e ye s .aw ( Lo n go( p a us e . e). n,oa w ( eT innieolaw
( S h e o (ca s tso( a b o uto ( h er,o( s e s o ( p a ra s o l ,o (c o n s i de rso( ito(
ato( length,o( ta ke s o ( ito(upo( ando( d e v l o p so( fr o m o ( s e r a tho (
ao(ha n dl e o ( o fo (surprisingo( l e n g th .oe B(o ldingo( b utto( o fo (
p a r a s o l o ( i no( ri g hto (ba n do ( s he o (cra n e so(c ab ko(a n do ( d o wn o (
t o (h e ro ( ri g hto (to o (ba n go( o ve ro( WILLI E . )oo h( o oe - o !aw
( Pa us e . )o (Wauah e e i a w ( P a us e . )o(Wo nde r f u law gift.I1
(She strikes s r o wno( a t o (bim 'U.'itb beako( of
parasol.) sh i V \ 1I II1 dIah 1 i 1 She
t.I ( ris
ts fi( os e P sa ain .

The parasolslips from ber grasp and falls

e p e h i n do( m o un d.o ( ge to( iso(isb e di a te l yo( re s to re do ( to( o
h e ro ( e p yo (WILLIEe, so( vi ni ( oe l b i s ba n d . )o (o i h a nka w yo u e is a w
de a r .a w ( S htrae o ( ebsferso( p a r a s o l o ( to o (le(fto(ba n d,o ( turnso(
HAPPY DAYS I 13I1

b a cko(fro n to ( ando( examineso( rightpao(lm . )o(D a m p .a w

( Re t urnso(p a ra s o l o ( t o (rghto i ha (n d ,o( examineso( lefto(
p a l m. )o(Ahaw we l l, a w n o a w wo e s e .a w ( H e a d o ( up ,o(
c herful e ly . )o( No a w b e e r t e r , a w n o a w wor s e ,a w noaw c h a aige .aw
( P a us e .o (e r o . )o(Noaw p a in. a w ( e s ra n e so(c ab ko( too( l o o ko (
d o ) n o ( a to(Weg LLeg E,oh(o ldingo( pa ra s o l o ( b yo (b ut to( a s o (
b e fo r e . )o(D o n ' taw goaw oe?aw o na w meaw a go in a w no wa w d e a r a w
a c il la w y o ua w p l e a s e ,aw I1 mayaw ne e da w y o u. a w ( P a us e . )o (
N o a w h ur r y ,aw n o a w h u r y ,aw ew u s ta d o n' t a w c ues law u p a w o na w me a w
a gois .aw ( T urn so(b a cko(fro n t,o ( lay o(
s d o w no( p a ra s o l Lo(
e
examineso( palmso( to ge th e r ,owip
( e so( t he m o ( on( gras s . )o(
ep r h a p saw aaw s h a d e a w oe?aw o w o lo u r a w ew uouaw t h eaw s a m e .aw
( T usG n so( too(b a g,o (roimegeso( ino(i t ,o (b rin gso( o uto (
r ve o i v e r,o( h o ldso( ito( up ,o( kisse o(ito( ra p idly ,o( put so(
(
oiei
ba c krum ,o (mages,o( bringso( o ut o (iea m o s t o ( emptyo(
b o ttei o( o fo (r e d o (m e d i ci n e ,o (turnso(c ab ko(
fro n t,o (l o ks o (
fo ro ( s p e cta cl e s ,o( putso( t he m o ( o n ,o (r e a d s o ( a l b e l . )o(e W o s a w
o fa w spiritsaw . . la. c kaa w o fa w ke e nne s a w . . wa
. a ntw a w o fa w
er p e t it eaw . . infa
. a edw tsaw . . c h i. l d re
a w naw . . a d . a u ltw saw . . . a w
siaeaw le ve la w . . t a ble
. a ws p o oed fu lsaw d a ily - ( he a d o ( up ,o(
smile ) - theaw oldaw sty l e !aw - ( s i)s e i e o (off,o( h ea d o ( d o w n ,o (
re a d s )o(- doi yaw . . b e . foa w r eaw a n daw aft e raw . . me. a ls
a w aw . . .
ins t a nt a ne o usaw . . .( la w o o k s o (c o s l e
r ). o ( ..aw al pes oaA e A
me e d t .a w (s m ke so(sl ffo(oupe ct a cl e s ,o( la y so(t he m o ( downeno(
h o l d so(upo(b o t tleo( a to(armelso( l e ngtho( too(se o( lev leno(
uncr s e wso( ca p ,o(swigso( ito( o ffo( h ae do( w e l l o ( beesd k,oo ( ( o s s e o(
 1 4I1 I SA MU EL BECKETT

capo( a n do( b o t leo( a wa yo( ( o F s i W ILLe. E' so( direc on i o n .o(

S o u n d o ( o fo (breakingo( glas . )o(A h a w t h a tei saw b e t tereeaw
( T urnso( t o ( bag,o( rum ageso( (
on i i t e o ( b r i n g so( out(
lipstick,o( turnso( b a c ko( fr o n t ,o ( examineso( li.eitsp k . ) o (
R unah n gaw o ut.a w ( L o o ks o ( fo r o (p s e c t a c l e s . )o(A h a w we l .a w
( Pu t so( o n o ( sp e c t a c l es,o(lo o ks o ( fo ro (rim ro r. )o(
Mus nei taw c o m p la in .a w (Ta k e so(upo( ee i r o r ,o( star so(
d o i n go( lip s . )o(Wh a taw isaw t h atawo w nd e rfulaw lineokaw
( L i p s . )o(O h a w fl e t in gaw j o y s - ( li p s )o( - o haw
someth i n gaw laak t in gaw w o e .aw ( L i p s .o( Sheo( iso(
i n t e r u p t e do( byo(d i s t u rb a n c eo( fro m o ( WILeIa E .o(
e B e o (i s o ( s i t n go( u p . o ( Sh e o ( lo w erso( lipsticko( a n d o ( mirroro(
an d o ( c r a n e so( b a c ko( ando( downo( t o ( l o o ko( a to( h i m .o(
Pa u s e .o( To po( backo( o fo (W ILLIE' so( b a l do(h e a d ,o(
tricklingo( b lo o d ,o( ri s e o( t o ( v i e wo( a b o v e ( s lo p e ,o(
com e so( t o ( re s t .o( WINNIEo( p u s h e so(u po( h ero(
sp e c t a c l e s .o( Pa u s e .o( Hiso( h a n d o ( a p e a rso( wi t ho( h a n dei
k e r c h i ef,o( s p re a d so( i to(o n o ( s ku ll,odisap e rs(.o( Pause.o(
T h e o ( h a n do( a p e a r so( wi t ho( b o a t e r,o(c l u b o ( rib on,o(
set leso( i to(o n o ( h e a d ,o ( rakisho( a n g le ,o( dimspa e a r s .o(
Pa u s e .o( WINNIEo( craneso( ao(li t leo(furthero( b a c ko(
a n d o ( d o w n e a )o(owlipaw o n a w y o u ra w d r a we r sodaw d e o- ,aw bo . fo r eaw
youaw getaw singe d . a w ( P aus e . )o(N o ?a w ( Pa u s e . ) o ( Ohaw Iaw
s e ,aw youaw stillaw ho?aM eaw s o m eaw ofaw t h a t a w sohu.aw le ft .a w
( Pa u s e . )o(Wo rkaw itaw we llaw in,Idet1 oY .aw ( P a us e . o( ) Noe!aw
t h e a w o t h e r.a w ( P a u s e .o( Sh e o ( t u rn so( b ac ko( fr o n t,o( g aoe e so(
HAP PY DAYS I 15I1

b e fo r eo( h e r . o (Hapyo( expres io

n . ) o ( Ohwa thiswa isaw goingaw
t oa w be a w an o th e r a w h a p yaw day eSapyo( !aw ( P a u s e . o (
expresion( off.( Sheo( p u l so( downo( ps e c t a c l eso( ando(
resumeo( lips.o( WILLIEo( opens( n e ws p a e r ,o( h a n d so(
inibsiv l e . o ( T o p so( o fo(y e l o wo ( h s e t so(a p e a ro( o no(
i
e t h e r o ( s id eo(o fo ( h i so(h e a d . o ( WINNIEo( finis h e so(li,osp (
in s p e c t so( th( om e ino(m i r o r ( h e l d o ( ao(l itt l eo( futh r e ro(
away . ) o (eh n s ig naw crimsoneOaw ( W ef LLIEotu( rnso( p a ge .o(
WINNIEo( lay so(d o wn o ( lipsticko( a n d o ( m iret osi ,o( turnso(
towardso( b a g . )o(epaleaw fl a g. a w

WILLIEo(t u r n s o (p a g e . o ( WINNIEo( rum ageso( is I o (

b a g,o (bringso( o u t o ( s m a l o( o r n a t e o ( brimleso( h a to ( witho(
c r u m p l e do( fe a t h e r ,o( tusero( b a c ko(fr o n t ,o( s tet a ight e nos (
h a te o( s m o o t h s o ( fe a t h e r ,o ( r a is e so( ito(t o wa r d so(h e a d ,o(
arestso( g e s t u r eo( a so( WILLIEo(r e a d s .o(

WILLIE Hisaw Gr a c e a w a n daw et o s ta w R e ve r e n d a w e m a th e ra w inaw e r o d a w

D raw Ca r o lu s a w H u n t e raw o n e a da w e,aw op b .aw

Pa u s e .o(

WINNIE (gaokingo( fr o n t ,o( ato( h ino( h an d ,o ( t o n e o ( o fo(fervento(

re,inis e . e n c e ) .o(Ch a r lieaw Hu n te r !aw ( Pa u s e . ) o ( I1
closeaw m yaw eyes - ( s h e o ( ake
t so( o ff o ( p s e c t a c leso( ando(
d o e so(so,o( hato( in( o one( hand,o( sp ectacl eso( ino(other ero(
WILLIEo(turnso( pa g e ) - a n daw a maw sittingaw o naw hisaw
kn e saw ag in,aw e,aw th e a w ba c kaw g a r d e na w a ta w Bor o u ghaw
 16I1 I SAMUEL ECB KETT

e r e n,a w unde r a w thwae ho r s e A b e e c h .aw ( Pa u s e .o( Sh e o (

o p e nso( e y e s ,o(putso( o no (s p e cta cle s ,o( fiddleso( wi t ho(
e r a t. )o(e . ha w the a w ha p yaw moR o r ie s !aw

Pause.o( S h e o (raiseo( hato( e f o wardso( h e a d ,o (rea e s t o(

gestehreo( a so( Wer L erEo( re a ds .o(

WILLIE e.paengaw fo raw smartaw yo u t h. a w

Pa u s e .o( S h e o ( raise o( h a t o ( t o wa rdso( h e a d ,o ( arrest o(

gestu r e ,o ( takeso( o ff o ( spegctacl e s ,o(gazeso( fr o nt ,o (rsh to(ino(
oneo( erand,o( s p e c a cle t so(sr noo t(he r. o (

INNIE
W Mya w te Iasr wa ba ll !aw ( L o ngo(p a u s e . )Mya
o (w s e c o nda w baah l !aw
( e a o n go( p a us e .o( lae o s e so( ey e s . )o(M ya w etestaw kie a !a w
( Pa u s e .o( WIeIeae ( on t urnso( p a ge .o ( Wer NNIEo( osm e nso(
ey e s . )o(Aaw M r a w e I o h n s o n ,a w o raw eI o h n s to n,a w o raw p e s h a p saw
II1 s h o ulda w s a yaw eI o h n s t o ne .o ( eb e r yaw bu s hya w mo us t a c h e ,aw
v e r yaw t a w n y .aw ( R e v re nt ly . ) o ( Almo s taw ge. nge r !aw
(er a u s e . )o(eTitedinaw aw to o ls h e d,a w t h o uou haw wh o s eaw Iaw
c a nno t a w c o nc e iv e . a w eT eaw hadaw noaw t o ls h e da w a n da w heaw
mostaw c e r ta i nl ya w hadaw n o a w t o ls h e de a a w (ea lo s e o( ey e s . )o(
II1 seaw theaw p ile s a w o fa w p o t s .aw ( P a us e . )o(o'heaw t ano u e n e s a w ofaw
ba s t. a w ( Pa u s e . )o (oyheaw sha do wsaw deepe ne.af gaw a i oak gaw
th eaw r a ft e r s . a w

Pa u s e .o( Sh e o ( o p e nso( ey e s ,o(p u t so( o no (ps e c t a c P

e tesd (
o raise o(
hato(t o wa rdso( s i e a d ,o ( arresto( ge s t u reo( so(a WILLIEI1
r e a ds .o(
HAPPY YAD S I 17
WILLIE onA an t e d a w brig e a ta w b o y .a w

ep au s e .o( W INep IEo( p u t so(o no (h at o ( hure-isidly,o( l o o k so(

fo r o (eeiskror.o( WIL LIEo(turnso( p a g e . o ( WINNIEo(
t ake s o ( upo( scirslor,o( inspeitso( h at ,o( lay s o ( downo( slerror,o(
t u rn so( towardso( agb .o( Pap e ro( d i s ap p e a rs.o(WINNIEo(
e(us.aageso( ino( agb ,o( bringso( out( magnify i n ,eg las
g ,os (
rnut (
os b ac ko( fr,otno ( l o o ks o (fo( or t o o t h b ru s h .o( Pap e r o (
re ap p e a rs,o(fol d e d ,o( an s r o (b e g i n s o ( t o ( fan o ( W ILLIE' s o (
fa c e ,o ( h and o ( invisible.o( WINNIEo( t ake so( upo( t o o thei
b ru s ho( ando( e xas. n e so( h an d l e o (thr o u g h o ( g la s .o(

WINNIE oaue-yaw g ua ra e r tot e daw . . .o(( W ILLIEo (stop( fane r i er g e.o(

. . g e n u .inea a w w p u r eaw . . ( Pau . seo.o( ( WILLIEo( r e s u m e so(
fansSing.o( W Iep NIEo( lo o ks o ( c l o s e ) ,o( re a .s d )o(F u l yaw
g u a r a e r te e d a w . . ( e y .soeer o (LLI Eo(s t o p s o ( faner i n g )o( . . .o
g e n uine a w p u r eaw
. . ( .Pausa w e . o ( WI LLIEo (re seu m e so(
fa nen .ogni ( W Iep NIEo( ey ay so(d o wno( glasso( ando( be)ush,o(
l s t k e s o ( h an dsp e ( c h ie fo( froswo( b o dieie,o( ak t e so( o ff o ( a n d o (
p o lish e so( speceiacles,o( p u o p s o (o n o ( s pe c t ac le s ,o( l o o ks o ( foslo(
gehass,o( at ke so( upo(asT do( p o l i s h e so( la g ,os ( layso(d o wn o (
aslg ,os ( l o o k s o ( fosno( s u s n u sh,o( o t ake so(upo( be( u s bo( an d o ( o n s L s r e s o (
h a e n d l e ,o( l aos so( e a o eTsbo(b ru s b,o ( p u tso(bandke r c b i efo(
aeb iko(( oni b o dice,o( lo o k so(foro(glass,o( t a ke s o ( po u (glas,o(
e h o o k so(foro(brusbe.o( t ake s o ( u po( brusbo( ando( exas,ineos(
ba n d l e o (tbr o usr bo( gsTas s . )o(F u l ly a w guar a n t e e daw . . .o(
( W ILLIEo(sol p so( fash n ier g)o( . . g e r ua..otaw o ( p u r eaw . . .
 18I1 I SA M UEL B E C KE TT

( p a u s e,o( efi ILe. IEo( r e sureo( fanin g ) o (. . hog'seh .

(s.ILLIeLo( . e s o p s o ( fan sPng,o( pause )o( .eh seta .eh

. .

( P a use .o(efiINNIEo( yal so(downo( glaso( na do(rb u s h ,o(

s t a p e ro(disap ears,o( WINNIEo( ta keso(osno(
p s e c tac l e s,o(al y s o ( themo( d o wn ,o( gazeso( fros, t .)oHo( g'seh
seta.eh ( Pa u s e . ) o (Thateh isI1 whateh Iaw h
edn.fi s oeh w o n d e r ­
fuh e,l thaeh noteh aehdayeh h es o g by- ( s m i le ) o ( -to speaih
h
eni theh oldeh sefle - ( s mileo( o ff ) o ( - hardlyeh aeh d a y ,eh
withouteh s o meeh adieoioneh toh
e one'seh knowledgeh
howevereh trifling,eh theehaddie.oneh Iaw me a n,eh vi
orp deh
ed
oneh takeseh theh a e ai.esn h ( W ILLIEelh ase.o( Po( snegas.peaebso(
w i t ho( ao(s. o s tcar o(
d w h i c h o (eoh ( examineue.o(close( oa o (
eye s . )o(Anhed ifI1 forehsomeeh steaangeh reasoneh eb o h
feWrthereh painseh areeh poserible,h w h yeh theneh weua h e closeh
theh e y s - (she d o es o ( s o )o(- andeh waiteh foreh ehheeh
dayeh t oeh come - ( o p e n so(ey es ) - theh aph h ey p h
ey a d
toh e meoc h
e wheneh h ehsfl meh es t l h
eta soeh mah ey n degr sh
andeh theh nighteh ofeh theeh mooneh h es a h h eos manyeh hundredeh
hours.eh ( P a u s e . ) o (Thateh h es i whateh Iaw nd fi h e s oeh com­
fortingeh whenh Iaw loseh hearteh h
ed n a e nvyeh theeh bruteh
beast.eh (Turni go( e . oh ar d so( WILLIE . ) o (I1 hopeeh
heu o y areh takingeh in- ( Sh eo ( seeso( p o s e . q sac d ,o (bens)exo(
l o w er . ) o ( Whah et h esi thaeh ley h eu haveeh there,eh Wilet,h
mayeh Iaw se?eh ( S h eo ( r ea c bes o ( e a o wn o ( wsSeiho( basieao( ee l s Ss (
o
WILLIeL( o i sa h (
os ae h ero( rac d .o(hT eo(hairyo( foeb ea rsbo(
a p ea r so( aboveI1 slope,o( r a i s e d o ( inI1 gestpreo( o fo (givi11g,I1
HAPPY DAYS I 9I1 1

tsl eo(( od n a h openo( t o ( takeo( ke cab ( oe ne

a k( o re ma i n so( inI1 thisI1
p o sit on( ll
it ( o rdac ( o ( os i r eo r ne d .o( WINNIEo( tusiso(
backo( fsro n t o ( ando( e xa m i n e so( c a r d . )o(H e a . e n saw a ? e - ata w
a r eaw th e y a w u peh t o !aw ( Sh e o ( l o o ksofo(r o (p s e c t a c l ,os e ( t et u p ( o
Moht wa ono(( odna xae ne im ( os c a r d . )o(No o ( ( otub so iht ( so i ( enaeve-eh
genui h pureh o Y t h !aw ( E xa m i n e so( ce) r d . ) o ( e t a ke a w a n a ' w
nice-e,ndeh personh wortaw t o a w voewt!eh ( Iiem
p a t i e n csko( foo ( WILL IE ' s o (fingers.o( S h e o ( l o o ksofo( ro(
sse
a zeg ( oe t a ke so( i to(u p o ( n a do(e xaek i n e so( ca r d o ( t h r o u g ho(
g l a s .o( L o n go(p a us e . ) o (Wh a t a w d o e s h th a t w creatureI1 in
a! h eaw backgroundeh t e i ka w h e ' saw d oin g ?a w ( L o o ks o (
close r . ) o (O h a w n oeh r e a ll y !I1 ( Ipm a t i e n c e o ( o fo (srngers.o(
Lasto(l o ngo( e z o o k . o Sh( eo( l a y so(downo( glas ,o( taks)so( edg o(
o fo (c a r d o (b e t we e n o ( s u i g bt o ( forefingero( ando( t hotsn b ,o(
a v e rt so( be a d ,o( t a ke so( n o s e o ( b e t we e no( l e ft o ( fosu e fing( oer
n
a do(t h u m b . )o ( ea om !aw ( D r o p so(c e ) r ek . ) o ( T a keaw i taw awa y !
( W ILLIE' s o ( armo( disap p e ars.o(Hiso( ba n d o ( reap reto(
k
e i m e d i a t e ly ,o( h o dil ng( o card.o(WINNIEo( takeeto( o so ( o
ps e c t a c l e s ,o( la y s o ( t h e eko(doaspeo( (
osezag fseb i( oe r h e s ff . o (
eruringo( whato( fo l l o w so( W ILLIEo( c o n t i nu e so( to(
re l . si ( o caeLek,o( oEasyoy ingo( angleso( sendo( dist s b n c e o ( fsyosn(
hiso( yo e e s .H o g ' ) s a ow ( s e ta e . a w ( P uzz l e do( expres ioi . )o(
Wh a ta w e o b ac tly a w isaw a h o g ?a w ( P au s e .o ( D o . ) o ( evaw s o a ? w o .aw
c o u rs e a w I1 kn o e o ,aw b u ta w a e - o gaw . Pu ( .led z .o(
e x pre s i o no (o ff . )o(Ohwa eoel aw eo h a taw doe saw itI1 matIer,I1
t h a taw isaw eohatw I1 alotaysaw say,aw itwa Inill1 c o m eI1 es acaIo.aw
 20 I SAMUEL EB CK TT
E

teware iswa whwat Iaw fi n d a w s oaw wo n d e r fu l ,a w a l law c o me s a w ba c a i . a w

( P aus e . )oAa( y ?a w ( P a u s e . )oo'( oeraw n o t a w a l .aw ( S mi l e . )o(
eo aw n o .a w (Smileo( off. )oeotaw ( q u it e .aw ( P a u s e .)oAa( w p a r t .aw
( P a u s e . )oF l o ( a te.aw up,aw o t eaw o?neaw d a y ,aw outaw o fa w theaw
bl u e . a w ( P a u s e . )oTh( atw is wh a t w I1 fi n d a w e . o a w w o n d e rf u l .aw
( P ause .o(S h e o ( tueiso( t owaeD d so( b a g .o( Ha n do( a n d o ( c a r do(
sid a p e a r . o ( Sh e o ( am k e s o ( t oo(szmm a g eo( e l n o ( b a g ,o( arresto(
gestur e . )oNo( .aw ( S h e o ( t ueD n so( b a c ko( fron t .o(Sm i l e . )o(
eo aw n o .aw (Smileo( off. )oe r e n t ly(a w Winon e .aw ( S h e o (
g a z e so( feD o n t.oWI ( LL IEe p s o (h a n d o ( r e a p e a r s ,o(at ke so(
offo(h aoP , ( disap e rso( wi tho( ba t . )oWh( atw t h e d ?aw
( H a n do( reap ear (
o , s t a ke so( h a n d kswes c h i efo(fros( ol
s ku ( o , l d i s a p e t so( witho( h a n d ke r c h i e f.oeu( h a r p le ,o(
a so( t oo (oneo( noto( p a y ingo( a t e n t i on . )o( Winon e emaw
( e t I L LIEo( bowso( b e a do( outo( ofoh g i s ( t . )oWh( ootaw (os i
tewae a lt e rn a o ve ?aw ( P a u s e . )oWh( atw is thwae a leI
( e t e u L LIEo( e w l owso( e t o s eo( l ou d o ( a n d o ( l on g ,o( h e a do( a n do(
hel n dso( ineSis ble.o( Sbe o (t u r n so( t oo(l ooko(a t o (( o. vsi h P a u s e .o(
e r e a d o ( r e a p e a r s .o( P a u s e .o( Haeo do( r e a p e a rso( wi(oh t
h a n d ke r cs) f,ei ( o s p r e a d so( ito(on o (eP k u P e ( o , l disapers.o(
P a u s e .o( Ha n do( reap so( ws, t ho( b oa r,et ( o s e t l o( (
oti ono(
h e a d ,o( rakisho( a n g l e ,o( dipas e a r s .o( P a u s e . )oWo( u l daw
Iaw h a d a w l e t a w y o uaw s l e e paw o n .aw ( Sh e o ( o) uei so( b a c k o ( front.o(
In t e rsw i t e n to( pluc kineso( a t o (esras ,o( heado( upo( as, do(
down,o( t oo (a n i m a t eo( follootouin g . )oAh( aw y e s ,aw ifae l w n ly a w Iaw
cel u l daw b e a raw er oaw be a w a l oer raw Iaw me o ! otaw o n r a i leaw e ff wa y a w
PPY
AH DAY S I 21
withaw notaw aaw soulaw to a w h e a r . a w ( P aeo s e . ) o (oil o taw th ata w I1
fl at te raw mys e lfa w youaw h e a raw muc h , a w n oaw Wilie,aw er o daw
fo r bi d .aw ( P aeu s e . ) o (D a ysaw p e r h a p s a w w h e naw yo ua w h e aa il a w
n othi n g . a w ( P a u s e . )o(e a u ta w d a y s a w t o oa w e o h e n a w youa w
a n sot e r .aw ( P a u s e . )o(S o a w th ata w Iaw m a ya w s aya w a ta w a l law ti me sobaw
e ve naw w h e naw youa w d o a w n o ta w a n s w e raw an daw p e r h ap saw h e aoyaw
not h in g ,aw So me tec gaw o fa w t h i saw isaw b e ingaw h e ar desaw Iaw a ma w
n o t a w me r e u lya w te' kingaw t oa w my s e lf ,aw t h at a w i s a w inaw th e a w
wil de r nof s ,aw aw t h in g a w Iaw c o ue u d a w n e v e raw b e ar a w t o a w d oaw e,
foraw aaa yaw l e n g t haw o faa-w e.a ( P ause . ) o (co h at a w isaw w h aa ? a w
e u n abl e s a w m eaw t oa w g oa w o n , a w g oaw o n a w t ala o g a w t h a ta w i s .a w
( P au s e . ) o (haot e r e as a w ifI1 y oua w w e r eaw t oaw die - (sm sa l e )o(
ol t oaw s p e aka w inaw t h eaw o l d a w s t y le - ( o . il e o ( o ff ) o ( eY oraw g oaw
a w aya w a n daw le a ve a w me ,aw th e naw h ataw w o u l daw I1 d o ,aw w h ataw
c o u l do( Iaw d o ,aw al l a w d ayaw l o n g,aw Iaw me anaw be twe e naw t h eaw
b e l law f o r a w waki n gaw a n daw th e a w b e jaw fo r a w sle p ?aw ( P a u s e. edo(
Seqplyaw gaeieaw b e f o r eaw meaw withaw c o mp r e s s e daw l e p s .a w
( L o ng o (pa u e ) e o (
w hil eo( sheo( do e so( s o . ( No o ( m o reo(
psw u c ki ng . )o(No ta w an o t h e raw w o r daw as lo n gaw as I1 d a in e a Y w
br e ath , a w no t h i n gaw t oaw br e aka w th e a w se' l e n c eaw o fathw i s a w
p l ac e .a w ( P ause . ) o (S a v e a w p o s i bl yesaw n o wa a n daw th e r ohaw
o, ve r ya w nowa a n daw th e n , a w aaw wahrois in toaw m ya w l o okingaj
g l as s . a w ( P ause . ) o (Or a w aaw briefaw . . gal. aew w o fa w l au g h te a u oNaw
shot daw I1 h a p p e n a w toaw seaw theaw o l d a w awokeaw ag aierodaw
( P a u s e .o( Smileo( a ppe a rs ,o( b r o a d enso( a ndo (s e s, so(
abou to(
too( c u leh ina teo(ino( ho
gual ( whesro( s u dde toher ( o
 2 I SAMUEL ECB KETT

e ) e p la c e d o ( be o( expres iono( ofoa( etop i et o k . ) o (T o wo yaw ojaireeaw

e u P a u s e . )oDidaw( Iaw brushaw andaw comvaw s- o)o(s.sieko(
he le a u s e . )oIaw ( mayaw haveaw d o n e .a w ( P aue) e . )oNo(r m a l a u w
Iaw d o . a w ( P a u s e . )oTh(e r eaw isaw s o a w li t l e a w o e eaw c aeoo( d o .aw
e u P a u s e . )oO( n e a w d o e saw itaw a ll. a w ( P au s e . )oAl( l a w o nokaw c a n. a w
( P a u s e . )oTis (aw o nl y a w hu m a n. a w ( P Fea s e . )oe G( u m ana w
na t u r e . a w ( Sh e o ( b e g i n s o ( t ooe l n s ( p e c to (ez ou e n d, o ( l ooe W s o (
p.
u )oe G u(m a na w a. e a knoe s .aw ( S h e o ( r e ) uew so( s nei p e c ti oe t o (
ofo( m ou n d ,o(l ooe W s o ( up. )oNa( tu r a l w wet a kn e s .aw ( Sh e o (
r e s u m o( in s p e c te i on o (ofo(m ou e o d .)o(Iaw s e a w no a w c o m b .aw
( e . n s p e c tse.)o(N o r a w n y a w ha e s br u s h .aw ( L o osW so(p u .o(
Puzledo( roe ieserp o n .oSheo( turnso(too( ( o, g a b e a u 111ma g e so(
inI1 ti . )o et h eaw ( c o m ba w isaw h e r e . a w ( B a c ko( fr os, .o( Puz ledo(
xpde r es ion .oBa(c ko( too( b a g .o( RusD ages. )oThe (a w
ba y s h a w isaw h e r e . a w ( B a c ko( fr on t.o ( P u z l e do( xpr
e xe P e i oe t .effo(
e p r h a ps a w II1 putaw t h e maw ba c k, a w a f t e r a w u s e .aw ( P ause .o(
D o. )oButaw ( no r m a ll yaw Iaw doaw notaw putaw thingsaw ba c k, a w
a ft e r a w u s e ,aw n o ,aw Iaw le a ve a w t h e maw lyingaw abou t a w oD ndaw e- u taw
t e l e maw ba c ka w a lla w to g e t h e r , a w a t a w t h eaw e nd a w o fa w t h e a w d a y .aw
( Smel e .)oetoaw ( s pe a ka w in t h e a w o l d a w s ty l e .a w ( P ) o a o e e . )o(
Theaw s w e taw oldaw s t y le .aw ( S mi l e o ( off.emo(Andaw yetaw
. . Ia. w a s e w e m a w . . oawt . a w r e m e m be r a w . ..o((
Su d s a e n l yo(
careles s . )o(Ohaw w e l l, a w w her taw d o e sawel taw m ao t e r ,aw t h a ta w
i saw h awe r a w I1 a l w a y s a w a y , a w Iaw s ha l a w sel me- l yaw ba ' s h a w a nd a w
c o m ba w t h e maw ley t et raw o n, a w p u r e l yaw eyoe daw s im p l y, a w II1 h a v e a w
a h he a w whole - ( P aep s e .o (Puz le d e s effo(
T h e m ?a w (ems( e F s e. )o(
PPY
AH DAYS I 2 3I1
Or a w it?aw ( P a u
s e . )o(Bruhos ( na do(c o e l b o ( it( oie eh PsP u s eeredo(
So u n d saw ao pr o pe raw somehow .aw ( P a u s e . o ( TusS insLo( a

itl tleo( t o wa rd so(WILLI E . ) o (Wh a t a w w o u ld a w youaw sa y,a w

Wil e t e ?a w ( P a u s e . o ( Tu rningo( ao(it l( oe l t furt h e r . ) o ( o l ha ta w
o d o u ld a w y o uaw s a y ,aw Wayas ie , a w s p e a kiee gaw o fa w y o u r a w ho c ir ,a w
t h e ma w o raw it ?aw ( P a u s e .)o(Th eaw h a i r a w o n a w y o uaCaw h e o h d ,a w I1
me ao o .a w ( P a u s e .o( Turningo( ao(itl t l eo( furt h e r.)o(erheaw
ho o a w oaw y o u raw h e a d ,aw Will ie ,aw eg h a taw w o u ld a w youaw s a ya w
s pe a kin g a w o fa w t h e a w h a iraw o naw y o u raw h e a d ,aw t h e ma w oa'aw it?I1

L on gaw p a en s e .o(
WILIE av t .aw

WINIE (olrnistgo( ba c ko (front,o(s. oye, u l ) .oOh(

aw y o uaw a r eaw g o in gaw
t oa w t alkaw t o a w m eaw to d a y , a w t hi s a w e, saw g oeg aw t oaw b e a w aaw he h p y a w
day !aw ( Pa u s e . o ( e d o yo(
o ff. )o(A n o t h e r a w h a ppy a w d a y .aw
( P a us e p )o( A ha w w e l l ,aw wh e r aw w a saw I , a w m yaw h a i r , a w y e s ,a w
la t e r a w o n ,aw Iaw s h a e i a w b eaw tha n kfu law f o r a w itaw la t e r a w o n .aw
( Pa u s e . ) o (Iaw h a v e a w se ofeh ( raiseso( ha nds o ( t o ( ha t ) - ye s,aw
o n ,aw m yaw h at a w oe - ( l o we
r s o (ha n d s ) - Iaw c a n o t a w t a ke a w
itaw o ffa w no w . a w ( P ause. )o(etoaw eD hin kaw t h e reaw ar eaw t im e s a w
o n eaw oi a n o taw t a ke a w o ffa w o n e ' saw h a t ,aw no t a w ifao wn e ' s a w e il fe a w
od e r eaw a ta w s t a ke . a w Tim e saw o n eaw c a n o taw p u taw itaw o n ,a w te, m e saw
o n eaw c ae n o taw t a ke a w itaw o ff. a w ( P aus e . )o(H o w a w o f t e naw Iaw
haoaeaw s a id , a w e.utaw o naw a!ouraw hataw noa.,w Wina,e,aw t h eoy eaw
isaw n o th in gaw e ls e a w fo r a w it, a w t a ke a w o ffa w y o u raw h a taw no w , a w
Win n ie , a w le, keaw aw g o d a w g ir a W , a w itaw w illaw d oaw yo u a w g o deoaw
 42 I SAMUEL BEC K E TT

a ndaw d i aw n o t .aw ( P a us e . )o(e l o ul da w n o t .aw ( P ef us e .o(Sheo(

raiseso( ha nd,o(fre e so( ao(ste)etndo( o fo (haievo(fev o m ( unde ro(
hat,o( drawso(itoe i( o w )ea dso(ey e ,o ( sqohintso( a to(it,o( letso( iei( o
,oog ( ha n do ( do w n . ) o ( Go l den a w wau o y c a l eda w it,aw t h a t a w r
ora, d wa
wh e n a w waeht lawats g u e s taw eh h saw g o n ea w - ( he w ndo (upo( ie( ob
g e s tu r eo( foo (raisingo( ao(g la s )o( - toaw y o u r a w g o ld e na w . . .
ma y a w itaw n e ve a , a w . . .( vo o( ic eo( r b e e f k s ) o ( . . .o(ma y a w iaD w
n e ve r a w .. ( H ando(do w n . o (
. Heado( down .o(P a us e .o(
Lo ah . ) o (o n h a t a w
· d e h y .a w ( e p a us e . o ( D o . ) o ( e a taw ro i oy wa
( P a us e .o( He a do( up( o. Noe) m a lo( vo ic e . )o(Wh a eraw n o e u ?aw
(Pefuse . ) o (Wo r ds a w fa il ,aw th er e a w areaw a! e saw wh e n a w e ve na w
th e y a w fa il .a w ( T urningo( ao(littleo( t o w ew rdso(WILLIeu . )o(
I s a w th a ta w n o taw s o ,a w Willie?aw ( P ua s e . o ( Turning( o a sxieitleo(
furth re . ) o (Isaw notaw tha w s o ,a w e- illie ,aw t h e h ta w e ve naw eu o I d saw
fa i l,aw a ta w ti me s ?aw ( P au s e . o ( Backo( fr o s W . ) o (Whatw iarw o n eaw
t oaw d oaw t h e n ,aw unt ilathw e y a w c o meaw ag a in ?aw ea r u s haw a n d w
c o mbaw th eaw h a ir, a w ioxaw ita w h a s a w n o taw be e naw d o n e ,aw o ra w ifI1
t h e r eaw isaw s o me a w d o u bt,a w trimaw t h ea w n a il s w i faw t h ey a w oDeIeaw
inaw n e e d a w ofaw t r imaT g ,aw t h e s eaw thingsaw tideaw o n ea w oa. e Ietaw
( P ua s e . )o(Th a taw isaw wh a t a w I1 mea n .a w ( P ua s e . ) o (
Th a t a we ! a u w
a l aw I1 m e a n .a w ( P a us e . ) o (Th a t w i s a w wh a ta w I1 fi n d a w s oaw
e u o n d e rfu l, a w by - ( s mile )o(
t h a t w n o taw aw d a y a w g o e saw -

t oaw s p ea ka w ( s en i h eo( )eo )o(-

i naw theaw o l daw s t y le -
eu itob o u taw s o m eaw b l e ss i n g - (s Ie'e. Ieuo( c o llasm eo(
b e hindo( slopsp,o( hiso( h eado ( disaeupears,o( WINNIelo(
tueDnso(t o w ardso( eve s x t )o( - a s naw de!sg u i s e .a w ( S h eo (c r an e so(
HAPPY DAYS I 2 5
e w a c k o ( ando( do w n . ) o ( Goaw ba c ka w i n t oaw yo u r a w h o le a w n o a r e in a w
Wea ll e u e , a w yo u 've a w eob p o s e daw yo u r s e lfa w enou g h .a w
( P aus e . )o(D o a w a s a w I1 s a y , a w Wehi l ie ,aw d o n ' taw l i e sa pw r a e u la b
i n gaw t h e r eaw i naw t h isaw h e lli s haw s u n ,aw g oaw ba c ka w i nto a w y o ur a w
( Pa u s e
h o le .a w . ) o (G o a w o n a w n o w, a w Wi l ie .a(w W I LLIeno(
invisib l eo( s t a r t so( c r a wlingo( l e fto( t o w a r dso( h o l e . )o(
Th a t ' saw t h eaw m a n .a w ( Sh e o ( fo l l o ws o ( hiso( pr o gsm e s o( wshtho(
h e ro(ye e s . )o(Notaw h e a daw first,aw s t u p i d ,aw howaw arew yo u a w
g o in gaw t o a w t u rnwa? ( P ause . ) o (Th a t 's a w itaw . rig. h t a w . a w
ro u n d a w e . .n o wa w . a w . . b a c ka. w a in w .a( Paw u s e . ) o ( O h a w I1 kn oav -aw
i teh i s a w n o taw e a s y ,aw d e a r ,aw c r a wli n gaw b a c kw a r d s , a w b u taw itaw
isaw re wa r d ingaw nai w t h eaw e n d .a w ( Pa u s
e . ) o (Youaw haveaw l e f taw
oIouraw vas e lin e a w b e h e a n d .a w ( Sh e o ( wa t c he s o (a so( he o (c ra wlso(
b a c ko ( fo r o (vaselin e . )o(Th eaw l idogaw ( Sh eo( wa t c he so( a so(
beo(c r a wl so( b a c ko( t o w a r dso( h o l e . o (Irr s u t a t e d. )o(oC o taw
headw e? r s t ,aw Iaw t e lla w y o u e h a w ( P ause. )o(Mo r eaw t oaw t h eaw r i g h toSaw
( Pa u s e . ) o (Th eaw igr h t ,o( Iaw s a i d .a w ( P a u s e. o ( Ir itate d. )o(
eMepaw y o u raw taehiaw d o wn , a w c a n ' taw yo u e h a w ( Pa u s e . )o(e . o e u .a w
( P a u s e . )o(Th e r e haw ( A l lo(t he s eo( dir e c t i o n s o (l o u d. o (
No wo ( inoh (e r o (no r malo( vo i c e ,o(s t illo(t u s W e do ( t o wa e L ds o (
bim . )o(Ca n a w yo u a w h e a r a w me e f a w ( Pa u s e . ) o ( II1 b e s e c h a w
yo u , a w Wi llie ,aw j u s t a w ye s a w o raw n o ,aw c a naw yo uaw h e a raw me e o a w
j staw u ye s a w o raw no t h in g .a w

Pa u s e .o(

WI LLIE o u e s .a w
 2 6I1 I SA MUEL BECKETT

WIN E (turninsNo(front,o( sameo( vo e y c e ) . o (

Andaw n oas ?aw

EIL W ( irrita t e d) .o(eb es .aw

EIN W (l(
o s e l o u d ) .o(ohdaw n owemaw

EIL W (m oreo(irriee d f) ta .o(eb e s .aw

WIN E ( s ilt es (
o (
os e l l o u d ) .o(Andaw now?aw ( Ao( itt
l (
oel l o ud e r. )o(
An daw e. o wemaw

WIL IE ( vio l e nty

l ) .o(
eb es !aw

WIN E ( s a -o( vo ic e ) . o ( eiearaw noaw eyoreaw theaw h e at a w o'ehtheaw us n .a w

(P n
ea s e . )o(D i d a w u o u a w h e araw th at ? a w

WIEIL ( irriteta d ) .o(e b ee , .a w

EIN W ( s a m eo( vo e y c e ) . o (
Whatme wa ( P a us e . ) o (Wh at ?aw

WIEIL (m o re o ( ireNitdeta ) .o(

ie ara
e w n oaw e y o r e.a w

P aen s e .o(

WIEIN ( s a m eo( vo e y c e ) . o (
Noaw mowaer we l a temaw ( P aus e . )o(em araw
n oa w mo r ea w wh at?aw

WIEIL ( ve l o l e nty
l ) .o(
ei e daw oa
n w mo re e , a w

WIEIN ( no eNem lo(vo ic e ,o( g a b l e d ) .o(e a l e s a w wauoy ebaw ah. I1 waod

a ppr e c ia t e a w war u o y goo d n e s aw Iaw waonre w wh at a w wan
e l o r taw it a w tssoc wa y o u ,aw waoDe uaoy w maway relawae Iaw s h a lla w
n o taw t r ou blea w y ouaw a g ai naw u n le e a a w Iaw ama w o bli g e d a w t o ,aw by a w
H A PPY D A YS I 27I1

el h a taw I1 meanw un le s a w II1 c o m e a w to a w theaw endaw o fa w m y a w ownaw

r es o e k c e . a w wherchaw i saw mos taw u a A e ly , a w j stau w to a w kn o wa w
t h aelaw inI1 le h e o h a w y o ua w c a naw h e il a w me a w e v e naw th o ug haw i n a w
fa c taw y o uaw d o n ' ta w was i a lla w I1 n e ed ,a w j ta us w to a w fe e la w y o uaw
th e r e a w ax i th inaw ear s h o e l a w a n daw conc e i v a bly a w o n a w th ea w
elowa vi ve a w isaw a lla w I1 a s k,a w n o ta w to a w s a y a w a n y th i n gaw Iaw wo o t d a w
n o ta w wis e a w y o uaw to a w hea raw o r a w lia ble a w t oa w c a u s ea w y o uaw
p a i n ,a w n oecaw to a w b e a w j u s taw b a b b lea ne aw awa y a w o na w
tou s taw asI1 itaw isaw w e r ea w n o ta w kn o wi n gaw a n daw s o me th i n gaw
g n a wingaw ( P a u s eo( fosffo( b re a t heA )o( D o u b t .a w
aec w m e .a w
( P al c e so(sp n de xo( a n do ( s e c o ndo ( fin g e ro( o n o ( h e ra to(a re aemo(
m o v e so( t h e mo( a b o u t ,o ( b r in g so( thsso( t o (ea e s t . )oH e r (e .a w
(eW o v e so( t h e m o ( s l s u g h tly . ) o (A bo u r s .a w ( H a n do ( a wa o t . )o(
Ohaw n oaw d o u bta w theaw teq eaw wie-aw c o m eaw wh e n a w b e fo r eaw
Iaw c a n w uel te raw aaw wo r d a w I1 m u s ta w m a keaw ah r eaw y o uaw hea rdaw
theaw oneaw thataw we n ta w b e f o r eaw andw t h e naw n oaw d o u bta w
a n o th e raw c o me a w anot h e ra w aseaw wh e n a w I1 m u sac w lea rn a w
toaw ta lkaw to a w my s e lfa w a te i g a w Iaw c o u lda w n e v e ra w beareh to a w
d oaw s u c haw ( P el u s e . wa g d e o s b s .a w )oOr( a w g aoi eaw be fo r e a w me a w
a.ithaw ( Sh e o ( d o e so(s o . )oAlla
c o m p r e a ed a w (w d a y a w li p s e k a w
l o n gekaw ( G e l z e o ( a n do ( lipso( agelin . )N o (o .a w ( Sm i l e . )oNo(a w
n o .a w ( Sm il e o (o ff. )oTh(e r eaw isaw o fa w c o u rs e a w th e a w ba g .a w
( T u r n so( t o wa r dso(i t eT)o( er h e r eaw waaw car a lwa y s a w b e a w th e a w
ba g e k a w ( Ba c ko ( fron t. )oe w( e . ,a w I1 s u p o s e a w s o .a w ( P a u s e . )o(
oOvenaw w h e naw youaw arew g o n e ,a w Will i e .a w ( Sh e o ( turnso( ao(
il t l eo( t owa r d so( ih m . )oew ( o uaw k e a eo(goat,aw Wi le e l e ,a w a r e n 'ecaw
 2 8 I SAMUEL BE C K E TT

you?eh( P a us e .o( L o ud e r . )o(Yoh eu willo( beh e heg n i o

oos h e, n Willieh e, won'teh you?eh ( P a u s e .o( L o u d e r . )o(
Willih e! ( P a us e . o ( S b e o (craneso( b a c ko ( na do(dows.o( too(
l o o ko ( toa (bim . )o(Soeh yoh eu haveh e takeneh offehyoureh
straw,eh hat h et iseh wi.ees h ( P a u s e . )o(Youeh d oehlokeh snug,eh
Ieh muh et s h
e, y a s h
eh t i w youreh chineh oneh youreh h es d n a h na deh
theh h edlo bluh e eysh ke il h e saucerseh h
en i t h e h h e. s w o d a h
(Pau s e . )o(Caneh youeh seh meh e fromeh het reh e Ieh wonder,eh
Ieh el i t s wonder.eh ( P a u s e . )o (No?eh ( B a c ko ( fr o n t . )o( O hI1
Ieh weoye h itehdoesh noteh folehowh wheneh twoeh areh
gatheredeh togeth r - (faltering)o( - in a w t his e h wayeh
- (no r m a l )o (- thaeh becaush oneh se.eh theh othereh
het h e othereh seh theh neo h e, lifeehh es a h t a u g h eh meeh eehateh
. ..etoo.e hh (P a u s e . )o( Yeh e,s lifeeh Ieh e, s o p u ther h iseh oen h
h
er h t o word.eh ( S b e o ( ( os n r u t ao(itl (oe l t t o w a rd so( hi m . )o(
Coh ed l u youeh seh me,eh Wilil h e, doehyoueh think,eh fromeh
hew h er h
eu o y are,h ifehyoueh wereeh t oeh raiseh youreh eysh
i neh myehdirecton?eh ( T urnso( ao(itt l ( oe l furtheek . ) o ( Lifteh
upeh youreh eyeseh toeh me,eh Willie,h andeh telh meehneac h youeh
h
es meh e, doeh thaeh forehme,eh I'lleh en a l backeh aseh fareh h
esa Ieh
.enac h ( D o e so(s o .o(Pau s e . )o(No?eh ( Paus e . )o(Welleh
nevereh mind.eh ( T urnso( e w a c ko(painful yo( front . ) o (Theeh
eartheh isehveryeh tigh eh today,eh caneh i tehbeh e oIaw hate h e h et u p
onehh e,hsfl Iehtefsteh .e ton h ( P a u s e . o ( Abs ene,ly,o(e ye so(
l o we r e d . )o(Theh g re a teh heateh possibly.eh ( Sta rtso( t o (
toap ( a n d o (ts r o k e o ( g r o u nd . )o(Aeleo hthingseh n
e g, nid ap h e
HAPPY DAYS I 29
someeh moreeh thaneh others.eh ( P a u s e .o( it a P (
o g n a nsdo(
strok ing . )o(Someeh les.eh ( P ause .o(D o . ) o ( Ohh e Ieh caneh
weh el imagineh whatehisehpassingeh througheh h eo y h e etnd,eh
i tehh esi noteh enoughh t oeh haveehtoeh listenh toeh theh woman,eh
.
eo n h e Ieh musteh lo keh a t e h herh a seh well.eh ( P a u s e .o( D o . ) o (
Welleh i t e hi s e h veryeh ebderstandable.eh ( P ausepo( D o . )o(
Moehteh understandable.eh ( P a u s e . o ( D o . )o(Onh e h es o d
n o teh h er a p toeh beh ase-geh aehreg tea h deal,eh indeh a teh
timeseh iteh wouldeh semeh hardlyeh pos ibleh - ( voi c e o (
b re a ks ,o( falso( t o ( a murmur)o( -toh e askeles h - ofeh aeh
felow-creatpreeh- t o e h p u teh h eti mildyeh - wheraseh
a cen u a le y h - whenh youeh thinkeh abouteh iteh- lo keh intoeh
reuoy h hearth - se h t h e h othereh - whateh heh h es d n -
peach - toeh beh leftehinehpeaceh - thenh perhaph es theeh
mooneh - alleh es i h t h t e s - askingeh foreh theh mooeu.eh
( ause P .o(St ro kin go( h a n do ( s u dde n l yo( still.o( Live l y . ) o (
Ohh e Ieh y,e
as hwhateh veah h e w e hhere?eh ( B endingo( h e s ) do (t o (
g ro u n d,o ( in c re d u l o u s . )o(Lookseh l i ke e hl if e h o feh someeh
kin!ed h ( L o o k so(foro(p s e c o a c l e s ,o( putso( t h e m o ( oneno(
b e ndso( c l o s e r. o ( Pau s e . )o(Aneh emmet!eh (e. e c o il s .o(
Sh r s ( l . )o (Wileu ,eh an emmet,eh aehliveeh emmet!eh
(Seel z e so( gam ec ifyin,osalgffe ( b e n dso( too(g ro u e c do (
ag s.n,o( in s pe c t so( t h ro u g ho( glas s . )o(Whre e 'sh e i te h ?eenog h
( I nspect s . )o(!ehA h ( F o l l o wso( it(os pro g re s o( t h ro u hog (
gras s . )o(Haseh likeeha littleh whiteh ballehh e n i itseh arms.eh
(Fol l o wso( p ro g re s .o( Hando(stilleuo( aeP os e T . ) o ( It'seh goech
 30 I SAMUEL ECB KETT

in w ( e s o
.a ntinueso( ao(m o en to( to o (gazeo(ato ( ps o t o (
thro ugho(glass,o( the(o( s l o w l yo( strai g htenso( u p ,ol ay ( so(
do w n o ( g l a,os ( takeso( ffo
o (spectacleso( ando( gaz e so(
e p e fo reo(her ,o(s pe ctacl e so( in(o hand.o(eP inalleI. )o(L ik eI1 a

eIltli 1 IthiteI1 ball.

Lon go(
pause .o(G e tes hreo(too(laeIo( d o e k n o (spectaclegs.o(

olienesnolaw ewgo!.aw

WINIE ( a sH restingo( gesture ) .o(

What?

Pae c e . o (

WILIE ewggs.aw ( P ause.o(Geebtuebego( to o (ael I(

o d o ofo( s ) l sce. )o(
eiaw onnicatin.

WINIE eNaebrestisNgo( geebtoiece) . o (

What?

Paus e .o(
W ILLIE Formicatn.

Paehse.o( Sheolay ( so( d o w n o ( sLectacles,o( gaz e so( b efo reo(

her.ePo (
in al leI .o(

WINIE (scecsg r ) .o(

God. ( Pause.( o WILLIEo( laughso(
quietl y.o( A ftero(ao(mo ento( s heo( eL o i n so( in(
o. TheoPo(
l augho( quietl yo( to g e ther. eos(ILLIEo( stops.o( Sheo(
l auge. so( on( ao(m o en to( al o n e .o(es ILLIEo(eLosdsDo( in.
Theyolaugho
( (oro gether.Sheo o( ( s to ps .o( WILLIEo(
s u aeh ghso no
((ao(mo ento( al o n e .o(Heo(stops.o( Pao, s e .o(
HAP Y DAYS I 3 1
eP o rewst lo( v o i c e . )o(Aheh wellehwhateh aehjoyeh ineh anyeh caseeh
t o e h heareh youeh lahegu h agin,eh Willie,ehIeh waseh
convincedeh Ieh epvereh would,eh youeh nevereh would.eh
( Pa us e . ) o ( Ieh y
es ppeeso h meos h e peopleeh mighteh thinkeh h es u
aehtrifleh irrevere,e tn h buteh Ieh dohetbu .eti h (PaeI s e . )o (we oH h
caneh oneehbetereh magedyeh theeh Almightyeh thaneh byeh
sehg eringeh wieWeh himI1 at e hhisI1 lit leehjokes,h e
pav er ula c ye re h het h e poeero kh e ones?eh ( Pst e c e . )o (Ieh etkeh
youeh wouldeh baceth me e hupehthere,eh Willie.eh ( P a us e . )o(
Orh e wereeh weehperhapseh diveetedeh byeh twoeh qu it e h
differenteh t hi n g s ?eh ( Pa us e . )Ohe o ( wehll,ehwhaeleh I ed h es
ith e mar,e et h thateh iseh whah et Ieh lwa
a h es y say,eh soeh longh e
asenee o h h...eyouehh knoweh . .whah et . e h isaw hat h
et e?ernderfuleh
eneeh .. .eeaaug h hingeh wildeh ...esomehthingeh somethingeh
laughingeh wildeh aeodeh severesteh woe.eh ( Pa o u e . )o ( Andeh
now?eh ( Lo n go ( ps)use . )o( Waseh Ieh lovableeh once,h
Willie?eh ( PaeI s e . )o(Wase h Ieh eveemehlovable?eh ( Pa e c e . )o(
Doeh noteh mieenderstandeh myeh queseuon,eh Ieh mea h noteh
askingeh youeh ifI1 youeh lovedeh me,eh weeh knweo h aeglehabouteh
that,eh Ieh ameh askingeh ue oy h ifI1 ue oy h foundeh meh e lovableeh -
h
et a h e no stage.eh ( P aus e . )o(No?eh ( Pa us e . )o (Youeh can't?eh
( P a us e . )o (Weedleh Ieh admiteh i tehisehaehr.east h e Andeh youeh
haveh e neod h e moreeh thaneh youreh h etib lre a ,eyda h forehtheh
teoh being,eh juh ets liehbackeh n o weh andeh relae,,ehIaw shalleh
noteh troubleeh youeh againeh deu essh e Iaw mea h compelledeh h
e, o t
justeh toeh knoweh e.oueh ree a h thereehwihit neh hearingeh nda h e
 3 2 I SAMUE L BECKETT

conceiI0ablyI1 o n I 1 theI1 semi-alertI1 i sI1 . . e rI

. 1 . . .

paradiseI1 noe .IasI 1 (Pause.) TheI1 d ayI1 isI1 noIl1 1Il e a

edcnaeId .I1 (Smile.) To1I speakI1 inI1 theI1 ta aa wad stI1le.I1
( Sm il eo( o ff. )o(An daw y et a w i taw isaw per h a p saw aw lit t leaw s o o n a w
f o r a w myaw son g .aw ( P aus e . )o(Toaw singaw t o oaw s o o naw i s a w aw
gre a taw ar s t a ke, a w Iaw fi n d . a w ( T u rni ngo( t o w ardso( b a g . ) o (
Th er e a w i saw o fa w c o u e s ea w t h ea w ba g. a w ( L o o k in go( a t o (b a g . ) o(
Theaw ba g . a w ( B a c ko ( front . ) o (Co u ld a w Iaw e n u m er a t ea w
it saw co n t en t s ? a w ( P a u s e . ) o (No .aw ( P aus e . )o(Co u ldaw
I , a w ifas o m wea w kin daw pea w o n a w wer eaw t o a w c o mea w alo n gaw a n daw
a sk,a w e a t a w a llaw ha vea w y o u a w go t a w in a w t h a t a w bigaw bla c ka w ba g,aw
Win n ie?aw giveaw a n a w exh a u sor veaw a n s w er ?aw ( P ause. )o(
N o .aw ( P ause. )o(Th eaw d ept h s a w in a w p a e w ic u l a r , a w w ho a w
kn o w saw w ha t a w t r ea s u r e s .aw ( P ause. )o(Wh a t a w c o mf orts .aw
( Turnso( to( l o o ko (( ot a b ag . )o(Y e s , a w the reaw isathea
w w ba g. a w
( B a c ko ( fsron t .)o(Bu t a w s o m e t hi n gaw t ellsaw m e , a w D oaw n o taw
o ver d o a w t hea w ba g, a w Win n ie ,aw m a kea w u s eaw o fa w itaw o fa w
c o u r s e ,aw let a w i taw h e l pa w y o u a w . . e '. o n ga w , a w wh en a w s t u c k ,a w
by a w a lla w m ea n s , a w bu t a w c a m t a w y o u raw mindaw foa, a r d ,aw
s o m et h ingaw t e l lsaw m e , a w c a s t a wy o u ra wm o . n d a w fo r w a rd, a w
Win nie,aw t oaw t h eaw t o D m ea w whe naw wo r d s a w ma k s t a w fa il1I eh
( s h e o ( c l o s e so( eyes,o( pause,o( o p e ns o ( ye e s ) o ( e, a n d a w d oaw
n o taw o v e r d oaw t h ea w b a g . a w ( P a u s e . o ( S h e o (teu rnso(t o ( l o ko(
at( o b ag . )o(ea r h a ps a w justaw ahneaw aTuicadaw d ip .aw ( S s , e o (o(nsgso(
b a c ko ( fro,ot n ( c l o s e so( y
e ,os e ( tsirowso( oItI I 1 l e ftIasun,o1 (
plungeso( ha n do ( ino(
bago( asLdo(bringso( oeue,o(re vo l v o xse c
o .o(
HAPPY SYAD I 33I1
Disgus ted. )o(Youaw ag in !aw ( S h e o ( o pe n s o ( sr ye s ,o( brsffngso(
re vo l ve ro( front( ando( c o n templateso( it .o(Sheo( we ig h so(
ito(i n o (h e r o ( p a l m . )o(Y o u ' d a w t hi n kaw t heaw w e ig htaw o fa w t hisaw
olen n gaw w o uld a w br in gaw it a w d o w naw a mo n gaw t heaw . . la. sa t w w
r o u n d s .aw Bu taw n o .aw Itaw doesn ' t . a w eh ve raw u pp e r mo s t ,aw
likeaw Br o w n i n g .aw ( P a u s e . o( ) Br o w n i eaw . .o(( T ue-ninsuo(
a l il t eo(t o w a r d so( WILLI E . )o(R e me mbe r a w
Br o w n i e ,aw Wieli
H wa? e ( P a u s e . o( ) R e me mbe r a w h o wa w
y o ua w u s e daw t oaw ke e pa w o naw a taw m eaw t oaw t a ke a w it a w a w a y a w fr o maw
y o u?aw Takeaw it a w aw a y ,aw Win n ie ,a w t a ke a w i t a w a w ay ,aw
be f o r eaw Iaw p u taw my s e i faw o u taw o faw my a w mis eaA .aw ( B a c ko (
frosbt.o( D erisive. )o(sa o u ro(mi s e r y !aw ( Too(r e vo l ve r . )o(
O ha w Iaw s u p p o s eaw i t ' s a w aw c o m fo r taw t o a w kn o w a y o u' r e a w
t he r e ,a w bu t a w I ' maw t i r e d a w o fa w y o u . a w ( P a u s e . ) o ( I ' ie lale
w aveaw
y o uaw o uei ,aw t ha t ' saw w ha taw I ' llad ow .aw ( S b e o ( layso( e u vo e l vero(
on( 'sg o u nd o ( too( hero( righ
t . )o(The r e ,a w t h a t ' s a w y ou raw
h o aoeaw fr o maw t hi saw d a yaw o u t .aw (Smile. )o(The a w o ld a w sty l e !a w
( Smil eo( o ff . ) o (e h d a w n o w ?aw ( L o n go(pa u s e . )o(I s a w
g r aoa it yaw ae h a taw itaw w a s ,a w Wef lie ,aw Iaw fa n c yaw n o t .a w
( P sn u s e .)o(Y e . ,a w t h eaw fe e lae n gaw m o r eaw a n daw mo r eaw t ha t a w
ifaIaw w w e r eaw n o taw he ld - ( g utse r e )o( - int hia saw w ay ,aw
Iaw w o u ldaw s im p lyaw ew o a t w u paw in t o a w t heaw b lu e .a w ( P aus e . )o(
A n daw t ha t a w p e r ha ps a w s o m eaw d a yaw t he a w e a r t ha w wileiaw y a e fi d a w
a n daw le t a w meaw g o ,a w t h eaw pu llaisw aw s o a w g r e at ,aw y e s ,a w c r a cataw a llaw
r o ueN daw m eaw o fi n d a w le taw m e a w o u t .aw ( P aus e . )o( D o nof taw y o uaw
e ve r a w ha ve a w ol h a taw fe e li n g ,aw Wi l e fi ie ,a w o fa w b e i n gaw s u can e daw
 34 I SAMUEL BECKTT

up ?aw ( P a u s e . )o(D o n ' t a w y o uaw h a ve a w toaw clingaw onaw

s o m e a fi i m e s , a w Willieiaw ( P a u s e .o( Sheo( turnso( ao(letttleo(
t o w a r dso( h i e h . )o ( We. li e .aw
Pause .o(

ILLIE
W Su c ke do ( u pe i a w

WINNIE Y e saw lo ve , a w u pa w i n t oaw t h eaw blu e , a w li keaw g o s a m e r .a w

( P aus e . ) o ( No ?aw ( P a u s e . )o(Y o u a w d o n ' t ?a w ( P ause . )o(
A h a w w e c ,aw n ao. r a law la ws ,aw nat u r a la w la ws ,aw Iaw s u ppo s e a w
i t 's a w li ke a w e ve o h t h ing a w e l s e ,aw it a w I1 all d e pe n d s a w o naw t h eaw
c re a t a n r e a wy o ua w ha ppe n a w t oaw be . a w oio,awevaw c a naw s a yaw isaw fo ra w
myaw p ar t a w i saw t h a taw fo raw m ea w t h e yaw a r eaw n o taw w h a taw t h e yaw
we r e a w w h e naw evaw Iias1 y o u n gaw a n da w . .aw fo o li s h a w a n daw
. (. fa.
lteringo ,o(
( do(do wn)o( . .aw b e a u t hea ifulaw . . . a w
po s iblyaw e o . .aw lo ve l yaw . . ina. o w a ( wayaw . .aw t o a w lo o kaw a tetaw
( P a u s e .o( He a do ( u p . )o(F o rg iveaw m e ,aw Weleli e , a w s o r ro a f a w
ke e ps a w br e a ki n ga w e, .aw ( N o r malo( vo i c e . ) o ( A haw wellaw
whataw aw j o yaw i naw a n yaw casew t oaw knowaw youaw areaw t h e re , a w
asI1 u s u a l, a w a n daw pe r h a ps a w a wa ke , a w a n daw pe r h a ps a w t a kingaw
I1 all t h i saw e, aw s o m eaw o faw aeHaw t hi s ,aw wh a t w aw h a ppyaw da y a w
fo raw m eaw . . e itawo a w wiie law h a v e a w be e n . a w ( P ause . ) o (Soaw fa r .aw
( P a u s e . )o ( Wh a t w aw ble s in gaw noth i n gaw g r o ws ,aw
im a g i n eaw i fa w allaw t h i saw sop ffaw we r e a w t oaw s t aewaw g r o win g .aw
( P aus e . )o(I m agin e .a w ( P a u s e . )o(A h a w y e s , a w g re a t a w
m e r c ie s .aw ( e , ongo( p a u s e . ) o (Iaw c a n a w s a yaw n o a w m o r e .aw
( P aus e . ) o ( F o ra w t h e a w mome n t.aw ( P a u s e . o ( Tu rns o ( to(
HAP Y DAYS I 53
l o o ko ( ( ota b a g .o( B a c ko ( fro nt. o (Smile . ) o (No a w noeaaw (Sm ileo(
o ff.o( L o o k so(( ot a pa ra s o l . )o(I1 s u p o s e a w Iaw m ig h t e, (t a ke s o (
upo( pas, a s o l ) o ( - ye s ,aw Iaw s u p o s e a w Iaw m ig h t a w . . h o is. t a w a w
t h isaw t h in gaw n o a ff . a w ( B e ginso( t o ( u nfu rl o (it . o ( F o l owingo(
pu n ctuatedo( yo b (m e c ha nic a lo( diet c u l tie so( overei
c o m e . )o ( el n eaw ke e p s a w pu tor n gaw o ff - put ingaw u peI
fo r a w fe a r a w o fa w p u tal in gaw u paw - t o oaw s o naw - a n daw t h eaw d aowaw
go e saw byaw oy q uao t eaw by - e h it h o u t a w o n e ' s a w h a vin g a w p u taw
up - a t a w a ll.aw ( P r
a a s o l o ( n o w o ( fuyo
l ( op e n . o ( T u rne do (
t o ( h e roNe (ight(
o s heo(twirlso( it o (idlyo(t his o (w a yo( a ndo (that.ePo(
Ah a w y e s ,aw s oaw lioi leaw t oaw s a y , w s oaw eittleaw toaw d o ,aw a n daw t h eaw
f e a raw s oaw gr e a toiaw c e r t a in w d a y s ,a w o fa w fi n dingaw o n e s e leoaw
eo . .aw le ft ,aw w it haw h o u r saw s t illa w toaw r u n ,aw b e fo r eaw t h eaw b e llaw
fo raw s le e p , a w a n daw no t h in gaw moreaw t oaw say,w n o t h in gaw
m o r eaw t oaw d o ,aw thatw t h eaw da y saw goaw by , a w c e r t a inaw d a y saw
goaw by , a w q u it eaw by ,a w t h e a w be llag w o e s , a w a n daw lit t l eaw o raw
noth in gaw s e , i d , a w lit t leaw o raw noth in gaw
d oeN e .aw ( e . a i ins s E(
o
pa ra s o l . )o(Th a taw isaw t h e a w d a n g e r .aw ( T u rningo(fro n t . )o(
Towa b e a w gu a r d e d a w a g in s t .aw (She o (gazeso( fro n t,o(
h o l dingo( eupo( pa ra s o l ( wi n st ( o s. ig hto(ha nd.o( iexa(e umo v (
pa u s e . ) o (Iaw u s e d a w t oaw p e rsp e s e a w fr e l y .aw ( P a u s e . ) o ( No e h a w
h a r d ly a w a t a w a ll.aw ( P a u s e . ) o (Th eaw h e a taw isaw m u c h a w g r e a t e r .aw
( P a u s e . ) o ( Th eaw p e r sod ir a t io naw mu c haw l e s .aw ( Pst us e . )o(
Th a t w isaw w h a t a w Iaw o ? n d a w s o a w wond erful.aw ( P a u s e.edo(
Th e a w wayw manw ad a p t saw h ims e l o .aw ( P aus e . ) o ( Toaw
cha eNgingaw cond it e , o n s . a w ( She o ( transferso( pa ra s o lo(to(
 63 I SA MUE L BECKETT

e b e fto (h a n d.o( L o n go(pause . ) o (H o ld i ngaw u p a w w e a r ie saw

t h eaw (Pause . ) o (No t a w ifaw o n e a w
ar m.aw iswa go in gaw al o n g.aw
( P a u s e . )o(O n lyaw ifI1 o n e a w isaw a t a w r e s teaaw (P a u s e . ) o (Th a t a w
isaw aw c ur i o u s a w o bs e r va tio n . a w (P a u s e . ) o (I1 h o p e a w y o ua w
h e a r daw t h a t ,aw We f l ie , a w Iaw s h o u l d a w b e a w gr ie ve d a w t o a w t h inkaw
y o ua w h a d w no taw he a r daw au h a t .aw (Sh e o ( ta ke s o ( p a r s o l ( ino(
b o t ho(
hand s .o(L o n go(p a u s e . )o(I1 a ma w w e a r y ,aw h o ld ingaw
it a w up, a w a n daw Iaw c a n o taw pu t a w it a w d o w n . a w (P a u s e . )o(Iaw a ma w
w o r s eaw o ffa w withaw it a w u pa w t h a na w withaw itaw d o w n ,aw a n daw Iaw
c a O o taw putaw ieiwa d o w n . a w (P a u s e . ) o (R e a s o n a w say,w ea u taw
it a w d o w n , a w We A n e l e , a w it a w isaw a - o t a w he lp in ga w y o u ,aw pu t a w t heiaw
thingaw do w naw a n daw ge t a w o naw w it haw someth ingaw e l s e .aw
(P a u s e . ) o (I1 c a n o t . � Pause . ) o (I c a n o t a w mo ve . a w
(P a u s e . )o( e, o ,aw s o me t h ingaw mu s t a w hap e D ,aw inaw t h e a w
wor l d ,aw t a k eaw pla c e , a w s o me a w cha n ge ,aw Iaw c a n no t , a w ifaw Iaw
a ma w toaw moveiaw agewn .aw (P a u s e . ) o (Will ie .aw (e(ildly . )o(
He lp .aw ( Pa u s e . )o(No ?aw (P a u s e . ) o (Bid a w meaw p u t a w t h isaw
t heA n gaw do w n ,aw Willie,aw Iaw w o uldaw o be yaw y o uaw
i n s t a n t ly ,aw a saw Iaw h a ve a w a lw a y saw d o n e ,aw h o n o u r e daw a n daw
o b ey e d .aw ( P ause. )o(ea le a s e ,aw Wil lie . a w (eG i del yb . ) o (F o r a w
p it y ' s a w s a k e .aw (P a us e . ) o (No ?aw (P a u s e . ) o ( Yo uaw can't ?aw
(P a u s e . )o(Wellaw Iaw d o n ' taw bla m e a w youhaw no,aw it a w w o u l d a w
illa
b e w c o me a w me , a w w h oaw c a n o taw mo ve , a w t oaw bl a me a w m yI 1
Wileu eaw be c a u se a w h eaw c an n o ta w s p e a ke a a w (P a u s r e . )o(
F o r . n a t e l yaw Iaw a maw inaw to n gu e a w ol gaa n .aw (Paus e . )o(
Th a t a w i s a w w h a taw Iaw fi n d a w s o a w wond e r fu l,aw m o w a w ah oaw
HAP Y DAYS I 3 7I 1

la m ps ,a w w h e naw on e a w g o e s a wo u t a w t h eaw ot h e r a w b u r aaaw

br i g ht e r . a w ( P a us e . edo( Ohaw yes,aw greatw m e r c i e s .aw
( e ( xie
a ff( om pa us e . o ( Th eo(pa ra s o l ( g o e so(o no (fire . o (
Sm o ke ,o( s v a meso( ifo( fe a s i b l e . o ( Sheo( s n iff,os ( l o ks o ( up,o(
ht ro ws o ( pa ra s o l ( t o ( h e ro( r i htg (
o behindo( m o u nd ,o(
cr a ne so(bac ko(t o ( wacho t ( ito(b urn ing .o( Pause . ) o (Ahaw
e a r t ha w y oua w olda w e x t i n g u i s he r . a w (B c
a ko(fro nt . )o(
Iaw pr e s u m e a w thisaw hasaw oc c a M r e da w b e for e ,a w t hou g ha w Iaw
cou ne. otaw recal( P a u s e . ) o ( Canaw law it.aw
y oe f ,a w Weleli e ?a w
( Tu rn so( ao(itl (
oe l t t o wa rd s h i m . ) o ( C a naw
o( y oua w r e c a l aiaw
thisaw ha vin gaw aB c ur r e daw b e for e ?a w ( Pa us e . o ( e s r a ne s o (
hac ko(t o ( l o ko ( ato( h i m . )o(D oa w y oua w ke . ow a w w ha t a w ha s a w
o c c ur r e d,a w Wefl i e ?a w ( P a u s e . )o(H a v e a w y ou a w g o n eaw o ffa w
on a w m e a w again ?aw ( P a us e . )o(evaw d o a w n o t a w a s ka w i faw y o u a w a r e a w
a e il ve a w t oa w I1 all t ha t a w isaw g oin gaw on ,a w Iaw m e r e lyaw a s ka w ifI1 y ou a w
ha ve a w n o taw g on e a w o ffa w o n a w m eaw a g a i n .aw ( P ause . ) o (You r a w
e y e saw a ppe a r a w t oa w be a w c los e d,a w bu t a w t h a tawh a saw n oa w
po a ic u la r a w sigal c a n c eaw w e a w ke. ow . a w ( Pa us e . )o(
R a is eaw aw fi n g e r ,aw de a r ,a w weTebaw youaw ple a s e ,a w ifayouw aw a r eaw
n o taw q u it eaw s e n s e le s . a w ( Pa u s e . ) o (D oaw t ha t a w foraw me , a w
Weeaw leli ple a s e ,a w ju s taw t h eaw li t leea?w n g e r ,a w i faw y ou a w a r eaw
s t e f la w c on s c iou sofaw ( Pa us e .o( e d o yfu l . )o(O ha w a llaw fi ve , a w y ou a w
a r eaw aw da r e i n g a w t o da y ,a w n ow a w Iaw m a y a w c on t i n u eaw w it ha w
a naw e a s yaw m in d . a w ( B a c ko fro
( nt . )o(Ye s ,aw w h a taw e ve ra w
oc c ur r e daw t h a t a w dida w n o t a w occ ue u a w b e for eaw a n da w y eay w . . .o(
Iaw w o n d e r ,a w y e s ,a w Iaw c o n fe s aw Iaw w on de r . a w ( P a us e . )o(
 3 8 I SAM UEL BECK ETT

ohi ithaw t h e a ws u n a w blaeeat n gaw soaw m u c h a w eY r c e raw do w n ,a

a n daw hour lyaw eY r c e r ,aw isaw itaw notaw naturalaw th i n gsaw
sh o u ld a w go a w o naw oc eaw n e ve raw kn o w na t oaw d oaw so ,aw inaw thisaw
way Iaw m e a n , a w sp o n ta n e o u sa w le?keosaw ( P au s e . )o(Shallaw Iaw
m y se l e o a w notaw me ltaw p e r h a p sa w inaw t h eaw e n d ,aw o raw b u rn , a w o h a w
I1 d o a w n o ta w m e a naw n e c ssa r i lyaw bu r stainw to a w fl a m e s, a w n o ,aw
e m u stali
w ttleaw by a w litt l eaw b e a w c h a r e daw to a w aw bla c kaw c in d e r ,aw
alw this - (sl m pl eo( gestureo( o fo (ars.s)o( - visibleaw
fl e sh . a w ( P a u s e . )o (Onaw t h eaw o t h e awr h a n d , a w d id a w Iaw e ve r a w
kn o wa aw t e m p e r a t eaw ti m e f a w ( P au s e . )o(e , o ofaw ( P a u s e . )o(
Iaw sp e a b a w o fa w t e m p e r a te a w aismesaw andw to r i daw t i m e s,aw
t h e yaw a r eaw e m p t yaw w o r d s.aw ( P aus e . ) o (I1 sp e a kaw o faw
w h e naw I1 w a sa w n o taw y e taw c a u gh taw - i naw t hi saw wa y a w -
andw h a daw m yaw l egsaw a n d a w hadw theaw u s e a w ofaw m yaw l egs,aw
andw cou l d a w s e e ka w outaw a sh a d y a w place,aw likeaw y o u , a w
w h e naw Iaw w a sa w ti r e d a w o fa w theaw su n , a w o raw aw su n y a w p la c eaw
w h e naw I1 w a sa w aY e daw o fa w th e a w s h a d e ,aw likeaw y o u ,aw a n daw
t h e yaw a r eaw a l la w e m p t y a w wo r d s. a w ( P aus e . ) o (I I 1 i saw n o a w
h o tt e r a w t o d a yaw t h a na w y e ste r d a y , a w itaw willaw b e a w n o a w ho oieraw
tom o r o wa t h a naw to da y ,aw howaw c o u ld a w i t ,aw andw soaw o n a w
ba c kaw i n to a w t h eaw fa raw p a st , a w fo r w a r daw in t o a w t h e a w fa raw
fut u r e .a w ( P aus e . ) o ( An daw sh o u ldaw o n eaw d a yaw t h eaw e aew haw
c o ve r a w m yaw br e a stse l a w t h e n a w I sh a l la w n e ve r a w h a v eaw se e n a w
way m br e a sts, a w n o a w o n e a w e ve r a w s e e naw m yaw bre a sts. a w
( P au s e . )o(Iaw h o p e a w y o uaw c a u gh ta w so m e th e g ga w o fa w t h a t , a w
Wi lli e ,aw Iaw s h o u ld a w b e a w so r y a w t o a w th i n ka w y o uaw h a daw
YPAH YS
AD I 39
caughtaw nothingaw o fa w alw that,aw itaw wasi n o taw e v eryaw d a yaw II1
riseaw toaw suchaw he igh ts .aw ( P ause. )o(Yes,ehs o m e t h ingaw
se msaw to a w ha ve a w o c u r e d ,aw s o me thin gaw hasaw s e me d a w
toaw oc c u r ,aw a n daw nothingaw ha s a w oc ur ed ,aw otowgaw ataw
a ll,aw y o u a w a r e a w quiteaw right,aw Wil li e .a w ( P aus e . )o(Theaw
s u n s ha d eaw willaw beaw the r eaw a ga inaw to m o r o w ,a b e s id eaw
me a w o naw th isaw mo u n d , a w toaw he l paw m eaw thr o u ghaw th e a w d a y .aw
( P a u s e .o( Sheo( t a k e so(pou ( mir r o r. )o(Iaw ta keaw u paw thisaw
litle
,a wa gla s ,aw Iaw s hive raw itaw o n a w aw s to n e a w - ( do e so(s o ) o ( -

I1 throwaw itaw a w a y - ( do e so(s o ( faro( behierdo( her )o( irI1 -

illa
w w be a w in a w theaw ba gaw againaw to m o r o w ,a iw t ho u ta w aw
s c r a tc h ,aw to a w helpaw m eaw throughaw theaw d a y .aw ( P aus e . )o(
No ,aw o n e a cw a n a w d oaw o thing.aw ( P ause . ) o (ethataw i saw wha taw
I1 fi n d a w wonde soaw
rosa.,aw t heaw wayaw a gswa . . (vo ice o (
het ?. .

bsAeaks,o( h e a do(down )o( . . t e n. n ga w s a w . . s oaw . a w

wo n d e r f u l . a w ( L o ngo(pa u s e ,o ( h e a do (do w n . o ( ina
F yo
l (
turns,o( til s ( ol b o we d ,o( to(bag,o( ing rb (
os outo(
nide
u nt ifiableo(o d dso(ando(nds e ,o( stue)so( themo( bacs.,o(
fumbleso( deeper,o( ing
rb ( os outo(finalyo l (mu s ica l e w b o x ,o(
windso( itoup,o( ( turnso( ito( on,o(isl t esfso( foro( ao(mo me nto(
h o dins l (( o ito( ino(b o t ho( hands,o( b u ddledo( Seo ero( it,otu(rnso(
backo( front,o(straightenso( pou ( ando(listenso(too(tune,o(
e n o l ding( o boxo( too( breasto( witho(b o tho(hands.o( Ito( playso(
ten e �Valtz Duet "/ veol you so" rof m eIhT 1
o - e rraraw \VidoII.I1 G ra dua l y happy xpre
e ssiu.o
She sways to tbe rbytbm. Music stops. use
aP .
 04 I SAUEM L TT
EKC B

Briefo( ( ot s r u b o fo(h o a rs eo(s o n go(w it h o utow o ( eE dso(em

ewom s ic a l e , b o xo(tu ne eh fro m o ( oLode. Le. Ieu .o( Inc re eos a (
foo (happyo( expres ion .o(She( o lay so(do w no( b o x . ) o ( l e wah
his
t wa illa w w h a v e a w be e na w aw ha p y a w da yeeaw ( S s p e o (clapsso(
ha nds . )o ( Ages ,aw Willie,aw a gew n !aw ( e a l a ps .)o ( e nc oey e ,aw
Willie,aw p le a s e !aw ( P ause .o(Happyo( expeEesiono( k
so . )o (
No ?a w Yo uaw wo n' t a w d o a w t ha taw foraw m e ?a w ( Pause. )o(e b e lla w
itaw is a w v e ryaw und e rs t a nda ble , a w ve ryaw unde e i stand a b l e .aw
el n eaw c a n n o t a sw e g ga w e m u s taw aD oaw p l e o i ea w s o m e o n e ,aw
h o w e v e ra w muc ha w o n eaw l o v e.aw t h e m ,aw no , a w s o ngaw
mu seuaw c o m eaw fromaw theaw he a r t ,aw t ha t a w is a w ha t a w Iaw
a lw a y saw say,w po u e i a w outaw fromaw theaw in m o s t , a w li keaw aw
t hei us hoiaw (P a u s e . )o ( Howa o ft e na w Iaw ha ve i a w s a i d, a w inaw evilaw
ho u rs ,aw Singaw now,aw WineWe,aw seg gaw y oekaw s o n g, a w t h e y eaw
eysaw no t heA ngaw e ls e a w f oeiaw it ,aw a n da w di daw n o t .aw ( P ause . )o(
Co ulda w n o t .aw ( P ause . )o (No ,aw li ke a w t he a w t hai s h,aw oeyaw
theaw birdaow fa w da wai n g,aw w it ha w n oaw t ho ughtaw o fa w
b e n e fi t , a w t oaw o n e s e lfa w o raw a ny o ne a w e ls e . a w ( P aus e . )o(oe ndaw
n o w ?aw ( L ng o o (pa u s e .o( Lo w. )o(St roy n geaw fe eal g .aw
(P a u s e .o( D o . )o ( St r a n geaw fe e lin gaw t h a taw s o m e o n eaw isaw
look ingaw a t a w m e .aw Iaw a ma w c l e a r ,aw t he n a w dim,aw t he na w go n e , a w
t h e na w dimaw a ga in ,aw t he na w c le a e i a w again,aw a nda w s oaw o n ,aw
ba c ka w a n da w fo r t h, a w egaw a nda w o u taw o fa w s o m e o n e ' s a w e ye .aw
(P a u s e .o( Do . ) o (St r a n ge ?aw (P a u s e . D o . )o ( No ,aw
o( h e r aw
a l I1 isaw s t ra n geeoaw ( P a u s e .o( No r e m l o ( vo i c e . )o (
So me t hingaw s a y s ,aw S t o paw t a lkin gaw n o w ,aw Winefi e ,aw foeIaw
YPAH YS
AD I 4 1
aw a S n u t e , a w d o n ' taw s q u a n d e raw allaw y oekaw wo r d s a w fo raw t h e a w
da yelaw s t o pa w t a lal n gaw a n da w do a w someth gani w f o r a w aw
c h a n ge , a w w illaw y o u ?aw ( S he o (raiseso( handso( ando( h o l dso(
thee,o( o p e no( b e f o re o (he ro (eyese)o( A p o stro p hi c . )o( D oaw
s o me t hi n g !aw ( S h e o ( c l o s e so( ha n d s . ) o ( W h aeuaw c la w s !aw
(Sheo(turnso( too(bag,o( ru mma geso( in o (it,o rin
b ( sog ( outo(
finalyo( ao( nailfile,o( turnso( b a c ko (fronto( na do( beginso( t o (
fi l e o (na il s .o( F il e so( fo ro(ao(tie, eo(inos( ilen c e ,o (the no( the o (
fo l o wingo( p u n c t ue)t e do (byo(filing. )o(T h e r e a w fl o a aiw
u pa w - intoaw m yaw t h o u gh t s a w - a Mraw Sh o w e raw - a To raw
a n da w pe r h a ps a w aw Mrwas Sho wer - nowa - t h e haw a re.aw
ho ld in gaw hand saw - h i saw fi a n c o W e a w t h e na w mo r ea w liawelehaw -
o raw j us t a w s o me a w - lo ve da w o n e .aw ( L o o k so(c l o s roe (to
a (
na il s . )o(eberhaw br it t leaw t o d a y .a w (Resumeso( fili ng . )o(
Sho w e raw - Sh o w e ra w - d o e saw t h eaw na m e a w m e a naw
a n y tec gaw - t oaw y o u ,aw Willieaw - e vo k e a w a n yaw re a l iteh ,aw
etaw m e a naw - foraw y o u ,aw Wiec ie - d o n ' taw an s w e ra i fay o uaw
do n' e u a w - fe e la w u pa w t oaw i taw - y o uaw h a v eaw do n eaw mo re.aw -
t h a naw youeaw bit - al e a d y - Sh o w e r - Sh o w e r.a w
(Insp e c tso( fil e do( na il s . )o(Bitaw mo r e a w lik e a w it .aw (Ra ise so(
h aed,o(gazeso( fro n t . ) o e(
M e paw y o u r s e lfaw n ic e ,aw WineW e ,aw
t h a t ' saw whatw etaw a lw a y s w s a y ,aw c o m eaw w h a t w maoIelaw ke e pa w
y o u r s e lfa w ( P ausee)o( Resumeso( n ic e .a w filin g . )o(Ye s eI
S h ower - Sh o w e r - ( sto p so( filin,og ( e.aiseso(h e a d ,o(
gazeso( fro nt,o( pau s e ) o ( oraw Co o k e r ,aw p e r h a p saw evaw -

s h o u lda w s aeh w Co o ke r . a w ( T ueringo( ao(il ttleo( t o w ardso(

 4 2I1 I SAMUEL TT
EKC B

sa ILe. I E.)o( Co o ke r ,aw r

eilho wa,e doe saw Cook e r a w staikeaw
aaw c hor d?aw ( P ause.o( Turnso( ao(itl (
oe l t fuher
tr .o(
L o u d e r.)oel o ke(r ,aw Wil e r e , a w doe s a w e l o ke r a w inr wag aaw
bell,aw t h eaw na m e a w ( P a u s e .o( Sheo( craneso( b a c ko (
Co o ke e y ?a w
t o ( lo o ko( a to (him .o(Pau s e . )o ( O ha w e y e a lly e , a w ( P a u s e .)o(
H a ve a w y ou a w n oaw ha n dke r c hi e f,aw da r li n g ?a w ( Paus Re .(
oe
H a , eaw y o uaw n o a w de loy c a c y ?aw ( Pa u s e . )o ( O h , a w Wiler e ,aw
y o u ' r eaw no t a w e a in gaw it emaw Spitaw it a w o u t , a w de a r ,aw s p itaw itaw
o ute,aw ( P a u s e . o ( Ba c ko( front )o( . A h a w we ll,aw Iaw s u p os eaw
it ' s a w oa,yaw na t u r al. a w ( B re a ko( ino( v o i c e . )o ( H u ma nekaw
(eW a u s e .o( D o . )o ( Wha torali o n e t o d o ?a w ( H e doa ( do wn.o(
D o . )o (Aecaw da y a w lo n g .aw ( P a u s e .o( D o .)o( D a yaw a ft e raw da yelaw
( Pa u s e .o( H e a do( u p .o( Smi le.o(esa l m . )o( The a w o lda w sai le emaw
(Smileo( off.o(Re s u m e so( nail s . )o ( No,aw d o n e a w him.I1
( Pas eo( o no (t o ( n e )oxt.( Sho u l da w ha ve a w putaw onaw mI.1
enlas es .aw ( P a u s e )o(
. To oaw lateaw n o w .aw ( F inis he so(
l e fto(ha nd,o( ins p e c t so( it . )o(Bitaw m or eaw hu m a n . a w
(Startso( righto(hand.o( F o l lowingo( punctuaedo(
a so( b e fo re . )o ( Welebaw an y wa y - t hi saw m a naw
Sho we r - oraw Co o k e r a w - n o a w ma o t e r - a n da w
t he a w womeC naw - ha n da w inaw ha n daw - inaw t he a w o t h e raw ha n ds a w
basg - ki n da w o fa w bi be
g a w y o wng arw ip s a w - stan diwagn teteteIeaw
gapingaw atw meaw - andaw atw lastaw thisaw manw Set o weesaw -
oeyaw Co o ke e y a w - e n d saw inaw e y a w an.yw - s t ake a w m ya w eufeaw
o naw t ha taw - Wha t' s a w s he a w d o ing ?aw e t e a w s a y saw - Wet a top saw
t he a w i d e a ?a w h eaw says - savckaw u paw t oaw et e raw don ddie saw 1In i
HAP Y DAYS I 43
t h eaw ble e din gaw grou n da w - c o a r s eaw fe llo waw - Wh a t a w
do e s a w itaw m e a n ?aw h e a w s a y s a w - Wha t 's a w it a w m e a n t a w t oaw
m e a n ?a w - a n da w s o a w o n a w - lo t a w m o r eaw stuffI 1 li ke a w t h a taw
- u s u a la w dr ive la w - D oaw y o uaw hea raw m e ?a w h eaw s a ysaw -
Iaw do,aw sheaw say,w G o da w h e lp a w meaw - Wh a t a w doaw y o uaw
me ae. , w h eaw s a y s , a w Go da w h e lp a w y o uefaw (Stopso( filing,o(
raiseso( h e da ,o(
g a z e so( front . ) o (o e da w y o u ,aw s h eaw s a y soWaw
wha t 's a w t h eaw ide a w o fa w y o u , a w s h eaw s a y s ,aw wh a t w a r eaw y o uaw
m e a n taw t oaw mean ?aw I t a w iswa be c a u s eaw y o u ' r eaw s t il law o naw
y o u raw t w oaw fl a t a w fe e t ,aw wit haw y o u r a w o lda w dit t yaw fu lefaw o r a w
t in ne da w m uc k a w a n daw cha n g e saw o fa w u n d e r we a r,aw
dr a g in gaw m eaw u paw a n daw do wn a w t h isaw fo r n i c a t in gaw
wilde r n e s , a w c o a r s eaw crea t u r e ,aw fi t a w m a t eaw - (witho(
suddeno( vio l e n c e ) o ( - letaw g oaw o fa w m y a w h a n daw a n daw dr o p a w
fo r a w G o d ' saw s a k e ,aw s h eaw s a y s ,aw dr o p !aw (P a u s e . o (Re s u m e so(
filin g . )o(Wh y a w doe s n ' taw h eaw digaw h e raw o u t ?a w h eaw saysw -
re fe r rin gaw t oaw y o u ,aw myaw deo!aw - Wh a t a w g o o da w was ye s h eaw
t oaw h imaw l i k eaw t h a t ?a w ol o f h a t a w g o o da w isaw h e a w t o a w h e r a w ebikeaw
t h a t ?a w - andaw s oaw o naw - us alaw toshaw - G o o do l a w e. h eaw
s a y s ,aw h a . eaw aw h e edtaw fo r a w o t o do . saw s a ke - D igaw h e ra w o u t ,aw
h eaw s a y s ,aw d ig a w h e raw ou t , a w n oaw s e n s eaw inaw h e raw lo ! ke a w t h a taw -
D igaw heraw outaw withaw w h a t ?a w sheaw says - I ' dadig
w aw h e raw
o u taw w i t haw m yaw b a r eaw ha n ds , a w h eaw s a y saw - m u s taw h a ve a w
be e n a w m a naw and o- a b ife .a w (F il e so( ino (
ils en c e . )o(e i e x t a w
t hew gaw the yokreaw a wa y a w - h a n da w inaw h a n da w - a n da w t h eaw
b a g saw - dimI1 - th e n a w g o n eaw - la sae w h u m a naw e ? n da w -
 4 I1 I SAMUEL BEC K E TT

t o a w s tr ayaw t h isaw way .aw ( F i nis he so( rig hto( hand,o( insp e c tso(
it,o( lay so(downo( file,o( g a z e so( front . )o (Str an g eaw teh n g ,aw
timeaw letkeaw teh s ,aw dr iftaw u pa w in toaw th e a w f a in d . a w ( P a u s e . )o (
Str an g e ?a w ( P au s e . )o ( N o , a w h e r e a w al la w isaw at r n g e .aw
( P a u s e . )o ( Th an kfu law f o r a w itaw inaw an y a w c a s e .aw ( e P o ic e o (
b r e a ks . )o ( M o s taw th an kf u l . a w ( H e a do ( do w n . o ( P a u s e .o(
H e a do (pu .o(eal m . )o ( Bo waw a n da w r ai s eaw t h ea w h e a d , a w b o waw
a n da w r ais e, a w alwaysaw th at. a w ( P a u s e . )o (Andaw n o w ?a w
( L o ng o (p a u s e . o ( Sta rtso(puttingo(thingso( b a c ko ( inobag,(o(
t o o th b r usho( last.o( This( o o pe r a tio n,o( inte r ru pte do( b yo(
pa u s e so( a s o (indic a te d,o( pu nc tua t e s o (fo l o wi ng . )o ( Itaw
i saw p e r h aps a w aaw li ttleaw s o e.aw ey toaw mak e a w r o . dy a w - f o raw
th eaw noi g h t - ( s t o p so(
tidying(
o, h e a do (up,o( s m il e )o( -
theaw o l da w s ty le ! a w - ( s m il eo( off,o(resumo( tidying)o( -

andaw yetaw etaw doaw - makeaw r e a dy a w f o raw theaw eWghtaw -

fe e lin gaw itaata
w w h an da w ey t h e a w b e lebfoaw r s lee pa w - sayinenaw
t oaw my s e lf - Wi n i e - itaw we.law notaw b e a w longaw n o w, a w
Wi n ie - unt ila w t h e a w b e lebf o r a w wa s le e a r .a w ( S t o pso(
tidying( o, h e a do(pu . )o (So me t ime saw tawe a ma w w ro ng .aw
( Sm il e . )o (Bu ta w n o ta w o f te n . a w ( Sm il eo( ff
o . )o (So me t imesaw
allaisw aw o ve r ,aw fo raw t h eaw day , a w a lla w do n e ,aw allas aid,
w aw allaw
r eadyaw f o raw th e a w nel g h t,aw an da w th eaw day a w n o taw o ve r ,aw faraw
f r o maw ove r ,aw th e a w neu g h taw n o ta w r e ad y ,aw far,aw faraw fr o maw
r e a d y .aw (Smile.)o( Bu taw n o taw o ft e n .aw ( Ssl il eo( off.)o( Y es,I1
th eaw b e ll a w fo raw s le e p ,aw wh e n a w Ieh
fe elaw itaw ata w h an d,aw eff n daw s oaw
make a w r e ady a w fo r a w t h eaw efi g h taw - (ge sture)o( - inaw t his
HA PPY DAYS I 45I1
way,aw s o me e h me s a w Iaw amaw wr o n g - (smi le ) e r bu ta w
n o ta w o fte n .aw ( Sm il eo(o ff. o ( e . e s u m e o( tidying . ) o (Iaw u s e da w
to a w te h nk a w - Iaw sayw Iaw u s e da w to a w te fl k a w - th ata w allathw e s e a w
th inen saw - p u ta w backa w int o a w t h eaw bag a w - ifaw t o o a w s o naw -
putaw backaw tooaw so n ey co u e ' da w beaw tak e n a w outaw againaw -
ifaw n e ce s sed yaw - ifI1 n e e d e da w - a n da w s o a w onaw -
ind e t n i te lyaw - back a w intoaw theaw b agaw - b a c k a w o u ta w
o fa w t h e a w bag - u n teFaw t h eaw b e ll- we n t. a w ( St o p s (
t idyin g ,o( h e a do(u p ,o ( sm i le . )o(Bu ta w n o .aw ( Sm i l eo(
b ro a de r. )o(No a w no .aw ( Sm ileo( o ff.o( e. s u m e so(
dyi
it n g . )o(etaw su ppo s e a w teh s - mel g h taw s e e ma w
s tr an g e - this - wh a ta w s h a l la w Iaw s ay ol thi saw
wh a t w Iaw h a vea w s aid - y e s - ( s hs y ota(
ke so( u po(
r e vo lve r )o(- s tr ang e - ( s h eo( tu rn so( t o ( ( ot u p
r e v o lve ro(Hs ( on b a g )o( - we r eaw itaw no t - ( a b o u to(to( o p u to(
re vo l ve ro( i n o ( b a go( s heo( arre s t o(g e s t u reo( a n do ( turnso(
b a c ko ( fr o n t ) o ( - we r e a w itaw n o t - ( s h eo( layso(do wn o (
re vo lve( or t o ( h e ro( rih
g t,o ( s t o p s o ( tidying,o(h e a do (,e p )o(-
thataw aaee'aw se m saw s tr an g e . a w ( P aus e . ) o ( e t o s ta w s t r an g e .aw
( P a u s e . )o(Ne ve r an y ch an g e. a w ( P aus e . )o(A nda w m o r e a w
an da w m o r e a w s tr an g e . a w ( P a u s e .o( She o (b e n ds o ( to o (m o u n do (
ag in,o( ta ke so( upo( la( ots o b es c t ,o( i. e . o (t o othbrush,o( a n do (
turnso( t o ( p u t o ( it( o ino( b a go( wh e n o ( h e ro( teta itn o n o ( iso(
dra wno( too(dit s u rb a n c e o ( fro mo( WILLIE .o(Sheo(
c ra n e so( b a c ko( a n do( t o ( h e ro( righto(t o ( s e .o( Paus e . )o(
We ar y a w o fa w youraw h oe' e ,aw de ar ?a w ( P aus e . )o(Wellaw Iaw
 64 I SAMUEL BE C KETT

ca n a w u n de r s ta n da w th a t. a w ( P aeu s e . ) o (D o n ' ta w forgetaw

y o u raw s tr a w. o e o uod a G a f o Moa. aw eo taw theaw crawekeraw y o uaw er e r e ,aw
po o r a w da r li n g .aw ( P a us e . o( ) No , a w n o ta w th e a w cr a wle raw
Iaw g a vea w myaw he a r taw t o .aw ( P ause . ) o ( Th e a w h a n dsaw a n daw
kn e s , a w lo ve,aw tryaw th e a w h aeN dsaw a n daw kn e s .aw ( P aus e .)o(
Theaw kn e s !aw Theaw kn e s !aw ( P u
a s e . )o(Wh a ta w aw cuor eovaw
mo bili ty !aw ( S h e o (
fo ll o wso( wiho
t ( e ye s o ( h i so(pro g re s o(
t o wa rdso( be ro( b e s k i e n do ( mo und,o( i . e o( t o w a r dso( plac e o (
h e o (o c c upi e do( a t o (beginningo( o fo (a c t . )o(A n o t h e r a w fo o t, a w
e - il lie , a w a n da w y o u 'r e a w h o me . a w ( P auseo( a s o (s heo( o b s e rvesuo(
l a s to( fo ot. )o(A h !a w ( T urn so(b a c k o ( fr o ne,o( l a b o ri o us l y,o(
rubso( n e c k . )o(Cr i ckaw in a w myaw n e ckaw a da. i n gaw you .aw
(er u b so( n e c k . )o (Butaw i t's a w wo r t haw it,aw wellaw worthaw iad.w
( T urningo( slightlyo( t o wa rdso( h i m . )o(Doaw youaw kn o waw
wh a taw Iaw dr ea ma w som e ti me s ?a w ( P a o c s e . ) o ( Wh a ta w I1
dr e a ma w s o me t i me s ,aw Wilebie.aw ( P a us e . )o(Thataw y o u 'lla w
c o m ea w r o u n da w a n da w en veaw th i s a w s ideaw wh e r e a w Iaw c o u lda w s e aw
you .aw ( P u
a s e . o ( Ba c ko ( fr o n t . )o(I ' db
a w e a w aw diel e r n taw
wo ma n .aw ( P a us e . )o(eMal e c o gay a b l e . a w ( T u r net go(
ht
g i l s yo
l ( t o wa rdso( h i e l . ) o ( Or a w j taus w noe.aw andaw th e n , a w
co mea w r o u n da w th i s a w s i deaw j u staw eve r yaw n o wa w a n da w to T e n a w
a n da w le ta w meaw fe a s taw o naw y o e f etaw ( B a c ko ( fro n t . )o(B u ta w y o uaw
c an ' t,aw I1 kn o w.a w ( H e a do ( do w n . ) o ( Iaw kn o w.aw ( P a us e .o(
He a do( upe x ) o (We llaw a n y wa y - ( l o o k so(ato( t o othon
re
b iho s ( ino( hero( ha n d ) o ( c a n e p ta w - beaw l o n g a w n oe. aF
( l o o ks o ((
o t a rus
b h )o(- un t iekaw theaw b e k l . a w ( T po
o ( b a c ko( osLo(
HA P P Y DAYS I 47
WILLIE' so( he a do ( appearso( a b o ve o ( slop e . o (WINNIEo(
lo o k so(closero( a o . (brus h . ) o (emua-yaw g u a r an t e da w . .o( .

( he a do ( pu )o( . .o(wh at 's a w thetsaw itaw was e e a w ( W ILLIE e l s o (

.

ha n do ( spppearso( witho( ha n dke r hie

c f,o(spreadso( ito(o n o (
s ku l ,o( disappear s . )o(G e n u i n eaw pe o r e a w . fu.lly. aw a w
g u ar a n t e e da w . . ( W. o ( ILLIE ' s o (ha n do ( a ppe a r so( witho(
b o a t e r ,o( ( os e l t e s ito(( on h e a d,o (r a k isho(a n g l e ,o(
isd pp a ea r s ) o (. .g e n u in eaw . o ( pu r e a w . a.h !a w .h o g 'a s a w w
s e t a e .a w ( P a u s e . )o(Wh at a w i saw aaw h o gaw e x act ly eeaw ( P a u s e . o (
Tu rn so( igls htyo l ( t o wa rdso( WILLI E.)o(We d ata w
e x act ly a w i saw aaw h o g , a w We.lete,aw d o a w y o uaw kn o w, a w Iaw c a n ' t a w
r e m e m b e r .a w ( P a u s e .o( Turningo( ao(itl t leo( further,o(
p l e a din g . )o(Wh at a w is o (
aaw hog,aw Willie,aw plea s e !aw

Pa u s e .o(

WIL E Caso r a t e da w maleaw swin e .aw ( H ppyo

a ( goe preis o no(
a p pe a rso( o n o ( etINNIE ' s o (fa c e . )o(R e are da w foohaw
s lau g h t e r .a w

Happyo( xpre e is o n o ( in c r e a s e .o( o N o d e . LLIEo ( po esieto(

ned ws pa pe r,o( ha n ds o ( invis ib l e .o (To pso( o fo (y e l owo(
sheetso( appearo( o n o ( eithero( sideo( o fo (hiso( h e a d. o (
WINNIEo( g a z e so( b e fo re o ( h e r o (witho( ba ppowo(
expres i o n .o (

WINIE Ohaw t h isaw is o (

aaw h app y a w d a y !aw Thish
e wef law h a v e a w b e e naw
 4 8I 1 I SAMUEL BEC KE TT

an o th e raw h appy a w day !aw ( P aus e . )o(

A fte raw ae j .a w
( P aus e . )o(S o a w fa r .aw
Pa u s e .o( Happyo( e xpre s io no( o ff. o ( WILLIEo(
turnso( page)o( Pa u s e .o( He o ( tu rnso(a no the ro( p a gel .o(
Pa u s e .o(

WI L IE Op e ningaw fo raw s maeTaw y o u th . a w

Pa u s e .o( WINNIEo( t a k e o( s o ffo ( h a t,o( turnso( t o (pe , to ( toa e (

ino( bag,o( ar r e s tso( g e s tu re ,o( tu rnso(b a c ko ( fro s t . o ( Seheal .o(

WINNIE No.aw (Smileo( b ro a de r. )o(N o a w no.aw ( Sm il eo( o ff.o(Putso(

o no (h a to( agin,o( gae.eso( fro nt,o( pa u s e . )o(Andaw n oa b e e a w
( P ause . Si) o (n g .aw ( Pa u s e . )o Sin ( gaw y o u ra w s o n g , a w
Win a e e .a w (Pa u s e . )o(N o ?a w ( Pa u s e .)o(Th e n a w a - r aa l . a w
( P a u s e . )o (ep r ayaw y o u ra w pr ay e r , a w Wi n e fi e . a w

Pa u s e .o( WefLLefEo(tu rnso(pa g e .o( Pa u s e .o(

WI L I E eh an te daw brig h taw b o yeOaw

Pa u s e .o( WINNIEo( gazeso( b e fo re o ( h e r.o(

WILe.IEo(
turnso(pa g e . o ( Pa u s e .o( Newspapero( dispp
a ears.o(
L o ng o (p a u s e . o (

W INNIE oi r ayaw y o ura w o ldaw pr ay e r ,aw Winn i e .a w

L o ngo(sm ae, s e .o(

C UR T A IN
 Act I

e u s c s t s o e o (a so( b e fo r e .o (
WINNIEo( i m b e d e do( upo(
t o ( n e c k ,o( h a t o (o n o ( he a d ,o(
e ye so( c l o s e d . o ( Hero( he a d ,o( whicho( s heo( c a no( e n o ( e b o n g e ro(
urn
t ,o(noro( b o w,o ( n o ro( r ais e ,o (fa c e s o ( fsTonto( moti o n l e s o(
t hro ug ho uto( a c t .o( e ( o v e m n t so( o fo (e ye so( aso(
in d i cta e d . o (
Ba go(a n d o ( p a r a s o l o ( a so( b e fo r e . o (ese vo l vero(
c o ns pic uo us o ( t o ( h e ro( righto( (
on m o un d. o (
L o n go(p a us e . o (
B e l o(rin g so( loudly .oSh
( eo(op e n so( ye eso( a t o ( o n c e .o ( Be (
ol
t s o ps .o( She( o g a z e so( fro n t .o(L o n go(pa us e .o(
WINNIE Hail,eh h o l y a w l igh t .o( ( Lo n go( pa us e .o( S h e o (c l o s e so( h roe (
y
e e s .o(B e lo(ringso( lou y ld .oShe (o( o pe n s o ( eyeso( ( ota o n c e .o (
Be ( obel s t o ps .o( Sh eo(gazeso( fro n t .o( L o n go( smile.o( Senileo(
off.o( L o n go(pa us e . ) o (So m e o n e a w iswa l o k in ga w h eta meaw
s t il l. a w ( P aus e . ) o ( Caringaw fo raw m e a w s t i l l . a w ( P aus e . )o(
Thateh isaw whateh Iaw findaw s oaw eh o n d e r f u l o u a w ( P us
a e . )o(

49
 50 I SAMUEL BE CKETT

e y e saw o n a w my a w e . )o(
Wh at a w ey s
isaw t h o e ta uw n a T .aw ( Pa u s
forge (P e
sua
tt able a w .o(Eyeso(renht g . ) o (ehilehe
let
n e ?a w .aw
(Pexuse .o(L o u d er. ) o (eh illel e .aw ( Pause .o( Eyeso( fro n t . ) o (
M a y a ow n e a w s tillaw s p e aka w o fa w tim e ?a w ( P a u s e . )o( Sayaw o il t a w iswa
aaw a m o ngaw timeaw n o w, a w Willie ,aw s in c e a w Iaw s awa w y o u .aw
( P a u s e)o. (Se,ceaw Iaw h e a r daw y o u .aw ( Pa u s e . ) o ( M a yaw o n e eaw
( P usa e . )o (O n e a w d o e s .aw ( Sm il e . ) o ( T h eaw o l d a w s ty l e i a w
(Smileo( o ff. )o(Th e r e a w i s a w s o a w litt l e a w o n e a wc a n a w s pe aka w o f. a w
( P a us e . ) o (O n eaw s p e aks a w o fa w ita w a l l . a (w Pa u s e . )o( A llaw on e a w
c a n .aw ( P a u s e)o. (Iaw u s e d a w t o a w t e in ka w . . (. p o ( ause )o( . . II. 1 I 1
sayaw Iaw u s e daw toaw th in ka w th at a w Iaw w o u l da w le ar n a w to a w talkaw
alo n e . a w ( P aus e . )o( o , y a w th ata w I me anaw to a w my s e lf,aw th eaw
wild e r n e s . a w ( S mil e . ) o ( Bu taw n o .aw (Smileo( rb o a d eTsa . )o(
Noaw n o .aw ( Sm ileo( o ff. )o(ergoaw youaw areaw t h e r e .aw
( P aus e . )o( Ohaw n oaw d o u b taw youaw ar eaw d e a d ,aw eh keaw th e a w
o th e r s ,aw n oaw d o u bta w y o uaw h ave a w d ie d , a w o r a w g o n eaw away a w
a n daw l e f taw me , a w likeaw th e a w oth e r s ,aw itaw d o esn ' tamw a t ter ,aw
y o uaw ar eaw t h e r e .aw ( P ex u s e .o( Ey e so( l e f t . ) o (
Th eaw
b agaw to oaw isaw th e r e , a w th eaw s ameaw a s a w e ve r ,aw Iaw c anaw
s e aw it. a w ( Pause .o(Eyeso(
rig ht. o (
Lo u d er . ) o (
T h ea w
bag a w isaw th e r e , a w Wi lli e , a w asI1 g o o daw a saw e v e r ,aw t h eaw
o n eaw y o uaw g ave a w m eaw t h a taw d a yaw . . to. a w a w g o a w toaw m a rke t .aw
( P ause . Eyeso(
o( fro n t . ) o ( Th ata w d a y . a w ( e er aus e . ) o ( eh h a taw
d a y ?a w ( Pa u s e . )o(Iaw u s e daw t o a w p ray . a w ( P a u s e . )o(Iaw s a y a w
Iaw u s e d a w to a w p r a y . a w ( P aus e . ) o ( or e s ,aw Iaw mu s t a w c o n f eahisw Iaw
d i d . a w ( S e- n l e . ) o ( Notaw n o w .aw ( S ilce eo( b r o a s n er. ) o (o,elaw
nel .aw ( Se c ileo( o ff.o( eiause . )o(
T h e n . . n o e.ga a w w . . I4 h a tI1 .
HAP Y D A YS I 51
d an cult i e saw h e r e ,a w foraw theaw m a i d .a w ( P aus e . ) o (Toaw
haveaw be e naw alwaysw whataw I1 amw - andaw s oaw c h an g e d a w
fr o m a w w h a ta w Iaw wa s e . o( .aw ( P a u s
) I1 a ma w th e a w o ne ,a w I1 s a y a w
th e a w o n e , a w th e n a w ( P a u s e . ) o (e i o w a
t h e a w a I th e r . a w t h e a w o n o s ,a w
th e na w th e a w o th e r .a w ( P ause . ) o (Th e re a w isaw s oaw a t ttl e a w o n e a w
c a naw s ay ,a w o n e a w s a y saw i ta w a l l .a w ( P a u s e . ) o (Alaw
o n e a w c a n .a w ( P a u s e . )o(Andaw noaw t r u t h a w in a w ita w an y w h e re .aw
( P au s e . )o(Myaw ar m s .a w ( P a u s e . )o(Myaw br e a s t s .a w
( P a u s e . )o(o'eR h a ta w a r m s ?a w ( P a u s e . ) o ( W h a ta w br e a s ts e li a w
( P a u s e . )o(Wi l e t e . a w ( P a u s e . )o(Wh a ta w Wil e ' e ?a w
( S u dde no( oI e he me ne,o( aet rs. a ti o n . )o(M y a w Wi ll i e !aw
( E y e so(igr bt,o( ca ePlisug . ) o (Will an e !aw ( P a u s e . o ( L o u de r. )o(
om i l e' !aw ( P u a s e .o (Ey e so( fro n t . )o(Ahaw wel,aw n o ta w toaw
kn o w ,a w notaw toaw knowa foraw s u r e ,aw g r e aomaw m e r c y ,a w a l law Iaw
a s k.a w ( P aus e . )o(A haw yesaw . e aw o. t h e n a w . . nowa . a w . . . a w
be e c h e n a w g r e naw . . th
. e ' sa w w . . e l h a rl
. a e' eaw w .aw .aw .aw ag s e saw . . .
th i saw . .a l l a w. a thw a ta w . . d e p a w . a w oa r o u bl e a w fo r a w t h e a w m in d .aw
( P au s e . )o(B u ta w itaw d o e saw n o ta w tr o u bl e a w e S ne .a w ( Sm il e . )o(
eiotaw n o w .a w (Smileo( b ro a de r . )o( eB oaw o a o .a w ( S saileo( o ff. o (
L o n go(pa u s e .o ( Sh eo(c l o s e s o ( y e e s . o ( B e lo(riecgso( l o u dl y .o(
Sbe o (op e n s o ( y e e s .o(er a u s e . )o(e ye saw o d o ao m a w u paw te - as e ta
maw w
t o a w c l o s eaw i naw p e a c eaw . . t. o a w a s e a w . . ina. a w w o n e ac e .a w ( e r aus e . o()
e.otaw min e .I 1( Smil e . )o( eBotaw o a o w .a w (Smileo( r
b o ash es . )o(
eB oaw ( Smil eo( o ff. o ( L o n go(pa u s e ' )o(\Vl i
n o .a w l i e .I 1
( P sa u s e . )o(D o a w y o u a w th in ka w t h e a w e a r te - a w h a s a w l o wains itsaw
o in tma t a ' o d e a e r e ,a w \V i l ie ?I1 ( P a u s e . )o(D o yo u ,aw il,ok ia 'e e o f a w
( Pa u s e . )o(e w o u a w h a v e a w n o a w o p io s o n eliaw ( P a u o e s e.o( s( s f s ( o (
 5 2I1 I SAMUEL BEC KETT

thataw i s a la
w h e a yw o u , a w y o u a w n e ve r a w h a da w a n y a w o pin io naw
a bo u t a w a n y thin g .aw ( P ause . )o (I te p s a w u n d erstan dable .a w
( P a us e . )o(Mo s t .a w ( P ua s e . )o ( Th eaw e ar th bae c . a w ( P ause .eao(
Iaw s o m e D ias e saw wo n de r . a w ( P ua s e . )o ( e . e r haps a w n o taw
el u it eaw a ll.aw ( P a u s e . )o ( e t h e r e a w e' way saw r e me s a w
s o me te i g .a w ( P a us e . )oOfa (w e ve r y teh n g .aw ( P ua s e . )o (
So me a w r e mains .a w ( P a us e . )o(I fa w t h e a w au n daw we r eaw toaw g o .a w
( P ua s e . )o ( Ita w w o n ' t a w o fa w c o u r s e .a w ( P au s e . )o ( e o ta w
e l u ite .a w ( P a u s e . )o( N o ta w e S n e . a w ( Sm il e )o( No ta w n o w.a w
(Smileo( b roa de r . )o (N o a w n o . a w ( Sm il eo( o ff. o ( Lo ngo(
p s d u s e . eeo(I t a w mig h taw beaw the a w e te r n alaw c o l d .a w ( P ua s e . )o (
e ve r laalein gaw pe r is hi n gaw c o ld .aw ( P ause . )o (e r u s ta w
ch an ce , a w Iaw t ake a w it,aw h a ppy a w c h an c e . a w ( P ua s e . )o(O h a w
y e s , a wg r e a ta w me r c ie s ,aw g r e a taw me r c ie s . a w ( P ua s e . )o ( A n da w
n o w?a w ( L o ngo(p a u s e . )o ( Th eaw fac e . a w ( P ause . )o (The a w
n o s e .a w ( S h e o (quint s (
os do wn. )o ( Iaw c an a w s e a w itaw . . . a w
( s quinting( o d o wn )o(. t.h e a w .tipaa w . .t h.e a w n o as trw ehi saw . . .aw a w
br e ath a w o faw enfeaw . .thata.
w a c u wr ve a w youaw s oaw a d m e s e da w . .aw . a w
(po uts)o( . aa
.w hi n taw
. o faw lipaw . . ( p uto ( os
. in)o
ag ( . . aw o (
ifaw Iaw p o u ta w a a e ma w outaw . . .aw ( s t i c k so(o uto( tongue)o( . .a . o w(
theaw to n g u eaw o faw c o u r s eaw . . y o uaw . a w s oaw a d m i r e da w . ifa
.w . a w
Iaw s tic kaw itaoutwa ( s ticks.o(a w it(
. . o outo( agin)o( . . o(th e a w
ainpaw .. .aw ( e y e so(ei p )o ( . .o(
.s u pic io naw o faw br o waw . . . a w
e y e br o e . a w . imag . . in
a w aeD io naw po s o j bl y a w . .o(. ( e ye s o (
ftel )o( . c . he e ka w . a w . . n o a w . a w .. .aw ( e y e s rigbt)o( . . n o a w . a w . aw. a w
(distendso( hc e ks )o(. . eve. o naw ( ifaIIw 1 puelaw e D h e ma w o u taw . . .o( a w
( e y e s o (left ,o( distendso( cheekso( agier)o( . . n o a w . a w . . n oaw . a w
HAP Y DAYS I 53
da ma s k. a w ( E ye s o (fr o e c t . ) o ( Thataw isaw a e i .a w ( P aus e . ) o ( Th e a w
ba g a w o fa w c o u r s e a w . . .( e o ( y e so(left )o( . .aw aw ehtt l e a w bl u rr e d a w
pe r h a ps a w . . bu . a taw w t h e a w ba g . a w ( E y e so(fr o nt .o(eSe)ha nd. )o(
Theaw eaThaw o fa w c o u r s e a w a n da w s ky . a w ( E ye s o (igr ht . ) o (
Th e a w sun s h a d eaw y o uaw g a ve a w m eaw . . th. a a taw w da ya w . . . o (
( pa us e )o( . . th. o a ta( w da y a w . . t. ah e a w w la ke a w . . t .h e a w a w r e e d s o l a w
( E y e so(fron t.o(Paus e . ) o ( Wh a ta w d a y ?a w ( P a us e . )o(
W h a ta w r e e d s ?a w ( L o ngo( pa us e . o ( Ey e so( c l o s e . o ( B e llo(
ringso( lou dly .o(Ey e so( po e n . o ( Pa us e . o ( Ey e so(right . ) o (
Br ow n ieaw o f a w cou a , s e. a w ( P u a s e . )o(Yo u a w r e me mo li e r a w
Br o w n ie , a w Wejem e , a w Iaw c a n a w s ee a w hi m. a w ( P a us e . )o(
B r o w n ieaw iswa th e r e , a w Wieflie,aw b e s i de a w m e .aw ( P u a s e so(
L o ud. )o(Br oweW eaw omsaw th e r e , a w Wiem e .aw ( P aus e . o (Ey e so(
fr o nt. )o(Th a ta w isaw all.I1 ( P a us e . ) o ( W h a taw w o u l da w Iaw do a w
w i th o u ta w t h e m ?a w ( P aus e . )o(W h a ta w w o u l da w Iaw d o a w
w i th o u ta w t h e m ,aw w h e naw w o r d saw fail?aw ( P a us e . ) o (o t a e e e a w
b e f o r eaw m e ,aw wit haw c o mpr e s eda w l s .a w ( L o ng o (pa us eo(
ip
w hil eo( s heo( do e s o ( s o . ) o (Iaw c a n o t.aw ( P a us e . ) o ( A h a w y e s ,aw
g r e a ta w me r c ie s ,aw g roA taw me r c ie s .aw ( L o ngo(pa us e .o(
L o w . ) o ( So me tim e s a w Iaw h e a raw s o u n d s . a w ( L i s te ningo(
expresi o ne r o (No r m a lo( vo i c e . )o(Bu taw n o taw o f t e n . a w
( P a us e . )o(Th e yaw a r eaw aw b o o n , a w s o u n d saw a r eaw aw b o o n ,a w
t h e yaw h e lpa w m e a w . . to. ?a wo u g h a w t h e a w da y . a w (Smile )o(T h e a w
o l da w s t y l e ! a w ( Sm il eo( o ff. )o(Y e s ,a w th o s e a w ar e a w h a ppy a w
d a y s , a w wh e n a w th e r e a w a r ea w s o u n d s . a w ( P aus e .)o(W h e n a w II1
h e a raw s o u n d s .aw ( P a u s e . ) o (Iaw u s e da w t o a w thin ka w . . . o (
e . pa u s e ) o ( . . Ia. w o s a y a( w Iaw u s e da w toaw th i n kaw th e y a w w e re a w i nI 1
 54I1 I SAMUEL BECKETT

m ya w h e a d .a w ( S siil e . )o(e a u t a w n o . a w ( S elsfl eo( r

b o a de r . )o(
Noaw ( Sss il eo( o ff. )o(Th a t w
n o .a w e g as a w j s taw u l o g ic .a w
( P ause. edo( Reason .aw ( P a u s e . )o(eaw h a v e a w n o t a w l o s t a w m yaw
r e a s o n .aw ( P a u s e . )o(No t a w ye t .aw ( P a u s e . )o(
Notaw a l e f .a( w P a u s e . edo( So me a w r e m a i n s .a w ( P a u s e .)o(
S o u n d s .aw ( P a u s e . ) o ( eiikewa lit t le a w . . s u. n d a w erings,aw
littleaw faei saw . e O a p aeT
. a .aw w ( P a u s e . o ( L o w . ) o (e t ' s a w things,aw
Wil lie .aw ( P a u s e . o ( No rm a lo( vo i c e . )o(e n a w theaw bag,aw
outsideaw theaw bag.aw ( P a u s e . )o(Ahaw yes,aw thingsaw
h a v eaw t h e saw life,aw tha w isaw whataw Iaw alwaysaw s a y, a w
thingso( o ' ave a w aw li fe .aw ( P a u s e . ) o (Ta ke a w myaw
l o oe! n got g l a s ,aw it a w d o e s n ' t a w n e daw m e .aw ( P aus e . ) o (
Th e a w b e c .a w ( P a u s e . ) o (I ta w hueTsaw li ke a w aw kn ife .aw
( P a u s e . o( ) Aaw g o u g e . a w ( P aus e . ) o ( O n e a w c an n o t a w ig n o r eaw
i t .aw ( P a u s e . )o(H o waw o ft e naw . . . ( po (a u s e )o( . . Iaw s a y w .

h o wa o ft e na w Iaw h aveaw s a id ,aw Ig n o r eaw it , a w Wi n ie , a w i g n o r eaw

t h eaw b e l l, a w p a y w n oaw h e e d ,aw j s t ua w s le e paw a n d w w a ke ,aw s le e p a w
a n da w w a ke , a w a saw yo ua w p l e a s e , a w o p e naw a n daw c lo s e a w t h eaw
e ye s , a w a saw y o uaw p l e a s e ,aw o raw inaw t h e a w w a ya w y o uaw fi n d a w mo s t a w
h e lp f u l .aw ( P aus e . )o(O p e naw a n daw c l o s eaw t h eaw e y e s ,aw
Winn ie ,aw o p e naw a n daw c lo se ,aw a l w a ysaw t h a t .aw ( P aus e . )o(
olutaw n o .aw ( Sen il e .)o(Notaw n o w .aw ( S sWileo( E
eb o a de r . )o(
N o a nw o . a w ( S ewileo( o ff. o ( a P us e . )o(o , h a t a w n o e g ?a w
( e r aus e . )o(W h a t a w n o w ,aw Wi l e u e ?a w ( L o n go( p au s e . )o(
e r e a e in r e a w isaw m ya w s t o rya w o fa w c o u r s e ,a w e! h e naw aenlaw e n s e a w fa e y l s . a w
( P a us e . ) o (Aaw l ife .a w ( Se l ile )o( Aaw l o n e c a w l e y f e .a w ( Sshsw l eo(
o ff. )o(o y e c e y e ! e ! e ynoeaw inaw t h eaw w o m b ,aw e ! h e in r e a w lif eaw u sedaw er oaw
HAPPY DAYS I 55
e s e g e ,a w o l il d red a w h a saw m em o h o H es ,a w s h ea w wil law h a W eaw
m em o ries ,aw o fa w e D h e a w wo m e s ,a w b e f o rea w s h ea w d o e e s ,a w th ea w
m o th ero o s a w eh o m b .aw ( P au s e . )o(S h ea w isaw n o wa w fo u r a w o raw
fi a k ea w a l r ea d ya w a n daw h a saw r e c e n tl ya w b e e n a w giv e n a w aw bigaw
woienaw ( P au s e
d o l y .aw . ) o (Fualyaw c lo th e d ,a w c o e n p l etea w
o u tfi t. a w ( P au s e . )o(Sh o e s ,aw s o c ks ,a w und ies ,a w c o m ple te a w
s et,a w frieHlyaw fr o c k,a w g l oas e s . a w ( P au s e . )o(W h i teaw en e s h .aw
( P au s e . )o(Aaw litt leaw w hi t e a sw t r a wa w h a ta w w i t h a w aw c e c a w
el e x h c . a w ( P au s e . )o(o in ea r l y a w n e c kle t. a w ( P au s e . ) o (Aaw
ler ttl eaw p ic taw r e - bo o ka w withaw l e g en d s a w inaw r ea l a w p r intaw
toaw g oaw u n d eraw h eraw arm w h enaw s h eaw ta kesaw h eraw w al k elaw
( P au s e . ) Ch inaaw
o( b l u ea w ey es a w th a ta w o p e naw andw s h u t. a w
( P au s e . o ( Narrati ve . )o(Th eaw s u n a w wa saw n o ta w w e l law ue-aw
wh e n a w o r ill ya w r o s e ,a w d e a c e n d e daw t h ea w s t e e p a w . . .o(
( pau s e )o( .aw s li p p e d a w . . o naw h e raw n i g h tg o wn ,aw
d es c e n d e daw a l la w a l o n eaw th eaw s teepaw w o o d e naw s toI rs ,aw
b a cat wa r d saw o naw ae-aw fo e k s ,a w t h o u g haw s h eaw h a d w b e e naw
fo rbi d d e n a w toa w d o a w s o ,a w en ter e daw t h e a w . . .o(( pau se )o( . .o( .

e h pto e d a w d own a w theaw s il e n ta w a l a s a g e,a w en ter ed a w t h ea w

n uor e r yaw a n daw e s e g a n a w to a w und rea, saw D o l e n y . a w ( P aus e . )o(
Crepta w u n d e r a w theaw t a e s l e a w a n daw b eg a n a w toaw u n d r es s a w
Do ( P au s e . )o(S c o l dingaw
lly . a w h e raw . . e D h . e a w a w wo w e . a w
( P au s e . o(
) Su d d en l ya w aw m o u s e - ( L o ngo( paus e . )o(
G e n a i l y ,a w Wel nos e .aw ( L o ngo(pau s e.o (el alli n g e s )o(
Wi em e !aw ( P aus e .o( L o u de e v)o( . W ie n l i e !a w ( P au s e . o ( eHildo(
e.epr o ac h . ) o (I1 s o m e ti m e s a w findaw youraw aei tiali d eaw aw
li e i t le a w s tra n g e,a w Wi ll ie,a w allaw thi saw t im e ,a w itaw iswa n o ta w e r kea w
 56 I SAUEM L B E C K E TT

y o ua w t oaw b e a w wa n t o nlya w cr u e l . a w ( P aus e . )o (Strange ?aw

( P aus e . )o(e o o . a w (Se-ile . ) o (ei o taw h e r e .aw (Smileo(
broa de r . )o(No taw now.a (Smileo( o ff. )o(An daw y e taw . . .o(
(Suddenlyo( anxio u s . )o(Iaw d oa w h o p e a w no t hi n gaw iswa a ? is s.aw
( E y e so(r ig ht,o( l o u d . ) o (Isaw aeHaw weeH ,aw d e a r ?a w ( P a u s e.o(
Eoi ( ose fr o nt .o( To o (he r s e l f . ) o (er o daw gr a n taw h e a w d id a w n o ta w
e n oa w inaw he a d w fo r e m o s t !aw ( E y eso( right,o(l o u d . )o(
Yo u ' r e a w no ta w s t u c k,a w Willie ?aw ( P a u s e . o ( D o . )o ( Y o u ' r e a w
n o ta w j o i m me d , a w Wi llie?aw ( Ey e so( front,o( distressed . )o(
e a r ha ps a w h e a w isaw cogyinenaw o e f ta w foraw h e lpa w a lla w thisaw t im eaw
andw I dataw n ota w h e a r w h im eiaw ( P a u s e . ) o (Iaw d o a w o fa w c o ur se a w
h e aog w c r ie e , . a w ( P ause . ) o (Be f ta w the y a w a r e a w ewa myaw h e , d a w
u
s aw e l y .aw ( Pa u s e . ) o ( I s a w itaw p o s ib l e a w th ata w . . . ( o P (ause e,o(
Witho( fina l i t y . ) o (eioaw no,aw m yaw h e a daw was a l w a ysaw
fullaw ofac r iew e, .aw ( P ause . )emaintao ( w c on fu s e d a w c r i e se l a w
( Paus e . ) o (Th e y a w c ome . a w ( P a u s e . )o(Th e na w g o . a w
( P ause . )o( Asaw onaw aw win d . a w ( P a u s e . ) o ( Thata w is a w e h e , t a w
Iaw fi n d a w s o a w wo n d e r f u l . (a w P a u s e . ) o Th (e yaw cea s e .aw
( P aus e . ) o ( Ao ' a w y e s , a w g r e ata w m e r c ie s , a w g r e a taw
m e r c ie s .aw ( Pa u s e . ) o (T h e a w d a y a w iswa n o w a w e lla w
a d va n c e d . a w ( Sm i l e .o ( Smenleo( o ff. )o(And a w ye t a w it a w
isaw pe rha ps a w aw litt lo .s o o naa w f o raw myaw s o n g .a w ( P et u s e . ) o (
T o a w singaw t o o a w s o o na w i s a w fata l,aw Iaw a lwe, y saw
et n d .aw ( P aus e . ) o ( O na w t h e a w o t h e raw h andaw itaw isa w
p o ssible a w t o a w le a ve a w itaw t o o a w lat e . a w ( P et u s e . )o(Te d e a w es e lamaw
g o e saw f o raw s le e - a w a n daw o ne a w h as a w no t a w su no fl . a w ( P e t u s e . )o(
Tedeaw w ho le a w dayw hasaw ew o w n - ( s sh i ,oel (smi.eo( o s r e i o (
H A PPY DAY S I 5 7I1

- fl o w na by,aw qa,iteaw by,aw andaw n oaw songaw ofaw

anyw cl a s , a w e? n daw oraw ( P ause . )o(
de s c r ip ti o n . a w
Th e r e a w isaw probl e m a w h e r e .aw ( P a u s e . )o ( O n e a w
c a n n o t a sw i n g a w . . j. t aus w a w li ke a w t h at ,a w n o .a w ( P a u s e . )o(
Itaw bu bbl e s a w up,aw foraw s o m e a w u n kn o wn a w r e x o n ,aw th e a w
t im e a w isaw il law c h os e n , a w on e a w c h oke s a w i taw b a c k .aw ( P aus e . )o(
Oneaw s a y s ,aw Nowaw is a w t h e a w time,aw itaw isaw nowaw o ra w n e ve r ,a w
a n da w on e a w c a n o t .aw ( P aus e . )o (Si m ply a w c a n ot a w s i n g .aw
( P ause. )o(No taw aw n ote .aw ( P a u s e . )o(A n o t h e raw t hev g ,aw
Wil li e ,aw whileaw weaw arew o naw t hi saw s u be m e c t .a w ( P aus e . elo(
Theaw s a dn offohaw a fte raw s o n g .aw ( P aus e . )o(H a ve a w y o uaw
ac naw a c ro s saw th a t , a w Wi le u e ?a w ( P a u s e . )o (I n a w t h e a w c o u r s e a w
ofa w y ou ra w e x pe r i e n c e .aw ( P aus e . )o(No ?aw ( P a u s e . )o (
S a d n ea w a ft e ra w in t ima t eaw s e x u a law in t e rc o u r s eaw o n eaw isaw
fama,raw withaw ofa w c ou r s e .aw ( P aus e . )o(Youaw wou lda w
e n o n c u raw withaw Arist otl e a w t h e r e ,aw Will ie , a w Iaw fa n c y . a w
( P ause . )o( Ye s ,aw t h a taw o n eaw kn o wsaw a n da w isaw pre p e il e da w
t oaw fa c e . a w ( P aus e . )o (B u t a w a f t e ra w s o n g a w . . ( P . a w aus e . )o (It a w
doe s a w n o ta w l a s taw o fac ouw rs e . a w ( P a u s e d . )o(Th at a w isaw wh at a w ekaw
findaw soaw wo n d e rfu l .aw ( P a u s e . ) o ( Itaw wearsw a wa y .a w
( P a u s e . )o(Wh a t a w a r eaw t h o s eaw e x q u is i t eaw lin e s ?a w
( P aus e . )o(G o a w for g e taw m eaw w h yaw s h o ulda w s om e t h iaN gaw
oep e raw t h a ta w so me t hi n gaw shado wa oe n gaw . . oalo . w a w fo rg e taw
m eaw . . wh. ay w w s h o uap daw s o rr owa w . . br. i g h t la y w w
s m ileaw . . g o a w . a w fo rg e taw m eaw . . n e ve. a r a w w h e a raw m eaw . . . a w
s we e t l yaw seSa. eaw . . bri
. a w g h t l yaw s i n gaw . . .( P o ( a u s e uo(
Witho( ao(s i g h .)o(Oneaw l o s e saw o n e pa.aw c l as s ic s .aw ( P a u s e . )o(
 58 I SAMUEL BECKETT

O ha w n o r a w ae c .a w ( P au s e . )o(Aaw p ar r .a w ( P au s e . )o(Aaw p ae w a w
r e me , in s .a w ( P au s e . )o(That a w isaw w har a w Iaw fi n da w s oaw
wond erfuef,aw aaw par o r a w r e me w n s ,a w o fa w o n e ' s a w c lao. ic s ,aw ro

he lpa w o n e a w t h r o u g ha w r h eaw day . a w ( P au s e . ) o ( O ha w y e s inaw

man y a w m e r c ie s ,aw man y a w me r c ie s .aw ( P au s e . ) o (
A n da w n o w ?a w ( P au s e . )o (A n da w n o w ,a w Willieetaw
( L ong( p au s e . ) o (Iaw en aleeaw t o a w r he a w ed y eaw o fa w t hedaw
min daw . .a.
w M r .a w S h o we d r - or Co o ke r .aw ( Shelo(
c l o s e o( h e ro( y e e s .o(B e lo(ring so( l o u dl h e to( y .o(
Sheo( o p e n so(
y
e e s .o(P au s e . o( ) H a n da w awin ha n d,a w inaw o , h e a w o t he r a w han d s a w
bag s .a w ( P s g u s e . o( ) Ge teingaw o naw . ina. w li feo .a(w ( Pause.)o(
.

et oaw lo n g e r a w young,aw notaw y e taw o l d .a w ( P au s e . )o (

Ste, n dam gaw t he r e a w g ap in g a w ao c a w m e . a w ( P au s e. )o(Can ' taw
h aveaw be d e d n a w aaw b a da w bo s o m,aw he a w s ay s ,aw inaw ioc saw day .aw
( P au s e . )o (Se e n a w wo r s eaw s ho u l de r s ,aw he d a w s ay s ,aw in a w m yaw
a r e .a w ( P au s e .)o(D o e saw s he a w fe e law he raw le g s ?aw heaw s ay s .aw
( P au s e . )o(Isaw t he r e a w anyaw lifeaw inaw h e raw le g s ?aw he a w s ay saw
( P aus e .)o(H a s a w s h e a w an y t h i n gaw o naw u n d e r n e at h ?aw el eaw
s ay s .aw ( P au s e . ) o (As kaw he r ,a w he a w s ay s ,aw I 'maw s hy .aw
( P au s e . )o ( As kaw he raw wharetaw s heaw s ay s .aw ( P au s e . )Io ( sI1
t he r e a w an y a w li feaw in a w h e raw le g s .a w ( P au s e .)o(Has I 1 s h e a w
an y a - h i n gaw o naw u n d e r n e a t heaaw ( P ae, s e . )o (A s ka w h e r a w
y o u r s e lf,aw s h e a w s ay s .a w ( P au s e .o( Wit( oh suddeno(
v io l e n c e . )o(oBeraw g oaw o fa w ereaw fo raw Christaw sakeaw an da w
dr o p emaw ( P au s e . o ( Do .)o ( D r o paw de ad !aw ( Ssz il e. )o(Bu o r a w
n o .a w (Smileo( rb o ade r . ) o ( et oaw n o .a w ( Se, il eo( o ff. )o ( I1
w ar c ha w o , e l e maw r e c e d e .a w ( P au s e . )o(H e y n da w i nI1 h a n o , -
HAP Y YS
AD I 59
a n da w t h eaw
ba g s . a w ( P ause . )o( D i m .aw ( P aus e . )o(Th e n a w
g o n e .aw ( P a u s e . ) o (ei as taw h u m a n a w er in d - t oaw strayw t hi saw
wa y . a w ( P a u s e . )o(e M p a w t o a w da t e .aw ( P aus e . o( ) A n da w n o we t a w
( P a us e .o( L o w . )o(H e l p .a w ( P a u s e .o ( D o . )o(H e l p , a w
Wil e i e . a w ( P a u s e .o( D o . ) o ( N o ?a w ( L o n g o ( p a u s e .o(
Nar ative . )o(
S u d de n l y a w aw m o u s e a w . . . ( P a w a us e . )o (
S u d d e n l yaw aw m o u s e a w r a naw up a w h e raw l it t l eaw t hig haw a n da w
Me F dr e d,a w dro p in gaw Do lly a w inaw h e r a w fr ig ht ,aw b e ga n a w
t oaw s c re a m - ( W INNIEo( giveso( ao(s u dde no(
pie r c in go( s c r e a m )o ( - a n da w s c r e a me o G a w a n da w
screamed - ( W INNIEo( s c r e a m so( twic e ) or
s c re a me da w andaw s e n r e a me da w andaw s c re a m e da w
a n da w scre a m e daw teTebaw a l l a w c a m eaw r u n in g,aw inaw
euheiraw nightaw a t ire ,aw p a p a ,aw ma mma , a w Bibbe h a w
a n da w . . o l. adaw w A n ie , a w t oaw s e eaw e? h a taw wa s a w t h eaw
ma t e ra w . . ( . paa uw s e )o ( . . e ? h a t a wo n a w
. e a r t haw c o u lda w
p o e . is b l y a w b e a w t he a w t a o t e r. a w ( Pa u s e . )o( To o a w
la t e .a w ( Pa u s e . )o(To o a w la t e . a w ( L o n go( p a u s e .o(eus to(
a u dib l e . )Wie o (u lie .aw ( P a u se. o ( No r m a lo( vo ic e . )A hao ( w
we l l,aw n o taw lo n gaw n o w,aw Win n ie ,aw c a n ' taw b e a w lo n gaw n o w, a w
u n t ila w t h eaw b e l law fo r a w sle p .aw ( P a u s e . ) o (e t h e n a w a fl o u a w ma y a w
c lo s e a w y o u ra w e y e s ,aw t h e naw y o ua w e h u s to ( c l o s eaw y o u raw e yobaw
- a n da w k e e paw t h e maw c l o s e d .aw ( P a u s e . )o(W h y a w s a yaw
t hef taw o- gef e l n ?a w ( P aobsl e .)o(Iaw use d a w t oaw t o . i n ka w . . . a w
( p a usm e . )o(. .aw Iaw s a y w . Iaw u s e da w t oaw t h in kaw t h e r aw e? a s w nataw
d ie l e re n c e a w be twe e n a w o n eaw fr a c t io n a w o fa w aw s e c o n o k a w
a n da w t h eaw n e x t .aw ( P aus e .)o(Iaw us e da w t oaw s a yaw . . . a w
 6 0I 1 I SAUEM L B E C KETT

( p a u s e ) o ( . . Iaw. o s a y w ( Iaw u s e d a w toaw say,w Winnie,aw yo o y a w arew

ch adgele s ,aw t h e r eaw isaw n e ve r a w anyw d i ffe r e n c eaw
b e t w e e naw o n eaw f r a c t io naw o faw aw s e c o n d a w a n daw t h eaw neon t .aw
( a usP e . ) o (Whyaw br ingaw t h a taw oy paw ag in ?aw ( P a us e . )o(
Th e r e a w i s a w s oaw lit t le a w o n e a wc a n a w bringaw u p ,aw o n eaw bringsaw
u paw a l l .aw ( a usP e . ) o ( Alla w oneaw c a n .aw ( a usP e . ) o ( Myaw n e c ka w
isaw h u r t ing a w m e . a w ( a Pus e .o( Wit h o (s udde no ( v iol e n c e . ) o (
M yaw n e c ka iw s a w h u rai n gaw m e !aw ( a usPe . )o(o r ha w t h a t ' s a w
b e t e r .aw ( Witho( mildo( irritat ion . ) o ( eh ve ry t har gaw
wit e fl a w r e a s o n.a w (L ongo(pa us e . )o(Iaw c a n w d o a w n oaw more .aw
( a u sP
e . ) o (Sayaw no a w m o r e . a w ( Pa us e . ) o ( Butaw otaw mustaw sayw
m o r e .aw ( auPs e . ) o (e p r o bl e ma w here .aw ( a usP e . ) o ( o , o ,a w
somet hin gaw mu s taw m o v e ,a w i naw t h eaw wo r l d ,a w Iaw c a n ' t a w a W yaw
more .aw ( a usP e . )o (Aaw e i e p hyr .aw ( a usP e . ) o ( Aaw br e a t h. a w
( a uP s e . o(
) Wha t a w a r eaw t ho s e a w e y m o a n a la w en s ?aw
( usPa e . o( ) Itaw m ig h taw beaw theaw e t e o s a la w da r k.a w ( a usP e . )o(
Bla c ka w arg h t a w wi t h o u t a w ( auPs e . ) o (e r u o u a w c ha nc e ,a w
e n d .aw
Iaw t a ke a w it ,aw ha p y a w c h a n c e .aw ( a usP e . )o (Oha w y e s ,a w
abound in ga w m e r c ie s . a w (L ongo(pa us e . )o(An d a w no w?a w
( a usP e . )o(e h da w n o w ,aw Wi l i e ?a w ( L on go(p aus e . ) o (
Th a t a w d a y .aw ( usPa e . ) o (The a w p in ka w fi e e e e e . a w ( Pa us e . )o(
Theaw fl u t e a w g la s e s .aw ( usPa e . )o (Theaw lastw g u e s taw go n e . a w
( a usP e . ) o (Th e a w l a s t a w bu m p e r a w w i t e a a w t h e a w b o d ie s a w
n e il ly a w touch in g . a w ( usPa e . )o(T h e a w l o k.aw (L
ong o (
p a us e . ) Wha o (a H w d a y ?a w ( L( ogn o p aei s e . )o(W h a t a w lo o k?a w
(L on go( p a u s e . ) o ( Iaw e a e a r a w c r ie s .aw ( u s Pa e . )o(Sin g o?aw
( a usP e . ) o ( Singaw y o u r a w o l d a w s o n g e is a w Wi n ie . a w
YPAH DAYS I 61
L o n go( p a u s e .o( Su d e n l yo( a l e rto (expres i o n . o ( Ey ( os e
s wi tc ho( ri gh t.o ( WILLIE ' s o (h e a d o ( a p e a rso( to o (h e ro (
rig h to (ro u n d o ( c o e g e ro(o fo (m o u n d . o ( Heo( i s o (o n o ( a l o (
fo u rs ,o (d re s e d o ( to( ki l o ( - to po( h a t,o (m o s P i n go ( c o a t ,o(
s trip e do( tro u s e rsemo( e t c . ,o (wh i te o (gloveso( i no( h a n d . o (
eP ryo( l o n go(b u s h yo ( wh i te o ( B a ttl eo(o e , o (B ri ta i no(
m o u s t a c h e . o ( Heo( h a l ts ,o( ga z e so( fro n t ,o( smo th so(
moust a c h e . o ( He o ( e m rge so( c o m p l e te l yo(eero mo(
b e h i n do( en o u n d ,o( turnso( t o ( hiso( l e ft,o( h a l t s ,o( l o o k so(ei po(
a to ( WINNIE.o( Heo( a d va n c e s o ( o n o ( a l lo(eW o urso( to wa rdso(
c e n tre ,o( halts,o( tuegso( h e a d o ( fro nt,oga(zeso( fro n t,o (
s t r o ke so( m o u s t a c h e ,o ( s tra i g h te n so( tie ,oades( u tso( h a t,o (
a d va n c e so( ao(littleo( ee u rth e r,o (h a lts,o( ta ke s o ( o ffo ( h a to (a n d o (
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 62 I SAMUEL B E C K E TT

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HAPY DAYS I 63
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 64 I SAMUEL B E C K E TT

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CURTAIN