MS-HRC-SB-4-2-7

[0106] worth having when all the dust has—when all my dust
has settled.[0107] I close my eyes and try and imagine them.
[0108] (^[₰] Pause.[0109] KRAPP closes his eyes briefly.)^[₰]

[0110] Extraordinary silence this evening, I strain my ears and
do not hear a sound.[0111] Old Miss McGlome always sings
at this hour.[0112] But not tonight.[0113] Songs of her girlhood, she
says.[0114] Hard to think of her as a girl.[0115] Wonderful woman
though.[0116] Connaught, I fancy.[0117] (Pause.)[0118] Shall I sing when I
am her age, if I ever am?[0119] No.[0120] (Pause.)[0121] Did I sing as a
boy?[0122] No.[0123] (Pause.)[0124] Did I ever sing?[0125] No.

[0126] (^[₰] Pause.)^[₰]
[0127] Just been listening to an old year, passages at random.[0128] I
did not check in the book, but it must be at least ten or
twelve years ago.[0129] At that time I think I was still living
on and off with Bianca in Kedar Street.

[0130] Well out of that,
Jesus yes![0131] Hopeless business.[0132] (Pause.)[0133] Not much about
her, apart from a tribute to her eyes.[0134] Very warm.[0135] I
suddenly saw them again.[0136] (Pause.)[0137] Incomparable![0138] (Pause.)
[0139] Ah well....[0140] (Pause.)[0141] These old P.M.s are gruesome, but
I often find them—(KRAPP switches off, broods, switches
on)—a help before embarking on a new...(hesitates)
...retrospect.

[0142] Hard to believe I was ever that young
whelp.[0143] The voice![0144] Jesus![0145] And the aspirations![0146] (Brief
laugh in which KRAPP joins.)[0147] And the resolutions![0148] (Brief
laugh in which Krapp joins.)[0149] To drink less, in particular.

[0150] (Brief laugh of KRAPP alone.)[0151] Statistics.[0152] Seventeen
hundred hours, out of the preceding eight thousand odd,
consumed on licensed premises alone.[0153] More than 20 per
cent, say 40 per cent of his waking life.[0154] (Pause.)[0155] Plans
for a less...(hesitates)...engrossing sexual life.[0156] Last
illness of his father.[0157] Flagging pursuit of happiness.

[0158] Unattainable laxation.[0159] Sneers at what he calls his youth
and thanks to God that it's over.[0160] (Pause.)[0161] False ring
there.[0162] (Pause.)[0163] Shadows of the opus...magnum.
[0164] Closing with a—(brief laugh)—yelp to Providence.
[0165] (Prolonged laugh in which KRAPP joins.)[0166] What remains of
all that misery?[0167] A girl in a shabby green coat, on a