MS-HRC-SB-4-2-7

[0282] (^[₰] Pause.)^[₰]
[0283] Past midnight.[0284] Never knew—
[0285] (^[₰]KRAPP switches off, broods.[0286] Finally he fumbles in his
pockets, encounters the banana, takes it out, peers at it,
puts it back, fumbles, brings out the^[₰] envelope, fumbles,
puts back envelope, looks at his watch, gets up and goes
backstage into darkness.

[0287] Ten seconds.[0288] Sound of bottle
against glass, then brief siphon.[0289] Ten seconds.[0290] Bottle
against glass alone.[0291] Ten seconds.

[0292] He comes back a little
unsteadily into light, goes to front of table, takes out keys,
raises them to his eyes, chooses key, unlocks first drawer,
peers into it, feels about inside, takes out reel, peers at it,
locks drawer, puts keys back in his pocket, goes and sits
down, takes reel off machine, lays it on dictionary, loads
virgin reel on machine, takes envelope from his pocket,
consults back of it, lays it on table, switches on, clears
his throat and begins to record.

[0293] Just been listening to that stupid bastard I took myself
for thirty years ago, hard to believe I was ever as bad as
that.[0294] Thank God that's all done with anyway.[0295] (Pause.)
[0296] The eyes she had![0297] (Broods, realizes he is recording
silence, switches off, broods.[0298] Finally.)[0299] Everything there,
everything, all the—[0300] (Realizes this is not being recorded,
switches on.)

[0301] Everything there, everything on this old
muckball, all the light and dark and famine and feasting
of...(hesitates)...the ages![0302] (In a shout.)[0303] Yes!
[0304] (Pause.)[0305] Let that go![0306] Jesus![0307] Take his mind off his
homework![0308] Jesus![0309] (Pause.[0310] Weary.)[0311] Ah well, maybe he
was right.[0312] (Pause.)[0313] Maybe he was right.[0314] (Broods.

[0315] Realizes.[0316] Switches off.[0317] Consults envelope.)[0318] Pah![0319] (Crumples
it and throws it away.[0320] Broods.[0321] Switches on.)[0322] Nothing to
say, not a squeak.[0323] What's a year now?[0324] The sour cud and
the iron stool.[0325] (Pause.)[0326] Revelled in the word spool.[0327] (With
relish.)[0328] Spooool![0329] Happiest moment of the past half
million.[0330] (Pause.)[0331] Seventeen copies sold, of which eleven
at trade price to free circulating libraries beyond the
seas.[0332] Getting known.[0333] (Pause.)[0334] One pound six and