Happy Days, Samuel Beckett

• ACT I
• Imbedded up to above her waist in exact center of mound, Winnie. Above fifty, well preserved, blond for preference, plump, arms and shoulders bare, low bodice, big bosom, pearl necklet. She is discovered sleeping, her arms on the ground before her, her head on her arms.
• WINNIE [gazing at zenith]. Another heavenly day.
• [She strikes again. The parasol slips from her grasp and falls behind mound. It is immediately restored to her by Willie's invisible hand.] Thank you, dear.
• Don't go off on me again now dear will you please, I may need you.
• [Turns to bag, rummages in it, brings out revolver, holds it up, kisses it rapidly, puts it back, rummages, brings out almost empty bottle of red medicine, turns back front, looks for spectacles, puts them on, reads label.] Loss of spirits... lack of keenness... want of appetite... infants... children... adults... six level... teaspoons daily--
• WILLIE. His Grace and Most Reverend Father in God Dr. Carolus Hunter dead in tub.
• WINNIE. ... Oh well what does it matter, that is what I always say, it will come back, that is what I find so wonderful, all comes back. [Pause.] All? [Pause.] No, not all. [Smile.]
• Floats up, one fine day, out of the blue. [Pause.] That is what I find so wonderful.
• So that I may say at all times, even when you do not answer and perhaps hear nothing, Something of this is being heard, I am not merely talking to myself, that is in the wilderness, a thing I could never bear to do--for any length of time.
• My hair! [Pause.] Did I brush and comb my hair?
• The hair on your head, Willie, what would you say speaking of the hair on your head, them or it?
• WILLIE. It.
• WINNIE [turning back front, joyful]. Oh you are going to talk to me today, this is going to be a happy day!
• Go back to your hole now, Willie, you've exposed yourself enough. [Pause.] Do as I say, Willie, don't lie sprawling there in the hellish sun, go back into your hole.
• Oh I can well imagine what is passing through your mind, it is not enough to have to listen to the woman, now I must look at her as well.
• Ah well what a joy in any case to hear you laugh again, Willie, I was convinced I never you, you never would.
• Do not misunderstand my question, I am not asking you if you loved me, we know all about that, I am asking you if you found me lovable--at one stage.
• Could I, if some kind of person were to come along and ask, What all have you got in that big black bag, Winnie? give an exhaustive answer? [Pause.] No. [Pause.] The depths in particular, who knows what treasures.
• [To revolver.] Oh I suppose it's a comfort to know you're there, but I'm tired of you.
• WILLIE. Sucked up?
• WINNIE. Yes, love, up into the blue, like gossamer.
• All I can say is for my part is that for me they are not what they were when I was young and... foolish and... [faltering, head down]... beautiful... possibly... lovely... in a way... to look at. [Pause. Head up.] Forgive me, Willie, sorrow keeps breaking in.
• I speak of when I was not yet caught--in this way--and had my legs and had the use of my legs, and could seek out a shady place, like you, when I was tired of the sun, or a sunny place when I was tired of the shade, like you, and they are all empty words.
• Again, Willie, again! [Claps.] Encore, Willie, please!
• Keep yourself nice, Winniie, that is what I always say, come what may, keep yourself nice.
• Why doesn't he dig her out? he says--referring to you, my dear--What good is she to him like that?--What good is he to her like that?--
• Do you know what I dream sometimes? [Pause.]
• That you'll come round and live this side where I could see you. [Pause. Back front.] I'd be a different woman. [Pause.] Unrecognizable.
• What is a hog, Willie, please! [Pause.]
• WILLIE. Castrated male swine. [Happy expression appears on Winnie's face.] Reared for slaughter.
• WINNIE. Oh this is a happy day! This will have been another happy day! [Pause.] After all. [Pause.] So far.
• WINNIE. Pray your old prayer, Winnie.
• ACT II
• Her head, which she can no longer turn, nor bow, nor raise, faces front motionless throughout act. Movement of eyes as indicated.
• WINNIE. Hail, holy light.
• Someone is looking at me still. [Pause.] Caring for me still. [Pause.] That is what I find so wonderful.
• Oh no doubt you are dead, like the others, no doubt you have died, or gone away and left me, like the others, it doesn't matter, you are there.
• I do hope nothing is amiss. [Eyes right. Loud.] Is all well, dear? [Pause. Eyes front. To herself.] God grant he did not go in head foremost! [Eyes right. Loud.] You're not stuck, Willie? [Pause. Do.] You're not jammed, Willie? [Eyes front, distressed.] Perhaps he is crying out for help all the time and I do not hear him! [Pause.] I do of course hear cries. [Pause.] But they are in my head surely.
• Another thing, Willie, while we are on the subject. [Pause.] The sadness after song.
• Let me go for Christ's sake and drop! [Pause. Do.] Drop dead! [Smile.] But no.
• Sing your old song, Winnie.
• [Long pause. Sudden alert expression. Eyes switch right. Willie's head appears to her right round corner of mound. He is on all fours, dressed to kill--top hat, morning coat, striped trousers, etc., white gloves in hand. ... Unable to sustain effort of looking up he sinks head to ground.]
• WINNIE [mondaine]. Well this is an unexpected pleasure! [Pause.] Reminds me of the day you came whining for my hand.
• WILLIE [just audible]. Win.
• WINNIE. Win! [Pause.] Oh this is a happy day, this will have been another happy day. [Pause.] After all. [Pause.] So far.
• Though I say not
  What I may not
  Let you hear,
  Yet the swaying
  Dance is saying,
  Love me dear!
  Every touch of fingers
  Tells me what I know,
  Says for you,
  It's true, it's true,
  You love me so!