Globusspiel

Samuel Beckett, 1977

Photo: Roger Pic

BAND (a strong, rather solemn voice, clearly recognizable as Krapp's former voice)

"Thirty-nine years old today, as healthy as a fiddle" – (He tries to sit more comfortably, knocks the register off the table, curses, sweeps the boxes off the table, stops the tape, switches it off, sweeps boxes and registers boisterously onto the floor, turns the tape back to the beginning, switches it on and listens again.)

"Thirty-nine years old today, as healthy as an oak, apart from my old weakness, and intellectually most likely on the... (He hesitates.) ...crest of the wave—or almost. Celebrated the fateful event, as in recent years, quietly in the wine bar. Not a soul in sight. Sat with my eyes closed by the fire, separating the wheat from the chaff. Scribbled some notes on the back of an envelope. Glad to be back in my own place, in my old clothes. Just now, I must confess to my shame, ate three bananas and only with difficulty managed to resist a fourth. Poison for a man in my condition. (Impetuously) Enough of that! (Pause) The new light above my table is a great improvement. With all the darkness around me, I feel less alone. (Pause) In a way. (Pause) I like to get up, walk around in it, and then go back to... (He hesitates.) ...myself. (Pause)"

Madder.