ACT I

In a wooded grove, Godot and his young ward, the Boy, search for a particular tree. They have been told that two people named Vladimir and Estragon are waiting there for Godot’s assistance, although Godot cannot remember the tree, repeatedly misremembers Estragon’s name, and remains uncertain whether the pair are men, women, or something else entirely.

As they wander, Godot and the Boy debate time, dreams, religion, names, waiting, vegetarian cannibals, and the relative danger of strangers offering sweets. Godot presents himself as a charitable helper, while the Boy repeatedly demonstrates greater practical intelligence and clearer judgment.

Unable to determine whether they are searching effectively, they attempt to test the strength of a tree branch by hanging Godot. Their elaborate preparations fail several times because the rope is too long. When the Boy finally adjusts it successfully, he becomes distracted by the absurdity of their behavior and accidentally leaves Godot suspended.

Their activity is interrupted by the arrival of Pozzo and Lucky. Pozzo commands Lucky through a long series of degrading orders, forcing him to carry baggage, arrange furniture, and respond like a trained animal. Godot initially mistakes the pair for the people he has been seeking.

Pozzo claims ownership of the grove and becomes intrigued by Godot’s search. Lucky inspects Godot and discovers a broken pocket watch inherited from Godot’s grandfather. Pozzo offers to repair it, then places it in Lucky’s bag.

Although disturbed by Pozzo’s treatment of Lucky, Godot remains fascinated by him. Pozzo claims that Lucky can locate Vladimir and Estragon. After receiving a vague description, Lucky performs an elaborate search, and Pozzo announces that the missing devotees are already present—or, at least, that the nearest available people can assume their roles.

Godot rejects this conclusion. Rather than continuing the search himself, however, he asks Pozzo to locate Vladimir and Estragon and direct them to the chosen tree. Pozzo and Lucky depart.

Godot and the Boy remain behind to wait.

The Boy argues that their waiting has become procrastination. After repeatedly imagining possible outcomes, they conclude that one favorable possibility is enough to justify remaining. Godot later remembers a third supposed devotee named Albert, further confusing their mission.

The Boy volunteers to search alone. Godot instructs him to find Vladimir, Estragon, and perhaps Albert, tell them that he has been sent by Godot, and promise that Godot will meet them tomorrow.

The Boy runs away to deliver the message. Godot leaves shortly afterward, abandoning a noose swinging from the tree.

ACT II

The next morning, Godot and the Boy return to the same grove but initially fail to recognize it. Godot is now wearing boots, and the noose remains on the tree. The passage of time appears both brief and immeasurable.

The Boy reveals that he found Vladimir and Estragon the previous night but became frightened and managed to say little more than “Yes, sir.” Godot becomes confused about whether Vladimir and the invented Albert are separate people, the same person, or members of a theological trinity.

Their search repeatedly begins and collapses. They leave in opposite directions, return to the same place, look above the trees, play word games, debate theology, and stage an improvised version of Prometheus Bound for the surrounding trees. Godot imagines himself as king of the grove, but the trees respond to his performance with silence.

A distant scream interrupts them. Pozzo and Lucky return, although Pozzo denies having met Godot and the Boy before. Lucky is no longer leashed and appears to be fleeing. Pozzo violently pursues him until the Boy intervenes.

The Boy notices extensive injuries beneath Lucky’s clothing. Pozzo describes the wounds as gifts and tokens of affection, insisting that Lucky torments him by failing to reciprocate his love. Their relationship becomes increasingly difficult to define: Lucky is captive, servant, companion, victim, and—according to Pozzo—willing dependent.

Pozzo then tells a story about an abused dog abandoned by its family. The dog escapes into the wilderness, nearly freezes to death, and is rescued by a man carrying a rope intended for suicide. The man places the rope around the dog’s neck, and both are supposedly saved. The story strongly implies a shared history involving Godot, the Boy, Pozzo, and Lucky, although its exact meaning remains unstable.

Lucky begins acting independently. After Pozzo declares his intention to sell him, Lucky delivers an apocalyptic speech about hierarchy, abandonment, God, social systems, justice, and the passing of time. He attacks Pozzo, blinds him with Godot’s stolen pocket watch, and assumes control of their journey. Lucky then leads Pozzo away.

The encounter leaves Godot and the Boy shaken. Godot admits that they will never find Vladimir and Estragon, but continues alternating between searching and waiting. His injured ankle prevents him from moving easily, and his earlier confidence as a helper gives way to bitterness.

The Boy insists that their unseen devotees still need assistance. Godot increasingly treats the people they seek as ungrateful subjects who have failed to arrive at the correct tree. Their argument turns personal. The Boy accuses Godot of ignorance, helplessness, and abandoning the purpose of their journey.

Godot attempts to prevent him from leaving and finally addresses him with the same command Pozzo used for Lucky: “Pig.”

The Boy asks Godot who he has become. Godot describes himself as a helper and Good Samaritan who performs tasks no one else will do, from helping vagabonds to collecting abandoned bodies.

Unconvinced, the Boy leaves.

Godot remains beneath the tree, insisting that the Boy will return because no one ever stays away. He eats an apple and sings alone as the play concludes, poised to become the figure Vladimir and Estragon will continue waiting for.

CASTING

Casting should respect the precident established by Samuel Beckett for Waiting for Godot.

HISTORY

Godot, Searching is a full-length dramatic work currently in development. The play is available for private evaluation, developmental readings, workshops, and dramaturgical collaboration.

NATHAN HOLLEY (PLAYWRIGHT)