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SAMWISE:
Charming spot. (He turns, advances to front of building, halts facing bar.)
Inspiring prospects. (He turns to Frodo.) Let's go.
FRODO:
We can't.
SAMWISE:
Why not?
FRODO:
We're waiting for Gandalf.
SAMWISE:
(despairingly). Ah! (Pause.) You're sure it was here?
FRODO:
What?
SAMWISE:
That we were to wait.
FRODO:
He said in the Prancing Pony. (They look at the tavern.) Do you see any others?
SAMWISE:
What is it?
FRODO:
I don't know. A pub.
SAMWISE:
Where is the ale?
FRODO:
They must be out.
SAMWISE:
No more drinking.
FRODO:
Or perhaps it's not the season.
SAMWISE:
Looks to me more like a bar.
FRODO:
A pub.
SAMWISE:
A bar.
FRODO:
A—. What are you insinuating? That we've come to the wrong place?
SAMWISE:
He should be here.
FRODO:
He didn't say for sure he'd come.
SAMWISE:
And if he doesn't come?
FRODO:
We'll come back tomorrow.
SAMWISE:
And then the day after tomorrow.
FRODO:
Possibly.
SAMWISE:
And so on.
FRODO:
The point is—
SAMWISE:
Until the Ringwraiths show up.
FRODO:
You're merciless.
SAMWISE:
We came here yesterday.
FRODO:
Ah no, there you're mistaken.
SAMWISE:
What did we do yesterday?
FRODO:
What did we do yesterday?
SAMWISE:
Yes.
FRODO:
Why . . . (Angrily.) Nothing is certain when you're about.
SAMWISE:
In my opinion we were here.
FRODO:
(looking round). You recognize the place?
SAMWISE:
I didn't say that.
FRODO:
Well?
SAMWISE:
That makes no difference.
FRODO:
All the same . . . that pub . . . (turning towards Strider’s table) that ranger
. . .
SAMWISE:
You're sure it was this evening?
FRODO:
What?
SAMWISE:
That we were to wait.
FRODO:
He said Saturday. (Pause.) I think.
SAMWISE:
You think.
FRODO:
I must have made a note of it. (He fumbles in his pockets, taking out the Ring.)
SAMWISE:
(very insidious). But what Saturday? And is it Saturday? Is it not rather Sunday?
(Pause.) Or Monday? (Pause.) Or Friday?
FRODO:
(looking wildly about him, as though the date was inscribed in the landscape).
It's not possible!
SAMWISE:
Or Thursday?
FRODO:
What'll we do?
SAMWISE:
If he came yesterday and we weren't here you may be sure he won't come again
today.
FRODO:
But you say we were here yesterday.
SAMWISE:
I may be mistaken. (Pause.) Go sing the long version of “Hey Diddle Diddle”
fall under a table, and put your Ring on, do you mind?
FRODO:
(feebly). All right.