Улисс

           —Doinganysingingthosetimes?

           Lookathismouth.Couldwhistleinhisownear.Flapearstomatch.Music.Knowsasmuchaboutitasmycoachman.Stillbettertellhim.Doesnoharm.Freead.

           —She’sengagedforabigtourendofthismonth.Youmayhaveheardperhaps.

           —No.O,that’sthestyle.Who’sgettingitup?

           Thecurateserved.

           —Howmuchisthat?

           —Sevend.,sir...Thankyou,sir.

           MrBloomcuthissandwichintoslenderstrips.MrMacTrigger.Easierthanthedreamycreamystuff.Hisfivehundredwives.Hadthetimeoftheirlives.

           —Mustard,sir?

           —Thankyou.

           Hestuddedundereachliftedstripyellowblobs.Theirlives.Ihaveit.Itgrewbiggerandbiggerandbigger.

           —Gettingitup?hesaid.Well,it’slikeacompanyidea,yousee.Partsharesandpartprofits.

           —Ay,nowIremember,NoseyFlynnsaid,puttinghishandinhispockettoscratchhisgroin.Whoisthiswastellingme?Isn’tBlazesBoylanmixedupinit?

           AwarmshockofairheatofmustardhanchedonMrBloom’sheart.Heraisedhiseyesandmetthestareofabiliousclock.Two.Pubclockfiveminutesfast.Timegoingon.Handsmoving.Two.Notyet.

           Hismidriffyearnedthenupward,sankwithinhim,yearnedmorelongly,longingly.

           Wine.

           Hesmellsippedthecordialjuiceand,biddinghisthroatstronglytospeedit,sethiswineglassdelicatelydown.

           —Yes,hesaid.He’stheorganiserinpointoffact.

           Nofear:nobrains.

           NoseyFlynnsnuffledandscratched.Fleahavingagoodsquaremeal.