Улисс

           AvertinghisfacequicklyBloombendstoexamineonthehalltablethespanieleyesofarunningfox:then,hisliftedheadsniffing,followsZoeintothemusicroom.Ashadeofmauvetissuepaperdimsthelightofthechandelier.Roundandroundamothflies,colliding,escaping.Theflooriscoveredwithanoilclothmosaicofjadeandazureandcinnabarrhomboids.Footmarksarestampedoveritinallsenses,heeltoheel,heeltohollow,toetotoe,feetlocked,amorrisofshufflingfeetwithoutbodyphantoms,allinascrimmagehiggledypiggledy.Thewallsaretapestriedwithapaperofyewfrondsandclearglades.Inthegrateisspreadascreenofpeacockfeathers.Lynchsquatscrossleggedonthehearthrugofmattedhair,hiscapbacktothefront.Withawandhebeatstimeslowly.KittyRicketts,abonypallidwhoreinnavycostume,doeskinglovesrolledbackfromacoralwristlet,achainpurseinherhand,sitsperchedontheedgeofthetableswingingherlegandglancingatherselfinthegiltmirroroverthemantelpiece.Atagofhercorsetlacehangsslightlybelowherjacket.Lynchindicatesmockinglythecoupleatthepiano.)

           KITTY:(Coughsbehindherhand.)She’sabitimbecillic.(Shesignswithawagglingforefinger.)Blemblem.(Lynchliftsupherskirtandwhitepetticoatwiththewand.Shesettlesthemdownquickly.)Respectyourself.(Shehiccups,thenbendsquicklyhersailorhatunderwhichherhairglows,redwithhenna.)O,excuse!

           ZOE:Morelimelight,Charley.(Shegoestothechandelierandturnsthegasfullcock.)

           KITTY:(Peersatthegasjet.)Whatailsittonight?

           LYNCH:(Deeply.