Улісс

           FatherO’Flynnwouldmakeharesofthemall.Haverowsallthesame.Allfornumberone.Childrenfightingforthescrapingsofthepot.WantasouppotasbigasthePhoenixpark.Harpooningflitchesandhindquartersoutofit.Hatepeopleallroundyou.CityArmshoteltabled’hôteshecalledit.Soup,jointandsweet.Neverknowwhosethoughtsyou’rechewing.Thenwho’dwashupalltheplatesandforks?Mightbeallfeedingontabloidsthattime.Teethgettingworseandworse.

           Afterallthere’salotinthatvegetarianfineflavourofthingsfromtheearthgarlicofcourseitstinksafterItalianorgangrinderscrispofonionsmushroomstruffles.Paintotheanimaltoo.Pluckanddrawfowl.Wretchedbrutesthereatthecattlemarketwaitingforthepoleaxetosplittheirskullsopen.Moo.Poortremblingcalves.Meh.Staggeringbob.Bubbleandsqueak.Butchers’bucketswobblylights.Giveusthatbrisketoffthehook.Plup.Rawheadandbloodybones.Flayedglasseyedsheephungfromtheirhaunches,sheepsnoutsbloodypaperedsnivellingnosejamonsawdust.Topandlashersgoingout.Don’tmaulthempieces,youngone.

           Hotfreshbloodtheyprescribefordecline.Bloodalwaysneeded.Insidious.Lickitupsmokinghot,thicksugary.Famishedghosts.

           Ah,I’mhungry.

           HeenteredDavyByrne’s.Moralpub.Hedoesn’tchat.Standsadrinknowandthen.Butinleapyearonceinfour.Cashedachequeformeonce.

           WhatwillItakenow?Hedrewhiswatch.Letmeseenow.Shandygaff?

           —Hello,Bloom,NoseyFlynnsaidfromhisnook.

           —Hello,Flynn.

           —How’sthings?

           —Tiptop...Letmesee.