Улісс

           )Enteraghostandhobgoblins.

           ZOE:ClaponthebackforZoe.

           (ThewandinLynch’shandflashes:abrasspoker.Stephenstandsatthepianolaonwhichsprawlhishatandashplant.Withtwofingersherepeatsoncemoretheseriesofemptyfifths.FlorryTalbot,ablondfeeblegoosefatwhoreinatatterdemaliongownofmildewedstrawberry,lollsspreadeagleinthesofacorner,herlimpforearmpendentoverthebolster,listening.Aheavystyedroopsoverhersleepyeyelid.)

           KITTY:(Hiccupsagainwithakickofherhorsedfoot.)O,excuse!

           ZOE:(Promptly.)Yourboy’sthinkingofyou.Tieaknotonyourshift.

           (KittyRickettsbendsherhead.Herboauncoils,slides,glidesoverhershoulder,back,arm,chairtotheground.Lynchliftsthecurledcatterpillaronhiswand.Shesnakesherneck,nestling.Stephenglancesbehindatthesquattedfigurewithitscapbacktothefront.)

           STEPHEN:AsamatteroffactitisofnoimportancewhetherBenedettoMarcellofounditormadeit.Theriteisthepoet’srest.ItmaybeanoldhymntoDemeteroralsoillustrateCœlaenarrantgloriamDomini.ItissusceptibleofnodesormodesasfarapartashyperphrygianandmixolydianandoftextssodivergentaspriestshaihoopingroundDavid’sthatisCirce’sorwhatamIsayingCeres’altarandDavid’stipfromthestabletohischiefbassoonistaboutthealrightnessofhisalmightiness.Maisnomdenom,thatisanotherpairoftrousers.Jetezlagourme.Fautquejeunessesepasse.(Hestops,pointsatLynch’scap,smiles,laughs.)Whichsideisyourknowledgebump?

           THECAP:(Withsaturninespleen.)Bah!Itisbecauseitis.