(Bronze by gold they whisper.)

Zoe:  (To Florry) Whisper.

(They whisper again)

(Over the well of the car blazes Boylan leans, his boater straw set
sideways, A red flower in his mouth.  Lenehan in YACHTSMAN’S cap and white
shoes officiously detaches A long hair from blazes Boylan’s coat
shoulder.)

Lenehan:  Ho!  What do I here behold?  Were you brushing the cobwebs off a few quims?

Boylan:  (Seated, smiles) Plucking a turkey.

Lenehan:  A good night’s work.

Boylan:  (Holding up four thick BLUNTUNGULATED fingers, winks) Blazes Kate!  Up to sample or your money back. (He holds out A forefinger) Smell that.

Lenehan:  (Smells gleefully) Ah!  Lobster and mayonnaise.  Ah!

Zoe and Florry:  (Laugh together) Ha ha ha ha.

Boylan:  (Jumps surely from the car and calls loudly for all to hear)
Hello, Bloom!  Mrs Bloom dressed yet?

Bloom:  (In FLUNKEY’S prune plush coat and KNEEBREECHES, buff stockings
and powdered Wig) I’m afraid not, sir.  The last articles ...

Boylan:  (Tosses him sixpence) Here, to buy yourself a gin and splash. (He hangs his hat smartly on A peg of Bloom’s antlered head) Show me in.  I have a little private business with your wife, you understand?

Bloom:  Thank you, sir.  Yes, sir.  Madam Tweedy is in her bath, sir.

Marion:  He ought to feel himself highly honoured. (She PLOPS splashing out of the water) Raoul darling, come and dry me.  I’m in my pelt.  Only my new hat and a carriage sponge.

Boylan:  (A merry twinkle in his eye) Topping!

Bella:  What?  What is it?

(Zoe whispers to her.)

Marion:  Let him look, the pishogue!  Pimp!  And scourge himself!  I’ll write to a powerful prostitute or Bartholomona, the bearded woman, to raise weals out on him an inch thick and make him bring me back a signed and stamped receipt.

Boylan:  (clasps himself) Here, I can’t hold this little lot much longer. (he strides off on stiff cavalry legs)