zoe
(Stiffly, her finger in her neckfillet.) Honest? Till the next time. (She sneers.) Suppose you got up the wrong side of the bed or came too quick with your best girl. O, I can read your thoughts.
bloom
(Bitterly.) Man and woman, love, what is it? A cork and bottle.
zoe
(In sudden sulks.) I hate a rotter that’s insincere. Give a bleeding whore a chance.
bloom
(Repentantly.) I am very disagreable. You are a necessary evil. Where are you from? London?
zoe
(Glibly.) Hog’s Norton where the pigs plays the organs. I’m Yorkshire born (She holds his hand which is feeling for her nipple.) I say, Tommy Tittlemouse. Stop that and begin worse. Have you cash for a short time? Ten shillings?
bloom
(Smiles, nods slowly.) More, houri, more.
zoe
And more’s mother? (She pats him offhandedly with velvet paws.) Are you coming into the musicroom to see our new pianola? Come and I’ll peel off.
bloom
(Feeling his occiput dubiously with the unparalleled embarrassment of a harassed pedlar gauging the symmetry of her peeled pears.) Somebody would be dreadfully jealous if she knew. The greeneyed monster (Earnestly.) You know how difficult it is. I needn’t tell you.
zoe
(Flattered.) What the eye can’t see the heart can’t grieve for (She pats him.) Come.
bloom
Laughing witch! The hand that rocks the cradle.
