stephen
(Murmurs.) Continue. Lie. Hold me. Caress. I never could read His handwriting except His criminal thumbprint on the haddock.
zoe
What day were you born?
stephen
Thursday. Today.
zoe
Thursday’s child has far to go. (She traces lines on his hand.) Line of fate. Influential friends.
florry
(Pointing.) Imagination.
zoe
Mount of the moon. You’ll meet with a… (She peers at his hands abruptly.) I won’t tell you what’s not good for you. Or do you want to know?
bloom
(Detaches her fingers and offers his palm.) More harm than good. Here. Read mine.
bella
Show. (She turns up Bloom’s hand.) I thought so. Knobby knuckles, for the women.
zoe
(Peering at Bloom’s palm.) Gridiron. Travels beyond the sea and marry money.
bloom
Wrong.
zoe
(Quickly.) O, I see. Short little finger. Henpecked husband. That wrong?
