Ulysses
(The crowd disperses slowly, muttering, down the lane.)
CORNY KELLEHER: Leave it to me, sergeant. That’ll be
all right. (He laughs, shaking his head) We were often as bad
ourselves, ay or worse. What? Eh, what?
FIRST WATCH: (Laughs) I suppose so.
CORNY KELLEHER: (Nudges the second watch) Come
and wipe your name off the slate. (He lilts, wagging his head)
With my tooraloom tooraloom tooraloom tooraloom.
What, eh, do you follow me?
SECOND WATCH: (Genially) Ah, sure we were too.
CORNY KELLEHER: (Winking) Boys will be boys. I’ve
a car round there.
SECOND WATCH: All right, Mr Kelleher. Good night.
CORNY KELLEHER: I’ll see to that.
BLOOM: (Shakes hands with both of the watch in turn)
Thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank you. (He mumbles
confidentially) We don’t want any scandal, you understand.
Father is a wellknown highly respected citizen. Just a little
wild oats, you understand.
FIRST WATCH: O. I understand, sir.
SECOND WATCH: That’s all right, sir.
FIRST WATCH: It was only in case of corporal injuries
I’d have to report it at the station.
BLOOM: (Nods rapidly) Naturally. Quite right. Only
your bounden duty.
SECOND WATCH: It’s our duty.
CORNY KELLEHER: Good night, men.
THE WATCH: (Saluting together) Night, gentlemen.
(They move off with slow heavy tread)