"Melodiotiosities in purefusion by the score."

(221.18-223.18)  With the cast of characters for "The Mime of Mick, Nick and the Maggies" introduced and the scene set, today's reading begins with an extended list of credits for the production.  We find out, for example, that the play features "[d]ances arranged by Harley Quinn and Coolimbeina" (as McHugh notes, this includes both characters from the pantomime and 18th century Irish actors George Harley and James Quinn).  We also, significantly, find the "[j]ests jokes, jigs and jorums for the Wake lent from the properties of the late cemented Mr T. M. Finnegan R.I.C." (referencing the book's mythical namesake, with "R.I.C." standing for "Royal Irish Constabulary," and, presumably, serving as a play on R.I.P.).

We also get more hints as to the role of the play in the larger context of the Wake.  The towering figures of HCE (the mountain) and ALP (the river) are referenced when we learn that the play prominently features "summit scenes of climbacks castastrophear, The Bearded Mountain (Polymop Baretherootsch) and The River Romps to Nursery (Maidykins in Undiform)."  And the play is "wound up for an afterenactment by a Magnificent Transformation Scene showing the Radium Wedding of Neid and Moorning and the Dawn of Peace, Pure, Perfect and Perpetual, Waking the Weary of the World."  So, maybe the Wake's final flourish will serve to unite night and day, to bring hope to all, and to rouse the weary.

The plot of the play, or the "argument" as it's termed here, now starts.  Chuff (the Shaun figure) was an angel, who brandished his sword like the archangel Michael (the Mick of the play's title).  Glugg had the devil (the Nick of the play's title) in him, and typical of the earlier portrayal of Shem, he's shown here as being repulsive and moody.  The Floras (the Maggies of the title, here, "the evelings," referencing both their role as the daughters of Eve and Joyce's short story, "Eveline") were present, too, "pierceful in their sojestiveness" and making enticing gestures.  Izod conducts the Floras, who represent the seven colors of the rainbow, in a heliotrope dance.  At the conclusion of today's reading, Glugg stumbles up, and then stands face to face with Chuff, ready to fight.