Juno and the Paycock

The Boyle home now displays newfound wealth through gaudy furnishings, bright artificial flowers, and festive decorations, including a prominently placed old attaché case. Jack relaxes luxuriously, smoking a pipe and dramatically handling legal papers related to his anticipated inheritance. Joxer arrives and flatters Jack. Jack proudly signs the documents, boasting to Joxer that he has handled countless legal forms since news of the will arrived and assures him that everything is in order. Joxer notes how important Jack now seems, and Jack rewards him with some borrowed money, promising more once his inheritance comes. Afterward, Joxer departs.

Juno and Mary arrive home carrying a newly purchased gramophone bought on credit. After setting down the gramophone, Juno voices concern about their escalating debts. Jack dismisses her worries, confidently asserting that their expected money will easily cover these extravagant purchases. Mary, who is now engaged to Bentham, mentions his dislike for gramophones—he has said that he finds them destructive to true music. Jack mocks Bentham’s pretentiousness and insists the gramophone’s true quality emerges in absolute silence. Johnny, moody and withdrawn, refuses to engage with the new purchase and expresses irritation when questioned about his well-being. Bentham soon arrives, leading Jack to pontificate about economic matters, incorrectly discussing falling stock prices and the state of national chaos.

During this conversation, Bentham introduces his belief in Theosophy, describing its central idea of a universal lifeforce called the “Prawna.” Jack humorously mimics the concept, blowing air to mock Bentham’s explanation. The conversation shifts when Bentham mentions ghosts, suggesting certain individuals can perceive residual energies from violent events. This frightens Johnny, who abruptly panics, claiming to see Robbie Tancred’s ghost. Johnny begs for protection, terrified by the vision. His family hurriedly comforts him, dismissing his fears as imagination brought on by nerves. Still, Johnny insists the ghost is real.

Joxer arrives with another neighbor, Maisie Madigan, bringing cheerfulness and energy to the home through drinking and song. Mrs. Madigan fondly reminisces about Mary’s birth, vividly recalling details such as the precise date and the weather, and enthusiastically endorses Mary’s engagement to Bentham. Boyle introduces Bentham proudly to the neighbors, relishing the attention his family now receives. Amid laughter and song, Boyle dramatically recites a sentimental poem he wrote celebrating working-class friendship and loyalty, drawing applause from his guests and clearly savoring their admiration.

The festive mood abruptly ends as Mrs. Tancred passes by the apartment, mourning her son Robbie, whose funeral procession is happening that night. When the Boyles express their sympathies to Mrs. Tancred, she bitterly laments Ireland’s violence and recounts finding her son’s body abandoned beside a brook. Her grief interrupts the celebration starkly, compelling the family and guests to reflect on local tragedies that have occurred due to constant violence in the region. Shortly after, a local tailor named Nugent bursts into the room, angrily rebuking them for their disrespectful behavior during the funeral. Mrs. Madigan sharply reprimands Nugent in return, accusing him of hypocrisy and political opportunism because he sells his services to all sides of the political conflict.

After Nugent leaves, a young IRA mobilizer privately confronts Johnny, ordering him to attend a secret Battalion Staff meeting regarding Robbie Tancred’s death. Johnny passionately refuses, insisting he has already sacrificed enough. Despite the mobilizer’s stern reminders about his obligations and warnings about potential consequences, Johnny adamantly declares he will not participate. Left alone and anxious, Johnny sits quietly, increasingly disturbed by the distant funeral prayers echoing outside.