AZOTUSLAND Chapter Seventy-Three

As Jim continuued Manfred and Ted got up and went into the back to get the batter-fried banana fritters with chocolate. Roo also arose as did Renata to serve up small demitasse cups of espresso.

"It's a scandalous scene of love," Jim said aloud. "The visiting Rabbi turns his back to the host and tells him a parable from which he cannot extricate himself!"

"Did Sahib say 'exfoliate himself"?" Manfred asked Rachel.

"No," Rachel whispered. "Listen."

"There are two scandals going on at once at this Middle Eastern meal and within their culture," Jim continuued. "The first is the woman who has come in with such love for Jesus. She takes the alabaster vial of perfume, which was quite costly and use specifically to cover the smell of sex with many other men, and she breaks it open and pours it on Jesus's feet weeping. Then she takes down her hair, which in this culture was like exposing your breasts, and begins to wipe his feet with it. The room is aghast and the murmering begins. Now everyone murmer okay?"

The room began to murmer. "Not loud enough!" Jim said. They murmered louder.

"That's better," he smiled. "Now the second scandal is I, Simon, am judging Jesus and his lack of vision for allowing this when he turns his BACK on me and starts telling a story. All the while he is looking at the woman and her alone.

"What is he telling the woman and what is he saying to Simon the religious man?"

"He's saying he's a prick," Maugham said and there was much laughter. Jim waited.

"He is saying the womenz loves much and with whole heartedness!" Manfred said laying down a small plate of fritters.

Jim smiled at Manfred and bowed.

"He is saying the religious man, though forgiven his debt, did not realize the gift," Dan said. Jim put his hands together again and bowed.

"It means love is not about appearances," said Rand. "Very good" said Jim.

"It says that this woman was incredibly brave," said Rachel, and Jim admired her again.

"I think at the end some part, er I mean I..." Andy stammered realizing he was public. "Yes Andy?" Jim said. "Go on."

"Well that faith and love are crucial," he said.

"I hope so," said Jim.

Most of the guests were now dining on the dessert and the thick black espresso. Jim didn't want to draw it out, though he himself was not sated. He motioned for Jonathan and asked he turn up the music just a bit. Perer Gabriel's soundtrack from The Last Temptation of Christ came up with Of these, Hope.

"Thank you all for coming and now I invite you to discuss the meaning of the meal and the text amongst yourselves," Jim said. "Unlike Simon, I have dishes to do."

"Thanks Jim!" came many a voice and some small applause as he exited into the kitchen.