The Peacock 1867

Jennifer pipes up.  "We happen, all three of us, to already have plenty of responsibilities in Vancouver, where we also happen to live." "Stepson, you are the lord here.  What do you say?" "That no one must ever be, nor feel, held here against their will.  I have already said that if anyone wants to leave, then after dinner, arrangements can be made to get them off this island and return them to their home." "We're on an island?" says Jennifer, trying to contain the rising panic in her voce. "Where are we, and how did we get here?" "Apparently", says Carl, "We are on an uncharted island somewhere between Saltspring and Saturna or Mayne, I think." "But how did we get here", says Maureen, indignation rising in her voice. "And who are you?" "Mother", says Jesus to Mary, "would you be so kind please as to go to the kitchen, fill the cut  crystal jug, and bring it to the table here?" "Right away, my Lord", says Mary, getting up from the table... Mary has returned with a jug carved from the most splendid cut lead crystal I have ever seen in my life.  The lines swirl in well ordered arabesques and labyrinths of shining rainbows.   "Jennifer", says Jesus, holding the jug in two hands, "May I pour you a glass of wine?" "From a jug of water?" and she seems on the verge of peeling out in derisive laughter. "How about a glass of red living water, then?"  He is not going to relent, but it wound't be like Jesus to relent. Reluctantly, Jennifer holds forth her fluted glass.  As Jesus pours, it is not water, but what appears to be red wine filling her glass. "Maureen, it's your turn", he says smiling.  "Into Maureen's glass also pours water that turns red as it touches the glass.  Then he turns to the rest of us, getting up from his chair, and pouring water into each fluted glass, that turns suddenly into red wine as it touches the glass.  I would never imagine that jug could hold enough for everybody, but it seems to miraculously replenish itself with each pouring...