This used to be the ballroom. I have little occasions to dance these days. I trust you recognise The Last Supper, the great fresco, by Leonardo Da Vinci. [To Sophie] My dear, if you would close your eyes?
Leigh, save us the parlour tricks.
You asked for my help, I recall. Allow an old man his indulgences. [To Sophie, who has closed her eyes] And Mademoiselle, where is Jesus sitting?
In the middle.
Good. He and His disciples are breaking bread. And...what drink?
Wine. They drunk wine.
Splendid. And one final question: how many wine glasses are there on the table?
One? The Holy Grail.
Open your eyes. [Sophie does so, and looks at the screen the painting is being displayed on] No single cup. No chalice. Well, that's a bit strange, isn't it? Considering both the Bible and standard Grail legend celebrate this moment as the definitive arrival of the Holy Grail. Hmmm. [To Robert] Now, Robert, you could be of help to us. If you'd be so kind as to show us the symbols for man and woman?
No balloon animals? I can make a great duck. [He presses his fingertips together, keeping his hands apart] This is the original icon for male. It's a rudimentary phallus.
Boyhood to a point.
Yes, indeed.
This was known as the "blade". It represents aggression and manhood. It's a symbol still used today in modern military uniforms.
Yes, the more penises you have, the higher your rank. Boys will be boys!
Now, as you can imagine, the female symbol [He pressees the heels of his hands together, keeping his fingers apart, in the shape of a begging bowl] is its exact opposite. This is called the "chalice".
[Also making the shape with his hands]
And the chalice resembles a cup, or vessel, or, more importantly, the shape of a woman's womb. No, the Grail has never been a cup! It is, quite literally, this ancient symbol of womanhood. And in this case, a woman who carried a secret so powerful that if revealed, it would devastate the very foundations of Christianity.
Wait, please. You're saying the Holy Grail is a person...a woman?
And it turns out, she makes an appearance, right there. [Pointing at the screen, still showing the painting]
But they are all men,
Are they? What about that figure on the right hand of Our Lord, seated in the place of honour? [As Sophie approaches the screen, which now shows the figure seated on Jesus' right hand side, supposedly the Apostle John] Flowing red hair, folded feminine hands, hint of a bosum, no?
[Sophie says something in French, and Sir Leigh replies in French] [In English]
It's called scotoma. The mind sees what it chooses to see.
Who is she?
My dear, that's Mary Magdalene.
The prostitute?
[Offended]
She was no such thing! Smeared by the church in 592, Anno Domini, poor dear. [Puts his tablet aside] Magdalene was Jesus' wife.
