Hannibal Lecter:...And how do we begin to covet, Clarice? Do we seek out things to covet? Make an effort to answer now.
Clarice Starling:
No. We just...
Hannibal Lecter:
No. We begin by coveting what we see every day. Don't you feel eyes
moving over your body, Clarice? And don't your eyes seek out the things
you want?
I was reminded of this passage from Silence of
the Lambs on a daily basis as I walked past the darkened windows of
Fassbender and Rausch. With each passing day my attention level grew
from curiosity to desire to obsession. Wanting desperately to know what
treasures awaited me yet being too afraid to cross the threshold of the
old building was quickly occupying an unhealthy proportion of the real
estate of my mind. You see, I knew fully well that once I transgressed
into the mysteriously cavernous space behind the beckoning door, there
would be no turning back the hands of time.
It is
impossible to un-know what we experience, especially when that very
knowledge can provide such sweet and exhilarating pleasure. As such, it
took all of my inner strength to leave the Pandora's box closed and
untouched. This resolve lasted for four days. On the fourth day I had
thoroughly convinced myself that no harm could come from a simple browse
around, that I was not obligated to break down and submit to my basest
desires - I COULD absolutely control myself. I could handle a walk
about the showroom floor without succumbing to the reptilian urges
slowly awakening at the base of my brain. It would be more than enough
to treat my eyes to the glory that was contained within.
Uh huh. Sure. Right. If that what helps you sleep at night, that sounds good to me.
My olfactory receptors bracing themselves for the inevitable onslaught of
delights emanating from what I knew would be simply exquisite creations,
I steeled my resolve and pulled on the door leading to an earthly
garden of delights that no doubt awaited every last fiber of my very
being.
After four days of anticipation, the experience of my imagination was met with an equally strong reality in a collision of overwhelming sensory overload culminating in an explosive and immediate assault on all of my senses.
Behind the tinted windows lay
row upon neatly organized row, stack upon perfect stack (it is Germany,
after all - objects must be displayed in an orderly fashion) of all
manner of chocolate confections. There were truffles and squares and
treats and bars and sweets and display cases with varieties of candies
that made your eyes water along with your mouth. There were even
chocolate sculptures of major Berlin monuments on display. Why did I
even bother sightseeing? I could have spent four days here instead!
Oh my.
Enjoy
the eye candy. I can neither confirm nor deny the possibility that
some of the chocolate for sale did make its way into our bellies.
