Maria, a middle-aged woman, visits Frederik Ruysch's "cabinet of curiosities" in Amsterdam. Frederik gives her a tour of the displays of embryos, fetuses, and deformed body parts. Normally, medical practitioners come to the display, and most people are weirded out by it. However, Maria also has peculiar interests—she raises caterpillars and makes art out of their butterfly wings once they are grown. Maria and Frederik find that they have an understanding for one another, based on their passions, that no one else does. They begin to develop a sexual attraction for one another. The two kiss before Maria returns home, reflecting on the nature of existence.