Personally I think that this entire song is a metaphor for temptation of any sort. Although it comes from the angle of prostitution I think that is the general meaning. "Find a line of meathooks on display
(Does your conscience lose its way?)"
That line is more than just him seeing her victims. This is more about how it traps you. Any temptation is a set back; eventually you will leave the hook but it leaves you trapped. Something no one has talked about is how the entire song is in third person except for the chorus. This story isn't about the writer. That's why it's called reflections of the Marionette. The song goes through the thought process of temptation and how temptation affects us all. That's why he uses the metaphor of "And in the streets the sirens sings." He uses metaphors throughout the song to detach himself from this "reflection." The reason you don't just go for the easy prostitution point is because in the chorus he says "you just got here too late," insignifying that there was something that they should have been there for. maybe a marriage, a relationship, or a job right? But if you think about it, all temptations are structured in a form of "lateness." "I'm already on a diet so it's too late to take a cheat day." Or maybe the temptation to watch one more youtube video, it's too late, you might wake up late or not own up to obligations. Maybe I'm reading too far in to it but if you look at the song or listen to his tones he doesn't feel hurt. Maybe it's the limitation of the artist but i feel like if it was him missing a prostitute he would sound more hurt. In general though, Two Gallant's lyrics are so interesting and insightful that I think it isn't something as surface level as what it portrays
Personally I think that this entire song is a metaphor for temptation of any sort. Although it comes from the angle of prostitution I think that is the general meaning. "Find a line of meathooks on display (Does your conscience lose its way?)" That line is more than just him seeing her victims. This is more about how it traps you. Any temptation is a set back; eventually you will leave the hook but it leaves you trapped. Something no one has talked about is how the entire song is in third person except for the chorus. This story isn't about the writer. That's why it's called reflections of the Marionette. The song goes through the thought process of temptation and how temptation affects us all. That's why he uses the metaphor of "And in the streets the sirens sings." He uses metaphors throughout the song to detach himself from this "reflection." The reason you don't just go for the easy prostitution point is because in the chorus he says "you just got here too late," insignifying that there was something that they should have been there for. maybe a marriage, a relationship, or a job right? But if you think about it, all temptations are structured in a form of "lateness." "I'm already on a diet so it's too late to take a cheat day." Or maybe the temptation to watch one more youtube video, it's too late, you might wake up late or not own up to obligations. Maybe I'm reading too far in to it but if you look at the song or listen to his tones he doesn't feel hurt. Maybe it's the limitation of the artist but i feel like if it was him missing a prostitute he would sound more hurt. In general though, Two Gallant's lyrics are so interesting and insightful that I think it isn't something as surface level as what it portrays