u/Better-Bad2285

Right after reading the newspaper article, Ziegler says "It was a matter of time with her", same phrase Amanda's sister is quoted with, except in a more optimistic context. Sad irony, or a hint Ziegler is just making stuff up along the way to throw Bill off the cult's scent?

There is a rainbow decal in the stand where Bill buys the newspaper. Upper-left, in the banner reading "Lottery." As if Kubrick was saying "Yes, you found it!"

Nick Nightingale, the pianist in Eyes Wide Shut, gives Bill Harford the password to the masked party. They first meet at Ziggler’s Christmas party and again when Bill finds him at the Sonata Café. Nick’s last name very clearly calls to the legend of the nightingale bird, which Kubrick nods to in a number of creative ways throughout the film.

The nightingale is a bird known for its beautiful song and specifically for singing at night. It’s also known for being secretive and is hard to spot in the wild. It often hides and rarely sings when exposed. Nick of course is only ever seen playing the piano at night and his biggest performance is at the most secluded, forbidden, darkest location in the movie.

There are plenty of other interesting parallels throughout the movie. The nightingale’s song is a mating call (Nick’s song is the catalyst for animalistic sex at the masked party), the bird reaches its furthest point of migration in December (Nick is away from his home in Seattle at Christmas time), and its songs served as inspiration for Beethoven’s symphonies (the password “Fidelio” is also the name of Beethoven’s opera).

My favorite connection can be seen as the stalking man crosses the street while following Bill. The stalking man is seen in one frame at the corner of Wren Street – a street that doesn’t actually exist in New York City – eerily eyeing Bill. The nightingale-wren is a bird known for its haunting song rather than a beautiful one (notice the unnerving motif during this scene). The street sign is intentional, indicating Nick’s metaphorical transition from nightingale to wren and ultimately deciding his fate.

http://68.media.tumblr.com/e02d9ef43b137713f803faa6aceedea6/tumblr_inline_o02p4sH9wo1qfo9ju_500.jpg

In Celtic mythology it was a wren that betrayed St. Stephen, leading to the annual Irish tradition known as Wren Day (December 26th). Until recently, “wrenboys” would dress up in masks and costumes the day after Christmas and hunt wrens with the intention of stoning one to death. The costumes are similar to those worn at the masked party in the film. The “wrenboys” in Eyes Wide Shut are the elite that hunt Nick down for his betrayal (allowing Bill into the party). The shot of Wren Street appears shortly after Bill learns that Nick was last scene at his hotel being escorted by two large men while sporting a bruise.

http://www.sligoheritage.com/images/Wren3Dublin1933.png

Nick’s character is subtly essential to the entire plot, as Bill recognizing him at Ziggler’s party is what initially separates Bill and Alice before they both are tempted to cheat. Kubrick’s famous attention to detail leads me to believe there’s more of a message to Nick’s character than just being a night songstress.