How It All Goes Down
- Sayuri continues to entertain Nobu and the Chairman on a regular basis.
- One evening, Nobu presents Sayuri with the gift of an antique hair comb.
- She also entertains Dr. Crab, but he doesn't give her any gifts.
- One night, Dr. Crab surprises them by not wanting to be entertained by Sayuri. He says she "misled" him (19.38).
- They're not sure what he's talking about, and Sayuri still isn't sure what Mameha's plan even is, having her entertain both these men.
- Mameha tells her what the deal is: she is hoping to encourage a bidding war between Dr. Crab and Nobu for Sayuri's mizuage.
- Men bid on mizuage—which is taking a geisha's virginity.
- Dr. Crab once paid a record amount for Mameha's mizuage.
- But now that he's angry at them, the plan won't work. They must fix this.