The Price of a Geisha

[chanaud]

The year is 1945, the entire Japanese government had collapsed and the new Emperor has been chosen. Of course, I am oblivious to all this. The only thing I know is our men are fighting out in the Pacific and by the strict ration give to us; it is obvious we are losing badly. Recently, there have been new faces in our city of Tokyo. Our housemother, Tamika had warned us that they are the enemy and we must not associate with them. That isn’t difficult to do since we were trained at a young age to not speak until spoken to and never look at a man directly in the eye unless we are alone in our private quarters.

I am Kioko, 19 years old and have been a geisha for a full year. My parents sold me to Tamiko when I was 9 years old to buy a wife for my older brother. I spent my entire childhood learning the art of pleasing a man, to be a geisha. When I turned 18, my training was over, and I had to pay back Tamiko for the expenses of training me. My jet-black hair is forever pinned up by many clients’ gifts of jade and pearl butterfly combs. I have translucent skin and my almond shaped eyes are a dark shade of espresso. My tall thin frame of 5’5” has kept me in demand with many clients.

Wearing an old pink with painted yellow orchids kimono, I am returning to my home, the Minyo Tea House. I have just returned from visiting a client who has paid a handsome price to paint me without my kimono. Since, there is a shortage of men and servants, I am forced to walk alone. With the customary head down, I am walking in short strides at a surprisingly rapid pace.

“Pardon me.” A man’s voice interrupts me.

I ignore him and increase my pace.

OOC: I'm not sure where I'm going with this. Everyone is welcome.

 

[Eroticus]

OOC: I am Colonel Randy Cordell, part of the US occupation force of Japan. I fought in the Philippines and Okinawa losing many of my men to the suicidal defense of the Japanese soldiers in these campaigns. I am intrigued by a culture that practices honor and loyalty in such an unquestioning manner and to such an extreme. I have studied the culture of the Sumari and the ways of the Geisha, read extensively about Japanese history and have even learned to speak the language in a very crude manner. I have been intrigued by the beauty of a young Geisha I have seen on the streets. One evening I see her returning to her Tea House. I finally get the nerve to approach her.

IC: “Pardon me,” I say using my best Japanese.

She continues to walk, increasing her pace. I was committed. I ran after her catching up quickly.

“Please, no hurt. Need help.”

I ran in front of her, walking backwards. She had no choice but to listen, but she kept her head down and eyes averted.

“I pay you. Speak Japanese. Teach me about Japan. Please.”

She stopped, then slowly let her eyes look up to me. I did my best to give her my soft, puppy dog look.

OOC: 5’10”, 170#s, Light brown hair, blue eyes, 31 years old.

 

[Eroticus]

OOC: I made a mistake. I just realized that the war is still ongoing. I can redo this if you want and be Col. Satosi Tanaka, disgraced by retreating in the Philippines rather than scarificing all his men and now awaiting the miltary to decide his punishment.

 

[chanaud]

Looking directly in the eyes of man out in public calls for punishment. But, this man's strange accent made me forget all my years of training. When I looked up, I couldn't withhold the gasp. This man blue eyes were the color of the sky. He must be an American. The enemy.

Red tints formed on my cheeks. I quickly averted my eyes, and spoke in a soft whisper, "I no teach."

A comb made of fresh pearls fell to the ground as I hurried off like a frightened rabbit.

"Wait!"

He hurried after me. My hair flew around the corner and through a dark wooden door marked, 'Minyo Tea House'.

 

[ariosto]

The painting was hardly begun.
The girl so delicate, so fragile.
He wanted to watch her. To see her movements. To choose the right kimono even though it wuld lie draped behind her.
He searched as he watched her for the colors he would use.
Rose to be sure...a soft pale lavender...yes.

He watched her leave. Walking back into the City.
In the old days he would have driven her...
He laughed a car...an automobile! Were there still such things for Japanese men?
A convoy of olive drab trucks passed. Big ugly faces looked out, learing, calling at her...
Kioko, little Kioko.

His face colored in rage!
Control...control...

He turned back to the stretched silk where only a few marks had so far been placed.


OOC...Commander Saburo Otai, late of the Imperial Japanese navy. Desperately wounded at Leyte Gulf.
He was returned to Japan and before reassignment, the war came to an end.
His family is wealthy and he has not been as hurt by the defeat as most other men. He paints as a hobby and he loathes the Americans.
Tall for a Japaneese at 5" 8". He is thin from his recovery and the shortage of food. But still posseses a wiry strength in his body.
He is 40 years old.

 

[LadyGaladriel]

"Kioko! What are you doing standing outside? Come in." My voice is sharp, more to get her attention before some random man noticed her and took her into an alley against her will. I am Satine, the head geisha at the Tea House. She shuffled in past me, and I slid the door shut. I picked up her hair.
"Kioko, what did you do to your lovely hair?" she didn't answer, and so I began to fix it for her, pulling it up, not as nicely as before, as my job was done in haste.
"Kioko, please go keep the gentlemen in the main room company. I will join you soon." I turned and walked off, leaving her alone in the hall.

OOC: Satine, (Sah-teen) Long black hair, warm almond brown eyes, and a tall lithe figure. Her grace in movement has made her the head geisha at the Tea House.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

ooc: Okay,what is going on? Is the war still on or is it over?! I cant tell! >_<

 

[chanaud]

OOC: Let's pretend it's the end of 1945 and the Americans are ready to occupy Japan. Does the timeline fit?

 

[Eroticus]

Col. Randy Cordell

She ran off to the Teahouse. I followed, not being one to give up easily. She disappeared through a door. I hesitated, then went in after her. To my surprise I was confronted by a beautiful but older woman, one who commanded respect. She did not avert her gaze. In my best Japanese I tried to speak.

"The young lady. I want her help. I will pay. Teach me to speak Japanese. Teach me about japanses people. Please. I no hurt. I have money."

I pulled out my wallet and showed that I had money. From my little knowledge of the geisha world I know negotiating was part of the culture.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

ooc: Fits well enough for me, Sorry for taking up space with OOC stuff, I'll get a bio up tomorrow, Im tired right now, and need some serious sleep. -_-()

 

[chanaud]

Kioko

Satine, my mentor ordered me to entertain a group of high execs from the local factory in the main reception room. Entertainment consisted of a tea ceremony. The customers are able to test our poise and talent before they offer a bid for our company.

On my way to the reception room, I heard two familiar voices in the hall. One was our housemother and the other was the same strange accent from the street. I knew I had to follow Satine's orders, but curiousity got to me and I had to stop to eavesdrop.

"The young lady. I want her help. I will pay. Teach me to speak Japanese. Teach me about japanese people. Please. I no hurt. I have money."

Tamiko's response was firm, "We not school."

"Please...I have more money."

"No. Go away. We not want trouble."

"Pleeeeease..... I must see her."

There was silence for a brief moment. I breath in a sigh of relief.

"Come. We talk in office."

The echo of Tamiko's wooden sandals and his boots faded down the hall.

 

[Slance]

join

OOC: Although the war is over the U.S. knows that the new emporer plans to fight the U.S. out of the contary so they plan to exasanate him that is ware Jace comes in he supports to pistals in his pockets but he is first to gain trust of a geisha any means nesersay and so she will suduce the emporer and then Jace is to termenate the emporer and the Geish. Jace was drafted at the age 12 and trained since then his parents killed he was trained only for asanations of heads of other goverments. Jace looks like just a passerbyer of the U.S.A. he has never questioned his orders untill now and he has asanated tons of goverment officeals of other contries and killed civillens before. He is 20 and has black hair green peircing eyes and hes 5 foot 5 he has silencers made for his pistals have silencers. Jace is perfectly trained in Japanese because the mission.

IC: Jace is crouched in a ally and watches as the stranger aproaches the girl Jace thinks. < I wasn't informed of any other person working on this assinment.> Jace watches as he fallows her in to the biulding after a while Jace slowly creeps up lisining through the door he hears what the man is saying he waits till the man goes in to the office and he then opens the door and starts to creep in and he hears footsteps and he tries to hide but there is no ware to hide so he stands up strait as the girl that was in the street comes in looking down stands there and then Jace remember they don't talk to man unless spoken too or if there in there private quarters Jace says his eyes flashing to the office door. "Do you know the man that just came in here?"

 

[ariosto]

Commander Otai presented himself at the door of the Minyo Tea House.
A young girl ushered him in and he waited patiently for Satine to appear. The smell of insence and chrysanthemums was redolent in the dark reception room and he closed his eyes remembering the last time he'd been here as a client. Before the war...another world.

"Saburo?
Have you brought us eggs, vegetables?"

He opened his eyes and smiled,
"No I have not today."

For the past two months, he'd been supplying the Geisha house with fresh produce from his father's farm. It was how he'd paid for Kioko to model.

"Will you drink tea with me Saburo?"
She said softly.
Satine had been a young Geisha when he had left for duty, a beautiful fresh flower. They remembered each other well. They'd been friends and lovers...

"No thank you, another time. I must go into town.
It is the first of the week. I must..."

"Yes I understand." She touched his arm,
" What are you holding?"

He looked down and flushed. He'd nearly forgotten.
It was the comb. Kioko's comb that he'd found lying in the dust.
"Please give this to Kioko. She must have dropped it. Its very beautiful and...she might need it tonight."

Satine took it.
"Did she do well?"

"Oh yes! Very well, she is so pretty. She reminds me of someone..."
He said as he moved to the door.

She watched him limping down the long road into town. He was going to register with the Occupation forces as all former Japanese military officers had to do. And he was going to find out if there was any word of his son who had been missing since the firebombing that had killed his wife and daughter nine months ago.

 

[Eroticus]

Col. Randy Cordell

I followed the matron of the house down the hall. I figured if I could get to the negotiating table I'd be able to cut a deal. Besides I was infatuated with the one they called Kioko. I had been observing her from a distance for quite some time. Her grace and beauty were undeniable. More than that I could sense an intellect in the way she addressed others, the degree to which she had studied her art. No, not just any geisha would do. It was Kioko that I wanted.

We entered a room that was simple. Mats on the floor, rice paper walls, a low table with cushions around it. I had already taken off my shoes. She gestured for me sit. She sat across from me. A young girl, not yet a geisha, brought us tea. I wanted to say something but decided to wait for her to speak first. The silence seemed to linger forever.

 

[LadyGaladriel]

Satine watched sadly as Saburo walked down the road. Part of her wanted to follow him, to stay with him, her ties to him were strong, and she cared for him a great deal. Yet she knew it would not do to just follow him out into the street. It was not proper behavior, and she had duties here at teh Tea House which had to be fufilled.
She slipped into the room where Kioko was already performing the Tea Ceremony, and watched her carefully. She knew that Kioko would one day replace her, and she felt no remorse about it. She loved what she did, yet Kioko was graeful and a worthy succesor. Her intelligence, charm and beauty gave her many customers, and brought alot of patronage to the Tea House, just as Satine had done in her prime. Now it was Kioko's turn, and she was glad she was able to able to watch her grow. She smiled softly.

 

[chanaud]

OOC: Tamiko, 45 yrs old, was once the most famouse Geisha, east of Tokyo. When she was 29, Tamiko won the heart of the Emporer, himself. He set her up with Minyo Tea House and watched her business bloom until his death before first World War.


Tamiko surveyed the tall American standing before her. She had vowed not to fall in the hands of the enemy. But, business was scarce and the cupboards were empty. She was forced to trade the services of her girls for morsels of food and tea.

When he flashed the money in her face, anger spewed out her jet black eyes while her lips thinned into a straight line. He flashed more money. The memories of abundance flashed before her. Her business sense took over.

"Come we talk in office."

Tamiko indicated to the faded navy square silk pillow for the American to sit. She tucked her worn kimino under her legs and sat across of him. In cue, the servant girl appeared with a pot of tea. Tamiko and the American sat in silence during the preparation of the tea.

As soon as the girl left, Tamiko broke the silence. "Do you have cigarette?"

 

[Eroticus]

Randy Cordell - Col, USA

She sat there smoking the cigarette while eyeing me. I expected a negotiation to begin. Instead she asked why I was so intersted in learning the language and culture. I thought hard before answering in my broken Japanese.

"We just fought a war against each other. I had to defend a hilltop where wave after wave of young Japanese men charged and sacrificed their lives. The battle was lost, but they charged anyway. They reached our position. We had to use bayonets to stop them. I watched a young man die, looked into his eyes. There was sadness, fear, a look of resignation and almost relief that it was over. His face haunts me."

I sipped my tea. She nodded so I continued.

"I want to know who that young man was. Not his name, but what molded him. I want to know about all the people who died, who we killed, who I killed. I need closure on this war. This is my way."

She kept staring at me and smoking her cigarette.

"You are so gracious in defeat. We feel like welcome guests in your country after all the terrible things that happened. Clearly Japan has much to offer Americans that is good. We must learn from each other if there is to be healing. I want Kioko to teach me your ways."

 

[ariosto]

There was no word of his son nor had he come to expect any.
The American soldiers who stamped his papers were ascondescending as they always were. They smelled of tobacco and coffee.

He purchased some incense with the few coins he had left and walked back to his home.
He had folded his purchase into a paper envelop and paused in front of the tea house long enough to write a note which he slipped inside as well.

Please accept this gift for your house. If Kioko is free tomorrow it would please me if she could come to me for another session at the same time. I will have fresh eggs then which I can send back with her.

Neither the child nor Satine answered the door this time.
It was Kioko.
He smiled at her beauty and grace.
He bowed and gave her the package.

"I have asked for you to come to my house again tomorrow.
Will that be an inconveniance for you."

She looked at him. So tall for a Japaneese, his eyes...so sad.
"No honorable Commander. I will be pleased."

A frown crossed his face.
"I am not a commander Kioko. All of that is gone.
I am Sabuo Otai a painter who pays for you with radishes and eggs."

 

[chanaud]

Tamiko

Tamiko nodded pretending to agree with him. He was still the enemy and not to be trusted. He sounded sincere, his eyes emitted warmth and his voice was soft. But, Tamiko wasn't easily fooled. She had lost many from this cold war.

Now, he mentioned Kioko by name. The hot tea couldn't prevent the cold dread from settling in her bones. Kioko was still young and not familiar with the ways of the world. No, she must be guarded. Beside, Kioko was an asset and men paid dearly for her innocence and Tamiko couldn't allow this American to harden her before her time.

"Kioko? No. You pay good money. I have other girls. Girls with what do you Americans call", she gave him a knowing smile, "experience?"

 

[chanaud]

Kioko

How can this man, so brave and demands the highest of respect can stand there and call him Saburo, I thought. But, he is a customer and had saved us from going hungry. So, I must do what he wish.

"Hai, Commma.....Saburo." Blushing furiously, I bowed before him and took the letter from him as I returned to my standing position.

My hand lightly glazed over his. So big, yet so soft.

He clasped his hand over mine, and whispered my name.

"Kioko......."

His voice trailed forcing me to look into his eyes. Eyes so soft and full of pain. Then turned jet black in an instant.

His voice hardened. "I'll see you tomorrow. Same time."

Saburo turned briskly and hurried down the street.

 

[Eroticus]

Randy Cordell - Col. USA

I understood her meaning. Kioko was a virgin. She would command a high price. But this was after the war. That kind of money was very rare. Besides, that wasn't what I wanted.

"I understand. I will not ruin Kioko for you. I only want her company for two hours every day. Only for talking and maybe singing or dancing. I will double what you are asking."

When I mentioned such a figure she looked at me with those steely eyes. She was thinking.

 

[chanaud]

Tamiko

Tamiko haven't seen money like that since the pre-war. Visions of retirement by the sea danced in her head. But, her stoned face never gave it away.

He is the first American to arrive at the "Minyo Tea House". "If I play my cards right, Kioko's virginity could bring a higher price," she thought.

"Just 2 hours?" She asked again.

He nodded his head eagerly.

"You no touch Kioko."

"Nooo. I won't touch Kioko. I promise."

She couldn't trust him and wondered if she was making an error. There wasn't a choice during times like these.

"Ok. 2 hours."

She rose and he followed her lead. Expecting a bow, the American's mouth fell when Tamiko extended her hand to seal the deal. She answered him with a toothy grin.

"What should we call you?"

 

[Eroticus]

Randy Cordell - Col. USA

She stood and offered her hand. This was going to cost me much more than I had planned, even though I knew the US dollar would go far.

What to call me? I couldn't think of a Japanese name that came close to resembling mine. Also, what should I wear? So many questions.

"I will let Kioko pick a name for me. My American name is Cordell, Randy Cordell. I would also like to wear something more appropriate. I will let Kioko pick my clothes for my visits."

We shook hands. I bowed my head and she reciprocated.

"I will return in one hour for my first session."

 

[LadyGaladriel]

Satine watched the American man leave, and confronted Tamiko. She bowed in respect, but she was very angry.
"What have you done?? Kioko is too valuable to simply give to this American! We can't trust him!"
Most of the Tea House would have been shocked to hear Satine speak like this to Tamiko, yet the two had a special bond, and Satine meant no disrespect, she loved the Tea House as much as Tamiko did. She knew Tamiko would not be angry with her.

 

[ariosto]

Saburo Otai

They had given her to him when he had been assigned to the Naval Dock Yard in Singapore.
She was a beautiful Eurasian woman half French and half Chinese. Her home was in Hanoi but she'd been unlucky enough to be caught in the British Colony when it fell to the Japanese.

He was not the first one to rape her. She had been passed around through the victorious troops how many times he didn't know. She'd been given a new yellow dress and presented to him at his home as a welcoming present by his subordinates.
His new 'housekeeper' they'd said with grins across their ugly faces.

He was shocked. He thanked them and told them to take her away. But they didn't and so he let her in.
She sat quietly for awhile. She spoke nothing he could understand nor could she understand him.
He drank Saki and English beer. He had been away from his home and his wife for well over a year.

The Woman whose name he did not know, refused his offers of
drink or food. She remained silent in the face of his attempts to communicate with her. And as he drank a rage came on him.
His kind words turned angry. He rose and slapped her.
She did nothing.

He tore the thin yellow dress from her and threw her down. He raped her repeatedly that night and left her lying naked on the carpet as he stumbled into his bedroom and fell into a drunken sleep.
She was gone when he awoke.
But she never left him.

With a groan of utter anguish Saburo Otai greeted the coming of the night.