But she never forgot to spice things up, it was also the night she will reveal her well kept secret. A night that would astonish not only the men and audience, but her girls as well. You see, instead of picking a geisha who will inherit Lady Red Lips, she had come up with the thought of teaching the chosen one how to build an okiya from scratch. Like the famous saying, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day but teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. And in this case, teach a geisha how to become a Mama San herself. To let the culture of geisha live on.
This was the night she'd announce it, the night of the okiya's reborn.
When she was satisfied with her look, Mama San Michiko exited the room and called for Nyoto once again, "Nyoto, tell the girls to be ready. The doors will open in five," And with that she made her way towards the guards of the theater.
With her instructions told in a soft yet stern manner, the theater people nodded as she made herself clear. Nothing should go wrong- nothing. But somehow she was nervous herself, anything can go wrong. She has her eyes on a few distinct maikos, ones she knew would make it big. And out of the 10 maikos she trained, she knew they would blossom the most.
Mama San Michiko uttered a few silent prayers to her ancestors as she waited for the five remaining minutes to pass before her future clientele enters.
She nodded at the people when the time came. Sending the giant wooden doors opening and welcoming the excited and eager men towards the seats. There were other people she had assigned to usher the VIP guests and one of them was Col. Matthew Huntington.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dressed in his fine army uniform, sleek combed hair and newly shined leather boots, the colonel arrived just like any other important person. His driver opened up the gallant car as he got off and awed the other guests with his presence. He never failed to impress, intimidate and create a respectable aura. More than a few japanese men bowed their heads to greet them, and whether he despised the act or not- he had to. Most especially because he was in uniform, let the dark acts stay behind closed doors, because in public he had to be the idolized persona the American Army had to be with.
He was just in time as the huge theater doors opened for them. Exactly at 1900 hours, the guest started approaching their designated seats. Col Huntington was of course specially welcomed by an usher as he was lead at the private front row of the theater. He was requested to take of his shoes and he obliged, he was seated in a well designed tatami mat as a small bamboo tea table stood before him. The usher bowed as he excused his self away.
Just in time for an old yet beautiful lady dressed in a fine pink kimono approached him, the usher was following behind with a tray of tea set. The old woman was careful not to look in his eyes, a traditional way for respect for Japanese, and gracefully bowed down. He knew it was an artistic way of bowing for geishas and how he loved submissiveness.
"Konbanwa," The woman spoke then rose like a graceful swan from her bow, "Our greatest honor to be welcoming you Colonel Huntington. I believe we haven't met but let me introduce myself. I am Mama San Michiko, owner of the Okiya. Thank you for gracing us with your presence," She knew who she was even before she spoke, but the way she presented herself blew him away. He didn't know that a woman can be of such presence.
He had to admit, he had been with geishas over his stay but nothing compared to how Mama San Michiko presented herself. He had to take a her hand and give it a gentle kiss but she had to pull herself away. It made the colonel furious as to why she had to avoid him when she spoke, "I am sorry Colonel, but a real geisha doesn't let a man touch her. But let me say my apologies with our fine tea," Instantly, the usher slowly placed the tray unto the table.
The following scenario had once again blew the officer away. The way the woman served him tea was a cultural heritage he hasn't seen before. He admitted, he had to know more about the traditional way of geishas and stop attending the prostitution houses that pretends to be traditional okiyas.
"Thank you very much," He spoke as Mama San Michiko presented him his tea. "I am sorry if I seem to take advantage of your presence, but I couldn't help but be blown away by your actions." He explained himself. He knew she understood his point, he was after all a westerner.
She had also prepared herself a cup as they waited for the other guests to arrive. And from the looks of it, a lot more important people may be joining them soon.