The winter I turned fifteen I saw the chairman again, but that wasn't the only surprise...

Narrator (Old Sayuri): The winter I turned fifteen I saw the chairman again, but that wasn't the only surprise fate brought me that season. Along with the snow came a most unexpected visitor. Mother: Why is she here? Chiyo, Chiyo, open the gate! [motioning for her to open the door and straigtening herself before going to her table] Mameha: Now that your beloved granny has gone you have no need for a maid. Mother: I would never question the great Mameha, but you could choose anyone in the Hanamachi. Mameha: You flatter me, truly. [bowering her head in compliment] Mother: I would give you my pumpkin if she weren't already tied to Hatsumomo. Mameha: Please I would never dream of asking Mother: Besides, I can always sell Chiyo to Mrs. Tetsuyo. [smoking her cigerette] Mameha: With your eye for beauty and nose for talent,surely you can see what a terrible waste that would be. Mother: If you were not the kind hearted Geisha I know you to be, then I might think that you werescheming against Hatsumomo. [looking towards the door where Chiyo and Pumpkin are listening] Mameha: Then I'm grateful Mrs. Nita that you don't have a suspicious mind. Mother: Perhaps you can pique my interest with... your offer. Mameha: I will cover Chiyo's schooling, all her expenses, until after her debut. [proposing as she slides her cup across the table] Mother: Now I am confident that you are teasing. [pouring more tea] Mameha: I could not be more sincere. If Chiyo has not repaid her debt within six months after her debut. Mother: [scoffing] Impossible, too little time! Mameha: Then I will pay you twice over. [uping the offer] Mother: What...? No Geisha could ever... [pushing the tea towards Mameha] Mameha: And I am certain you will not object to one trivial condition. Mother: Uh yes...? [puts down pipe, listening intently] Mameha: If Chiyo erases her debt in the time allowed, You will not have any part in her future earnings. Mother: [smirks in acceptance]

The winter I turned 15, I saw the Chairman again. But that wasn't the only surprise fate brought me that season. Along with the snow came a most unexpected visitor. Why is she here? Chiyo! Chiyo! Open the gate! Now that your beloved Granny is gone... ...you'll have no need for a maid. l would never question the great Mameha... ...but you could choose anyone in the hanamachi. You flatter me, truly. l'd give you my Pumpkin if she were not already tied to Hatsumomo. Please. l would never dream of asking. Besides, l could always sell Chiyo to Mrs. Tatsuyo. With your eye for beauty and nose for talent... ...surely you can see what a terrible waste that would be. lf you were not the kind-hearted geisha l know you to be... ...then l might think you were scheming against Hatsumomo. Then l'm grateful, Mrs. Nitta, that you don't have a suspicious mind. Perhaps you can pique my interest with... Yes? ...your offer. l will cover Chiyo's schooling, all her expenses... ...till after her debut. Now l am confident you are teasing. l could not be more sincere. lf Chiyo hasn't repaid her debt within six months after her debut-- lmpossible! Too little time. --then l will pay you twice over. What? No geisha could ever... l am certain you will not object to one trivial condition. Yes? lf Chiyo erases her debt in the time allowed... ...you will have no part in her future earnings. lt's too good to be true. Mameha is up to something. She isn't in it for the money. That much is for certain. Rumour has it, ever since the prime minister bought her mizuage... ...she's been rich. That so? Absurd to think she noticed Chiyo. lt's that kimono. She remembers how you destroyed it. -Now she wants to get even. -An odd picture, isn't it? Hatsumomo sweeping into teahouse after teahouse with our little Pumpkin. And Mameha with our maid. l'm so far behind. l will never catch up to you. Don't worry, Chiyo-chan. l will help you. Pumpkin! You are never to speak to her again. Now you are rivals. Pumpkin. Pumpkin. This is how it was, this tiny world of women. Friend turned against friend. And now the two greatest geisha in Miyako at war over me.