THE CASINO
by Master Ivan
Chapter 3
She was nineteen. Her father sired her at a late age, he being a veteran of World War II, the Japanese Army. His name was Honsho, after the Japanese home island, to honor the courage of the warriors of his family.
He was true to his lineage. He trained as one of the last of the true samurai warriors and was decorated for bravery. He was awarded the Katana and Wakizashi, the traditional swords, and he participated in their making.
Following the war, he grew lethargic. Hiding his swords and going underground for a time, he resettled and married Yamana, a trained Geisha. They produced a son, Bucho, who followed his father's example in training. Several years later, they gave birth to a daughter who was named after a Chinese woman who bravely helped Honsho at the end of the war. Her name was Mei-Ling.
Bucho intended a military career for himself. But in modern warfare, knowledge of science was as important as knowledge of the sword. To become a leader, he would need schooling.
So the family tried valiantly to raise the money to put him into the best universities in Japan. They worked hard. They sold family heirlooms. They begged and borrowed, even considered stealing if it could be done without loss of honor.
They fell short. By some thousands of dollars, American.
Mei-Ling was as talented a Geisha as Bucho was a warrior. She followed the traditions of foot-binding, et cetera, as practiced for generations. She trained in Geisha schools, perfected her tea ceremony, learned the traditions of costume and dance and studied extensively the art of the pillow-geisha. Her life was dedicated to the pleasure of men.
As they discussed their impending failures, it was clear to Mei-Ling what she had to do.
"Father, you must sell me!"
"What?"
"Sell me, Father. I am a trained Geisha. Whether I am hired to a Geisha house or sold to a wealthy gentleman is of no importance. I will do what it is meant for me to do. I am the only way we have left to pay for Bucho's schooling. I am well-trained and ready to serve men. I would bring more than enough money to finish paying for Bucho's education, and the rest would support you and Mother comfortably. It is the only honorable solution."
Much argument followed. Also, many apologies when the anger had dissipated. The course of the discussion is unimportant. It ended with Mei-Ling's point of view carrying the day.
Feelers were sent out. Contacts were made. In a short time, a visitor came to the house. American, well-dressed, a gentleman of means, he had set an appointment to make his proposal directly to Honsho and his family. Welcomed by Honsho and served tea informally by his wife, the guest introduced himself as a Mr. Roland.
"...And I have a proposal to make to you which involves your daughter, Mei-Ling. I believe it will totally meet your needs."
"Yes, as you said in your note. Tell me more."
"My employer owns a resort in the South Pacific. It is very exclusive, so much so that even if you accept our offer, you will not be told precisely where it is located.
"Your daughter would be in our care for approximately four years. All her training as a Geisha would be employed for the entertainment of our guests as well as much additional training we will provide. In return, you would be compensated with enough money to pay for your son's education and training as well as enough to support your family at well above your current level of income. Mei-Ling may stay on beyond the four years; if she does, your payments will continue. Upon her release, she may be given an additional cash bonus."
Honsho was incredulous. "This is extremely generous. But just what services could Mei-Ling perform which could earn such rewards?"
"Mei-Ling is a Geisha. Her teachers inform us that she has taken to her training like few others before her. Her talents as a Pillow-Geisha, especially, are truly extraordinary." At that, both Mei-Ling and her mother blushed, while Honsho shifted uncomfortably.
"The training we will give her will build on what she has already learned, but to a much greater depth. She will be returned to you ready to train others like her for us, for which she will be paid generously."
Honsho looked at her, questioningly.
"Mei-Ling, do you want this? It would seem that your talents as a Pillow-Geisha are of great importance to Mr. Roland. I do not yet understand what he has in mind, but I do not want you to dishonor yourself or this house."
"Father, I am a Geisha. My life is given to pleasing men. I have trained for years to do this, and I am far from a common whore." (At this, there were more red faces.) “If Mr. Roland can train me further and pay handsomely for my efforts, there could be no greater honor for a Geisha. Or for the honored father of a Geisha. I would be happy to accept his offer, if you would permit it."
After some prolonged discussion, Honsho brought Mr. Roland into his garden for a private exchange.
"Mr. Roland, I have travelled. I am familiar with the customs and attitudes of boorish Americans. I have seen what they have done to Japan, defiling it in its moment of shame. How can I know my daughter will be treated with honor instead of like a street-whore you would find in New York?"
"Tell me, Honsho. What is the difference between a whore and a Pillow-Geisha?"
"The Geisha follows a tradition centuries-old. She respects and is respected by the men she serves."
"And is there any other difference?"
A long pause followed. Honsho stroked his chin contemplatively, while Mr. Roland watched, waited and smiled confidently.
"Listen to me, Honsho. You have a problem, one which I have seen before. A Pillow-Geisha is honored because of tradition and training. A street-whore is dishonored because of tradition and a lack of formal training. Both perform acts which are not discussed in polite company. You honor the traditions, through which you also honor yourself, your family and your country. But you cannot accept what your daughter has been trained to do. Whether she works for us or for a fine Geisha House in Tokyo or Osaka, she will perform Tea Ceremonies, give massages and baths, dance and make love to men of many tastes with many variations. With any Master, she will perform sexual duties which you would find offensive. Her teachers tell me, in fact, that her talents in this area are unequalled. But you cannot face this truth."
"I do not yet know whether you enlighten me or dishonor me. Why should I not throw you out?"
"Because, as I said, what your daughter does will be the same in either case. With us, however, she will receive much more training and will make you an honored, wealthy man with an educated son and a comfortable life. I ask you, do not dishonor your daughter; permit her to fulfill her life."
Some hours later, after having experienced Mei-Ling's classical dancing and her formal Tea Ceremony first-hand, Mr. Roland departed.
Honsho held a contract and a sizable check made out to Bucho's school.
Mr. Roland held the image of a fantasy: what would Mei-Ling look like naked, hanging by her wrists, being subjected to her initiatory caning?
Copyright © 1999
Master Ivan Press
Copyright 2006-2026 Milovana.com