Memoirs of a Geisha; Chapters 16-20

Mameha finally decides to go to a few parties that she's sure that Hatsumomo won't know about. She takes Sayuri to a sumo match and with the owners of an electric company. Sayuri soon discovers that one of the two owners happens to be the Chairman. Despite what Mameha thought about Hatsumomo, Pumpkin and her found their way to the sumo match. I felt bad when Sayuri was instructed to tell flirt with Nobu San instead of the Chairman. Its unfortunate that Nobu San is horribly burnt and missing an arm, but he's still funny and nice. Okay, so maybe he's not really that nice. He takes a liking to Sayuri, though, which is good for her career. Nobu San is a very successful man and Hatsumomo won't bother Sayuri anymore if she knows that Sayuri is flirting with "Mr. Lizard." Sayuri wants to be talking and entertaining the Chairman, though, and not Nobu San. She doesn't have a choice, though, she has to do what Mameha tells her to. Its so weird how Sayuri meets Dr. Crab. I don't think I would be very happy if my "older sister" held me down and had someone cut my leg just so I could meet a creepy looking doctor. I would much rather have to enterain Nobu San than Dr. Crab. He sounds so creepy and has to operate on a cut in a rather awkward place. Its all part of the plan, though, to sell Sayuri's mizuage for a great deal of money. Mameha wants two wealthy men to bid against each other, which is good business I guess. I thought it was very smart of Mameha to introduce Sayuri to the artist. He's a very very strange man, though, and I definitely would have been scared of him if I was Sayuri. The way they describe his mole made me sort of cringe. I didn't really enjoy having the visual image of someone trying to eat a mole off their face in my head. I loved reading about Sayuri's performance in the festival. Her dance sounds very beautiful and I love that the artist painted her on the posters for the festival. I would really like to know what Sayuri looks like because everytime her eyes are described they sound fascinating. The Baron is a creepy man, hands down. He also sounds like a big jerk. Even though he is Mameha's danna he still tries to seduce Sayuri. I would never have went to that party at his house by myself. Also I can't believe Mameha would let her go alone, but it was ultimately Sayuri's choice, I believe. It is sad that Mameha had to get an abortion. If she would have kept the baby I wonder what the Baron would have done. Sayuri didn't really get raped, but I would say she was definitely violated in some way. Its very strange that Mameha didn't respond in any way. Apparently the Baron's behaviour was considered normal. He must frequent in forcefully undressing young geisha.