Summary

Because it is "the first Monday of the month," the hotel manager is present at the morning meeting (43). None of the hotel staff likes him. After the manager leaves, the director takes over the meeting. There are so many people, the narrator cannot see the Woman in the Purple Skirt. The director tells her to introduce herself. She speaks softly. The director insists she speak up, and repeat herself. The narrator heard what she said. "Her name is Mayuko Hino-san" (47).

During the Woman in the Purple Skirt's lunch break, she and the director meet "in the recycling-collection area," where he gives "her some voice training" (50). The narrator watches out of sight. One of the most important things about working at the hotel, is learning how to speak loudly and clearly, and to use the hotel's prescribed "greetings and exhortations" (50). During the lesson, the...