After a performance, Sukeroku comes home drunk with girls on both arm. Work or play, he navigates all areas of life smoothly. Kikuhiko is annoyed with him, but he's also jealous of how easy he has things, while Kikuhiko himself struggles with practice for their play. Is he really cut out for rakugo? As he asks himself that question, Kikuhiko happens to run into Miyokichi, who leads him off with a mischievous grin...
寄席が終われば酒を浴び、両手に女を抱きかかえ芸の肥やしと上機嫌。遊んでいても仕事は入り、口も八丁手も八丁。菊比古はそんな助六に苛立ちを覚えながらも、順風満帆の彼が少し羨ましかった。自分はというと、鹿芝居の稽古もうまくいかず焦るばかり。自分に落語は向いているのだろうか？ 自問自答する菊比古はある日、偶然みよ吉に出くわす。悪戯な表情を浮かべる彼女についていくと……。
Tandis que Sukeroku continue de boire et de s'amuser avec les femmes, Kikuhiko semble de plus en plus douter de son avenir. Lors d'une visite à Miyokichi, il lui avoue qu'il jouera un grand rôle de travesti dans un spectacle, ce qui semble amuser celle-ci au plus haut point...
