In the drama, the toll dispute continued between Krishna and the sakhis. Madhumangala spoke privately to Vishakha. He promised to favor their side when the toll was assessed. He boasted of his expertise in scribal and accounting skills. In return he asked for a reward. Vishakha promised him fresh “sharkara,” a word that can mean sugar.
Madhumangala suspected that she was teasing him. Vishakha swore by the sun that she would fulfill her promise. Delighted, he approached Krishna. He boasted that he knew how to pacify women's anger. Then he asked for an immense gift for himself. Krishna smiled but remained silent.
Madhumangala turned back to Vishakha. He interpreted Krishna's silence as consent. He stretched out his cupped hands to receive what she had promised. Vishakha smiled and gave him a pottery shard. The word “sharkara” could also be used for that. Her promise was thus fulfilled through another meaning of the same word.
Madhumangala laughed aloud. He called her a clever trickster and announced that he would repay them. Then he returned to Krishna. Now he urged Him not to delay. He called on Him to collect the toll. His hope for a sweet gift had become another joke in the drama.