Gemsicuted

Written by Julian Robov

Fifteen

Jeb Singthowala, Sanders’s partner, a Thai, and a regular buyer from the mines in Vietnam, sat in his office calculating the yield from the roughs he had just bought during a recent trip. He was busy studying the size and irregular shape of the rough, and its external and internal imperfections with a fiber optic light, rubbing and licking to detect potential breaks or other blemishes which might ruin the rough if not taken into account during the lengthy process of fashioning. This was his specialty, and Sanders always left Jeb alone when it came to making decisions regarding rough purchases. Sanders had important information to share with Jeb.
“We have something that has fallen out of heaven in this city. A 37carat Mogok ruby of the top color. Miko and Tito have the piece. They need us to become partners to buy this piece,” Sanders interrupted.
“How much is the asking price?” Jeb asked.
“Two million!” Sanders replied.
“That’s too cheap for that quality. Is it real?” Jeb said doubtfully.
“We have done business with them before. Only in real stones,” Sanders added.
“But the price is crazy. They should be asking more,” Jeb suggested. He was still busy studying the rough rubies with the fiber optic light, despite the sudden interruption, which he hated so much.
“There must be a story behind the sale,” Sanders continued. “I think. Cash crunch, superstition or power struggle, insiders, perhaps? You never know. The Rubyhall’s, I hear have already stretched their hand on this piece.”
“Have you seen the piece?” Jeb asked eagerly.
“Not yet. Tito promised he would show it to me today. I called him at his home, no response. He might be on his way. Maybe, tomorrow or day after tomorrow. I don’t know,” Sanders grinned.
“Well, you have a look first. I’ll join you soon. If Rubyhall had set his eyes on this piece, then the piece must be too good. We are going to see a lot of fireworks in the coming days, don’t you think?” Jeb remarked.
“I guess so. I think they are shopping for the best deal,” Sanders opined.
“If you think the ruby is really good, then there is less time to gamble. Just close the deal. Put your stamp to it. There shouldn’t be any problem,” Jeb said, showing the rough rubies to Sanders. He then returned the rubies without making any comment.
“Okay. How is Baddy doing?” Jeb asked.
“He is in a hot spot again. His wife calls me day and night to check on him. The woman had lost her complete confidence in him. No more sex. One enough. He wants to have more. He loves kids. That is the knot. He tried to reason with her but she is adamant with her stance,” Sanders said plainly.
“What’s wrong with that? Why do we need more kids today? Can you control them today?” Jeb explained.
“I’ve one at home, and I think I made a mistake by helping Chin to see her into this world,” Sanders added.
“What’s wrong with Ruth? She is cute,” Jeb said, with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Cute? Did you know what happened last night when I returned home? Ruth, bloody fifteen now, was with her boyfriend in my study room. Guess what? The boy was all over her body, and I had to hit him with a baseball bat to release Ruth from him. Is this what you want to see when you get back home?” Sanders said angrily.
“I’m sorry to hear that. How is Ruth now? Is she repentant?” Jeb asked.
“Repentant? Maybe, pregnant now by the way she looks. She is questioning me now for having beaten her dear boyfriend. She is telling me that I had violated her human rights. Can you believe this? I was speechless. We work like donkeys to make a living, and see what happens when you get back home in search of peace and stability,” Sanders said, and moved to the window to view a ruby rough.
“How about Chin?” Jeb asked.
“Chin is fucking useless. She is too busy with her community services when she should be staying home and watching the girl. I’m fed up with her. What can you do? I’ve thought of divorce, a thousand times. But the girl, I love her, and what will be her fate. Now I’m worrying more and more as days pass by. I’ll be hearing sharp cries of illegal babies in front of my door when I wake up. That’s life. Sometimes we are lucky, and sometimes not. If it wasn’t for this business, I would have run away from Bangkok to some far away place, but the money is too good to quit,” Sanders sighed.
“Yeah, money, money, money...who cares about home nowadays? Only the poor,” Jeb commented.
“You’re right in a way. I never thought about it. Look at my home and me. Why do they think they can enjoy life the way they do? Because of my money, and the money is coming too fast and looks like candy to them. They can do whatever they like,” Sanders said, looking somber.
“Goldie,” Jeb said, lowering his glance, “called me yesterday asking how you were doing?”
“Oh, did she? I would love to, but I can’t do that again. She was too good. Not like the whores out there. In fact, she was telling me to make peace with Chin,” Sanders answered, giving Jeb an exasperated glance.
“Really? That’s very strange. Her husband is finished. Maybe, he will have to swallow several bottles of Viagra before he wants to do his stuff,” Jeb quipped. And then both laughed.
“Someone told me there is a possibility of going blind if you swallow too many before a blow job. Is it true?” Sanders asked seriously.
“I don’t know buddy. I will check it out for you. Don’t worry,” Jeb answered, still laughing. They took a break from the Viagra subject to Goldie.
“I must tell you if I had met her twenty years ago, I would have married her instantly,” Sanders said, spreading a few rough rubies, and picked one piece for that quick look near the window.
“Why do you say that? You like her, don’t you?” Jeb asked.
“She is a goddess, Jeb. I pity her husband. A perfect creation of God for a lucky man! She was in complete control and efficient in bed. I was like a baby lying on top of her. She made it all look easy and comfortable. I had the mother of all fuck in my life. I would love to do that again if she wants. It was fantastic!” Sanders said remembering those special hours like yesterday.
“Lucky you, sonofabitch! Some are fortunate, while others aren’t. Look at you. You have a legal wife, and a screwedup daughter. Goldie doesn’t have kids, because her husband has technical problems. So she found you, and thinks you are the man of her life. What do you say?” Jeb asked, watching Sanders.
“I can’t divorce Chin now. Starting all over again at this age? Forget it. Somehow, I’ve got to pull on with this relationship. I’ve no hope with Ruth, even though I love her. I was partly responsible for her arrival. I’ve got to take care of her at least financially. I can’t dump Chin too quickly. Then the whole world knows and, of course, her relatives will be on my throat for money and what not. When she drops dead and Ruth, if she finds her own future, well, then I’m relieved, and a decision can be made,” Sanders said grimly.
“Goldie would be old by then, like a dried vegetable,” Jeb commented.
“What do you think I would look like by then? No different.” They both laughed loudly.
It was back to business when Baddy walked in with his briefcase full of gemstones both, rough and cut. They put aside the topic of Goldie, Chin, and Ruth for the time being as the discussions on whether to buy the rough rubies, MINE RUN (unsorted rough) for the price quoted on the parcels became serious. Jeb was the man who had experience and the right instincts. All eyes focused on Jeb, as Sanders and Baddy stood by. It didn’t take much time for Jeb. He nodded. He urged Baddy to bid on the parcels, as there were some good roughs which after cutting yielded nice cut stones.
Baddy took note of Jeb’s comment and left the room.
Before they could resume the old topic, the telephone rang. After letting Jeb know that Tito was on the line, Sanders rushed to his private room to converse. They wanted to know if it was safe to bring the ruby to their office.
Sanders thought for a second. He had other ideas.