Gemsicuted

A gem novel about an unheated 37 carat Mogok Burma ruby

Gemsicuted: put to death in accordance with a plan because of gemstones

“Intrigue! Thrills, romance, mystery are just a few words to describe this book by Julian Robov. Whether you have knowledge of the world of colored stones is immaterial as the author reveals the characters and landmarks of the gem trade of Bangkok. If you have visited the Silom, Mahesak or Surawong Roads of the city, your imagination will let you identify some of the ‘characters portrayed’ in this revealing story. No other book incorporates the centuries old culture of the gem business, which the author has been an active participant in both on the African continent and the small Kingdom of Thailand. A ‘must read’ book for those who want to explore a different environment of gems from the glossy advertisement of the jewelry industry.”

Margaret Magnussen


Written by Julian Robov

“The first spiritual want of barbarous man is decoration.”
Thomas Carlyle

One

Bangkok, 1997

Winston Lord was lounging upon the sofa dressed casually in an opennecked shirt warming his hands as to what had gone wrong while in London to close a lucrative copper deal. He remembered the conversation and laughter with his friends in London, as the deal was about to work in the syndicate’s favor. There had been a longstanding gentleman’s agreement between him and Ris Rubyhall for many years not to rock the boat. Stiff and sore from the betrayal, he drank the cup of tea with Rubyhall’s agents for the last time. He refused to join them for a light supper. As the bewildering high voltage thermal shock began to burn inside him against Rubyhall, a one time friend and partner, he began to ponder at himself what a fool he had been for having trusted Rubyhall and his agents for so long. The several parcels of uncut and cut rubies in front of him looked blurred and less colorful. He threw them onto the floor in anger and frustration. He was alone in his office. The fluorescent and incandescent lights in his office fired on him. Several irregular shaped beads of sweat accumulated on his forehead and his cheeks kept moving and creating a tube-like landscape resembling the unusual fingerprint inclusions of a heat treated natural ruby from Burma. His body and soul boiling to the melting point: 2200°C!

He switched on his mobile phone to call Tito Mathews, a gemstone dealer. The line was busy. He tried again to call Miko Francis, Tito’s partner. There was no reply. He switched off his mobile and went into a deep thought. Some new ideas began to emerge from his subconscious mind. Lo and behold, there was a Bible sitting right on Ben’s table among several office files. An avid Bible buff it was his beloved wife and third arm. The Bible happened to be a gift from one of his clients. He flicked through the pages while trying to call either Tito or Miko, and then opened one page randomly, and read the following chapter.
“He who touches pitch blackens his hand; he who associates with an impious man learns his way.
Bear no burden too heavy for you; go with no one greater or wealthier than yourself.
How can the earthen pot go with the metal cauldron?
When they knock together, the pot will be smashed: the rich man does it wrong and boasts of it, the poor man is wronged and begs forgiveness.”

He switched off his mobile. He couldn’t stop reading.
“As long as the rich man can use you he will enslave you,
but when you are exhausted, he will abandon you.
As long as you have anything he will speak fair words to you,
and with smiles he will win your confidence; when he needs something
from you he will cajole you, then without regret he will impoverish you.
While it serves his purpose he will beguile you,
then twice or three times he will terrify you;
when later he sees you will pass by, and shakes his head over you.
Guard against being presumptuous; be not as those who lack sense.
When invited by a man of influence, keep your distance; then he will urge you all the more.”
The telephone rang again. He was in no mood to answer the call, instead deciding to continue reading the chapter.
“Be not bold with him lest you be rebuffed, but keep not too far away lest you be forgotten.
Engage not freely in discussion with him, trust not his many words; for by prolonged talk he till test you,
and though smiling he will probe you.
Mercilessly he will make of you a laughingstock, and will not refrain from injury or chains.
Be on your guard and take care never to accompany men of violence.
Every living things loves its own kind every man a man like himself.
Every being is drawn to its own kind; with his own kind every man associates.
Is a wolf ever allied with a lamb?
So it is with the sinner and the just.
Can there be peace between the hyena and the dog?
Or between the rich and poor can there be peace?
Lions prey are the wild asses of the desert; so too the poor are feeding grounds for the rich.
A proud man abhors lowliness; so does the rich man abhor the poor.
When a rich man stumbles he is supported by a friend; when a poor man trips he is pushed down by a friend.
Many are the supporters for a rich man when he speaks; though what he says is odious, it wins approval.
When a poor man speaks they make sport of him; he speaks wisely and no attention is paid to him.
A rich man speaks and all are silent, his wisdom they extol to the clouds.
A poor man speaks and they say: ‘Who is that?’
If he slips they cast him down.
Wealth is good when there is no sin; but poverty is evil by the standards of the proud.
The heart of a man changes his countenance, either for good or for evil.
The sign of a good heart is a cheerful countenance; withdrawn and perplexed is the laborious schemer.”

Sirach 13: 1-25

“Quite meaningful,” Lord said thoughtfully tossing aside the Bible. His mobile phone rang twice. His feet were numb as if he had climbed the rocky slopes of the Himalayas. He writhed on the ground shoving his frozen feet. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He wiped off the beads of sweat with a handkerchief and slumped in a chair. Lord closed his eyes to hide his fear. Slowly he slapped his legs trying to bring back the sensation, as the rubies both, uncut and cut, lying on the carpet began smiling at him. He took up a few rubies and held them against the light gazing with that unnerving, unblinking stare that babies bestow on objects of curiosity. He leaned over and counted all the rubies on the carpet, depositing them in his safe deposit vault.

Lord walked down through the crowded street of Mahesak, and he was beginning to feel exhausted. He reached his favorite restaurant, Window-on-Silom, overlooking Silom Road.
“Sawadee Khrap, Khun Lord,” the waiter said, bowing low.
“Nice to see you again.”
“Thank you, Binny.”
The short, fat waiterwith a toothbrush mustache presented him with a menu.
“Give me my regular stuff, Binny,” Lord said.
By the time Binny placed a napkin on Lord’s lap his mobile phone rang. Lord stared out of the window remembering the past events. Binny knew Lord too well. He poured a glass of his favorite champagne, and then waited.
“Thank you, Binny.”
Lord then switched off his mobile. To Binny’s surprise, Lord took a quick gulp and waited for a second time. Lord knew only his friends would be able to fix Rubyhall and salvage his reputation in the gem trade. Lord picked up the spoon in front of him, and began to scoop up the ice cream in a rapid movement. Gem traders at surrounding tables turned to glance in his direction and whispered to their friends.
“He’s finished,” a gem trader was telling the mia noi (mistress) he was taking out for the first time. She laughed loudly. Normally Lord would have shot them if he had a gun. But tonight he pretended he didn’t even notice the asshole. His mind had moved on to the copper deal, Ris Rubyhall and the Swiss bank, where the final decision had been taken to nail him, and all for a few millions.

The waiter knew immediately that Lord wasn’t in a good mood, as he whisked away the ice cream bowl. Lord shook his head.
Binny returned a few minutes later.
“Shall I bring you a cup of tea?”
“Nay, just the bill,” Lord answered.
Lord pushed back his chair, and walked out of the restaurant. His thoughts were elsewhere, with his wife and friends.