Gemsicuted

Three

The strongly built granite building on Surawong Road a family run institution; secretively accommodated Ris Rubyhall. Two generations of accumulated experience and assets had been magnets of their own merit driving away potential competitors. THE GREAT WALL OF SURAWONG!

Due to their forceful acquisition and money power, the nickname ‘ Shark ’ and Ris Rubyhall had become synonymous in the minerals trading circle. Any potential stocks worth the money and risk would rarely slip their notice. Working with this conservative close-knit family organization always became difficult, but for Jay Lam it was like manna fallen from heaven, when he was picked out of obscurity from Minerals Trading Limited. It was a classic poaching.

Minerals Trading Limited was a relatively small operation run by a Hong Kong Chinese family based in Bangkok, but for Lam it became a cliché. He built his colorful career from office assistant, climbing the ladder of opportunity in less than ten years, to reach the prestigious position of vice president. His other perks included a posh condo at the President Park, Sukhumvit Road, and a Mercedes. Marla his faithful wife, and two little girls, April and May, became his ultimate refuge after work. The power and freedom, which came with the title, had at times forced him to reflect on his childhood, which was cursed with hunger and poverty. If it had not been for the mercy of the Catholic run orphanage downtown, he would have ended up like other street bums with guaranteed casualties. He was that accumulated luck boy who outsmarted those genetically defective housemates who were still stuck in that same black hole of misfortune. No one had told him who his parents were and where they lived. The nuns and priests became his parents, taking care of him and others as best as they could. His only family now was his wife Marla, and two girls.
It all started by a chance introduction, while studying at the Assumption University. The company was looking for someone fresh with the ability to learn, adapt and grow. From an ordinary office assistant, he rose to become the vice president. He desperately missed the chance to share his glory with his parents if they had been alive. Now cruising into his late thirties, he had been with the Mineral Trading Limited for ten years. Then, that fateful day came for him to quit. The Rubyhall’s became desparate to poach him, because of his cutthroat abilities in winning contracts and obtaining the best of the best gems from Southeast Asia, especially Burma. He happened to be the best collector for one of their several operations-special acquisitions for collectors. He outsmarted the Harvard and Stanford elite with his simple practical tactics of ease and friendliness; a lesson evidently not learned at prestigious schools.

Ris Rubyhall, a smart oldie, in his early seventies from New York, had been living in Bangkok all these years with his Thainese (Thai Chinese) wife Wim, and was still in good health. He had a hawkish tradition of eliminating deadwood from his organization, mercilessly, with a tattoo scribbled in Khmer. Only God and he knew the meaning. He was well protected by the establishment and politicians. He had a tradition of donating this permanent scar to the employees, and no one dared to question him. He was too powerful and strong to be challenged. THE GREAT MAN OF BANGKOK!

Lam heard about this stoneage practice in horror and disbelief. But as long as he remained a moneymaker for the establishment that was more than enough to avoid getting tattooed. His benefits were five times better than Mineral Trading Limited. He was elevated to a position like a virtual king without a crown, but powerful. The only spare time he had with his family was after midnight when they were all asleep. He had to keep his loyalty. Otherwise, he knew his fate. A GRAND TATTOO!

He had to keep on making bundles of money for them. They were watching over his shoulders, all his work and the profits. At times he got the scare of his life when things didn’t work his way. But he knew for all those missed opportunities and deals, there would always be a fool coming his way from somewhere.