Gemsicuted

Written by Julian Robov

Eight

It was ten in the morning. Miko pulled the venetian blinds to check the weather after listening to FM 105 station’s news bulletin. THE SMOOTH 105!
“Hi, This is Thomas & Marble!”
“Who?” Chichi answered the call.
“Pierre Themiro!”
“Miko, it’s for you. Never heard of them. Could be after the ruby trail?” Chichi alerted.
“Hi, Miko speaking. What can I do for you?”
“We heard from the market that you guys are interested in buying a ruby of 37 carat. We understand that you are looking for partners in buying the piece. It would be interesting if we could talk about it. Our specialization is in diamonds. Mostly roughs from Central and West Africa. Nothing to do with De Beers. We do deal in rubies if they are of good quality and larger sizes. Maybe, I could come to your office or you would be most welcome to visit our office anytime. Just call before you decide to come. We could discuss openly and you’re under no obligation, whichever way you like,” Themiro replied holding his breath.
“Interesting, how the news spreads so fast,” Miko added. “All you just mentioned is correct.”
“So when can we talk about it? Confidentiality will be guaranteed, if you want to keep it that way,” Themiro assured.
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Miko smiled. Meanwhile, Chichi turned her attention to the tax files, a job Miko hated so much.
“Have you approached others for an exclusive partnership?” Themiro asked.
“I can’t comment on that. Zippo!” Miko commented reluctantly.
“It’s all right, just a friendly remark. Would it be convenient for us to see the piece?” Themiro recognized his fault. He shouldn’t have asked so quickly.
“I’ve to ask my partner,” Miko reasoned. “We make decisions together. I can’t comment on that at the moment. When conditions and terms are acceptable and practical, I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be possible.”
“Which facility would be convenient for you? One of us coming to your office or either of you visiting our office?” Themiro began to dig deeper.
“I’ll call you when my partner is back. As I said, we make decisions together. Whatever the decision, we will let you know as soon as possible,” Miko reminded him.
“As you know in this stone business, whether it be diamond or ruby, it all takes a split-second to win or lose the deal. One thing we can guarantee you is that we have immediate buyers for the whole lot, and if you have more, that too. It’s cash and carry. We are very international, and we do have our own line of collectors, who request big ones either as an investment or just for pleasure. It would all take just a matter of hours to settle. So all that I’m saying is, the quicker the better. We would really like to do business with you.” Themiro threw the bait.
“I don’t see any problem in that logic. Money takes away all prejudices. We will contact you when decided.” Miko while listening flicked through the pages of the Economist magazine curious about the latest scandal rocking Washington.
“How long should we wait for your call? We can call you if you want it that way,” Themiro said desperately.
“Let’s say, in less than a day or two.” Miko closed the magazine and grabbed the rough ruby parcel just brought in by a broker.
“That’s fine,” Themiro commented.
“Thanks for calling. I very much appreciate that gesture. By the way, where is your office?” Miko asked, as he spread the parcel of rough rubies on his table.
“Wall Street Tower, Surawong Road. Bye for now.” Themiro hung up the phone.
“Can you believe this?” Miko turned his attention to Chichi. “How on earth do these people get their information? Amazingly fast, isn’t it?” Miko put the rough rubies back into a plastic bag to return it to the broker. MINE RUN (unsorted rough stones)!
“Now make sure they are not Mafia’s of any stock. You could be dead in a heartbeat. It’s dangerous.” Chichi warned. She was still busy sorting out the tax files.
“Bloody yeah, you bet. So, what do we have now? The Rubyhall’s, Sanders, and now what was his name? Oh yeah, I remember, Pierre Themiro! That’s a bloody French name, isn’t it?” Miko said, jokingly.
“Could be Africans, Canadians, you never know,” said Chichi. “There are quite a few in Bangkok. You know something? The hunters are after us with their guns and money to grab our stones, and perhaps your balls too.” Both laughed.
“You’re right, Chichi,” answered Miko. “I never thought about it that way. We have opened a new miserable situation for ourselves. You know what? We could have avoided these cold calls if we had the money. You see, how these sharks circle when they know that we are in a cash crunch; do you think they are going to leave us peacefully? If we go to their office talking terms and conditions, begging for money, the mother of all terms will drive us to weep in our pants. They will cut us into several pieces like sausages before a deal is struck. When you get into big ones, sometimes it’s easy to sell, and sometimes difficult. Sometimes you won’t get the money back in time as they promise. But, we owe Winston Lord a lot.” Miko reminded her.
She closed the tax files, and put them back into the filing cabinet. Meanwhile, Miko graded a few parcels of rubies from Cambodia, and sealed them to be shown to a special client.
“If we manage to sell, how much of a killing do you think we are gonna make out of this deal?” Chichi asked.
“It’s quite a lot, if we had our own money. If we get these partners in everything is gonna split. It all depends on the percentage we agree to. It’s going to be a tough talk, when we go to these sharks. I hate that, but we have no choice. This deal is a windfall unless a miracle happens. Do you believe in miracles, Chichi?” Miko asked. “Sure I do,” she replied immediately.
“You know what? I’ve an idea. I don’t know whether it will work. It’s a fifteen million to one chance,” Miko said, hopelessly.
“What’s that? There’s nothing wrong in trying.” Chichi became anxious.
“Lotto!” Miko uttered like a mantra.
“Come on! It doesn’t work that way,” Chichi answered.
“Now, wait a minute. It might work. Who knows? There is one coming sometime this week. I did see the ad somewhere in a magazine in this office. Chichi, you believe in miracles, don’t you?” Miko acted like a desperate soul.
“Yeah, if we have nothing to lose. If we win, we celebrate together. If we don’t, we have all the time in the world to cry together and forget about it. All our worries are over,” Chichi said.
“But if we hit the jackpot, you got your deal, a trip away from Bangkok. Here it is. THE BRITISH LOTTO! Let’s do it. Here’s the money. You select the numbers with a good intention. It might work, who knows? If it works in the last minute, hell with the Rubyhall’s, Sanders, Pierre Themiro, or whoever comes next,” Miko added.
“Done, Miko. When are the results going to come?” Chichi asked.
“The ad says, in a week. Je-ez! Maybe, there is a chance to kill all those sharks. Miracles, miracles, and miracles help us! Chichi, do it before it is too late. The numbers, your choice,” Miko said, wrapping the magazine in front of him.
“Okay. I’m going to send them the form and money.” She took her handbag and walked to the front door.
“Do it!” Miko reminded her again, as she walked down the stairs.