Gemscentric

Written by Julian Robov


Thirty Three


Rudy studied the details provided by Busaban and Khanita carefully. The Blue Color City idea looked great. No one had ever thought about it. The potential was huge given the kind of network these women had and the political and social connections. While at the same time he had a free hand to run his own business parallel. The idea floated by Busaban and Khanita was to mass merchandize gem quality blue sapphires with an identification and quality grading report—including its origin. The key buzz words were flexible specialization, diversified quality, lean production, and autonomous craft team. A spin-off from the clothing and auto industry.
It just happened to be a unique relationship. They had a good intention by inviting him as their business partner. Khanita’s network operation included rich clients from the United States, Europe, Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Canada and Dubai. The ‘unusually rich’ from these countries already had discretionary incomes from the latest boom in the stock market upsurge, and most important of all the income generated from the booming Internet companies. This newly rich group, mostly in their early twenties and thirties, had too much money coming from venture capitalists, and the ones who did make their bundle didn’t know how to spend their wealth. The money was coming too quickly.
The thirty storied building was going to be a one-stop shopping extravaganza. Blue sapphires and the assorted jewelry were just one part of the whole equation. The building itself was redesigned to simulate a bi-pyramidal crystal. A rare architectural fete.

James joined Rudy at his new residence in Phayatai Road, discussing the detailed marketing strategy and the collateral benefits drawn out by Khanita and Busaban. This new avenue not only created heavy traffic in the building, but also introduced potential collectors who had a passion collecting gems, not only for adornment, but also for their sheer beauty. They wanted Rudy and James to educate the novice in order to bring in more blue sapphire clients. The building had everything, and their idea was to generate a Maaboonkrong (a popular department store on Siam Square)-like crowd with creativity, consistency and entertainment. Theoretically the idea looked great, but success depended entirely on clever marketing and content.
Rudy asked James what Seri would have thought of the new project: a sure bet inspiration for another kidnapping. James laughed at Rudy’s comment, but later on he realized that Rudy wasn’t joking. This new project was a minor distraction and he didn’t want to offend Potch, his good friend, who was now going out of her way to get him involved with her friends in order to keep him away from the clutches of thugs.

James had some other important news to share and it was serious.
“I am getting quite suspicious of Meechai. I don’t know, it’s just a feeling.”
“What happened? I have half of Seri’s company, the surface-diffusion treatment formula if it works, the doctored identification reports he and Meechai had used to trick the Cambodian General, and Meechai is in our hands, till he escapes writing a meaningless note. His way. The last bait is Jeffrey. Once that is sorted out, its all over,” Rudy commented.
“Yeah! I’m not quite sure. Maybe it’s another beginning,” James said reluctantly.
“Take it easy, pal. It’s all right.”