Gemsicuted

Written by Julian Robov


Fifty One


The more Takashi tried, the greater it became obvious, that getting a job in Thailand was certainly difficult. Lay off and unrest among the middle-class and poor became a daily occurrence. Even though the country and people were much friendlier than other countries in the region, the basic requirement of having a steady income and decent job to convince his parents and friends began to wane. He knew his savings were going to disappear within a matter of time. Going back to America wasn’t in his agenda at all, and the economic recovery in the region wasn’t in the offing, even though predictions by the pundits suggested anywhere from five years to several decades depending on the severity and the political willingness to reform. Age-old tradition and bureaucracy weren’t that easy to change. With such a gloomy scenario lying ahead, Takashi began to ponder whether it was worth living in the first place. His only liability was to his parents, and being single and without any credible personal achievement, he theorized it was better to die as a loser than living.

After having traveled to several provinces in the North and Northeast of Thailand, the local population’s simplicity and nature consciousness took him by surprise, even though he hated the countryside. There was no way he was going to live that way. He was born in a city, and remained addicted to living in a city no matter how severe the situation was. But the bottom line was how long.

While on his way back to Bangkok, he did stop at the province of Chantaburi. He couldn’t believe his eyes at the number of rubies and sapphires moving from hand to hand with smiles, instead of guns. Though difficult to identify and value by just viewing, it stimulated an interest in gems. They were so small and portable, and he knew from others these beauties weren’t that cheap. Yet, he thought for a second about how these people made money. If the investment was little, he thought of starting an all out new career to show his parents and friends that he was still standing on his own legs. That’s when he thought of Lam.

Just for the sake of an experience, he bought a small ruby from a street dealer. There were so many of them carrying red stones, he assumed every red stone to be a ruby. The street dealers were more than happy to meet ignorant buyers because for reasons only they knew they took it for granted that the buyers never returned. And a Japanese look-alike meant easy money, because by tradition they were shy, and the street dealers took advantage of it. Then as if by a happy accident, he met one Yoshida, a Japanese buyer, who came regularly to Chantaburi to buy rubies. They got together while staying at the K.P. Grand hotel. One thing led to another. When Takashi showed the ruby he bought for Yoshida’s comment, the result shocked him. The gem identification kits Yoshida carried became a curiosity for Takashi. Yoshida took Takashi to his room and showed how he identified the red stone. It was not a ruby instead it was a red glass. The gemological identification by Yoshida broke Takashi’s heart.

Another loser! He cried in front of Yoshida for the loss of money and face. Whatever he touched was turning into garbage. Yoshida tried to console Takashi that it was normal for any new person to be duped, but Takashi was in no mood to absorb Yoshida’s reasoning. Instead, he saw himself as a qualified misfit. That night, Yoshida and Takashi had dinner together, and Yoshida explained to Takashi how he came into the ruby business. But Takashi’s mind was elsewhere after the red stone experience. For him, he saw the whole world as too unfair wherever he went. Either someone was out to cheat him or never gave him an opportunity to prove himself. Always something went wrong.

The next day, he decided to leave for Bangkok, without even telling Yoshida, even though he was willing to help Takashi to locate the crook who sold him a red glass as a ruby. The dejection and failures one after another led him to the conclusion that he was no longer useful to the world, and to himself. He didn’t know what to do next, but he had something brewing in his mind. No sooner had he reached Bangkok, when he called Lam, he wasn’t at home. He then decided to visit Tuna’s Club & Restaurant for consolation. When he arrived at her place, she had gone to the bank for a few hours. Takashi saw these events as a bad omen. Silly, evil thoughts began to dominate him.

He left her place, and decided to roam at the Emporium, a huge department store on Sukhumvit Road. Kinokuniya Book Store caught his attention. A virtual selection of books from around the world neatly laid made it easier for a quick reference. As he strolled the store, from one subject to another, one book interested him.

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Mushashi! He bought the book immediately.
Instead of going back to Tuna’s place, he took a bus to Siam Square. From Siam Square he took another bus to Sanam Luang. Khao San Road was only a walking distance from Sanam Luang. After reaching his guesthouse, he decided to immerse himself in the book. From page to page, he read like in his school days absorbing every minute details and its practical use. He liked the message in the book, especially the author’s interpretation of enlightenment and the paths to success.

After reading halfway through, he realized that putting into practice Miyamoto Musashi’s methods meant discipline, insight, and self-reliance. All seemed easy to read and describe, but at this particular juncture, he needed a job and money to stay alive more than the attainment of enlightenment prescribed in the book. He felt depressed after reading arriving at a conclusion that it was difficult to attain success with so much competition and heartless people around.

Takashi pondered his next move. Without a job and money traveling here and there meant going bankrupt soon. The dreadful thought of calling home for help meant losing his face again. As the accumulation of worries peaked, his body became weak. He couldn’t sleep. After a while, he decided to call Jay again to see if he was at his home. There was still no answer. Instead, he decided to go again to Tuna’s Club & Restaurant.