Gemsicuted

Written by Julian Robov


Twenty Eight


It looked like a bright and sunny day after the rain. The biggest and the most attractive rainbow formation in the blue sky caught Rubin’s attention, as he stood watching in awe from his room at The Oriental hotel. “Mr Rubyhall! Rubin speaking.”
“Oh, Rubin. Where are you now?” Rubyhall asked. He was busy with the Kenyan miners and their rubies.
“I’m calling from The Oriental hotel. What time is appropriate for you?” Rubin asked quickly.
“Uh, let me check. Why don’t you come now?” Rubyhall said, while glancing at the rubies and the Kenyan miners.
“Now? Is that O.K?” Rubin added. “By the way, I met a friend here, and she is from Singapore. I told her about you, and would you mind if she comes along with me?”
“She isn’t some kind of a bimbo, is she?” Rubyhall too was direct.
“Oh, no. She might be your client in the future. Talk to her and find out her needs. Who knows? Some good deals might come along.” Rubyhall wasn’t happy at first with Rubin’s suggestion.
“Lots of acquaintances have come and gone, sheer waste of time and energy. You know what we deal in, and the type of customers who take up residence in this office. I’ve no problems with people like you and your father, you know what I mean?” Rubyhall interrupted. “Anyway bring her here if you want, and I think you will do the briefing intelligently to avoid any disappointments. Okay?”
“Done. Dad asked me to send you his regards,” Rubin added quickly.
“Where is David now? Is he still in New York?” Rubyhall asked, recalling the good old days with the Rosenberg family.
“Oh, yes. He is busy with his office worries, and you know the economy. He is a bit worried about it,” said Rubin, glancing at his palm pc.
“Okay. Come to my office now. What’s the time now?” Rubyhall asked.
“Ten.”
Rubyhall paused. The Kenyan miners from Nakuru came to a conclusion after intense discussion that the rubies they were carrying didn’t match Rubyhall’s quality standards.
Since they arrived at his office on Den’s recommendation, Rubyhall had to treat them nicely. Otherwise, he would have sent them directly to Jay, instead of wasting his time.
“Well, in that case, we can have lunch together while doing some business, yeah?” Rubyhall suggested. The miners from Nakuru prepared to leave his office.
“Perfect. Let’s say, around ten thirty. I should be in the office.” Rubyhall waved his hand at them as a goodwill gesture, while his secretary accompanied the Nakuru miners to the reception area. He wanted to get rid of them.
“Looking forward to see you, Rubin. Bye.”
“Bye, Mr Rubyhall.” He then hung up the phone.
July stood close to Rubin wondering what he had in mind.
“What did he say?” she asked.
“As I told you before, if you give him a hint of doubt, then you are asking for trouble,” Rubin continued. “Don’t ask any eruptive questions when he shows the stones. He will read you like a book instantly, and then you are rejected. He doesn’t like to have people get excited. He believes that shows lack of tradition and experience, and those dropouts would never understand the price difference between an excellent quality and fine. You know what I’m saying? Subjectivity! It’s very difficult to analyze. Guess what? You learn that
by observation and experience, that’s what he is looking for in his clients.”
“This is very tough,” she quipped.
Rubin got ready to leave. “Its okay,” he said. “At least you can observe the way he does business. Just be vigilant. He can very well afford to broadcast his thoughts in harsh words if he thinks it is appropriate. You know something? This is how you learn the likes and dislikes of these big cats in a very short time. It’s an experience, which will mold you to be somebody in the future. Not everyone will be lucky enough to work with people like Rubyhall. He is a billionaire! Anyone who attains that pinnacle must be somebody. It’s not that easy to accumulate a billion dollars today.”
“Are you scaring me?” she asked.
“Let’s get ready for the meeting,” he reminded. “Just watch your mouth and eyes. You’ll like him. I like him. There are a lot who don’t like him, but, then that’s world. You can’t please everyone.”
They left the hotel.