Gemsicuted

Written by Julian Robov


Thirty Nine


She did it this time. July sold the ruby for a good profit after paying Rubyhall his price, and had an order for one more.
“Where are you calling from?” Rubyhall asked, while holding the line. He had to motion Lam to return in less than thirty minutes. Privacy became pivotal at this stage.
“Singapore!” July was in a festive mood. Rubyhall sensed it instantly, but he kept his emotions in control, as several problems began to converge on him from all sides.
“What can I do for you now?” he asked.
“I need another big one,” she said quickly. “A 30 carat plus. How should I send the money, Mr Rubyhall?”
“Do you have a fax number?” he asked.
“Yes. I do.”
“I will write the bank account number, price, and other details,” Rubyhall added. “Fax me a copy later. When will you be coming to Bangkok?”
“As soon as possible.” The reply pleased him.
“The rubies will be ready,” he answered. “It’s your selection. So you are learning something step by step.” She liked the encouraging touch in his words.
“As you said,” July continued. “I can’t believe I have that much confidence stored up in me. I’ve no words to explain that. Your advice did serve my purpose. I’m deeply obliged to you.”
“Business and friendship should be kept separate,” Rubyhall said. “No ill feelings. When you mix them like a yogurt, it tastes funny and sour. Some people might like it, but most don’t. The ball is in your court. You know now what to look for and I have something, which others don’t have, simple as that. Then we talk numbers. You can’t refuse my offer. It’s reasonable and consistent, which includes the cost of convenience. That’s how we do business. And you are now becoming part of it.”
Rubyhall’s glance turned to the ruby bust installed in front of his table. The strong body color and the excellent job done by the German cutters illuminated his thoughts of how important he was, not only to the trade, but also among his competitors. The thought passed in a flash.
“I know,” she said happily.
“So, when you are in Bangkok just give me a call. I’ll send my people to pick you up from your condo. That way you are safe. No one will be watching you,” Rubyhall suggested.
“Already. Thank you!”
The bait he threw did bring in a good fish. He had all the reasons to smile. And he wished more came along, but he was not in a hurry. Selling big stones wasn’t that easy and if it did sell, then he knew already the range of profit she had made from the stones.

Rubyhall knew too well the complex emotions and price / quality mood swings when his clients came to visit his office. Most of the time he got his way, and for reasons no one knew, the clients kept coming back and again. That special touch in finding rubies both, rough and cut, and the potential clients after the stones had reached his office, accumulated by luck or chance, no one could match his instincts. By word of mouth or by chance introductions, just like the situation with July now, his keen eye and a calculating mind kept creating happy clients day after day, though sometimes he himself hadn’t a clue how long it was going to last. With no apparent successions in the offing, Rubyhall enjoyed the thrill and satisfaction the stones brought both to his life and the clients, and that joy no one could explain.

He sat in his office knowing that a quick replacement of a similar quality was close to an impossible task. Just like losing a child, he sat in front of the picture pondering its next life. At least he had made someone happy and secure. So it was with the rubies sold to July. For that brief moment he forgot about everything, but deep from within he was moaning. He just hadn’t a clue, as to how he was going to procure the 37carat ruby in time. Rubyhall couldn’t afford to lose his face with Rubin. Even if he lost some money out of the deal, he couldn’t care less. Word was more important than money. Money always kept coming some other way. He didn’t want Rubin to wait that long. And, he was running out of time.