The Pearl

Pearl chapter

Friday rolled around as it always does to end a week of frustrations in the business world and personal world and the what-might-have-been’ers start rolling into the bar to drown their disappointments. Rebecca Clausen was quite aware of this routine as she had become a standard at the 1600 Club and her usual two spots were waiting for her at the end of the bar.



The hostess said her lines perfectly as she had on so many previous Friday nights when Rebecca’s limo dropped her off at the front door.



“Good evening, Mrs. Clausen. Will you be dining alone tonight or will you be expecting a guest?” Carl, the maitre d’ asked as if he was asking for the very first time.

“Good evening, Carl. I will sit at the bar and have a drink but have my table ready for my guest who should be arriving shortly. Thanks for asking.” Rebecca said without slowing down as she headed for her usual spot at the far end of the bar.

Carl nodded politely and pretended to be checking something off with his pen in the guest reservation booklet in front of him on the rostrum. There was nothing to check off, and there was no table reserved. They stopped reserving tables for Rebecca Clausen after the first five Friday nights of her strange ritual of waiting for the man that never arrives. But either old Southern chivalry or just five star customer service created the same dialogue and pantomime every Friday evening at 7 PM sharp.

Rebecca looked exceptionally attractive on this particular Friday afternoon and it was obvious that she had received the full salon and spa treatment with hair, nails, and facial and the pearls around her neck highlighted the brilliant smile she displayed as she sat in her usual seat at the bar.

Ellen, the bar manager welcomed Rebecca by saying, “You always look so beautiful Mrs. Clausen, but tonight you certainly radiate with your beauty. Did you change your hairstyle or something?”

“Thanks for noticing, Ellen. Actually I just had it lightened a bit and trimmed a bit on the sides. Do you really like it?” Rebecca asked, seemingly genuinely wanting a sincere response.

“Yes, I do, Mrs. Clausen. It makes you look entirely different. You have a warm glow about you tonight.” Ellen replied sincerely.

“Thank you, Ellen. You have made my entire evening. That was kind of you.”

“Just being honest, Mrs. Clausen. And I don’t think I’m the only one that noticed.” Ellen replied back as she motioned her head for Rebecca to look down the bar at two men who were staring at her.

Rebecca looked towards the other end of the bar and two men quickly darted their eyes away from her to another direction hoping not to be caught staring. Rebecca smiled. It doesn’t happen that often. In fact it never happens. But tonight Rebecca smiled.

The gin and tonic was placed on a coaster in front of Rebecca and Ellen asked her if she would prefer to place her meal order now or wait for her guest to arrive. Ellen knew that she too must continue to play the game that they had become so good at over the previous months. Everyone at the 1600 Club had learned to play the game as Rebecca Clausen was one of the wealthiest customers to frequent the restaurant, and wealth, well distributed earns respect and the game being played properly. But no one played the game quite as well as Rebecca.

Rebecca knew soon after the first few Fridays that her game would be known to all at the 1600 Club, and it was. But she also knew that the generosity and level of her monetary gratuities to every associate at the club was a guarantee that the game would continue for as long as she desired it to go forward. Rebecca knew well that there never would be a gentleman coming to join her at the bar and then over to the quiet corner of the restaurant. The drink and the additional meal ordered was all a sham. The kitchen always had the take out box ready to load the meal in for Rebecca to take to the limo with her as she looked at her watch as though that unknown gentleman might still make it at the last second. But no one desires to admit to be alone or that loneliness is consuming them to the point of absurdity. This Friday night ritual was the closest that Rebecca could get to normalcy and sanity in her tortured life. Behind the smiles and the gin and tonics was a loneliness and emptiness that all of her money and games could not hide. Chance had seen it briefly and knew.

Chance recalled the conversation he had with his newest client Donald Jermaine, the owner and CEO of Computer Systems Solutions. Chance was so distracted in the meeting with Donald it got too much for Donald to hold back on.

“Chance, what is on your mind tonight? It seems like you are a thousand miles away and nowhere close to helping me make my fortune in the stock market. Should I choose another night to continue our weekly portfolio adjustment meeting?” Donald asked.

“No, no, Donald, not at all. I am sorry if I appear distracted. But every time we hold our meeting here at this restaurant I can’t help but be curious about the strangest thing I have seen in quite a while. It has nothing to do with you or with stocks and I am sorry if I lost focus there for a moment. Please let’s get back on your portfolio performance because I have a few ideas on how we can tweak it for the economic reports due out next Wednesday.” Chance replied.

“Hold it, hold it. You are not going to leave me hanging like that, Chance. It has to be a story there somewhere if it puzzles you that much. Fill me in with all the details so I can at least see what is on your mind. What is it about this place that intrigues you so much?”

“Oh, its nothing Donald; nothing exciting or earth-shattering at all. It was just a sad situation I saw in a woman’s eyes that comes to this restaurant every Friday evening around 7 PM and sits at the bar and orders two drinks and two meals and waits for a man that never comes. I saw it with my own eyes and the sadness in her eyes just got to me, that’s all. I was staring over at where she sits when you caught me daydreaming a second ago.”

“How do you know there is not someone really coming to sit with her? How can you make that assumption?” Donald asked with a little bit more genuine curiosity than Chance expected.

“Well, Donald, it shook me up so much I asked a few of the employees here about her and that was the story I got from them. She is a very well to do person with an abundance of wealth to fall back on and the employees that told me this information would be in big trouble if it was discovered they told me that privileged information. But I was able to slip some folding money and get that amount of information. So please keep that confidential if you will.”

“That really is fascinating Chance, and I am sure there is a great story there somewhere behind that weekly visit to the bar with the same routine being repeated over and over and yet the man never arrives. There is a part of that puzzle that you do not see and I do not see and obviously no one here at the restaurant sees. Your bewildered look is definitely excused. I understand your feelings. Now tell me about the future of the industrial stocks that you sold me last week.” Donald asked, changing the subject nicely but keeping the conversation just learned on the forefront of his thoughts.

“Mrs. Clausen, would you like me to freshen your gin and tonic? It is looking to be hitting the bottom.” Ellen asked Rebecca as she walked past to get a handful of receipts for the cashier to ring up.

“Ordinarily, Ellen, I would say no, as I expect my guest to be arriving shortly but yes, please refill it and make it a double, will you?” Rebecca requested, breaking the normal routine of many weeks running. Rebecca at this time would usually ask to have a second drink brought to the countertop in front of the empty bar chair next to her. But tonight she wanted the drink for herself, and to top that, a double. Something different was in the air this Friday night. Ellen could sense it.

A minute passed and Ellen sat the fresh gin and tonic in front of Rebecca and pushed down a bowl of cashew nuts and spoke softly, “Here you go, Mrs. Clausen, a gin and tonic double, as you requested.”

“Ellen, may I ask you one more favor please?” Rebecca asked as Ellen turned to leave.

“Yes, Mrs. Clausen, what is it I can do for you?”

“I know in the past I have requested that I be called Mrs. Clausen when addressed by the employees here, but for tonight, could you please call me Rebecca?” The twinkle of happiness that had been in Rebecca’s eyes most of the night had turned to a misty sadness.

“Why yes, I will, Rebecca. Yes, I will.” Ellen replied seeing instantly the importance of that request to this lady of many secrets.

Rebecca slowly finished the second stronger drink and was eating the last of the cashews in the bowl in front of her when Ellen came back. “Rebecca, are you ready to place your dinner order tonight? I can place your order now and have the kitchen start on it right away.”

“Yes, please do, Ellen and thanks for calling me Rebecca. I’ll have the grilled red snapper tonight with sautéed mixed vegetables. And I’m not quite ready to order for my companion yet but I will shortly. May I have another double gin and tonic please. And by the way, Ellen, I am sure you know that I do not drive. I have a chauffeur that drives me where I want to go, so don’t worry about serving me too much.” Rebecca explained.

“Thanks, Rebecca, I’ll get that dinner order in and start on that drink right away.” Ellen remarked back with a puzzled look on her face she tried to keep from being too obvious.

In a couple of minutes the drink was placed gently in front of Rebecca and following it shortly the red snapper platter was placed down by the assistant chef. Rebecca started in on her game of deciding whether to eat now or to hold back and place the order for her guest, yet to arrive.

Her indecision was suddenly interrupted by a moment that would forever change her life. Rebecca was about to learn that when you live life to play games, sometimes others play the same game but bring their own set of rules to the game. A very deep calm and confident voice spoke out from behind Rebecca in a softness of tone and volume that only Rebecca could hear.

“Thanks for waiting for me. I see that you have already ordered. Fantastic, I am famished. I am so hungry I could eat a horse, but I guess they do not sell horse at a seafood and steak place, do they?” came the remark from the stranger behind Rebecca.

Without waiting for a response the tall stranger pulled out the bar chair and sat down quietly next to Rebecca and stared into the most shocked set of eyes he had ever witnessed. There was no response from Rebecca as she was too stunned to speak and could barely breathe. She picked up her drink and sipped it slowly and then took a big gulp, still unable to speak.

Ellen was down the bar a few patrons away and had the look of horror on her face that showed this situation was too much for her to handle and she had no idea how to proceed. Rebecca Clausen was a top drawer customer that earned her privacy and paid for it dearly. This intrusion could not be allowed for any reason. Did this stranger not know the game? Did he realize that he was sitting in the forbidden empty chair that waits for no one? This is a five star restaurant and scenes or disturbances never happen here, but Ellen knew something was going to have to happen very soon. Rebecca looked distressed and unable to move or communicate.





Ellen walked briskly to Rebecca’s defense and was about to speak out when she looked into the stranger’s face and stopped in her tracks. The stranger had his finger to his lips signaling Ellen to say nothing and the demeanor on his face indicated that Ellen must follow those instructions. He was no stranger to Ellen or to the 1600 Club. In fact he was also one of the top five best customers the restaurant has had dealings with. Ellen started to tremble slightly not knowing what to do. She turned and walked out of the bar and walked briskly to the owner’s office to explain this impossible situation developing at the bar.

The stranger continued his conversation with Rebecca although it was intended to be a one way discussion. “Red snapper, I see. One of my favorites, but I see you are wearing pearls and that reminds me of my favorite seafood dish. You will not find it on the menu here. It is something that they keep on reserve just for me. I will be getting the fresh oysters on the half-shell with imported cocktail sauce and horseradish and a side of drawn butter. I know, it isn’t something you would see at a five star restaurant, but they say the customer is always right, and indeed I am a customer.” The stranger rattled off as Rebecca sat there in stunned silence.

Johnny Williams, the assistant barkeep responded to the stranger’s raised hand and approached him respectfully.

“I would like the usual tonight, Johnny, but please tell the chef I want 13 oysters tonight rather than the normal dozen. I want to share one with my lady here and please could you get me my bourbon and coke out right away?”

“Why yes, Mr. Jermaine. I will do that right now. I’ll prepare your drink first and then put your order in.” Johnny replied.

Rebecca took a deep breath and broke her silence. “So you are Mr. Jermaine, I hear from Johnny. You are not the Donald Jermaine that owns the Computer Systems Company on Elm Street are you? I have read about you often in the business journals and finance section of the paper.”

“Why yes, ma’am, I am him, one and the same. But please, let me do the talking. I need to say a few things and I had rather you let me get those said before you ask too many more questions. I know you are a good customer here at the 1600 Club and so am I. Did you see how perplexed Ellen was when she saw me flop down next to you and invade your space? Her look was priceless. I am sure she is in the manager’s office now pacing back and forth trying to control her heartrate. But it is OK, because I have already spoken to the manager and he is aware that I am going to sit here.”

“How dare. . . . . . “ Rebecca started to interrupt.

“Now wait a minute, I haven’t finished yet. Please hear me out and then you can have me become the first person ever thrown out of this restaurant and you can slap me or tell me to go to hell. I don’t care, but please hear me out.” Donald pleaded his case to Rebecca.

“OK, but you better be quick about it because I do not like people invading my personal space or life.”

“Did you see the order that I placed for the oysters on the half shell? Well, that’s the story of my life. You know those beautiful pearls you have around your neck? That took thousands and thousands of oysters to find just the right pearls for that one necklace. Not every oyster has a pearl. In fact not even one pearl can be found in a thousand oysters. That is the reason they are so valuable. In life, ma’am, we have to experience thousands and thousands of interactions with people before we find that pearl among the oysters. Some relationships we have to decorate with cocktail sauce change the taste and some we dip in butter, but nothing works if there is no pearl.” Donald rambled.

“Please, please, Mr. Jermaine, are you going somewhere with this or giving me an unsolicited biology lesson?” Rebecca interrupted again.

“Fair enough, ma’am. Fair enough. I’ll get to the point.” Donald stated.

“Life is short. I’ve eaten a lot of oysters in my day and never found the pearl. I’ve had dead-end relationship after dead-end relationship and nothing ever moved me. I always got the oyster but others got the pearl and found happiness. I have come to this restaurant for many weeks and months now and I often have seen you in this very seat over and over again. You were beautiful each time as you are beautiful now. You may not remember but I sometimes would come up to the bar and wait for a drink just to look at you and smile. You very seldom smiled back. But I could see a beauty in your eyes, the gateway to your soul. I could hear your voice and your requests and the tenderness in your manner and the gentleness in the way you dealt with people. I took it upon myself to investigate you and your background, and please do not get up Rebecca Clausen, because I want you to stay. I know your story. I know all of your story. I paid a lot of money to investigators to find out your story. I share your story. I am your counterpart. I know what you are feeling, as I am feeling it too and have felt it for many years. I have had a lifetime of oysters, but when I saw you I found my pearl. I know you know nothing about me at all except that I am rich and successful. But I could say the same thing about you. You are very rich and very successful. But your eyes do not lie. I have watched you from a distance and dreamed of the day I could be the man that filled that seat next to you. There have been many weeks when I thought that would be the week I make the move to the chair, but I lost my courage. But I got tired of oysters, Rebecca, so very, very tired. I wanted my pearl. I wanted a chance with you. Please don’t ask me to leave. Get to know me a little bit and then make your decision and I will honor it and respect it. But at least give me that chance. I am a CEO and owner of one of the most successful companies in America but I am shaking in your presence because you are the one that my soul longs to be with. Just give me the chance to let you know me better. Please don’t rush to judgment.”

Rebecca sat there in silence and in shock. Finally she spoke, “Donald, may I call you Donald? Donald, do you think you have enough pull to get the owner to play my favorite song over the background now, as I know they have it because I hear them play it ever so often in my many visits here?”

“Of course I will, Rebecca, and you may call me Donald. What song do you want to hear?”

“It’s Piano Man by Billy Joel. It is my favorite song now. There is a line in it that means so much to me, especially now. Could you do that for me?” Rebecca requested softly.

Donald got up and walked to the owner’s office. He didn’t knock. He didn’t need to. It was his friend Michael Seagraves whom he funded to start this business so many years ago. “Michael, I have a request of you. I want to hear Billy Joel’s Piano Man as soon as you can get it on your sound system, especially so you can hear it in the bar.”

Donald looked around the room and saw Ellen pacing the floor. “I know you want to kill me about now, Ellen, but trust me, I know what I am doing. I will not invade Rebecca’s space and she will not be upset with you, Michael, or anyone. You have to trust me on this one. I know what I am doing.” Donald said sternly.

“Do you really, Donald?” Ellen asked with her hands on her hip.

“Well, not really!” Donald said as he walked out the door.

Ellen shook her head not knowing how to head off this potential disaster. Michael put her at ease when he said “Just let it go Ellen. I think Donald knows exactly what he is doing.”

Donald exited Michael’s office with the fear that Rebecca Clausen would be long gone and her seat would be vacated and the meal boxed and in the limo. After all who could blame her. She didn’t ask or want this invasion of her privacy and the last thing she needed was the arrogance of another man who thinks he knows what she needs. Even if she was gone Donald knew that at least he tried and he was aware that if he at least didn’t try he would never be able to forgive himself in the future.

Turning around the corner wondering if she would still be there his heart stopped. Her seat was empty and she was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t fault her. He thought that if he were in her shoes he would have done the same thing and walked away. He went to his seat and picked up his tab and turned to walk over to the cashier to settle his bill when he bumped right into Rebecca.

“You’re not running out on me are you, Donald. I barely know you. At least let me learn to hate you before you run away.” Rebecca said dryly.

Donald could not tell if she had an amazing sense of humor or if she was a bit on the edge and ready to explode on him. But he had to say something.

“I was scared you had bolted on me Rebecca and to be honest I wouldn’t blame you if you had. I know I was intrusive, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and I could wait no longer.”

“Well if you need to know, Donald, I had to visit the ladies room if that is OK with you.” Rebecca replied with the slightest of grins. “You don’t think I would leave without my oyster do you?”

Donald reached up and pulled the chair back and Rebecca settled into her seat and started to sip on her drink. She looked over at Donald and said, “I guess you didn’t have as much pull in this joint as you thought you . . . . . . “ Before Rebecca could finish the sentence the soulful notes of Billy Joel’s Piano Man blared out through the loudspeakers of the bar.



Donald grinned and said nothing. That was his style.

The song started through and Rebecca took a long slow sip of her drink in a more relaxed state of mind than she had been in all night. She motioned for Donald to lean over so she could talk above the music.

“Do you know what line I really like in this song, that has become my personal anthem? It is a line that says ‘They are sharing a drink called loneliness but it is better than drinking alone’.”

Donald again was speechless for a moment not knowing how to respond. Then he picked up his bourbon and coke and proposed a toast to Rebecca and he knew just when to ask for the toast because that line of the song had become his personal anthem as well and he knew every word of the song. There was little difference between Rebecca and Donald. Friday night was Rebecca’s night to cry to the world and Saturday night had become Donald’s night to drown in sorrow. But tonight they are not drinking alone.

Donald clinked his glass against the glass of Rebecca and they smiled as Billy Joel sang only to them as if the words were written knowing they would someday meet on this night at this place.

“they were sharing a drink called loneliness but it was better than drinking alone.”

Donald mouthed the words as did Rebecca and they both took a long slow drink as their eyes searched into each other’s souls. The music played out and the final words faded into the fine grained wood of the upscale bar. No words were spoken. No words needed to be spoken. Billy Joel had said it all.

The chef brought out Donald’s plate of oysters, 13 in all, finely decorated and displayed with a flair and Donald started into them one at a time putting the cocktail sauce and horseradish on each one. Rebecca finished her red snapper and vegetables in silence although they both could feel the tenseness of the silence. It was fifteen minutes until they both finished up their meals at the same time.

Donald pushed the plate over towards Rebecca and said, “You know I saved the last oyster for you. I always save the best for the last and for the best. Here use this cocktail fork and dig in.” Donald handed her a sterling cocktail fork and Rebecca reached over and took it carefully.

Rebecca started towards the oyster and then stopped and said, “Before I do that I have something I need to say to you. Do you know where I went when you were gone?”

“Of course I do Rebecca. You went to the ladies room. You already told me that.”

“Yes, I did, but do you know what I went in there for?” Rebecca asked mysteriously.

“I think I know but I don’t want to get that graphic.” Donald said laughingly.

“Let me show you.” Rebecca said opening up her closed hand.

“No, wait. Please.” Donald pleaded. “Please, just eat that one oyster first.”

They sat and stared at each other and Rebecca yielded and gave in and reached over and put the fork into the meat of the oyster and pulled it up. She stopped halfway to her mouth. Underneath the oyster was a huge bright ivory white perfect pearl. She dropped the fork to the floor and neither of them moved or cared. Donald reached over and picked up the pearl and gave it to Rebecca.

“At long last I have found my pearl, my beautiful precious pearl. Please accept this from me. There is no commitment, no obligation, no requirements. Just now that I have found my soul’s special pearl. You do not have to see me again and you can even walk away from me now if you like but please keep the pearl. It will always be a reminder of what I feel for you. And by the way what were you going to show me?”

For the first time in a year of coming to the 1600 Club, the patrons heard Rebecca Clausen laugh out loud from deep in her soul, a heart soothing belly laugh.

“Whatever is so funny Rebecca? Was my old fashioned idea of a romantic too over the top? I don’t care. I am old school. Go ahead and laugh. I deserve it.” Donald rambled.

Rebecca stood up and opened her other hand and there was another pearl. Donald was speechless. He sat back down as his legs were wobbly.

“When I went to the restroom I took my pearls off and took off the best one and that is for you, Donald. So many years and so many Friday nights at this bar and other bars I have sat lonely waiting for my pearl to show up knowing he never would. I fought depression and loneliness through alcohol and therapy but could only play the pretend game every Friday night dreaming that someday somewhere a pearl of a man would come and pick up that drink and take me away. Please take this. You are my pearl.”

Donald could not speak. Words would not come. He stood up and held Rebecca close to his chest and hugged her tightly and without asking permission kissed her softly on the lips. It was a long kiss, not designed for a five star restaurant, but no one seemed to mind. Their lips parted and no words were said. Donald took his pearl and Rebecca took her pearl and they walked hand in hand towards the door.

No one cared about the bill. It would be on the house. They walked slowly towards the door and stopped and turned around and took one last look. Rebecca knew she would no longer need that seat at the bar. Ellen knew. Michael knew. Carl knew. Donald knew. Tears rolled down their cheeks.

As the door shut, the regular patrons who had seen her leave alone too many times before stood up at their chairs and tables and started a slow clap and ladies wiped tears from their eyes and first timers had no clue as to what just unfolded before their eyes.

Michael stepped forward and announced, “Ladies and gentleman, drinks are on the house. This is a night to celebrate.”

The limo pulled slowly out into the darkness of the Greensboro night.