SPARKLE

Snow, minus five degrees, a clear view outside her window on the 47th floor.

It is 7pm.

The city seems to be asleep under a blanket of fresh fallen ice crystals.
An hour to go to a star studded award gala down at Picture Theatre to be
named amongst the most glamorous show and business people of the globe.

Samantha, CEO of the biggest oil company in the world, still undecided
what to wear for the event calls in her assistant Louise to lay down several dresses she had chosen earlier.
Pink, red, blue, burgundy, black, emerald are the colours that enter her eyes encouraging reactions she thought never would happen.

Adrenaline creating fireworks of emotions, feelings that lead to only one decision – BLACK.
The colour of the evening, a dress made to kill beautifully caressing her
body leaving only one small accessory – JEWELLERY.

Samantha asks herself whether she is in need of earrings, necklaces, rings
or bracelets.
Again she calls Louise to discuss, as so often in the past whether a piece of jewellery would enhance her overwhelming appearance.

Louise opens several leather boxes to unveil the most amazing neckpieces
Samantha has collected throughout the years. All are gifts from Presidents,
Kings and former husbands worth millions of dollars.

Samantha’s high powered job ensures not only that countries are supplied
with fuel to keep their existence alive but also to deliver the best prices for gas to consumers allowing mobility of work forces around the planet.

Contracts between the West and East are essential; diplomacy and integrity
are the ingredients of her successful career.

The air and ice become thinner and thinner but she gracefully walks on her
path to cheerful investors and stockholders presenting billion dollar profits quarter after quarter.

Flawless and hard are not only attributes that describe Samantha but also
diamonds, her favourite stones choosing a 56.5 ct diamond platinum necklace
given to her by a president of a nation smaller than New York City.

Louise approves the choice her boss made asking Samantha after having
read an article about the movie ‘Blood Diamond’, whether she knows where
her diamonds come from.

Samantha turns around explaining that she had received them from the head
of state for having successfully negotiated a contract between her company
and this small but oil rich nation on the African WestCoast.

Samantha carefully closes the clasp of the matching bracelet before slinding into her black mink jacket.

On street level her driver struggles to park the black limousine. Snowy roads limit easy car movement. Finally in time he swings the door open for
Samantha to take a seat at the back of the car.

Samantha kindly greets Carl while entering the car.

“Good evening M’am”, Carl closes the door swiftly.

The smooth handling of the car ensures a safe journey to the event.

Carl opens the communicator, “M’am, your shining beauty always takes my
breath away; especially tonite you look pretty amazing if I may say so. Your diamonds sparkle in the glistening moon light – fabulous.”

“Thank you very much Carl, you are always so generous.”

“Thank you. We’ll arrive in five minutes.”

“Thank you Carl” Samantha replies.

Suddenly a break in thought.

War, death, blood, oil, diamonds, casualties, fortunes,
genocide………..thoughts she never knew existed; is her mind playing tricks
on her?

Louise mentioned blood diamonds – are mine? Why this emerging dilemma.
What is happening to me? Samantha asking herself.

Gaining back her confidence,

We never question our pork – did miss piggy die an ethical death – we just
spice and eat it;

We never question our government – how do you spend our taxes, do you
support war lords or engage in genocide operations – we just pay to be on
the safe side;

Seeing through the clouds of doubt she has to remind herself after having
had this conversation several times that a diamond is a diamond. It is unique in its appearance and beauty.

The car stops, the door opens to a red carpet. Flashlight all over Samantha
walks into the lime light of her life…

…

How spicy is your pork chop?