Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl left the hospital and hailed a taxi. She gave the driver Esther's address and, after a half-hour ride, they arrived at their destination. Pearl paid the fare, stepped out of the cab, and made her way to the entrance. However, a security guard stopped her in her tracks.

"Please show me your ID," he demanded.

"I'm a friend of the resident here. She invited me over," Pearl explained.

"You say you're her friend. Do you have any evidence? If not, please leave now." The security guard appeared skeptical, unsure if Pearl's claim was legitimate or if she might be an overzealous fan trying to sneak in.

"I can call her to confirm," Pearl suggested, reaching for her phone.

The security guard, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to this proposal.

Pearl attempted to call Esther, but there was no answer after three consecutive calls.

"Alright, ma'am, you'll have to leave if you can't provide any evidence," the security guard said impatiently, keen to resume his duties.

bumped into someone's chest. She winced and

going?" she said. If her nose got deformed from the bump,

she had collided with, didn't seem to feel any pain. He responded calmly, "Weren't you watching where you were

me but chose to walk

sarcastic remark, Richard maintained his composure and remained

was stern, but Pearl suddenly realized that he might be

favor?" She stopped him and

I can't,"

her pride to the wind. She began to plead shamelessly, "I need to

a cold glance and interrupted

you have to be this cruel, Richard?" Pearl felt deflated by his rejection. Although she had grown thick-skinned enough

took a deep breath and tried to brainstorm alternative solutions. Perhaps she could climb over a wall, although that seemed dirty and

Pearl was surprised when Richard suddenly asked, "Why do