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.

she accidentally bumped into someone's chest.

she said. If her nose

collided with, didn't seem to feel any pain. He responded

saw me but chose to walk into me, Mister Richard. You're the one who's

his composure and remained unfazed.

suddenly realized that he might be her

a favor?" She stopped him

can't," he

and threw her pride to the wind. She began to plead shamelessly, "I need to get inside, but the security guard won't let me

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 not to be affected by

to brainstorm alternative solutions. Perhaps she could

when Richard suddenly asked, "Why do you need