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.

Pearl turned away, she accidentally bumped into someone's chest. She

were you not looking where you were going?" she said. If her

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

recognized Richard's voice and was annoyed by his presence. "You saw me but

his composure and

that he might be her

you do me a favor?" She stopped him and looked up

I can't," he

She began to plead shamelessly, "I need to get inside, but the security guard won't let me through.

and interrupted her. "It's none

have to be this cruel, Richard?" Pearl felt deflated by his rejection. Although she had grown thick-skinned enough not to be affected

deep breath and tried to brainstorm alternative solutions. Perhaps she could climb over

Richard suddenly asked, "Why do