Satiricus was grinning from ear to ear. Since it had been raining steadily every day for the last week, and the fellas knew he hated rainy weather, his imitation of the proverbial Cheshire Cat – or the Joker, if you will! – did raise some eyebrows among the faithful patrons of the Back Street Bar. Not that they minded, since a happy Satiricus meant more free beers.
“Suh wha’ mek yuh a skin yuh teet’ all de time?” asked Bungi who couldn’t keep his curiosity under wraps any longer.
“Maybe he win the Lotto,” grinned Hari as he ordered another beer. “That’s the only thing that could perk him up so much!”
“Or if ‘e wife gat hassa curry waitin’ fuh am, w’en ‘e guh home!” Bungi chortled. Satiricus’ love of hassar was legendary.
“Better than that, fellas!” Satiricus said brightly. “We already start getting’ ready for Mash 2017!!”
“Who is ‘we’?” Hari wanted to know. “I barely survived Christmas and New Year!”
“‘We’ is we Minister of Culture, my friend,” said Satiricus. “Didn’t you read the announcement? She said we will be assembling at Stabroek Square, revelling along Brickdam and culminating at the D’Urban Park!”
“Yuh guvment close dong de suga fact’ry,” Bungi pointed out with some heat. “Me nah gat jaab, suh how me guh celebrate afta wan hard day wuk?”
“Bungi is making a good point for a lot of other workers, Sato,” said Hari soberly. “And so the vendors who move back to Stabroek Market Square have to move again?”
“C’mon fellas,” pleaded Satiricus. “It’s a good sport for us to enjoy. Think of the fireworks at Jubilee Durban Park!”
“Budday! Yuh know wha’ wood ants do to dem wood-stand in dis rain?” Bungi wanted to know. “Yuh guh tek yuh life in yuh han’!
“Well, my leader Nagga Man tell me they will find seats for the PPCee people this time!” smiled Satiricus. He ordered another round of beer.
