Satiricus was devastated. He and his buddy Cappo were doing their appointed rounds (of beer) at their designated spot at the back of the Back Street Bar. And then Cappo sprung the news on him.
“Bai Sato, me and de wife, abee decide fuh lef,” said Capp while staring at a spot behind Satiricus’ left ear.
“Leave? You and Rukmin getting divorced?” asked Satiricus in a puzzled voice. “I didn’t know you had such big problems.”
“Naa. Abee ah lef fuh guh ‘Merica,” he said slowly.
“What??!” Satiricus couldn’t believe his ears. “Where are you going to get the money for backtrack?”
“Abee na gat fuh guh back track,” reported Cappo, “Abee get ten-year visa.”
“I didn’t even know you were going in for visa,” said Satiricus, obviously aggrieved.
“Well, me hear da one-foot chap who bin ah beg get visa,” explained Cappo, “An’ me and de wife decide fuh try.”
“But why you want to leave Guyana, Cappo,” asked the distraught Satiricus. “Your pension will be coming up soon. You don’t want to enjoy life?”
“Sato, you an’ me ah fr’en’ laang,” said Cappo. “Me cut cane all me life, an’ still yuh gat fuh buy beer fuh me? Wha’ mek?”
“Well, I knew things was hard,” confessed Satiricus. “But I thought you were just hustling me!”
“Well, sometimes!” smiled Cappo. “But if t’ing bin brown den, buddaay, now ‘e black!”
“I heard about the Estate not giving any raise this year,” said Satiricus. “I’m sorry.” “Wha’ you gat fuh sarry fah?” asked Cappo. “Ah yuh leadah Nagga Man, gat all abee heah.”
“Now that’s not fair, Cappo,” protested Satiricus.
“Fair? Fair?” said Cappo, his voice rising. “E fair Naga Man allow de guvment fuh shut dong de estate, when ‘e pramise da na guh happen?”
“What can I say, Cappo,” said Satiricus sadly.
“Well, yuh can seh to yuh adda leadah Rum Jhaat fuh proteck yuh fram all dem bandit when me gaan ah New Yark!”
Satiricus didn’t say anything.
