Satiricus was ecstatic. For the second week in a row, he and his buddies were enjoying a “long weekend” like the Americans. They arranged their holidays to make sure this happened but this time with both Christmas and New Year falling on Sundays that took care of that. He and the fellas were doing their “Year-in-Review” at the Back Street Bar. “Suh wha’ yuh t’ink guh happen to de Jubilee Stadium?” Bungi wanted to know. “Me na see nuttin a guh-laang deh.”
“You mean the BILLION DOLLAR Jubilee Stadium?” grinned Suresh. “The businessmen who the Government owe $238 million can put in a claim for it!”
“If the Park cost $1.37 billion, I don’t think it’s fair to give it to the businessmen for $238 million,” ventured Satiricus.
“Sato me fren’, at de speed dem wood-ants a wuk pan de young wood dem contractah pass pan de guvment,” said Bungi, “Me na t’ink de Stadium gon stand up fuh des Independence spo’t!”
“Talking about ‘sport’,” interjected Georgie, who was visiting from New York and was “standing” the beers, “how come everybody sporting so much when alyuh tellin’ me t’ings hard?”
“Georgie, you fellas in New York follow world news, right?” asked Hari, who had been concentrating in downing as many beers as he could, since it was free.
“Sure!” exclaimed Georgie, pleased that his cosmopolitan exposure was recognised.
“Well, you hear about “demonetisation” in India?” continued Hari, as the other fellas took up the slack in free beer consumption.
“Sure!” said Georgie repeated effusively. “The government want to remove cash from circulation.”
“Well, Georgie,” said Hari. “Poor people sporting here because our government has a demonetisation policy also.”
“Really?” said Georgie in a puzzled tone as he signalled for another round of beers. “I don’t get it.”
“It works like this, Georgie,” explained Hari in a patient tone. “If we keep money in the bank, the government taxes it. And if we keep money in the house, the bandits steal it.”
“Suh abee just spend wha’ money abee gat!” said Bungi who couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Demonetisation!” grinned Hari, as he lifted his bottle. “Let’s drink to the success of Sato’s Government!”
