Satiricus was shaking his head and muttering under his breath as he nursed his beer. His friend, Cappo, had allowed this to go on over the course of two slow beers and was getting impatient.
“Wha’ mek yuh na jus’ talk wha’ deh pan yuh min’ Sato?” he finally asked, as the Back Street Bar slowly filled up with more than the usual suspects. The sugar estate wasn’t “grinding” and most of Cappo’s cane cutting gang had to now cut their time. The Back Street Bar always provided a welcome refuge. With cutters!
“Didn’t you read that letter about all those overseas Guyanese who helped this government get elected and now have been left in the cold?” Satiricus said pointedly. “Doesn’t it bother you?”
“Budday, wha’ badda me ah de Guvment guh shut dong all dem suga estate,” replied Cappo, “an’ no baddy na do nutting.”
“But YOU didn’t vote for the government, Cappo,” pointed out Satiricus. “You were always bad mouthing Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat.”
“Suh beca’se me na vote fuh dem,” asked Cappo, “dem mus’ punish me?”
“Listen Cappo, don’t change the subject,” said Satiricus accusingly. “You think those people who worked so hard for the government overseas, should just be dumped?”
“Me naa change de subjik, Sato,” replied Cappo with some heat. “Dem outside people done gat jaab. Ah abee in Guyana na gat jaab!” They signalled for two beers to cool down.
“But shouldn’t they get something?” Satiricus persisted. “Where is the morality?”
“Da wan prappa big word, Sato,” said Cappo slowly. “Suh dem wuk fuh t’row out de PPCEE jus’ fuh get big jaab and big money ya-suh?”
“Why you think they only want “big job”?” demanded Satiricus. “They just want to help us.”
“Help abee??!! Yuh na see da chap fram Florida who help dem,” countered Cappo. “Dem had fuh gyaam big warehouse contrack w’en ‘e na even gat wan battam house!”
Satiricus picked up his beer with a contemplative look.
“Huh much warehouse yuh t’ink de Guvment gat fuh gi’e ‘way?” asked Cappo as he also picked up his bottle. “Or chicken contrack?”
Satiricus didn’t say anything and they downed their beer in one long gurgle.
