Satiricus literally wiped some sweat off his brow. That was a close call, he thought, as he walked slowly over to the Back Street Bar. Here it was, President Grain-Ja had announced he had “concerns about sections of the media”. And when Satiricus was told by his editor that several persons had specifically called up employees of HIS newspaper and threatened them about their articles, he thought his goose was cooked – along with his media house.
“But not to worry, fellas!” he said boisterously to his friends after he sat down and explained his worry. “The Pee an’ See just retracted the statement!”
“Wha’ da mean?” asked Bungi. “Grain-Ja nevah seh ‘e concern ‘bout de media?”
“Well, they said the statement was taken out of context,” explained Satiricus.
“Suh dem na deny ‘e seh suh!” said Cappo. “Dem explain wha’ de ‘can-tex”?
“No they didn’t,” admitted Satiricus. “But they did say the PNC believes in freedom of information.”
“Sato,” said Hari with raised eyebrows. “I was worried when the President mentioned “certain sections of the media. Did they say which sections?”
“No…but my paper was threatened,” said Satiricus. “I’m hoping this explanation will stop those threats.”
“Budday, pick sense fram nansense, na?” said Bungi. “Dis President guh do wha’ HE waan fuh do!”
“Yes!” butted in Cappo. “Burnt Ham always use fuh seh ‘e gat plenty way fuh kill wan cyat!!”
“You mean they’ll find a way to close down my newspaper,” said Satiricus apprehensively.
“What you think? Army people does only think in black and white,” said Hari. “The President is trained to see disagreement as disloyalty!”
“All cassava get same skin but all nah taste same way, Sato,” said Bungi. “Army people a t’ink differen’.”
“Dis wha’ bin friken me when ayuh KFC jine up wid them PNC army people,” said Cappo. “Dem people guh jail all abee, much less close down ayuh paypa!”
“I’ll have to speak to Nagga Man,” said Satiricus. “Maybe he got them to change their minds. He’s an old newspaper man, you know!”
“Yeah right!” snickered Hari.
