Satiricus was bemused at all the flak the government was taking on the oil contract. As he ambled over to the Back Street Bar, he worked himself into a mood of righteous indignation. “Suddenly everybody’s an expert!” he thought. He decided he’d put his foot down on the matter with his friends who as usual had already gathered at their watering hole.
“Why can’t you fellas be more patriotic?” he demanded even before he took a swig of the proffered beer.
“Ah who abee betray dis time, Sato?” asked Bungi absently. He was used to Satiricus’ non-sequiturs.
“Our government, that’s who!” said Satiricus sternly. “Everybody’s on their case on the oil contract!”
“An’ wha’ wrang wid da?” asked Cappo. “Na wan schupid contrac’?”
“That’s just what I mean, fellas,” complained Satiricus. “Vexxon is a foreign company and we can’t show foreigners we’re divided.” Everyone’s eyes swivelled towards him.
“Let me get this straight, Sato,” said Hari. “You think Guyanese should stay quiet on the oil contract?”
“That’s right,” said Satiricus. “The contract is already signed…A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
“Na if de bird in de bush’ a wan gold bird!” said Bungi. “An’ de bird in yuh han’ a wan kiskadee!”
“Sato, lissen to me,” said Cappo leaning forward. “Yuh t’ink yuh party leadah Trat Man a wan smart fella?”
“Yes, he is,” said Satiricus.
“An’ yuh t’ink he get de bes’ contrack fuh abee ile?” continued Cappo.
“Well…may be could’ve done better,” Satiricus conceded. “But boat gone a water!”
“But in this case,” interrupted Hari. “The boat can turn back! Contracts can be renegotiated.”
“But everyone will say, we don’t keep our word,” fretted Satiricus. “We’ll get a bad name!”
“But yuh Prezzie own advisah seh plenty country a re-negotiatt all de time,” said Bungi. “De man name Namgal.”
“But people will say we are greedy,” said Satiricus.
“Suh Vexxan na greedy?” asked Cappo. “How come dem na shame?”
Satiricus became silent.
