Satiricus was ecstatic. And when Satiricus was ecstatic it meant his inhibitions on delving into his pockets to supply his friend Cappo with beers at the Back Street Bar, had disappeared.
“Eh eh Sato! Suh wha’ put yuh in such a good mood, bai?” said Cappo as he polished off his second beer in the sweltering heat. “Me na a complain, yuh know!”
“Cappo my friend, happy days are here again!” Satiricus had a broad grin plastered over his face. “Haven’t you been reading the papers?”
“Well…yes,” said Cappo carefully, since he didn’t want to spoil his friend’s good mood. “But which part a de pay-pa yuh a talk about?”
“The Pee-an-See Congress, Cappo,” Satiricus said with feeling, “The Pee-an-See Congress! Prezzie said he’s bringing back all the things Burnt Ham stood for!”
“An da wan good thing?” Cappo said circumspectly.
“Well what else?” demanded Satiricus. “Burnt Ham was the most brilliant son of Guyana. He had so many good ideas!”
“Me hear da. But na HE bruk up de country and mek abee tu’n begga?”Cappo tried valiantly to keep any emotion from his voice.
“Cappo, one thing you have to learn,” said Satiricus heatedly, “is you can’t get fried eggs without breaking some egg shells.”
“Burnt Ham bruk up de country beca’se ‘e bin want fuh mek fry egg?” Cappo looked genuinely confused now. He chugged at his beer faster, since he suspected its source might dry up soon.
“That is just a saying, Cappo,” Satiricus said sternly. “Burnt Ham wanted to do great things for Guyana, so he had to make some tough decisions.”
“But if he bin suh bright, how come none ah ‘e bright idea na wuk?” Cappo had decided to take the plunge and risk his beer supply.
“Execution, Cappo, execution,” said Satiricus. “The man was so bright, he was light years ahead of his followers, who just couldn’t keep up.”
“Suh if Burnt Ham idea na wuk den, wha’ mek dem guh wuk now?” Cappo wanted to know.
“Because nowadays the leaders are just like the followers,” Satiricus smiled. “And they can’t muck up ideas they don’t understand!!”
“Suh dem guh talk de talk, but dem cyaan walk de walk?” Cappo smiled.
“That’s right Cappo,” said Satiricus. “Happy days are here again because we will HEAR about Burnt Ham ideas, but no action!”
Cappo signalled for another beer, in relief.
