Satiricus couldn’t wait to get to the Back Street Bar. He’d just ploughed through this long letter from someone who had to’ve been in the know, who advised Guyana “should return to Burnham’s development model”. Satiricus was a bit fuzzy – as he was on most things – and wanted to hear what Hari and Bungi had to say. They were the fellas who knew what went down back in the day.
“Listen, fellas,” said Satiricus excitedly as he sidled into his seat at the table where Hari and Bungi were already ensconced. “You read that letter about Burnham having all the answers to our problems?”
“Yes!” they both answered in unison as they passed him the beer the waitress just dropped off.
“Well?” he asked impatiently. “You know we’re in deep doo doo. What do you think of Burnham’s plans?”
“Sato, me boy,” said Hari expansively. “Burnham was full of a lot of plans – among other things! – but I guess you want to talk becoming self-sufficient in food?”
“An’ how de small man guh be de real man, na?” laughed Bungi.
“Well, yes,” replied Satiricus.
“Leh me start fuss,” said Bungi. “Budday! Wha mek yuh t’ink dem yout’ man wan’ fuh wuk pan de lan’ fuh produce food?”
“Well, yes, I do!” replied Satiricus. “They will make money!”
“Sato, ole fr’en’,” asked Bungi. “Abee cyan get cane cutta in all dem estate! An’ dem seh abee a get de hig’es pay in Guyana! Wha’ mek dem guh plant food?”
“But in addition to that,” said Hari. “Isn’t rice food? But the small rice farmer hasn’t become the real man yet!”
“So what is the answer?” asked Satiricus in disappointment.
“Budday, de Pee an See gat fuh stap counting business people money,” advised Bungi. “Wid all dem tax dem clap pan abee, nobady can buy anyt’ing and nobady can grow anyt’ing!”
“In other words, Sato,” said Hari. “The small man will only become the real man when he’s allowed to become a rich man!!”
