Martyrs and Neekharams

TIMES INT'L

Satiricus got ready in a hurry to go to the Back Street Bar. It was Enmore Martyrs’ Day and it was the first year he and the fellas weren’t going to the official commemoration. When the Pee-an’-See government had closed down those four estates, it seemed like something had died in his pals, Cappo and Bungi. They’d literally given their lives to the industry, yet they weren’t bitter with Satiricus whose KFC party was part of the government.
“Budday, wha’ abee guh goh fa?” said Bungi to Satiricus’ question, as he nursed his beer. “Dis a wan mockery fuh wha’ dem people dead fa?”
“What do you mean?” asked Satiricus softly.
“Well, dem people back den bin know “cut an’ load” guh tek advantage pan dem, when dem stap “cut an’ drap,” said Cappo.
“An’ dem seh, ‘to hell wid dis!’ an’ dong tools!” continued Bungi. “Even de Police bullets na stap dem!”
“But what you think the unions should do,” asked Hari, in his quiet way.
“Hari me fr’en, dem sh’u’da tek example fram dem ole people,” said Cappo, seriously. “Dem sh’u’da guh ah de Monument an’ protes’ ‘gainst de Guvment wha shut dong dem estate!”
“But what if the Police had shot them when they protested?” asked Satiricus anxiously. “I know Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat wouldn’t have agreed to that. But what if?”
“Na tell me ‘bout dem two neemakharaam!” said Bungi viciously. “But if de union people bin friken fuh get shoot, dem sh’u’da stay home.”
“I agree with them, you know Sato,” said Hari. “Martyrs stand up and die for a cause, and if you can’t do the same, what’s the point of taking flowers?”
“Yuh see Sato, suga’ worka a pay dem union people,” said Cappo. “And de pay na fuh fetch flawah!”
“If dem cyaan stan’ up fuh de worka,” said Bungi. “Dem sh’u’d sit dong in dem house.”
“Like Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat?” asked Hari slyly, as he looked pointedly at Satiricus. “Can’t see them nowadays!”

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