Dear Editor,
I write on a few randomly selected stories to close out another demanding year. There is a slightly different take on these stories that, at one time or another, riveted the nation. Some will rear up in indignation, but, then again, that has never been a deterrent.
The ghost story of the year has to be this third term apparition. At various times along the way, it has been seen and heard by many. This disembodied tale has appeared in ominous black characters against a hazy white background in the form of an advertisement. Others swear on a stack of Chronicles that they similarly observed a fleeting configuration on a billboard. Reports have assumed such frightening proportions that the power behind the ghost has promised (before a cracked mirror, no less) to banish this wicked genie back into the cup whence it came. It is revealing that this phantasmagorical yarn continues to haunt.
It relays to Guyanese how much regard and confidence that the incumbent – ambition and hubris aside – has for the assembled coterie of hopefuls. If El Numero holds them in such disdain (that he must run again to save us from them), then why should we be any different?
Story number two involves the chamber of horrors from across the river. Hands down, this is an unparalleled real life Guyanese tragicomedy. I say this with respect to 2009, not knowing what is stored up for 2010. As if to insult the tragedy surrounding the victim, along comes the attending practitioner wearing his own hood, at once clownish and grotesque. I am wont to believe that a reasonable and rational citizen (an endangered species, admittedly) would recoil, have an enquiring mind, and be filled with all manner of concern, if not trepidation. The what, the who, the how, and even the why would all be uppermost. But this was not the case at this time, in this place, and for this professional party. Yet he was meticulous enough to note that the “bag was not tightened at the neck…” Further, that there was the nobility of purpose to respond to an off-hours call, and to prescribe medicines to boot. If this was a plea for mitigation, or a denial, both fell flat and way short. In fact, given the ugly circumstances, this defence arises to the level of a “see no evil, hear no evil” black comedy of an especially deplorable genre.
The third enthralling story was about the horserace of the year: the much anticipated opposition leadership contest. Forget anticipation; this was a foregone conclusion with most of the race excitement and jockey’s objections and stewards’ inquiries generated in the pre-Congress heats. In the beginning, converted punters – and assorted experts – saw stalking horses, dark horses, and outside horses in clean competition. However, the event itself was found to be heavily handicapped, and turned out to be a one horse, no contest won going away in very muddy conditions underfoot, and even murkier light overhead. This fix(ture) was so conclusive that a one time favourite reversed course, and quietly cantered away into the twilight. Since that resounding victory, the invested has cloaked himself in a mantle of invisibility. Only in Guyana is it possible that one leader has retreated into the shadows, while another one casts about to find the shadow of a five year resting place.
There were other interesting stories such as the ones surrounding the liaison and the lad; the doctor and the debtor; and the lawyers and landowners. But those are for another time. For now, best wishes to the Guyanese family wherever it might be for an enjoyable season and a rewarding New Year.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
