< Situations and Revelations Of Passing Notice in Guyana >
Locket #1
This work getting seriously out of hand. People don't realize I am the sole and
solitary porter employed at the Canal District 2 Mortuary. I can't do any better,
otherwise I would seek to secure permanent employment elsewhere. I have a
brother living in Trinidad. He write telling me how bodies piling up with all the
killing over there.
I here working twenty four hours per day. Receiving payment for just an eight
hour period. Advantage is being taken of my situation.
And seeing as how I living close by the mortuary parlour, contact is being made
to me at any given time to provide service which includes (a) washing and
cleaning of parlour (b) stitching and dressing deceased after postmortem
examination (c) Pick up dead morning noon or night and deposit same dead in
freezer. (d) Operate emergency power in case of blackout (e) Remove body
from freezer as per request of family midday or midnight.
Sometimes is me they call upon to bathe and dress the dead for quick religious
burial, but the money paid for performing "special tasks" goes straight in the
biscuit tin of the parlour supervisor.
Only the other day a dead fell out my hands which was under heavy strain to
transport the body from one location to another. This is a clear indication that
I alone cannot do the work with only two hands. More hands are needed and
urgently for the dead to be properly taken care of.
To add insult to injury the supervisor who drives the hearse is in the habit of
going from abuse of privilege to abuse and cursing related to my job abilities.
Bad enough I have to see and handle what temper or getting old does breed
and do to people.
This is clear indication of the action to come that is piling up. Advantage is being
taken of my situation
A. Sadhoo,
Canal District, Guyana
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Locket #2
The Magistrate at the Canal District #2 Assize has his listening and sentencing
ways. This is what I hear from the Clerk of Court Records (I am telling you in
the strictest personal confidence. Your ears only.)
Monday:
According to the prosecution, Defendant (name withheld) went to Lot 133
where members of the Pentecostal Church situated at above address observed
him during the service in a mango tree with a bag picking the fruit. An alarm
was raised and the defendant was later arrested and charged. Quantity of
mangoes found in bag: 32.
Magistrate frowning: Praedial Larceny. Defendant given options (a) dedicate
rest of his natural life to the Pentecostal faith or (b) 32 days in prison.
Defendant chose Option (b).
Tuesday:
Defendant in the court (bony fellow with scar across left cheek, name
withheld).
This lady open her shop doors but went to the back of her premises to do some
washing. After fifteen minutes she hear a noise coming from the front of the
shop. Came back to investigate only to find this fellow walking away with a
bunch of bananas and a carton of cigarettes and cigarette lighters valued
$2,000. Like he picking and choosing what he wanted that day with no intention
to pay.
Matter was reported to the police. Arrest was made. Defendant confessed to
charges. Magistrate scowling : Simple Larceny: Defendant sentenced 50 days.
Wednesday.
Defendant claimed he picked the mangos from a loaded tree in the compound
of the District Medical Office because no one else was picking them. Magistrate
glaring: Praedial Larceny: Defendant given 70 days.
You see this country? People does grow like guava and turn hard, that is all
I have to say.
A. Sadhoo
Canal District, Guyana
FARJOURNEY CARIBBEAN 