Nevispages weekly feature by Curtis Morton Sr.
The way I see it, some days and weeks will be hectic and others may be perceived as monotonous.
Well, this week was really hectic for me and there were times when I had to pause and ask God, to help me to complete certain specific tasks, within the stipulated deadlines. Well, by his grace, I made it through. Thank God for the Sabbath day, so we can truly rest from all our labours. I really cannot understand how some people survive, working seven days a week-24/7-sometimes manning two and three jobs.
Well I newa!
But, that’s another full topic, for another time…..
However, despite the fast pace and the workload, I still somehow managed my full share of drama.
Dear reader, I am convinced that every single week that God allows me to spend on this earth, people literally go out of their way, to give me things to write about – most times unwittingly.
Case scenario number one:
I had to go to my favourite banking institution – the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union, but based on some long lines that I had seen earlier in the week, I knew I had to move early. Man, God brought me back from my deep sleep at about 4 am on Tuesday morning and after thanking and praising him, I hustled to get my chores done and to get ready.
I got to the Credit Union at about 8.40 am and to my chagrin, there were already 12 persons before me! Well, it certainly was a lot better than those long lines I had seen on Monday, so I settled down to wait until the 8.15 opening.
More people were coming by the seconds and then suddenly it struck me: If I did not do something about it, there would be a problem – big problem. Now, I am generally a very shy person, but I have learnt to be a lot more assertive, as I have been inspired, that God made me to be a leader.
That inspiration came when I attended a seminar some time ago and it was revealed that a white writer, wrote something to the effect that if you place some black people in a room, to await a regularly scheduled event if the established leader does not show up for a given day, the black people would just sit and do absolutely nothing. They may even start to curse and say all kinds of things about the leader who did not show up. The example was used that for instance, there is a class setting and the tutor does not show up one afternoon, the black persons in the class would just sit idly waiting. None of them would take a leadership role and say something like: ‘Let’s revise our last lesson until the tutor arrives…’
So, as shy as I am, I decided to take the bull by the horns.
I stepped up onto a little sidewalk area so that everybody could see me and I said something to the effect that I think we should form a line, in the order that we came, or there may be chaos when the door opens.
Having said that, I waited for the explosion. It was not long in coming.
Popular former athlete, Mr. Skeete, was at the top of the line and he shouted: “I understand what you saying, but everybody know when they came, so there will be no confusion.’
Nobody moved to form the line. Well, I figured that I had given enough of a speech, to last the rest of the month, so I kept quiet.
Moments before the door was opened, I realized that Mr. Skeete was in the number one position. He had actually arrived first! He then had the audacity to say very loudly: ‘You all ready to form the line now?’
I could not help it. I retorted: ‘So you outsmart everybody. You knew you were safe in number one and you encouraged the others not to form the line?’ He laughed.
When the door was opened, you no want to see pushing and pulling. Then the confusion:
‘Me in front ah you uh know.’
‘Me behind da gel dey…’
It was high drama that could have been avoided.
What really disappointed me though, was this nice looking girl who suddenly appeared in front of me. When I had counted 12 persons, she was probably not even born yet!
Fortunately, one of the BRUGUS in the line shouted: ‘Hey, me aint know whey you going, but your place is way behind there (pointing)’. The cute faced girl said: ‘I know. I will wait.’ However, as the line moved—she moved.
I said to myself: ‘Self, this girl is a calculated con artist.’ I watched her closely. As the line moved—she moved. When my turn was approaching, I played my card. I stated quite loudly:
‘I am behind Catherine.’ She got the memo. She stepped back, to let me go through, but as another Teller called for the next customer, she went up.
She had pulled off a most brazen heist, in broad daylight and probably felt good about herself too.
Another man, sent his little boy, way up in the line, while he kept his rightful position, but the BRUGU spotted the move and let the whole world know, so the poor little boy, had to exit the line.
Going forward, I think the Credit Union and maybe other institutions, should implement a numbering system so that persons are given a number, based on the time they arrive. It will certainly avoid a lot of confusion and someone told me that one day, two persons actually pulled off a little fistfight, over a position too.
Case scenario number two:
The same day, having received the money, I went to pay some bills.
I went to this particular institution (which will remain unnamed, for the purposes of this class).
The nice-looking young lady told me that my bill was $78.20. I asked: ‘So how much do you all give for a US dollar? She said ‘2.70.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Please give me my bill based on the US currency.’ She pulled out her calculator and looked at me and said: ‘211.00.’ I nearly dropped everything I had in my hand.
I don’t normally stutter but I found myself stuttering like: ‘Weeeee on the saamme wave length here?’ I said again: ‘It’s the US amount I need.’
She pulled out her calculator again and with an air of arrogance and frustration, she raised her voice and said quite loudly: ‘That’s what I was telling you-it’s 211.00.’
Now, dear reader, I did not do too well in school with Mathematics and her air of conviction almost persuaded me. Me nar lie.
Ah mean, she said it so loudly as if to tell the other people in the line, how dunce I was!
But something deep inside told me not to give up. I said quite softly: ‘Please divide the $78.20 by 2.70.’
She watched me like—who you ah talk to?
Fortunately, a lady appeared. I guess she is a supervisor of some sort because she said in quite an authoritative voice: ‘The gentleman is correct. How you get $211.00?
She took away the calculator and told me $29.00 US would do it. I then said quite audibly: ‘Now it’s making sense. Now we cooking on gas!’ For the remainder of the transaction, the young lady said not a word. When I wished her all the best for the season, as I was leaving, I don’t even know if she responded.
Those two incidents have taught me some pointed lessons: Jesus would want us to be honest in all of our dealings and we can’t be WRONG and STRONG and should always be humble enough to apologize when we make mistakes.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?