-HA... HAAHAHAHAHAH WUHLOSS HAHAHAHA MUH BELLY HAAHAHAHA

OH LAWD...NUH MORE... HAAHAHAHA.





Laughter fills the room.Mac Fingall is on stage and is join by Trevor

Eastman,The Madd Group from Barbados ,Spranalang and Nicki Crosby from

Trinidad ..jokes galore.the madd group does a hilarious sketch of their

song-WHO PUT DE PEPPER IN DE VASELINE. Carol Anne Scantlebury plays a

reporter,who peeps in through a key hole and relates the going-ons to the

audience.Eric Lewis runs out of the house and begins singing~~Who put de

pepper in de vaseline~~. A Policeman,name PC Hook Stick,a distance cousin of

PC Brooms arrives in a squad car.He has come to make an arrest,because

someone called and reported a disturbance.He takes one look at the situation

and tries to arrest Carol Ann. she protests,asking him for an explanation.

He tells her,he is arresting her,because she is resisting his advances.He

pulls her by the hand and ask for her phone number.she looks at him,cuts her

eyes and shouts-CAN'T TOUCH DIS,then walks away singing and dancing.there is

a mix with both songs.



Eric ; who put de pepper in de vaseline?



Carolanne S; uh don't know Eric,but yuh see dis body, yuh can't touch dis.





The women in the audience are singing and dancing.it turns into a teasing

session,leaving many men sweating,especially when the women sings-can't

touch dis and illustrate the DIS. it's another jam.Trust uh bajan to find uh

jam...thus,we have the word BAJAM.



wukup,wukup--jam jam jam.



Mac Fingall,Trevor Eastman and the other comedians have left the stage.the

video camera is still rolling.Patrick and Sweet C are dancing,fulfilling a

promise made from the party.They look at each other and laugh,remembering

the conversation they had had at the party. they decide to continue

flirting.





It's time to leave,but first they have to find Marlene.Lil Rick has Marlene

doing de stamina dance.She looks really exhausted.At the end of the song,she

kisses him and walks away,her face wet with perspiration.Time to go.The MC

had,earlier, announced the price of tickets for the parties tonight.$15.00

each.the promoters decided to make the parties interesting.After paying for

a ticket,the person goes over to a big box,put his hand in and pulls a

ticket.if you pick the Bajan Queen party.you party on that boat.if you pick

Habour Master,then it's more party on that boat.The Habour Master has two

levels----uh wuking up level and uh real stamina-bajan wuk-up level---.on

that level you will find the real wukupologists like Lil Rick,Gleske,Allion

Hinds,The Square One Possee and Tall Boy.The Bajan Queen is a

rum-punch-knock-me-down kind of party,but it doesn't matter which boat you

get on,you are guaranteed a good time.



They walk towards the ticket box.a little shake,a hand goes in,pulls out a

ticket.eyes look at it and a mouth scream,another mouth sucks it's teeth

(scruups).

Leslie pushes her hand in and pulls out a Harbour Master ticket. no

smile.she has never been on a boat.



Veronica pushes her her hand in and pulls out a Habour Master ticket.

Leslie and Veronica smile.They will be together.



-Shock..Shock..Marlene doesn't want to go to the party...rain gine fall

tonight..Shock..Shock.



Duawee pushes his hands in..he looks at Marlene,then Leslie,then

Veronica..he pulls out two tickets,drops one ticket into the box..he looks

at the other ticket in his hand..he will be dancing on the Bajan Queen.

Disappointment runs through him.he tries to buy another chance and give his

ticket away,but is told NO..one ticket,one chance.

under his breath the words;shite man.



The car leaves confusion and dancing in the room.Leslie's hotel. Marlene's

home.His home and rest.A full day empties unto the bed.a quick shut eye

becomes heavy snoring.



clock: tick tock.



phone rings..brnngggggg brnnggggg.



phone voice; hello..it's Leslie



Veronica: hi.. oh hi .. Leslie



Leslie; what time will you guys be here?



Veronica;what time is...is ...it.? (yawn)..



Leslie: it's six forty eight and we have to be there at nine o'clock

i'm just stepping out for something to nibble on..



Veronica; ok...let me ask Duawee... D...D...D what time will we be picking

up Leslie from the hotel?



Duawee; oh, about eight..tell her about eight o'clock.



Veonica; Leslie...he says about eight...ok...i'll see you soon



Leslie ; i'm sorry ...it seems like i was interrupting...



Veronica: no..we were sleeping.



Leslie: Sleeping?..emmmm. Veronica this is the best vacation i've ever

had.i'm having so much fun. i could stay here forever.



Veronica;yes,my sentiments exactly...i...i (yawn).. get the feeling my

ancestors came from the islands,not necessarily Barbados, but one of the

islands. i get a sense of belonging whenever i meet one of Duawee's

friends.i just feel like i have met them somewhere before.



Leslie;i can understand how you feel.when i was dancing with Chris at the

club,i had the strangest feeling.I,really need to see him again,but i didn't

get his phone number.could you ask Duawee for me?



Veronica; ok,,i'll ask him later. which song did you like best?



Leslie; all,of them..i especially liked..I'M COMING HOME..i cannot remember

the girl's name,but the song was very touching. It made me feel like i'll be

in that same situation when i'm leaving..the same scene,the same

words..everything, by way of that song.



Veronica; i liked TORN...i cried when she came from behind the

curtains,holding the baby and singing,but the bajan version of KILLING ME

SOFTLY. what a performance..i liked when the girl sings -(sings) killing me

softly with his song,killing me softly.. then one of the men would step

forward and project the pain in the song.i think it was so original.. some

of the rappers..BIG POS was real good ..everyone was good.



Leslie; yeah,but that song DE LETTER was just too sad,i felt like crying..



Veronica; yes...that song seemed too real.The strangest,most original was

the guy who did the slam poem.you remember the guy with the two girls,his

presentation was deep.my interpretation of his performance was..he's showing

us that communication by modern technology should not be the only medium in

which we rely.thus the the breaking of the phone.then by sitting on the edge

of the stage,shows how lonely life will become when one cannot call

another... Leslie that's the way i viewed it.



Leslie;yup,it sure was strange,makes you think about life and the y2k

problem coming soon..girl,i've gotten run...eight o'clock you say..i'll be

ready. I hope i see Chris tonight.



Veronica; you're in love after a few dances? hahaha ..well let's see if he's

there tonight..keep your fingers cross.



Leslie; you're right. i'm in love.



Veronica; see you later.



Leslie; ok...



(click,click)



Veronica closes her eyes and falls onto the pillow,her hands finding

Duawee's face and rubbing his chin.Without opening her eyes,her mouth finds

his lips and eyes lids.She kisses him,AWAKE .he smiles and hugs her.silence

moves around the room.A knock on the door breaks into the silence.Duawee

answers the interruption.a few words,laughter,sound of footsteps,a door

closes and he returns.



Veronica:everything ok?



Duawee; yeah...just a friend returning a favour.now where were we?. you

know,lately,we never seem to have much time for ourselves. There's always

something or someone getting in our way.





(looking at the clock)

Veronica; and the time will now get in our way..it's seven eighteen we don't

have enough time..



Duawee stays silent.



The bed begs them to stay,but they have to leave.

shower together.kisses.ends.





7:36pm. clock..tick...tick...tick

on the bed .~~stop tickling me~~ laughter ::/:: playing,before they

leave.another tickle and heat rises in their bodies.A small touch and a

serious look on their faces.



tick tock..bloody clock.. 7:42pm.

time to go.





Two lovers head out into the night,not knowing what awaits them.They are the

perfect couple.he,slightly,taller than her.her hair falls behind

her,shoulder length,a small curl of hair resting on her forehead.

In the car,she reaches over and kisses him,her feelings still within her.The

night lends an air of unhappiness throughtout the journey.A beautiful

night,but it has brought the realization of paradise ending,a love story

folding.The night,with little stars,as brought little comfort.she sighs away

her loneliness and wishes her nights take a longer journey.

Duawee's thoughts are similar.he,too,feels the love moving inside of him.his

head is full of scenarios._

his thoughts::""At the airport,on sunday morning,she kisses me.she leaves.a

few letters exchanged,a few months later loneliness again.""

he pushes the thoughts at the back of his mind.he continues;

""The night will be hers and mine,all i have to do is find someone to

exchange this ticket.""

^^^^

The car makes a detour near Junie's house.a small house appears in the car's

beaming lights and finds a recognizable face smiling.

A broad smile.Children run to the car,as it stops.Veronica smiles.Duawee

reaches into the glove compartment and gives them money,they thank him and

run away. Duawee grabs a small bag from the rear seat and exits the

car.Veronica exits also.

The face is waiting by the door.it's Ida,Mike's mother.she hugs both of

them.



Ida;how are you,young lady? yuh enjoying yourself?



Veronica; yes i am..how are you?



Ida;de old legs want to give way,but God wants me tuh go on a longer

journey,before i come home.uh have to stay around for Mike's sake...

thanks..thank you Duawee



Duawee; Here are the herbs i promised to bring for you..follow the

instructions and i'll be back in week to check on you..ok



Veronica;Ida..where's Mike? i have not seen him and i miss him.



Ida: oh..he was here doing homework,but he's gone to help my friend Bertha

with her shopping.he'll be back in fifteen minutes..yuh want anything to

drink?



Veronica:no thank you,we are picking up a friend from her hotel and then

heading to a party on the Harbour Master.



IDA;girl yuh gine have a good time..if dese old legs weren't giving me so

much trouble,uh would come and do uh jig wid wunna..haha..uh used to be uh

good dancer.My all time favourite singer..is Brook Benton..now that's what

uh call singing.. all uh hear nowadays is de young people singing through

their nose..they can't sing..they should listen to real singers and guh

practice..whu you think?



Veronica;i agree,but there are some who sing very well..you probably

wouldn't recognise their names..



Ida: they may sound good,but play their songs,after playing Brook Benton and

you'll see whu uh mean..hey Duawee dem children gehing you trouble.



Duawee had walked away while Veronica and Ida spoke.He wanted to find out

how the children were doing in school and what their individual aspirations

were.he was enjoying the conversations.



Duawee; no...they are good.some very smart,especially Kisha..she knows her

mathematics..she says she going to be a Computer Engineer or a Child's

Psychologist..



Ida; de children round hay bright..bright..they take their school work very

serious..



Duawee;well it's time we get going.



Ida: ok. hey Veronica..will yuh be back for uh visit before yuh leave.Mike

will brek he heart if he don't see yuh..so please stop by again.



Veronica: i will..i have to see my boyfriend before i leave.



Duawee;now i have competition for your heart..hahaha



IDA; yup..my Mike is uh handsome fella..he gine brek many uh girl's heart..



Duawee;well Ida..we have to get a move on,time's of the essence

i'll see you soon.



Veronica;see you ..i hope you feel better.



Ida: thank you...Duawee..i'll give yuh some money next time i see yuh hear.



Duawee;NO...no money..i wouldn't hear of it.



Veronica;take care and tell Mike,i'll see him soon.



Hugs and kisses.the children run behind the car as it leaves.It

meanders,slowly, along the broken road,it's light searching out the darkness

and devouring it.a long stretch of light find the end of road and traces

familar ground. the car's speed increases,then slows again,as it approaches

Junie's house.Junie waves as the car horn annouces its presence.no

Marlene..no Baby..no Lorraine.Junie is waiting on Lorraine,while the baby

sleeps and Marlene is on the phone.

=

=

= -

Outside the hotel,Duawee waits,watching the night flies buzzing the car's

window.Leslie comes into view..her body tight inside a blue dress.Duawee is

listening to music.Leslie pinches his ear,after she settles into her seat.he

laughs.

into the night ..to a party ..on a boat ..soca ..drinks

..food..dancing..partying.. romance..all in paradise.



Leslie; it's our last day tomorrow and i've finish my shopping.



Veronica; i've finish also..i might pick up somethings at the duty free when

i'm leaving......yeah when i'm leaving..



sadness takes over,silence remaining during the car ride.



Arrival brings the sounds of music,laughter,shouting and confusion.

Duawee needs to find someone to exchange his ticket.he walks over to the

Bajan Queen,but finds no one willing to give up their ticket.it's

impossible.he devices a plan.__*he will stay in the wrong line,play stupid

when he gets to the front and maybe the ticket collector will overlook his

ignorance and let him through.__

Back in the Harbour Master's line,he's talking with the girls.Lo and behold

Wendy appears .she is walking towards him.she's alone.Veronica does not see

her,at first.Wendy walks up and kisees him on the cheek. Veronica notices

and waves.Wendy returns the wave and is introduced to Leslie.



Duawee;So Wendy which boat are you going on?



Wendy: I had a ticket for the Habour Master,but i exchanged it for the Bajan

Queen....i drove my cousin's car.



Veronica; so, are you here alone?



Wendy; yes..single and disengaged.gotta go,the line's beginning to

move.enjoy yourselves ..bye.



They all look at her walking away,her dress clinging to her body. Veronica

looks at Duawee who's looking at Wendy.Leslie looks at Veronica,who's

looking at Duawee who's looking at Wendy, who's looking real good.Veronica

wishes the ticket collector will let her night go smoothly.The lines leading

to the different boats are about 100 yards apart.They reach the ticket

collector.Leslie hands him her ticket,he gives her a green ticket for her

free food and one rum-punch.Veronica receives same,after handing her ticket

over. Finally,Duawee hands his ticket to the man,who reacts with a scold on

his face.Bajan vex-words sprewing from his mouth.



Ticket collector; Man yuh pon de wrong boat,yuh can't read,it says right

hay..ticket for the Bajan Queen.



Duawee puts his idea into action.he decides to act foreign. He would be

Spanish--Cuban



Duawee; si..si.senor...me no speak ingles..Cuba...Viva Castro...here on

holiday..thank you..si...si senor.



Ticket collector; Sorry man..uh din know..de people bout hay like to work

nuff tricks,so uh was just checking..guhlong on board..have uh good time

and yeah..viva Castro.. haha



Duawee tries to supress his laugh,but on seeing Veronica and Leslie

giggling,he explodes into a healthy laugh.The man ignore them and continues

with his ticket collecting.



Veronica;(laughing)..so you speak spanish senor? now tell me about the

running of the Bulls and i'm not talking about Micheal Jordan and

basketball.



Duawee; sorry senorita ..me no speak english.



They walk away in fits of laughter with Duawee hugging Veronica.The boat's

movements made Leslie feel queasy..strange..she had never been on a boat.The

music lightens her uneasiness.she moves to a soca song.they mingle.Duawee

introduces them to his friends.Pat from his job is there with her

"boyfriend".Veronica recognises women's faces she had met at his place of

work.From the way some of the woman are fussing over him,maybe it should be

called his Place Of Worship. one woman goes a little too far.Even though she

sees Veronica attched to Duawee's arms,she plays the woman's game__let's see

how he reacts when i do this_.she walks over to him,takes her fingers and

runs them along his face,her words teasing,sensual and flirtatious.



Girl: Mr.Duawee..i'm so glad to see you.i miss you at work today..you know i

cannot do proper work without you being there..are we dancing tonight or are

you going to act all polite and ignore me.



Duawee;Ms Stephanie Holder i will dance with you,but first you must sober

up,so i can introduce you to my friends,secondly i am surprise at how you

would let a few drinks upend your moral character and thus display such

immaturity.



Duawee reaches over to her ear and whispers.the secret words make her

giggle.he smiles in return.Veronica and Leslie look at each other, puzzled.



The speakers interrupt the music.



Speakers;hello ladies and gentlemen..i'm your captain for the evening.my

name is Andrew Kayman and i want to wish you all a pleasant evening.we will

be a travelling along the west coast at eight knots. please read the safety

intructions on the broucher and have uh good bajan wukup time.



The music kicks in again,while a few more passengers give up their

tickets.Leslie goes to bar for her free rumpunch.Duawee stops her between

her utterance of -RUM -Punch please.he tells the barman to go serve someone

else.Duawee gives her a warning of her monsterous undertaking.He tells her

the drinks is lethal and she should avoid at all cost,since she has never

ridden on a boat,but she smiles and order the drink anyway.The barman tells

her to heed her "boyfriend's warning".

The temptation for this lethal drink is too overwhelming.



((!!!do we remember when God warned Adam and Eve about the apple and Eve

disobeyed,then faced the consequences.it's the same situation here.Leslie

has been warned twice,but she will not listen.let's see if,after the first

glass of rum punch,she will want to fly to New Jersey without an Aeroplane

(airplane).!!!)))



The boat pulls away the dock,swaying to a soca beat.The crowd erupts into a

loud::HAAAAAAAAYYYYY.a drink,a dance, everyone become friends.Above the

stars witness the bonding of strangers,pulled together by the same common

demoninator-good Caribbean music.



Leslie feels the sting at the back of her throat,it runs down her spine and

up to her head.The rocking of the boat mixed with rum punch leaves her with

an iere feeling,the music adds to the mix.She tries to focus her sight unto

the dance floor,sees Veronica and Duawee dancing,then tries to get up.Nope

her head sings,her body falls to the chair.she wishes she could move without

falling over again.In her head words try to keep her calm..:"""i will sit

out this head-swrling state,in which i've found myself,then i'll find a

dance partner..and ..and.. oh...i shouldn't have had that rum punch,i should

have listen to ..to...Duawee. oh...oh..my head..please hurry up and go away

.please..help me somebody..a table...thanks ..now i'll rest my head right

here..thank you..why doesn't this boat keep steady..there are

people,here,trying to sleep..oh..oh.."""



(Hard-ears yuh wun hear,Hard-ears yuh gine feel/fall)





The dancers on the floor are having a good time.a few women are taking the

dancing a bit too far.they pull up their dresses and skirts,showing more leg

than need be,getting down on the floor.

DOING DE DOG.it's a dancing frenzy.



Over in one corner we meet Vaughn Taylor and a beautiful girl wearing a

see-through dress ..let's drop in on their conversation.





Vaughn :yes, i've been here for ten days now and i am really enjoying

myself.how about you?



Girl: well i was born here,but i've been living in New York for the last

fifteen years.i'm what you would call a Bajan-Yankee..hehehe.



Vaughn ; oh i see and may i make an enquiry of your name?



Girl: my name's Monique,rhymes with unique.i'm a travel consultant. what do

you do?



Vaughn : i'm a mechanic.



Monique;oh..i've been looking for a mechanic for a while now.



Vaughn: oh..there must be plenty of those on New York.



Monique:yes..there might be,but i'm not looking in New York.



Vaughn;why, isn't that where you live?



Monique;yes...but... but.



Vaughn: oh.i love this song..shall we dance.. i love this...(singing)

faluma ding..ding..ding





Monique;ok...but will you be able to fix me up?



Vaughn: i'll need to travel to New York,thats very expensive..air fare,

accomadation..ecetera...



Monique: well you can fix it will i'm here.



Vaughn looks at her,very puzzled.



Vaughn: well i can take a look at a similar car,while i am here,then write

the problems down..what do you think is wrong?



Monique: needs an oil change.



Vaughn : An oil change..is that all?.well you can get an oil change

for about twenty dollars..what kind of car is it anyway?





Monique turns around,pushes back on him and whispers: I'm not reffering to

my car.





Vaughn stops dancing and walks to the bar for another drink.Monique watches

him and with her fingers calls him back on the floor.He swallows the drink,

dances through the crowd and begins singing;

""i'm de stamina daddie..works every morning and evening.

faluma.. ding ding ding..i'm de stamina daddie..oh lord have mercy.





Monique and Vaughn plan the rest of the night together.





Bill's eyes are lock on a girl wearing a blue mini-skirt,her legs running

though his mind.he smiles as he approaches her,holding his hands

out,inviting her for a dance.She says No...Iim tired,but Bill loves a

challenge,so he sits opposite her and engages in small talk.



Bill: Good evenng.i've been noticing you for a mighty long time and i was

wondering if,tonight,you'd be mine.



Girl:sorry..you seems very presumptuous..i'm here, minding my own buisiness,

waiting for my boyfriend to come back with my drink,so i would like you to

leave please.



Bill: presumptuous is my middle name...if i was your boyfriend i would not

have left you alone to be taken by these wolf men running around here..if he

did go to get you a drink..i think he jump overboard, because you have been

sitting her alone for about an hour and i've not seen any man nor boy..so

tell me what's your name?



Girl: my name is Elizabeth.,.what's yours?



Bill; would that be Elizabeth the First,the Second or should i call you

Elizabeth the Tired ,since you wouldn't dance with me.



Elizabeth;Tell me your name?



Bill: my name is Bill..but you can call me Bond...Bill Bond..shaken not

stirred..





Elizabeth: oh,so you're the poor man's James Bond,no sophistication and

maybe no car.



Bill; i've got three cars and i,also, have some gadgets with me ..hold this

glass for me..i'll show you.



Bill pulls out a pen.



Elizabeth; what's that for..what does it do?



Bill pulls a little lever and the pen spurts ink all over her dress.



Elizabeth;...now look what you've done..my dress is ruin.



Bill; opps sorry..now i've to buy you a new dress.can i take you shopping

tomorrow?

*****

Elizabeth: you did this just to get a date with me..are you serious?



Bill: i'm as serious as my middle name.so how about it? do i get the dance

or do i have to get out another gadget?



Elizabeth: no..no keep your gadget to yourself,you have done enough damage

for the evening..i'll dance with you.



Bill: thank you..i hope i don't have to resort to other means,if i ask to

buy you a drink?



Elizabeth laughs and walks away with him.she thinks it will be an

interesting evening.she wonders whether she should keep the dress with the

stain,to rememember the evening or should she get it clean.she's

undecided.she'll deal with that another time.

Bill and Elizabeth on the dance floor doing their thing.





____Now Let's check out what's happening on the Bajan Queen__





The boat's rocking to the latest soca song from Trinidad.Shanelle

Dempster's DE RIVER, Kurt Allen's STAMPEDE(dust dem).some familar faces on

this boat.Remember our two gypsy,New York, girls from the party..RAT NEST

HAIR AND BLEACH BLOND GIRL. They are still up to their old tricks,getting

into people's business.Looks like they can't find a man.



Rat Nest Hair is tearing into a piece of fried chicken.her mouth is

greasy,with bits of chicken and rice stuck between her teeth. Bleach Blond

Girl cuts her chicken with a plastic knife,then brings a fork slowly to her

mouth,savouring the chicken's flavour. It's a lesson in constrast.Rat Nest

Hair is eating like she licorish,while Bleach Blond Hair is a picture of

gentile eating.Rum,Music and two malicious women is a recipe for fun.They

throw the empty plates away and sip the rum punch.In their observations of

the dancers,they become judgemental,their coments are harsh.



Bleach Blond Girl; Oh lawdy.. look pon dah one wearing de mini skirt yeah de

one in de green..she shouldn't have leff home. she en see de man en wann

dance wid she..he's dancing with de girl next tuh she..she should be

shame..dem macaroni legs and she feel she look good..she face hard like uh

jukking board..hehehehe



Rat Nest Hair; hahahahah ...girl yuh breking muh up..some uh dese girl tink

dem look good..look at dah one in de long skirt,de skirt look like um get

wash too many times..um look ruff dry..she musse en had nuh iron.. look at

she shoe..dem look like she get dem free from uh shoe sale, and she seh she

wukking up..yuh see she boxie though..um pointy..pointy like uh pencil..and

just as sharp. eh.errh..she look real bad..ef uh did she mudder uh wodda

beat she and lock she up in uh bedroom..





Bleach Blond Girl; but de men en nuh better..look at dah one wid de yellow

shirt and de afro...shite,he look like uh ball uh pupp. all dah hair pon he

head and uh betcha he en got nuh brain..he wann mek people tink he got

education and is one uh dem professors..he look more like uh professional

liar..he in she ears..uh betcha he telling she that he's from overseas..leh

we go listen..





Rat Nest Hair; lemma finish dis rum punch...uh pon muh third, dis punch

ain't strong, um taste like juice..but yuh see dem girls over there..drunk

as a skunk and dem only had one..some people can't hold dem

liquor.(gulp..gulp)..awright uh ready..where we gine start?





Bleach Blond Girl: leh we go by dah man standing by heself..leh we see if he

got money..let we drink he out..yuh ready...fix yuh hair and yuh

accent..remember we is tourist..



The man sees the two girls approaching and smiles.They are not up to his

standard.they are not his kind of woman.too much false hair, horse hair.





Bleach Blond Girl:(speaking real posh) Hello,how are you? my name's is

Saseena.what's yours?



Man: oh...my name is Trent Bayley..are you and your sister Americans?



Bleach Blond Girl says yes and Rat Nest Hair shakes her head. Americans.



Man;oh,i'm from New York..where are you from?



Rat Nest Hair: we're from New York too..from Brooklyn.



Man;well i'll be.. i'm also from Brooklyn..Carnarsie to be precise it's a

small world..i kinda guess you were from New York by your hair-styles...

look real nice.what are you girls drinking?



They shout out : RUMPUNCH.





Man:ok...then go and buy three rumpunches..here's my six dollars,tell the

barman to put two cherries pon de top uh mine.



(losing the false accents,the two girls look at each other and then back at

the man)



Bleach Blond Girl; wait yuh en got nuh more money? we are ladies and should

not be buying our own drinks..whu part uh New York yuh from agen?





Man; look uh en from New York..uh is uh woman hustler from Trent Bay

St.James..thus de name Trent Bayley.hehehhe .wunna trying to jiff me,but uh

too slick fuh wunna..don't play uh playa, as de rappers would say.





Bleach Blond Girl and Rat Nest Hair look surprise.they have just been

played..only one thing left to do.PAINT HE IN CUSS.





Bleach Blond Girl; yuh kiss-me-@#$#$, hungry looking, hard face Scrub,who

yuh think yuh is..tekking de wimmin money and using duh. yuh en got nuh

pride in yuh?.uh had fine minds to slap yuh in yuh face and throw yuh $%^^^

overboard..but looka muh crosses fuh muh.. de blasted, bold face, n***** man

tek we fuh fools...uh wann uh drink,muh blood pressure gone

skyhigh..wuhloss.



Rat Nest Hair; hey..hey..yuh tink we did wann you ..we don't deal wid Scrubs

and uh Bajan Scrub at that,we got we pride..is people like you who does geh

de country uh bad name..walking bout de place,hussing coconuts during de

day,then,at night, chatting up de tourist wimmin, meking dem tink yuh does

wuk at uh bank.. if uh wasn't pon dis boat ..boy uh woudda wash yuh down in

cuss.. leh we lef here before we sin we soul..leh we leff de chigga foot

poppit.



The girls leave shame on his face.he tries to avoid the people's stare.he

walks through the crowd,to the bar and buy a drink..uh stiff one..VODKA on

the rocks.his ego is bruised and so,too,is his pride.





Rat Nest Hair: de nerve uh dah man..tekking we fuh fools..wanting we tuh pay

fuh we own drinks..boy he real lucky uh en cuff he..he wouldn't have gotten

away wid dat in New York...uh woudda carr he $%% outside and drop two cuff

in he mout and kick he..de nerve.



Bleach Blond Girl; i en spending muh time talking bout he..uh got mens tuh

see and drinks to throw down..remember we only got one more day.we leffing

sunday morning remember...so leh we move in pon another...alright..there's a

good looking wun...and he got a friend wid he...leh we go chosseling

...girlfriend.



They walk around the edge of the dance floor.Rat Nest Hair sees the man,who

had trick them.She kicks him as she passes.He makes a dog like

howl...oouhhhwwlll.



Rat Nest Hair: I'm sorry.....sorry yuh en dead..yuh musty,one teet, bald

head, big mout liar.



Man; wunna bout hay looking fuh man..uh hope wunna get whu wunna looking

fuh...good luck wid wunna pocket-picking.Darm pigeons,walking bout de place

wid false hair and tink dem special..scruups(sucking teeth)





Two men,Bleach Blond Hair and Rat Nest Hair are on the dancefloor wuking

up.Rat Nest Hair does de dog.A crowd gathers and shouting begins: "GO

GIRL..DO DE DOG..HE EN GOT NUH STAMINA..MASH HE UP".

Rat Nest Hair gets very bold,turns around,pushes she bumper back like

Allison Hinds.she has nuff boxie,more than Allison.de man rides de bicyle

pon it and when his tyre goes flat,he tags his partner,de conductor,who jump

pon she running board and wuk up..she gets tired and tags Bleach Blond

Girl...\/....





gal pon de ground ....winery

gal mek uh man run....winery

gal from New York.....winery

gal don't mek sport...winery

gal juk..jam..jam..juk..jam ..jam

the windmill she bottom

winery in de middle

bumper wiggle

winery pon de top

de road block

winery pon de side

bicycle ride



it's winery pon de bajan queen

two new york gals pon de scene

wuking up --juking down

uh wonder wheh dem come from

winery on de sea

eyes soak up de scenery

jam...juk juk..jam

all uh dis is uh bajan



wuking up...





The boat rocks.the rumpunch flows.the passengers are having fun.





The dance floor is full of gyrating bodies spilling themselves unto each

other.It's here we meet Candy and Dalvo.

********

Candy walks off the dance floor,fanning the heat from her face.Dalvo is

standing by the bar,sipping a cool ice-tea drink.Candy,a tall, slender body

of woman,walks over to the bar and orders a drink.the soca music had left

her perishing in the heat.she had dance with a man,who was hell-bent on

knowing her name and address.he seemed to be doing a survey for the

government,because after she had refused his request,he turn around and

asked another woman the same question.she was enjoying herself

nonetheless.the music was all she cared about.

Dalvo's eyes roam all over her body,searching for faults.none to be found.he

was lonely and needed companionship.the barman brought a cool glass of

Shav-nouve.(A glass,full of shaved ice,cinzano,coconut water,a dash of

lemonade,blackcurrant and vinella ice-cream,topped off with a cherry).she

sips and closes her eyes,welcoming the relief from the cold drink.her eyes

opens to find Dalvo's face close to hers. smiles are thrown back and forth.



Dalvo: it seems you needed that?i've never heard of that drink,i must order

one when i finish this ice-tea.



Candy: yes...i did...the music mixes well with my body heat. i cannot get

enough of soca.it's within me and i can't let go.whats your name?



Dalvo: the name is Dalvo Jendry.I'm here on holiday and enjoying it

tremendously.



Candy;that's an unusual name... love your accent...English right?



Dalvo: yes..English..my father is Bajan and my mother St.Lucian.i was born

in England,but the Caribbean genes are so strong within me,i see myself as

West Indian..let's say i'm Anglo-Caribbbean,with much emphasis placed on

Caribbean...



Candy: i know what you mean..it's hard not to feel West Indian,when the

music hits you..i was born here,but i live in the USA.i try to return here,

as least twice a year..once for cropover and any other time.. how about you?

do you come here often?



DBlvo: yes at least once a year.i divide my time between my Bajan and

St.Lucian families.there are not much differnce between their cultures,

apart from the way they cook.we are planninbg a famliy reunion next year. i

cannot wait..it's being held in july of next year,to co-incide with

cropover..my St.Lucian great-grandmother is one hundred and two years old

and my Bajan Grandmother is eighty three years old.my father says when the

two of them meet again..it's gonna be a good old Caribbean wuk-up..they can

still dance..i cannot wait.



Candy: i would love to see that..ahaha.. the rhythm never leaves you, no

matter how old you become...



Dalvo..yes...it's got me hook.. i just love it..but you are avoiding my

earlier question aren't you?



Candy: what question is that?



Dalvo: your name? what's your name? ...please.



Candy: maybe you should guess what it is?



Dalvo; let's see.. Jasmine...yes you look like a Jasmine...eyes as beautiful

as yours,your mother must have named you after a jewel.



Candy: wrong..here's a hint...sugarcane...something sweet.





Dalvo: not a Jasmine huh? something sweet...ammmm let's see ...it's

Candy...yes Candy





Candy: good guess...that's right.



Dalvo:i have a confession to make...i...i knew your name all along..i

enquired about you,when i first got on the boat..the girl you were with told

me your name..



Candy; you mean...my niece..she would never do something like that.



Dalvo: well i had to resort to deception..i told her i needed to know your

name,because your ticket was not signed at the back and it would make you

inelligible for the prizes,if you should win..i'm sorry..but i really needed

to talk with you..i meant no harm.



Candy; you're cunning..i must watch you..



Dalvo: if you look too long you may see that i need your company.. would you

like to dance?



Candy;maybe i shouldn't..maybe you will trick me,by getting me to reveal my

secrets ...i may not be able to contain myself,once i'm in your

arms..hahahaha.





Dalvo: well let's see how stand up against my interrogation.





They lay their glasses down and walk through the crowd of dancers

a soca song..DE DOCTOR by Square One.





Candy and music mixes well.she does a slow wine.Dalvo does his smooth London

wine.the dance he learnt from watching the revellers down at Notting Hill's

carnival, last year.two people wining to soca.two people getting to know

each other.two people smiling together.two people holding each other.

Candy and Dalvo cheek to cheek..now two people are falling for each

other..two strangers in the night. Candy and Dalvo..rocking to their hearts

content..two people becoming one in dance/embrace.





To the bar they walk,holding hands.two shav-nouves ordered and paid for by

Dalvo. they leave the bar and walk to the bow of the boat,the night wind

blowing through her hair.there are no words.

questions cloud their heads.==""we've just met..why do i feel this way for

him/her? why do i have this strong attraction for him/her.==""

A lip finds it's way towards a face.a little smack kiss presses gently,

against a mouth,lips full of surprise.

His hands cradles her body while she dances to the music.she feels safe.she

finds the stars blinking overhead and she makes a wish.his kiss is warm.she

is getting warmer.



Candy: i want to dance a.. a .. aqain.

her voice trailing off,nervously,into the night wind.



Dalvo; i love this view. don't you? it's a night for lovers.





Her hands around his back.his hands around her waist.the music flows around

them.the more they move,the more love they feel moving inside.

once a kiss.twice the bliss.

Candy and Dalvo,in love for one night or forever?



Who knows?





ACROSS THE BLACK WATER,ANOTHER BOAT,BOUNCING WITH MUSIC.



WE GO BACK TO THE HABOUR MASTER.





soca....soca..soak her down..soca..soca...soak me down TOO.





Veronica is helping Leslie recover from her drunkard state.warm ginger ale

sparkle from a glass.sip..sip..Leslie's eyes blink.she feels a bit

better.Veronica is concerned.Leslie has not eaten anything

Another try with food brings on a NO(head shaking).The glass is refilled.SIP

SIP. she looks brighter.she is talking.



Leslie: hey..Veeee...where am i... gosh you look real nice in your

dress...who are all these people?...hey Vee i love this place --- bbbbb

aarbadosss i lovee youuuu..(shouting)



her head falls forward.she is still knocked out by the rum punch.





Veronica: relax now..you'll soon be alright.i'm going to get you another

glass of ginger ale..how are you feeling now?.would you like something to

eat?



Leslie: yes..i'm hungry.bring me some food please.Vee..thank you .. thank

you friend.



After ten minutes,Veronica pays for the food and returns to find Leslie

gone.she looks around.a plate of rice and peas sways with her search

action.Leslie is on the dance floor.Veronica is surprise.Leslie was sick

just a moment ago,now she's wining down to the soca music.Leslie

waves.Veronica sits with the food and wonders where Duawee has gotten to.



Leslie leaves her dancer, as the music fades.she walks to the table,

greeting Veronica with smiles.she has made a complete recovery.

FOOOOOD.

Thank you.

Hungry.

eat..eat.eat..

chicken.rice.peas.coleslaw.salad(french/blue cheese).

ice-tea.

(no more rum-punch for this girl)

eat.eat.eat.

sip.sip.sip

awwwwwhhhhh.

stomach's full.

wipe lips/napkin

clear table

trash./plate.knife.fork



dance..dance..dance

hold hands with a stranger.

dance dance dancefloor



Leslie:see you later Veronica.



Smiles and waves.



Veronica is looking for her man.he is nowhere to be found.she sits and

waits.the music makes her body move, while she is seated.



SONG:DR.CASANDRA by Gabby.



one injection in my midsection

i feel good right away

she gimme something tuh swallow

fever gone right away

:::::;

dr.casandra

juk juk juk.





Veronica's thinking ~~ where's Duawee? ~~ he's been gone for awhile~~



A familar face comes into view..Veronica's doesn't beileve her eyes.she

blinks.the face approaches.a smile exuding confidence. Veronica shoots off a

half-smile.questions and confusion. her mind scramble for meaning.





(to be continued)





(W>N----the bushy park scene coming soon

hold tight,as Trevor Eastman would say>



Dev.

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