Lester Atlas, a crude, very rich corporate raider, traps Norman in the Caribbean dream by offering to buy the hotel for him, and then welshing on the deal when Norman can no long back out. He is a despicable but somehow lovable rogue, who in his own mind is a magnanimous, misunderstood benefactor of humanity. What other people call corporate raiding, he explains, telling the truth in business matters. Why Jimmy decided to give him a song with a tango rhythm and a klezmer trill I don't know, but it works.



I'm just an old truth teller

I'm your candid friend

I'm not some daydream seller

I do not pretend

I've a sense of survival

And screwing my rivals

That's labeled me crossed and uncouth

But I can't help it I just tell the truth

He can't help it, he just tells the truth



I'm just an old truth teller

Brutally direct

I see it eye for eye

I'm rarely incorrect

Why call me a sharp trader

A corporate raider

I'm a role model for today's youth

It's so simple, I just tell the truth

He can't help it, he just tells the truth



Bridge:



Why was I born to be right all the time

In deal after deal after deal

Foiling those sharks that are circling my penthouse

Hoping to make a meal



No good deed goes unpunished

Nothing goes as planed

My ingrate family left me

I don't understand



Where's your wife?

In Alaska

Any sons?

In Nebraska

And my daughter milks cows in Duluth

I can't help it, I just tell the truth

Ohh he can't help it, he just sells it

he can't help, he just tells it

I can't help, I just tell the truth