A r t s A n d l i t e r At u r e m A g A z i n e s p r i n g 2 0 1 1 The FORGECentral teChniCal SChool A Poem of Loss, Strength & Courage We are strong, able, courageous We see our future, hope, light We touch the hearts of others We hope for continued strength, peace within, joy We hear the sounds of laughter, love We feel deeply, alive We say Yes! Be strong, continue on We dream BIG, little, for happiness We cry tears of joy, and for what we have lost We understand feelings, things will be okay We wonder when we will see you again, about the future We try to support others, breathe deeply We pretend that we are always okay We worry about the people we care about We want inspirations, to see a good future We are and will be. Mike, Timoni, Thiana, Tehani, Emie Central teChniCal SChool 725 Bathurst Street Toronto, On, M5S 2R5 Phone: (416) 393 0070 Fax: (416) 393 0067 This year’s edition of The Forge is dedicated to the memory of Ms. Ann Louise Stevenson, much loved and highly respected teacher of English, World Religions and History at Central Tech. December 9, 1965 – January 31, 2011 Dear Readers, This year’s edition of The Forge is dedicated encounter with death. Among the many other students’ behalf, especially my friends and to, and honours the memory of, Ms. Ann Louise wonderful stories, there is one that recounts a colleagues in the English department, without Stevenson; English, World Religions and History day in the life of a supermarket checkout per- whom, this year’s Forge would be a very slim teacher for thirteen years at Central Tech, who son, which, although the experience itself might edition indeed! I would like to thank the Art de- died unexpectedly and tragically in January, be mundane and boring, the story is anything partment too for the very fine submissions from 2011. She is greatly missed by students and staff but, and there is even a fictionalized account their students. I also am exceedingly grateful alike but, as the former editor of The Forge, I of the lockdown that took place at Central Tech to Ms. Freeman and Mr. Shafransky for their believe Ms. Stevenson would have been thrilled in the fall, from the vantage point of a student. continued encouragement and support. Last by the high caliber of this year’s submissions. There are several stories this year about abu- but by no means least, I thank Mr. Furfaro and In the foreground of this edition's front cover, sive situations, but the writers have been able Ms. Irina Geanta for their dedication and hard there is a stylistic rendition of a 'forge'; a fiery to transform an ugly experience into something work they put in to provide us with a truly pro- furnace where iron is produced. In the back- else entirely. There are three opinion pieces this fessional magazine layout that showcases the ground there is our school, Central Tech, where year, that cover a wide range of subjects: a dis- work of our students so beautifully. anything and everything is possible. Another sertation on black masculinity and hop-hop, a Take a copy of The Forge with you into the meaning of the word ‘forge’ is “to give form or treatise on love and friendship and a fascinating summer, relax and get swept up in the drama, shape to something, especially by means of vision of a futuristic world in which You Tube, tales of love and loss, abuse and redemption, careful effort.” It is by no means a stretch to Twitter and Facebook merge. This year I have pain and forgiveness – all to be found between apply this word to this year’s submissions; there the pleasure of including several monologues the pages of the 2011 edition of The Forge. are some wonderful short stories, poems, opin- in which students provide their audience and See you next year! ion pieces, monologues, scripts, photographs readers with down-to-earth glimpses into their and artwork. own truths. Also, there are three interesting and This year’s short stories encompass a va- compelling short-film scripts. In addition, I am riety of genres. Many of the stories are writ- delighted by the fact that there is so much won- ten by grade nine students; one is a superbly derful poetry this year. constructed mythological fantasy; another is I have many people to thank for making this a whimsical account of a young person chas- year’s edition of The Forge a reality; first the ing after her own song; another is a beautifully students, without whom, there would be no constructed story inspired by an endearing publication at all! Thank you to all those teach- character in the movie, District 9; and there is ers who recognized the value in their students' also a compelling account of a young person’s work and submitted it to The Forge on their editor: Ms. M. Silver Production Coordinator: Mr. J. Furfaro Graphic Designer: Irina Geanta Front Cover Design: Mr. J. Furfaro and Ms. M. Silver Central teChniCal SChool 725 Bathurst Street Toronto, On, M5S 2R5 Phone: (416) 393 0070 Fax: (416) 393 0067 The FORGE Short Stories A Friend in Need pg.1 An Alternate Ending pg.3 Forever and For Always pg.6 Just Another Friday Night pg.8 What Am I Getting Into? pg.10 1 A Way Out pg.11 Girl Crush pg.13 The Postcard pg.16 Unwelcomed pg.17 The Tournament pg.19 True Colours pg.21 2 I Was In My Math Class pg.23 Words Unspoken pg.25 Happiness In The Air pg.27 Resolution Night pg.30 As It Is pg.31 Marks of the Monster pg.33 3 Mourning Tyler pg.37 My Song pg.39 Sorry pg.41 Stepping Into Change pg.43 Through Opaque Eyes pg.45 4 1. Marshall Seyler • 2. Jacob Burkhardt • 3. Jacob Burkhardt • 4. Yanick Neto Film Scripts Trinity Bellwoods Walk pg.47 Subway Incident pg.49 Christmas Feud pg.51 Opinion Pieces 5 YouTwitFace pg.54 Black Masculinity and Hip-Hop pg.55 The Qualities of a Good Friend pg.57 Monologues Is There Anybody Out There? pg.58 6 Daddy pg.59 Venting to a Mirror pg.60 A Future? Not Me pg.61 Expectations pg.62 Poetry 7 pg.63 Photography pg.73 Artwork pg.83 8 5. Roberto Vazquez • 6. Christian Fleury • 7. Alyssa Dicicco • 8. Roberto Vazquez TheForge | short stories Suggested by the movie, “District 9” by Nick Chaplin-Hurd (Grade 9) axiS was sitting waiting for Toby eyes, spread his mandibles into what looked like been living with your kind for 150 years. The in a dark, musty tavern on a a grim smile, and said, “If I was you, I would run.” conflict between the first and second wave of rainy night in June. He was lean- Jaxis felt another grip on his shoulder and our people is pointless. It doesn’t matter if you ing on a broken, one-legged spun around ready to fend off another attacker, were born here or came here after, we are all stool reading a newspaper. He but it was only his partner, Toby. citizens now.” had to slouch over the bar be- “I leave you alone for five minutes and you Toby sighed loudly. “You got a problem with cause of his towering height. His destroy the place. Great police work Jax,” said us?” Jaxis queried. coppery skin reflected the dim fluorescent light Toby with a grin. “That’s not it at all, man. You and I have been by Jthe counter. He clicked his mandibles with Jaxis spread his mandibles again and Toby working together for a few years now and you amusement as he read the breaking news of whispered under his breath, “Man, please are making the same speeches. Why does this June 15th 2159. The trench coat sagged at don’t go all smiling on me.” violence still exist between the waves?” his shoulder and Jaxis absentmindedly picked “Sorry, for that - just trying to do the human Jaxis turned away and looked into ragged it back into place. Cling, cling, cling, came a thing,” Jaxis replied. streets of the city of Alpha. The rain and fog tap on his shoulder. A human was trying to get “Well, it isn’t working. C’mon, I just received a swirled around the squad car. He could barely his attention. call from HQ; we’re to investigate some gang make out the light from guard towers around “Hey, Spider-Mouth, you’re sitting in ma seat.” violence on Redford Street.” Section 9. The barbed wire encircled the district “Didn’t see your name on it,” Jaxis breathed “Is that why you took so long?” Jaxis like an iron fist. This was his birth home. As a without looking around. asked mockingly. “second waver” he felt more at home because “I don’t think you heard me,” said the aggres- sive voice as he tried to pull Jaxis off the stool. Jaxis leaned over his opponent, looked him Jaxis swung his elbow back and the human clutched his stomach and doubled over in pain in the eyes, spread his mandibles into what before falling over. Jaxis slowly stood up to his looked like a grim smile, and said, “If I was full height of three meters. The aggressor got to his feet and called out to his friends, “Boys, we you, I would run.” got us a metal worm that needs to learn its place.” The four humans rushed Jaxis at once, one “Let’s just get out of here,” Toby said.