Bang Bang, It's R e a l by Tom Forde As I sat awaiting the curtain to rise in the auditorium, I kept thinking what it was going to be like. How would seeing some of my closest friends "die" affect me? In the Drama 3 performance of Bang Bang You're Dead, the effect hit me like one of those bullets. I had seen the production once before at a theater festival, after the show was over, I walked out deep in thought. I do not cry very often, but for both productions of this show, tears came to my eyes. There was a distinct difference between seeing strangers being mock killed and my friends. When I saw people I did not know up on stage, it seemed very true and yet somewhere else. I had decieved myself into believing that this could never happen in my hfe. Yet at Maine South, as I leaned back in my auditorium chair, I knew exactly how it would feel. My mind kept wandering back and forth. What would it be like to be dead? What would it be like if I lost my best friend or the girl who sits in firont of me in math class? Who would I be if something like this occured? Before seeing this production performed on the auditorium stage that I have often walked across, acted on, and made profound friendships on, it never really made it all the way to my heart. In January when I first saw it, I put that emotion away. Never. Never. Never. It could not happen here. I could not even think about it. when I gazed upon the close friend who jokes about my driving abilities, or the friend who I love one minute but hate the next, or the friend who sat in a
practice room with me when I neede her support, it hit me. These people consume my life. They are the puzzle pieces which when put together make up the ensemble, supporting leads, and the lead characters in this show called Tom Forde's Life. Without one of them there, the puzzle is missing an important part. Could it happen here? Yup, it sure could. I wish that everyone in Maine South could have sat in that auditorium to feel the emotion throughout the air after the show had ended. I looked around into the eyes of my best friend down the row, my friends on the stage, and some of my friends behind me. I had realized how lucky I am. I also realized how stupid I sometimes am. I dwell on what happens on the weekend or who said what behind my back. It is all so menial when you really think about it. That is why I put up the program from Bang Bang You 're Dead next to the pictures of the people I care about on my walls. I wanted this to fully impact my life. I did not want these images to be washed away in two or three weeks. Every time I have a bad day or even think of saying something that would hurt someone, I want to look at my wall and picture what it would be like not to have a bad day. I want to remember that the things that come out of my mouth affect those around me. I want to remember every little detail in my mind about everything. I want to remember the opportunities of the fiiture and the road before my feet. To the cast, to my friends, to the person I say "hi" to in the hall once in a while, to my teachers, to my parents, to my brother, my
1992 - Oiivehurst, California: 4 dead,11 wounded 1996 - IVioses Lake, Washington 3 dead -^ 1997 - Pearl, Mississippi: 3 dead,7 wounded 1998 - Jonesboro, Arkansas: 5 dead,11 wounded 1998 - Springfield, Oregon: 2 dead, 22 wounded 1999 - Littleton, Colorado: 15 dead
Could it happen here?
relatives, to the world, remeber that life i ^ B present. It is too awful that situations like Columbine or Springfield make us remember this. After seeing this play and the wonderful cast who made it real to me, I want to say thank you. It is not often that a revelation enters someone and changes them. Beyond the cast, thank you to the characters of my life, my puzzle pieces. Realize how important you are to someone.
HEY YOU! Applications for next year's Southwards positions will be in the the next issue!
Property of the Editors continued from page 4 contents as admitted murderer Ty Cobb, extreme racist Cap Anson, and tax-evaders Duke Snyder and Willie McCovey all] ;lv have their place in the Hall, how seriously is character really considered? lai Besides, it is blatantly obvious thai fans want him to take his place in Cooperstown. An Internet survey has shown a remarkable 92% of all voters believe Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Plus, a 1994 Sports Illustrated article revealed a whopping 97% of telephone respondants said the same thing. Even former President Jimmy Carter thinks it is time to forgive Rose. In a USA Today article Carter called Rose "one of the greatest players of all-time," and said he deserves an "opportunity for redemption." What else can the common fan do? There are several petetions as well as Email centers accessible on the Internet. Also, fans can voice their opions on radio talk shows, or write directly to the current Commissioner, Bud Selig, and express the need to give Rose his due. It has now been nine years since professional baseball paned their ways with the all-time hit king. Nine years of painful dignity have taught Charlie Hustle h f l | ^ lesson. Now it is time for baseball to fon I " give, before time forgets one of the alltime best.