BOO!

If this issue were a scary movie, then our opening scene would see the characters facing a dilemma: they need to pick one of two potential paths to follow. One is a dark, narrow passageway, swarming with prickly thorns, and the other is a lush garden, filled with crunchy leaves that cover the ground and the smell of early morning dew. For some absurd reason, they’ll pick the wrong one. Once they arrive at their destination (some dark corner of University College’s basement), a phone will ring. One ring, two rings, three—the group gets annoyed. So, of course, they answer (who answers a landline these days outside of a scary movie?). And then, naturally, a dialogue would commence, kicking off the scary in scary movie. 

Clueless UofT student: Hello?

Ghostface (from phone): Hello.

Yes?

Who is this?

Who are you trying to reach?

What class number are you in?

What class number are you trying to reach?

I don’t know.

I think you have the wrong classroom.

Do I?

It happens. Take it easy.

The clueless UofT student then hangs up the phone. A moment later, it rings again.

Clueless UofT student: Hello?

Ghostface (from phone): What’s your favourite campus newspaper?

I don’t know.

You must have a favourite.

The one with the monster mascot… What’s it called… Pringle? 

Uh… you mean The Varsity?

Yea, I think so.

Wrong answer. 

The phone line breaks, obviously. Whose favourite campus paper isn’t The Strand?! If it’s not yours, only ‘tricks’ for you. The Trick or Treat Issue is our gift to the Halloween lovers, haters, and everyone in between. I (Janna), for instance, am a die-hard horror fan; however, I also HATE dressing up (we exist!!). Meanwhile I (Rion), pretend that October is nothing but gourd season until the day before Halloween when I watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and never speak of the holiday again until the same time the following year. We here at The Strand recognize that Halloween time comes with a lot of nuances and struggles, like trying to pick a scary movie for movie night and having to beg and plead with that one friend in the group that Coraline is, in fact, not “too scary” (you know who you are and shame on you)… So, whether you love Halloween or get scared by your own shadow, there’s bound to be something for you within the spooky pages of this issue.

If you are a good Vic student and The Strand is your favourite campus newspaper, then put on a blindfold, dive your hand into our bowl of mystery, and see if you pick out a treat. You could knock on Feature’s door and find a witch on the other side. Arts and Culture’s door will creep you out with the spooky return of childhood Halloween costumes. Beware of Science’s side of the street—disorder lurks there, as does the dark (matter). Whose door will you knock on first? 

As for us, we’ll be staying inside watching the leaves twirl in the wind, as something ominous brews in our Strand cauldron for the next issue. See you next time… or not. hehehehehe

Interested in getting involed with The Strand? Come visit us during our office hour from 12-1 pm on Tuesdays in The Strand office in room 153 in the Goldring Student Centre.