麻豆社

By Katy Sarah Gunning

It was the night before Monday,

And all through the school,

Not a creature was stirring,

Except for .... Blue Cool.

By day you may find me between pages or hiding behind posters, being shoved under children's desks or being twisted and folded in bored children's hands. But by night you could find me walking the school halls, playing in the empty playground or banging on the piano as loud as possible.

That's right, you've all met me before. I am the bit of sticky loveliness that you hide under your desk for when you are bored in class. I am the magic glue that has been shoved behind so many posters so many times. I am the entertaining blue ball that you mercilessly twist and fold. I am a help, a hindrance, a friend, a foe.

I live where you live. The office, your school, your house, your friend's house, the leisure centre, the local swimming pool. The cinema, oh especially the cinema. The internet has nothing on me. I don't need electricity but I have power. I am a physical presence in a real world. I am everywhere, everyone needs me, everyone knows me, young, old, rich, poor, happy, sad, mad, sane, female, male, free or captive.

I am...Tic toc tic tac...Blue Cool

So, Blue Cool isn't my real name, but I guess you already knew that. I'm not allowed to tell you my real name here.

Why not? ... I suppose it's a bit like that guy from the Harry Potter books that you all like, you know, sick looking dude with the flared nostrils, pale skin. But don't worry, he doesn't frighten me, I've had him and his mates against a wall more than a few times.
People often ask me what I'm made of. You know, it's meant to be a trade secret but what I can tell you is that it includes, strength, flexibility, with a touch of wackiness, zaniness and likeability mixed in. Oh, and don't forget a bit of everyone that's held me, squeezed me or bitten me, yes, even bitten me. Cheap dental mould anyone.

Push me too hard or leave me too long and I will leave a mark. Yes, even Blue Cool has a breaking point. I'm better than drawing pins; I don't poke holes in people, let alone two holes like good old Mr Staples. Sellotape likes to rip people apart and the older she gets the crispier and yellower she gets, a bit like that woman I met on the cruise ship in Miami. And don't get me started on Ms Vel Crow.

But remember I'll always be there for you. You'll never have to look very far, in fact, just reach under any desk and you are likely to find me. Just make sure you don't get me confused with second hand chewing gum. Me and that guy, we are not even closely related.