[TheForge] The True Path in the 24th century.

Sat Mar 2 14:20:01 2002

        And I thought the punch line was going to be they both circle Uranus
in search of Clingons.

        (this was the one about what the starship Enterprise and toilet
paper have in common............)

Ralph


----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Godbout" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 02, 2002 1:27 PM
Subject: [TheForge] The True Path in the 24th century.


> Through some weird combination of Internet server hookups and interstellar
> subspace time-warp, I was able to intercept an exchange between Capt.
James T.
> Kirk and Dr. McCoy. It appears as if they both have taken up blacksmithing
to
> help relieve the stress of day-to-day Federation duty. Here's what I got.
Some
> things never change.
>
> McCoy: Jim, I think you're missing the whole point. How can you call
yourself a
> true blacksmith when all your tools are 24th century? I mean,
blacksmithing is a
> craft rich in tradition. You and your directed pulse whatchama-gizmo may
move
> metal, but it's not traditional.
>
> Kirk: It's a directed pulse tractor beam, and who cares how I bend the hot
iron
> around? The point is I'm able to put out some pretty nice stuff by hand.
It's
> just as good quality as the stuff you put out with your air-hammer, and
less
> noise.
>
> McCoy, Yeah, but it's not the way it's been done for centuries. And you
don't
> get those hammer marks that give it that personal touch.
>
> Kirk: My design is my personal touch. Hammer marks are overrated. I'll bet
you
> credits to donuts that if Yellin were alive today, he'd have nothing but
phasers
> and tractor beams in his studio. And I can't believe a doctor would use
propane!
> Do you know what that does to your lungs?
>
> McCoy: I take enough precautions. It's got to be healthier than being near
your
> tractor-framitz. And using a phaser for  heat? I'm hitting iron, not
Ferengi! I
> like the roar of the propane burners, the pounding of the hammer, the hiss
of
> the air cylinders. Makes me feel like I'm doing something. But if all you
care
> about is design, why don't you just draw it up on the computer and have a
> replicator spit it out. I mean, you don't even use an anvil your way.
What's a
> blacksmith shop without an anvil? It just ain't right.
>
> Kirk: I still need to move the metal with my hands. That's the part I like
about
> it. And after a day of battling Klingons and Romulans, I need the peace
and
> quite. I get enough sparks up on the bridge. What's up with all the sparks
up
> there anyway? I mean, it's nanovolt technology!
>
> McCoy: Don't know about that- I'm a doctor, not an engineer. But I think
you hit
> on something. My day is too quiet. Nothing but the scanner thumps and
beeps. I
> probably need the noise.
>
> McCoy: I know there *is* something we'll both agree on, Jim - There just
aren't
> enough women in blacksmithing.
>
> Kirk: Bones, when you're right, you're right.
>
>
> --
> Marc Godbout
> http://www.ironringforge.com
>
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