08/13/2026
= Steve’s Autobiography: Charny, Canada (1986) — The Powerplay = [version 2.0]
The town of Charny on Québec City’s South Shore, in 1986; I’m 16 years old. “Les Etchemins” High School: 300 cafeteria chairs for a student body of 2,200. Rushing at full speed to the cafeteria as noon struck, I reached the critical moment to snag a chair with my friend Nelson.
My pal managed to pull off this feat instantly. As for me, I lunged for one of the few empty chairs, but I lost the duel to an unknown student who was more combative than I was: the pacifist.
I then exiled myself from the cafeteria, which I cursed. With a small sandwich from Mom Jolyne in hand, I wandered bitterly through the hallways between classrooms. By chance, I discovered a secret place. It was the chemistry class where seven intellectuals hung out to eat with Professor Chau Ly-Hai, originally from Vietnam—a man we greatly admire.
As a nerd myself, with a GPA of 85%, I felt right at home among them. So, for more than six weeks, my routine was to hang out with my brothers. This warm welcome from my peers would soon be rewarded.
The intellectuals, not exactly known for their athletic ability, complained about the system for forming teams in physical education, where two captains select players from a group of girls and boys. The gym teacher asked if anyone would like to take on the role of captain. For once, I thought that my turn came.
When it came time for the first pick in this game of soccer, I blurted out, “Paul!” All the students, including the teacher, were stunned. Considered a great intellectual, Paul had a stocky build and lacked agility, and as a result, the students always relegated him to the back of the line when forming teams, which made him sad.
I continued selecting players, choosing Bernard, Ghislain, and Bernadette until my team consisted of the people I liked best—not the ones who would guarantee us a sure victory.
The match didn’t go entirely as planned for our opponents, the elite athletes. Our team maintained excellent communication among ourselves, and we threatened the opposing team’s goal several times with our attacks. Pride drove us to surpass ourselves.
To our astonishment, the game ended with a score of 1–0 in favour of the opposing team thanks to a controversial goal. Our goalkeeper shone brightly.
We taught the pretentious ones humility, and now they greet us in the hallways of the school with magical doors.
This represented how I repaid those who generously welcomed me into their inner circle. Thank you, Paul, Bernadette, Ghislain and Bernard and company—may my heart be with you; the last shall be first!
Text by Steve L. RODRIGUE — Version 2.0 — Thursday, August 13, 2026 — Québec CITY, CANADA — Photo Credit: Omar Ramadan.