When humanity is threatened only the super-powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. A mysterious evil has begun to whisper promises of an unthinkable danger to the powers of the National Heroes League. Preparations are underway and none are more eager for the battle to begin than the mighty Maple Leafs.

Jake Muzzin breathes as he places another toothpick on the tower he has been crafting for nearly an hour. He started wide with the base, a ring of twelve for the first two centimeters, contracting as the tower climbed. Now he is down to three picks per layer and each placement sends shivers through the delicate structure.

Jake places the next three toothpicks slightly out of line. He does the same thing with the next three, and the next. The result is a twisting effect at makes Jake smile. He makes ten centimeters before he stops to regroup. Now comes the hard part.

First Jake bites the points off of three toothpicks, then he splits them with a fingernail. Not all the way split, just enough to make a bit of a notch. Using a fresh toothpick as a center pole, Jake makes the base of what will be a pitched roof with the three modified picks. He gently presses the pyramid into the table until he judges the angle to be a perfect thirty three and a quarter degrees.

Jake takes a pee break because it’s important to always listen to our bodies. Also, stepping away from the tower gives him a moment to gather his perspective. The roof is the hardest part. Should he try and go for a horizontal line roof? The technique is way more intricate, but the result is quite remarkable. If he went with a vertical, lean-to style, roof the process would be much simpler, but Jake has never believed that the easiest thing is always the best thing. It’s an important choice, not because of any dire consequences, but because it is getting near time to wrap it up.

Still undecided as to the nature of the roof he intends to build, Jake sits down at the table carefully. Then he kicks the table leg as he shifts to adjust his pants. The tower comes tumbling down with barely a rattle. for a moment Jake’s heart is broken. Then he shakes his head and moves on.