HALIFAX, N.S. — Chaos erupted at Dalhousie University’s Killam Library late Thursday, when the Film Photography Society’s member, David Gomez, was seen leaving the darkroom on the fourth floor shortly after the society’s weekly meeting. Moments after his departure, a chemical reaction occurred, sending a plume of smoke through the ventilation system and causing acid to melt through the fourth floor to the ground level. Witnesses described the reaction as a “cartoonishly comedic” event, with one student noting, “it was like watching a live-action Looney Tunes bit, but with more sociology majors running for their lives.”
The darkroom, typically a serene space for developing film photography projects, now resembles what students are calling a “post-apocalyptic Instagram filter.” Its adjacent meeting room, where the society members once passionately debated the merits of “avant-garde underexposure,” remains largely intact, though the smell of scorched chemicals lingers.
Thursday’s society meeting began innocently enough, with the usual chatter about whether digital cameras are the enemy. The tension, however, skyrocketed when discussing their next art project. Gomez proposed what he called his “dirty little project.” He suggested a photoshoot concept starring fellow society member Milly, who, for reasons of journalistic integrity, shall remain identified by that pseudonym.
She believed that Gomez just wanted to roll around in the mud for his project. However, Gomez had other plans. When he told her at the meeting that she had to pose naked next to a pig, an altercation occurred. Milly recounted to the Mackerel, still visibly disgusted. “No way in hell was I going to do that. Maybe if it was a cute puppy, but even then I’d have to think about it.”
The meeting, which wrapped up at 7 p.m., ended with the general consensus that Gomez’s “vision” would not see the light of day, or the glow of an Instagram post with an obnoxiously poetic caption. Milly left believing the matter was settled. Unfortunately, Gomez thought otherwise.
Shortly after the meeting, Gomez was seen sneaking into the darkroom. While his activities inside the darkroom are unknown at this time, one thing is for sure: when he left the room, a small explosion occurred as a result of the chemical reaction, sending a cloud of smoke through the ventilation system and nearly shocking students wearing noise-cancelling headphones into believing their midterm-induced stress hallucinations had finally materialized. Some even reported feeling the vibrations through their desks, briefly mistaking the incident for either an earthquake or the physical repercussion of their Bento Sushi from earlier that day.
In the wake of the reaction, theories have run rampant. Some students suspect Gomez orchestrated the incident as revenge against the society for rejecting his concept. Others speculate he had stashed “questionable” photos in the darkroom and attempted to destroy the evidence. Despite the allegations and ruined darkroom, students are happy that the library is closed for the week and exams postponed. Some students are even chanting “free Gomez” outside the Killam Library. “Honestly, this might be his most powerful work yet. The juxtaposition of chaos and controlled chemical reaction? Classic Gomez,” said one photography major who requested anonymity.
One marketing student even sold “Killam Meltdown” T-shirts, featuring an artistically exaggerated version of the building melting in a vat of acid. “It’s a limited drop,” he explained, already planning a second release in “vintage chemical burn” colourways.
Meanwhile, Gomez’s loyal online gaming best friend, known only by his gamertag RedDog69, rushed to his defense. “He’s an amateur chemist and was just blowing off steam. Literally. My boy didn’t do nothing wrong,” said RedDog69, while live-streaming his commentary to a Twitch audience of three.
Police forensics confirmed that the reaction was caused by a deliberate mixture of two incompatible darkroom chemicals. “It was a classic case of ‘don’t mix this with that,’” said one officer, shaking his head. “Kids these days get one chemistry TikTok in their algorithm, and suddenly they’re Walter White.”
As for Gomez, he is currently under investigation and banned from all campus darkrooms indefinitely. He denies all allegations that he had stashed “questionable” photos. He told sources that it was “an unfortunate artistic incident. Sometimes, to create, you must destroy.” Despite what university officials are calling a “deliberate attack,” rumours suggest that the fine arts department may invite him to speak at a lecture series titled “When Art Goes Boom: The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Detonation.”
Classes are expected to resume next week. As for the Killam Library, expect noise to continue to be an ongoing problem.
By Matt Macdonald