A Letter

An Open Letter To The 13 Year Old Kid On The Train, Self Proclaimed As 'T-Money', According To The Graffiti On His Backpack.

Hey Kid,

What's up? It's cool that I can tell you're going to get off at the major transfer point two stations away which means I can have your seat but I'll make this quick.

I see your backpack has, in large marker letters, the words 'T-Money' written on it. I'm guessing that's your name or, as the kids say, "tag". Cool! Did you come up with that yourself? It might be a stretch to guess that the T stands for the beginning of your first name like Travis or Trevor but I digress. I'm also going to get a little crazy here and assume the 'Money' part is a symbol of strength and status, thereby making your nickname an amalgam of a previous identity and a current one. I have to say, it has a ring to it.

But here's what I'm getting at. You're 13. If you don't mind me saying, you don't look very intimidating. You're going to school, for chrissakes, that is so lame. Your mom and dad probably love you and you look well fed. Let's just say that someone self described as 'T-Money' is probably the kind of guy who's had a rough life. He worked his way up from nothing and has a 24 year old girlfriend who thinks he's 30. Maybe he is 30. Actually, yes, he's at least 30. Because in order to earn this Money he has so yearned for that garners another consonant before it's hyphenation, he most likely has had a job or several. Maybe he didn't get all of that money legally, who knows. But he's mad cool to hang out with, generous when he can but tough to those who spite him.

OK, let's just say for a second that all of this stuff is true about you, and you happen to be a 13 year old T-Money. Being T-Money and still having to go to school is like being a superhero. That identity needs to be secret, kid! You can't flount what you really are at school. You gotta keep it cool and act like T-Money is a legend but no one knows who he is because he's so important. Do you think your 13 year old friends can really admire the awesomeness that is T-Money? You have got tho keep that under wraps until you are back home in your crib or your sweet ride; that name can't be wasted on the inferior posers in your school.

Well, this is your stop. I'm glad we had this talk, and thanks for the seat. Either way, I really hope you figure out who the real T-Money is. But remember, what's most important is what's inside. Now go get 'em in algebra today!