All About Abe

Five seems to be the magical number this week, specifically, when referring to money.  Let me share the ways Honest Abe’s bill has recently impacted both my life and wallet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Half Price Movie Night at DC’s Union Station = $5

In addition to the excitement of seeing an evening movie at the discounted rate of $5, the audience contributed equal if not additional entertainment at the train station’s movie theater.  For example, this week, I saw My Sister’s Keeper.  One nonchalant moviegoer was finishing up their pre-movie cigarette, just as I walked into the theater, providing precisely the essence de cinéma that one desires when they’re about to watch a movie about cancer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Another spontaneous moment occurred during the previews, when a group in the theater hosted an impromptu memorial service for Michael Jackson by way of a karaoke-style “Man in the Mirror” reenactment. The late MJ provided backup singing via a cellphone ring tone.  See?  Don’t be sad, people.  The gloved one will live forever in our hearts, cell phones and $5 movie night audience performances. 

Bus Ticket from DC to NYC = $5                                                                                                                                                                                      
Yes, the bus departed DC at midnight from a nondescript downtown location where the address of the bus company was written on the outside “office” door in a Sharpie pen.                                                                                                                                                               
Yes, I traveled alone.                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Yes, my bus driver honked the horn five times before cursing at the large men in a tinted hummer while in the middle of NYC at 3:45am….and yes, I slumped in my seat, just in case ducking would become necessary.                                                                                                                          
Yes, the bus driver dropped me off, at 4am, somewhere in the general vicinity of NYC’s Penn Station.

Yes, I’m still alive.

Even Steven Lost & Found = $5 Lost, $5 Found                                                                                                                                        
I had a $5 metro card.  It lived in my back pocket for an entire day until it escaped in hopes of finding a better owner.  $5, sadly, gone.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          While walking by the Scientology Center en route to work, I found $3 lying perfectly folded in the middle of the sidewalk.  Could it have been a gesture from beyond the grave by L. Ron Hubbard?  Maybe he was providing monetary motivation to join his following.  Sorry LRH, I’m not ready to convert quite yet but thanks for the trio of bucks.  Later, the same day, I found an abandoned metro card with $2 remaining to be used.  $5, happily, found.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Five has been a fortunate number that provided me with entertainment, travel and financial balance but, come to think of it, why should the number five get all the credit lately?  I would additionally like to acknowledge five’s predecessor who’s also having an important week.  After all, tomorrow is a big day for the number four.  Tomorrow, among other things, Americans reminisce that we live in a country where we can hold impromptu King of Pop memorial services and (illegally) smoke in movie theaters, hop questionable bus services to the city that never sleeps and lose or find money as the financial gods intend.  Happy Birthday, USA.  I hope you appreciated the cupcakes I made in your honor earlier this week.  No need to reimburse me.  They only cost about $5.