[color=ghostwhite][b][u]Letters to Rhythm Rat: #1[/u][/b][/color]

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[i]Dear Dr. Pendergraf (a.k.a. Rhythm Rat):

How do the students you teach react to you being a Drumbum?  I can't imagine taking music lessons from someone who dresses like that, but then again, I have to remind myself that the concept is a Forsythian concept.  Obviously you wouldn't appear in the classroom in just a swimsuit, but I had a strange dream where you were doing that.  It must have been something I ate.

Anyways, I'll be starting my first semester at BMA in the fall, so I hope to learn a lot from you, Dr. Leonardo Williams, and all the other fantastic professors.  I thank BMA for the opportunity that came with the scholarship I won.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Q. Kerwitz, age 18 (otter)
Wildcat City, Kansas, USA[/i]

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Rhythm Rat's response:

[color=white][i]Dear Jonathan,

Thank you for your letter, and congratulations on winning the scholarship!  It's always exciting to see new students enter the best music academy this country has; we work hard to be the best, but we do not plan to make other prestigious schools such as Berklee or Juliard pale in comparison.  Those aren't easy to get into either.

You're right to say I obviously do not dress in just a swimsuit or speedo when in the classroom, but the fact you might see that way on YouTube is because the musical payroll authorities asked for us to do that to help them identify us Drumbums.  The students do scratch their heads over it, but they're not really bothered by it.  It was how the original Drumbum Rats of Ratatat showed unity and patriotism within their culture, and to them, the music is more important than the body, but they do want you to keep in physical shape, even if you don't bodybuild.  (I do bodybuild.)

I hope that helps, and good luck at BMA!  We're glad to have you with us!

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Arthur Pendergraf, Ph.D. (music), a.k.a. Rhythm Rat[/i][/color]