Dear Editor, 1974

 Sometimes it is hard to admit that you're wrong, but I have to admit this factor.  I thought that the students at PC cared about the way that their school is run.  I thought that it mattered to the students about the double standard involved in the rules that are set-up.
 I was wrong.  The average student cares about passing his subjects.  He wants a fair attitude taken on him by the administration, but he is too apathetic to do anything about it.  I'm terribly sorry to say that the administration seems just as apathetic about their problems, as the students are.  To say, I protest the way the administration is running this school, is just shrugged off and forgotten about.  To you who read this, I ask, please examine your apathetic tendencies and decide whether you want to make your lives better, or whether you want to sit back and drink beer.  Whichever you decide, please forgive me for misjudging you, the readers, because I thought you cared for your welfare.  I'm sorry for you.

Ecology, 1973

Sitting by my side--
In a railway station--
My dog and me--
Sit waiting for something
To take us home.

Yes, I'm going home
Where my love is
waiting for me--
I'm going home
where I feel like
the people are friendly--
I'm going home--
Back to the country.

The country wasn't where
I was born--
But my love is in the
country,
Trees are in the
country,
Nature is in the
country,
So I'm going home.

Where's the train?
It's too late for fighting,
It's too late for singing,
It's too late for going back
to nature.

Chattahoochee 2, 2009

 I was in a movie with Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper called "Chattahoochee".  It was the true story of a Korean War veteran who couldn't cope with the world around him.  They put him in a mental hospital which was famous for its inhumanity.  I played Looney #4 and was in ten scenes.  I would have been in more, but the two of my best scenes were cut out.
 There are a lot of similarities between my living conditions now and that movie.  Thankfully, the physical abuse and the inhumane conditions are not similar, but many of the people staying there are similar.  In fact, Central Casting would have a field day with most of the people there.  For example, there's this guy who walks around all day with his head cocked at an angle.  Or, the guy who doesn't speak and stands right next to you invading your personal space.  Or, the guy who stands in the corner staring off into space.  Beards prevail.  I shave, but most don't.  Some guys talk to themselves.  Others have anger management problems.  Still others drink all the time.  I can't judge these people, but it also is kind of upsetting seeing it.
 So, if you guys want to make a sequel to the movie, come back to Columbia.  We have the actors.

Flying, 2009

I'm flying to see my lady,
I'm flying to see my doll,
I'm flying and I'm not ready,
'Cause I've committed a foul.

What did I do to make her see?
What did I do to hurt her?
What did I do to make her free?
'Cause there was so much that we shared.

I've been flying by the wayside,
I've been flying to the sea,
I've been flying while I cried,
'Cause she's never coming back to me.

Can you help me with my flying,
Can you help me with my life,
Can you help me still I'm crying,
'Cause I might be reaching for the knife.

So today I'm flying home,
Where I really must belong,
No more Paris, London or Rome,
'Cause I'll never be wrong...
Again.

Not Bitter, 2009

 Anybody who knows me may find this statement to be a lie, but here goes anyway.  I'm not bitter.  I'm not bitter about my living situation.  I'm not bitter about my lack of finances.  I'm not bitter about not having a job.  I'm not bitter about my lack of a love life.  I'm not bitter about my lot in life.  It is just the cards we are dealt.  Some are dealt four of a kind.  Others have a full-house.  Still others have a straight or three of a kind.  I have been dealt a pair of deuces.  Now, if deuces were wild, I might be able to do something with them, but if we are playing nothing is wild, then my pair may not take the pot.  I've seen a pair of deuces win it all, but it is very rare.  So, I figure there is an outside chance that I could take the pot, if you believe.  I used to be bitter about many things--family, churches, friends, and life in general.  I was dwelling on "Why me?"  But now, I have released all of that to God, and I know that He will get me through this and take me to where I need to go.  Proverbs 3:5-6.  Look it up.

Have Fun, 2009

 Two words that I use frequently as a substitute for goodbye.  "Have Fun".  I have a lot of friends that are having fun today and tonight.  It may be fleeting, but they will feel good anyway.  I have forgotten how to have fun.  No one to have fun with.  When I tell someone to have fun, it is a form of giving.  But, when I need someone to give to me, fun or otherwise, no one does.  Too many excuses.  I have told some to have fun, and they look a little surprised, because they are not sure what I mean, but then a smile comes on their face as if they think of a way to have fun.  So, I made someone smile and have a briefly better day.  In that vein, have fun and have some fun for me, too.

One, 2009

One world
 is my world
and it's your world
 to be one world.

One time
 it's not my time
and you take the time
 to be one time.

One love
 who is my one love
you have your one love
 to be one love.

One dream
 I know my one dream
you already have your one dream
 to always be in my one dream.

More Homeless Observations, 2009

 Having never done LSD (as far as you know), I wouldn't know about flashbacks (as far as you know).  I might have read about them in a book.  So, a friend today invited me to the soup kitchen for lunch, and I went.  After we sat down to eat, a woman stood up and started "singing" gospel music.  It might have been good if she could sing or knew the words, but she didn't do either.  She yelled it at a high pitched wail.  Doesn't everyone know the first verse of "Amazing Grace"?  "Wretch like me" rhymes with "blind but now I see".  Ya think?  She made up her own words that didn't rhyme.  Then, she made another mistake by inviting another woman to sing harmony with her.  Since she didn't know the words, the one singing harmony couldn't do that either.  When we got outside, I asked my friend if that really happened, or did I dream it?  He said it was real, so no acid flashback.  This time.  (as far as you know)
 I have been in the public library and seen people sleeping.  I've had mixed emotions about it from disgust to pity.  But, now that I am homeless, it has struck me, too.  Falling asleep at the library.  Their chairs are too comfy.  So, it is their fault.  And, I also blame it on losing sleep at the shelter.  In a perfect world, I could get around 9 hours of sleep on a perfect night, but that won't happen as long as those guys insist on being loud, and nothing is done about it.  The library doesn't like you sleeping in there.  I don't blame them, but there just isn't anywhere I can go to take a nap.  Oh well.

Homeless Observations, 2009

 When one enters the homeless shelter, you have to sign a paper saying you are a professing Christian.  So, there is a lot of profanity in there.  You are told if you use profanity in there, it is grounds for dismissal.  At 4:10am this morning, some guys in the sleep room decided to wake everyone else up to have a conversation.  Wake up time is 5:30am.  When one told them to be quiet, they mocked him.  So, when others complained to the managers, nothing was done.  Kind of makes you wonder what kind of Christianity some people profess.  I went to seminary.  A lot of Sunday School classes.  And I just don't remember the Bible talking that it is a quality of Christians to be rude and crude.  Maybe, it is a different version.
 Being in the homeless shelter, there are some things I truly miss.  Things that most people take for granted.  For example, there is no TV.  I miss the nightly news.  My favorite show is NCIS.  It has started with new episodes, but I can't see them right now.  Not even online, because we can't have laptops either.  And, I can't watch the shows on the computers in the library, because I need headphones.  Another thing I miss is music.  No radios.  I have to sit outside of a coffee shop, when they play the oldies radio station.  And probably the biggest thing I miss is a hot bath.  I'm talking about a tub, where I can soak.  A tub bath is great, because you can soak and think about your upcoming day, or just ponder the problems of the world.  I have heard stories of people in the shelter going to the hospital just so they can have a decent bed and bath, plus TV.  It might be something to think about.  Meanwhile, if you'll let me have a decent bath, I would appreciate it, just for a couple of hours.
 I need to run away.  Not far away.  Just far enough where no one can find me.  So, how am I?  Well, I have $5 in the bank.  I have $130 in bills.  I have no job.  I'm living in a homeless shelter for now.  I don't have any family who will help me.  Nor, any friends.  My emotional state is very fragile.  But, other than that?  Everything is great.  Oh yeah, no car either.  So, no car insurance.  But, other than that?  Everything is great.  For years, I have asked people to help me.  A few have said yes, but the majority would say no.  I don't really know why.  Some tend to think I am a bum or a lazy fool.  Whatever the case may be, all I ask is someone to believe in me.  Is that too much to ask?

I Fell Down, 2009

I saw a girl from across the street,
Running down the road,
That's a girl I really wanted to meet,
If I could be so bold.

I ran after her and asked her to stop,
But she didn't hear me say it,
I ran so hard until I dropped,
And I really didn't want to quit.

I fell down
          down
           down
            down
              down
               down
                down in love with you.

I fell down...
I fell down...
I fell down...
I fell down...
I fell down in love with you.

She came back by me on the very next day,
I waited for her and I waved,
But she kept running with nothing to say,
I held my head up and I tried to be brave.

Then all of a sudden she turned her head,
She smiled at me but not knowing my name,
I don't really think she heard what I said,
And on she ran as my heart was in flames.

I fell down...
I fell down...
I fell down...
I fell down...
I fell down in love with you.

Peter, 1982

A bare stage.  One chair in the middle.  Peter is sitting in the chair.  Needs a revolver with a spinning chamber for bullets, but isn't loaded.

(screams)  Why!!  Why did I do it?  You said I would, but NOOOOOOOOOOO!  I thought you were crazy.  You said that I would tell them I didn't know you.  But, I knew I was going to be strong.  I was going to be strong for you.  You remember?  The Three Musketeers?  The Three Stooges?  Me, James and John?  (motion off to side)  With you thick and thin?  The ones you could always count on?

Why!!  Why did I do it?  Not once but THREE times!  Did I just seem invincible around you?  After all, you are the Son of God.  The Messiah.  The Prince of Peace.  And, I was your right hand man.  You picked me to defend you.  You could have turned those soldiers into mice, but you let them take you.  Did you see?  I tried to stop them, but you told me to back off, and you healed that man.

Why!!  Why did I do it?  My life is over.  How can I face the others?  (pulls out a gun.  It isn't loaded.  He begins to play Russian Roulette)  Let's spin it.  Put me out of my misery.  (click)  Oh, come on Jesus.  I let you down.  Let's spin it... (click)  Do I have to do this three times as WELL?  Let's spin it (click)

(pause)  Who's there?  My Lord.  My God.  I'm so sorry!  (crying)  No, it is not all right.  Why did you pick me in the first place?  WHY!!  (pause)  You don't love me.  Do you?  But, I said I didn't know you.  You weren't my friend.  (pause)  You are?  You can't love me.  Can you?  (pause)  No matter what?

WHY!!  (falls on the floor in a heap, crying)

(fade to black)

The Cross, 1977

Begins with a actor dressed all in black or brown.  The actor is curled up in a ball.  There is a little twitching and out pops a finger.  Then an arm; then a leg; until a tree emerges from "the seed".  He starts to sway in the breeze and is happy to be alive with facial expressions and upper body movements, but feet stay planted firmly to the floor.  Tree is very innocent and full of wonder.

Hello world.  I don't know where I came from, but here I am.  Oh, I love the wind.  It feels so good.  And the sunshine?  It's so warm.  Hello little birdie.  Do you want to sit on one of my branches?  You have a pretty song.  (whistles like a bird)  Oh, this is nice.  Let me see if I can reach up and touch the clouds.  No, not quite, but I will one day.  (looks down toward the ground)  Oh, there's a man down there.  Hello Mr. Man.  Whatcha doing down there?  What do you have in your hand?  Ow!  That hurt.  Ow!  You did it again.  Why are you hurting me, Mr. Man?  I didn't do anything to you.  (The outstretched arms like branches come down to his side as a board)  Hey, where are you taking me?  I don't want to go with you.  I want to stay with my friends.  (one arm is stretched out rigidly and then the other in the shape of a cross.  The actor must hold this position for the rest of the monologue)

Hey, what's this?  Why did you make me look like this?  I can't move anymore.  I can't reach toward the sky.  What's going...  (bounces as being put in a hole with a thud  Well, thanks for putting me in that hole.  I was kind of afraid of falling over without my roots.  Hey, what are you doing to that man?  He looks like a nice guy.  Why are you beating him?  And you're putting him up here?  Ow!  Why did you put that nail in him and then in me?  Ow!  You did it again.  Hey don't say those things to him.  He seems like a nice guy.  Hey Mister.  Why are they throwing things at you?  They're hitting me too.  Ow!  What did you say?  It is finished?  What does that mean?  Mister?  Mister?  Oh no.  He's dead.  And they are going to blame it on me.  Why me?

The Fisherman, 1982

One man sitting on the edge of the stage or can have a small stool just off the floor.  He pantomimes fishing using a rod and reel.  He enters and sits stage right.  He speaks as if to talk to a couple of other fishermen.  He's wearing jeans and an old shirt with a cap.

Hey everybody.  Anything biting today?  Yeah I see you got a few.  Watcha using for bait?  Really?  I usually use this purple wrangler.  Maybe it will bring me good luck.  Hey, did you see that game last night?  (refer to any team or sport, depending on the season)  Yeah, I thought they were supposed to be good this year, but they stunk.  And what about (name another two teams)?  Yeah, that was a good game.  Did anyone hear how Nazareth did?  They lost again?  Good.  Ain't nothing good ever come out of Nazareth.  (pause)  What news?  (pause)  Oh yeah, I heard about that Jesus guy.  He's from Nazareth, so you know he's no good.  So, what about him?  He took who?  Pete?  Jimmy and Johnny?  Who else?  Nate and Matt?  Oh man.  Why did they want to go do that?  Are they crazy?  Who else went with this guy?  Tommy?  I can't believe it.  You have to tell Tommy over and over again about something before he'll believe you.  What about Andy?  Him too?  Oh, there's going to be trouble when his mother finds out about that.  (pause, looks up)  Hey, look who's coming.  It's the guys and that Jesus dude with them.  Now, you guys let me handle this.  (stands up)  Hey Pete, Jimmy, Johnny--how you guys doing?  (pause)  Yeah I heard.  Andy, when your mother hears about this, she's going to tan your hide.  (then calls to Jesus)  Hey Jesus, come over here.  Listen man, you're taking away all of my fishin' buddies.  Now, I can understand Nate.  He'll follow anybody.  But, Pete and Jimmy and Johnny.  And little Andy.  If he goes, who's going to take care of their family?  You are just...(pause)  Wait a minute.  How do you know my name?  We've never met.  (pause)  How did you know what I was doing two weeks ago?  You weren't there.  (pause)  How do you know what I... (starts to tremble and falls to his knees and begins to cry)  My Lord and My God.  Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.  (blackout)

Hosea, 1979

Two men.  One in his early 30's and one in his early 60's.  Both are wearing modern clothes like you would wear to church.  When one actor is speaking, the other actor has his back turned to the audience.  The stage is bare, although a stool could be used for the older man just to add some variety.

Old Hosea:  (looks around)  Hello, my name is Hosea, and I want to tell you that I live in the most
                    beautiful country in all the world--Israel.  Of course, it wasn't always like that.  There
                    was sin.  There was sin all over the place.  Why, you couldn't even walk down the street
                    without seeing somebody sinning.

Young Hosea:  (points out into the audience)  SINNER!!  Yes, you.  In the temple!  What IS this
                         world coming too?  (pause, looks around as if he heard something)  What?  Who
                         called me?  (sees somebody in the audience and points)  Was it you?  No?  (goes
                         to other side and points to another audience person)  Oh, so it was you.  (pause)
                         Oh yes, Lord?  (pause)  You want me to marry?  Well, okay.  Who? (pause and
                         then mad)  One of them!  You can't be serious.  I can't marry one of them.  (pause)
                         Okay, Okay.  Don't send any lightning bolts!  I'll do it.  Uh, say Lord--What's her
                         name?  (insert 3 popular young pop stars and build to each name until excited at
                         the last name)  (then disappointed to hear)  Gomer!  What kind of name is that? 
                         Gomer.  She probably has a face that would stop a clock.  Hey God, is she the
                         one that I hear howling at the moon at night?  (laughs)  Gomer, Gomer...

Old Hosea:  (reflecting)  Gomer.  She was pretty and we had 3 beautiful children.  2 boys and a
                    girl.  And the Lord told us what to name them.  I wanted to name them Billy, Betsy
                    and Bobby, but the Lord said no.  He said the names had to reflect the sins of Israel.
                    I got some pictures here.  You want to see them?  (looks for pictures but can't find
                    them)  No, I guess not.  Well, anyway we had a good time.  Me, Gomer and the kids.
                    Until one day she left me.  She left me with the kids and went on back to her friends.
                    And I got to tell you it hurt.  It hurt a lot.

Young Hosea:  Lord, I miss her.  (pause)  Take her back?  I can't take her back.  She's back with
                         the sinners, Lord.  (pause)  Yes Lord I love her.  More than anything in this world.
                         (pause)  Even as I love my wife, you love Israel in spite of her sin.

Old Hosea:  And, you know something?  The Lord was right.

Falling, 2009

 As children we fall.  We fall down.  Our legs are unsteady.  We are not sure that we can stand up, so we fall down.  We don't trust our legs, or we don't know that we can stand up.
 Eventually, we figure it out.  We can use our feet to balance our wobbly bodies, and then we stand.  However, we continue to fall, but it is usually our choosing.  We play football, and we fall down, but we get back up, unless we get hurt.  We play baseball, and we fall down to avoid being tagged out.  We also might fall down to hide from a disaster, such as a shooting or some other man-made calamity.
 When I was a kid, my parents gave me some unique experiences.  They loved to travel, so we got to picnic in the Smokey Mountains by ice-cold streams with bears in sight.  We got to be in Biloxi MS, when a hurricane arrived flooding the lobby of our hotel.  We got to go to Dodge City KS and Colorado Springs CO.  We went to the Air Force Academy and Santa FE NM.  We toured the Grand Canyon and Disneyland.  We went to Washington DC and the New York World's Fair.  There were other places, too, but that's just my first 10 years.  My parents didn't have a lot of money, but they provided for my brother and me.
 Even after we were on our own, my brother and I would get words of encouragement from Mother and Daddy.  The last thing my father said to me before he slipped into a coma was, "We love you, and are proud of you."  I didn't deserve it, but it was unconditional.  As my Mother go to the point where she couldn't speak, she would just squeeze my hand to show her love for me.  Sometimes, she would just about cut off the circulation, but I felt her love as an electric current from her to me.
 In the past few weeks, I have fallen once again.  I have felt alone, because no one has come to pick me up.  They just walk around me.  Some will ask how I am doing lying on the ground, but when I tell them I'm okay, they say good and walk way without picking me up.  Quite frankly, some of what has been said to me has hurt me deeply.  I haven't wanted to show it for fear that people will think less of me, but it has caused my emotions to be very fragile.  So, please help me stand up once again.  Let me lean on you for support.  And maybe I can once again stand on my own two feet.

We Get It, 2003

Come on up here,
We have seen the light,
You are welcome to join us,
We have gotten back our sight.

Are you sure
 about what you say,
Or are you just
 wanting me to pay.

Come with me,
Jesus wants you to,
You have worth,
That's your clue.

There's a whole new world before you.

Are You Listening, 2003

Are you listening
 To that still, small voice,
Are you listening,
 You have a choice.

Are you praying
 To God up above,
Are you praying,
 Do you know about love.

God has a purpose,
 For each of your lives,
He wants you to see others,
 Who cares what you drive.

Are you listening
 To what God is saying,
Are you listening
 When you are praying.

Are you caring

Status, 2003

We're going to the game.
We don't know what to wear,
We've got our own cars,
What about our hair?

We're going to the mall,
We don't know what to buy,
We got our mom's charge card,
When she sees the bill, she'll die.

We're going to the movies,
We don't know what we're gonna see,
We'll eat popcorn and candy,
'Cause I'm me, me, me, me, ME!!

The best part about being us,
Is when we go to school,
Everyone wants to be like us,
'Cause we are so cool.

Reach Out, 2003

Hey, are you listening
To that voice in your head,
Do you hear what He's saying,
Do you know what Jesus said?

Jesus doesn't hear me,
He won't answer my prayers,
All I want is people to like me,
Nobody cares.

Clueless, 2003

What is your problem?
Why are you so sad?
Is it because nobody likes you?
Is that why you're mad?

We don't understand you,
You're not good in sports,
What do you like to do,
You're only a dork.

He won't even answer us,
Maybe he's too shy,
Maybe he can't take a joke,
He's about to cry...

Regrets

Boy #1.  I've never climbed a mountain.

Girl #1.  I've never won a beauty pageant.

Boy #2.  I've never hit a home run.

Girl #2.  I've never been on TV.

Boy #3.  I've never had a car.

Girl #3.  I've never had good grades.

Boy #4.  I've never had any friends.  (the others ignore him)

Girl #4.  I've never been to a concert.

Boy #5.  I've never been to a pro game.

Girl #5.  I've never been to Europe.

Whole New World, 2003

I see a whole new world before me.

I never thought it would be this way,
When you came in my life-what can I say?
You saved me from an awful fall,
Now I feel ten feet tall.

Now I live my life with no regrets,
'Cause now there's you.
And now you tell me you love me.
Oh how you love me
I see a whole new world before me.

You mean more than the sky above,
Because you are the one who gives total love,
We want to do everything you say,
'Cause you give to us a brighter day
Now we live our lives with no regrets,
'Cause we have you
And now we tell you we love you.
Oh how we love you,
We see a whole new world before us.

We love you everyday
We love you and we pray,
We love you and we shout,
We love you-there's no doubt
We love you more and more,
We love you-our spirits soar
We see a whole new world before us.

One Way

The morning has brought us
 to another day.
We want to obey You,
 We see You're the way.

Wake up and
 Thank God for another day,
We were made in Your image,
 We know what to say.

Questions (for solo and choir)

Male Soloist:  (to the sky)  Hello?  Where are you?  I haven't heard from you in a while.  Hey.  Are you listening?  Do you have me in your file.

Choir:  He is listening.  He is listening.

Male Soloist:  I pray to you often, but you don't seem to hear.  I want you to answer, I have nothing to fear.

Choir:  He is hearing.  He is hearing.

Male Soloist:  My friends think I'm crazy.  You don't seem to know.  I'm trying to tell you.  I'm trying to grow.

Choir:  He's all knowing.  He's all knowing.

Male Soloist:  I guess I'll just sit here, And wait for your call, I don't know what to do...I don't understand you at all.

Saul Monologue, 1981

 Hi, How are you doing?  My name is Saul.  Nice to see you.  Hey, where are you going?  Oh, a stoning!  Okay, I'll hold your coat for you.  Hey, that rock looks pretty good for stoning.  Yeah get him!  (hands over ears and close eyes)

 (approach audience)  Hey, did you know that guy Stephen?  Are you a follower of Jesus?  How about you?  You?

 (go to podium)  Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that there is nothing worse than a follower of Jesus.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm not against Jews, because I am one myself, and I have been brought up in the synagogue and have been taught by the geniuses of our time, so I know where of I speak.
 The law of Moses is the law of the people--not whatever Jesus said.  And that's why I saw that (hold up sign) "Pharisees know the truth!"  I will kill anyone who will not believe that.  You remember the stoning of Stephen?  He was a quack, just like Jesus was.  And you know something else?  Jesus was a hypocrite.  He said that "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  Well, I know the truth and that's not to follow Jesus.  The Mosaic law is the law--not the law of Jesus.

 (approach audience) Now, are you going to forget Jesus?  All right, you asked for it--

 (fall down, shield eyes)  Who are you, Lord?

Drugs is a Man's Best Friend, 1973

Come back ole man
And see the fun
You've missed this year.

Kick off your crown,
Kick off your crutches,
Get off your wheel chair,
Take some speed.

Fly as high as the sky!

Wow ole man
You're cool.

Watch you fly through the
Windows and on to the ground.
Thump!

And they put you in the morgue.
Amen.

Dream Girl, 1992

I called you on the phone,
They said you were gone,
They asked me my name,
Was I to blame?

I saw you on the street,
I wanted us to meet,
But when I turned to say hello,
You had already left to go.

I saw your picture on a wall,
I tried to grab it but I wasn't tall,
You don't even know my name,
'Cause you're the one with the fame.

You're my dream girl...
I worship you from afar,
Dream girl...
I know who you are,
Dream girl...
I want to ask you to dance,
Dream girl...
Yeah-fat chance.

One day you saw me and just smiled,
My heart beat wildly for a while,
I know you liked me when you looked,
But I'm not the guy in your little black book.

So I pretend I know you,
Even though you haven't a clue,
My dream girl is on my mind,
I'll follow you from behind.

You're my dream girl...
I see you everywhere,
Dream girl...
With your golden hair,
Dream girl...
I really like what I see,
Dream girl...
If only you'd see me.

I'm happy when you're around,
I try to catch you but you won't slow down,
Someday I will say to you,
You're my dream girl--how do you do?

Dream girl...
I love you all the time,
Dream girl...
Up your pedestal I'll climb,
Dream girl...
What's the matter with me,
You're my dream girl,
Can't you hear my plea.

A Thought

If the neon lights are wishing wells.
 then no one will know the difference.
But, if there is a difference,
 then there are no neon lights.