Fade in. Warm night, cold whiskey, cigarette keeps going out

Standing on the balcony, bar too packed, music too loud, crowd to familiar

This town is a 50s tv show, classic in its own way, but every episode seems the same, no change in the storyline

She comes up the stairs, and it's like a new scene. She used to be a regular on this show, the main character, but she moved on, finally getting a spot on a better spinoff.

Tonight she's a guest star, the main attraction. I drop the now defunct cigarette and head back inside behind her, not too close because if she sees me I'm liable to forget my lines.

As she walks up to the bar, the camera changes angles and suddenly it's a flashback montage, to happier scenes with her, before this show went to shit. But the resolution is blurry like somebody forgot to clean the lens, and suddenly it seems like maybe the show was never all that great. Nominated for a couple Emmys sure, but we never won, and the reviews were critical after that second season

Maybe we'd all be off on better shows?

The director yells cut, but it's really the bartender saying closing time,

There's another show starting in 5 minutes

She gathers her things and heads back down the stairs, her spinoff is waiting at the bottom in his fancy car

I call a cab and head back to the balcony to try that cigarette again

Fade to black, roll credits

Fade in. Warm night, cold whiskey, cigarette keeps going out

Standing on the balcony, bar too packed, music too loud, crowd to familiar

This town is a 50s tv show, classic in its own way, but every episode seems the same, no change in the storyline

She comes up the stairs, and it's like a new scene. She used to be a regular on this show, the main character, but she moved on, finally getting a spot on a better spinoff.

Tonight she's a guest star, the main attraction. I drop the now defunct cigarette and head back inside behind her, not too close because if she sees me I'm liable to forget my lines.

As she walks up to the bar, the camera changes angles and suddenly it's a flashback montage, to happier scenes with her, before this show went to shit. But the resolution is blurry like somebody forgot to clean the lens, and suddenly it seems like maybe the show was never all that great. Nominated for a couple Emmys sure, but we never won, and the reviews were critical after that second season

Maybe we'd all be off on better shows?

The director yells cut, but it's really the bartender saying closing time,

There's another show starting in 5 minutes

She gathers her things and heads back down the stairs, her spinoff is waiting at the bottom in his fancy car

I call a cab and head back to the balcony to try that cigarette again

Fade to black, roll credits

Thoughts and prayers and Facebook shares, usually come from the best of intentions 

"Oh that's so sad" she said as she read the tweet, 

of a young man shot dead in the street 

And she likes the post and comments "I'll be thinking of you, call if you need me"

...but she pauses and deletes that last part because if they call when the TV 

is on her favorite show she might miss that last part. 

Thoughts and prayers and Facebook shares, are a great way to spread the message

"You guys should donate to this Go FundMe" he adds to the link of the family with the plan 

to serve in a foreign land, 

and he sits at the traffic light, 

waiting for tags and likes

 and comments of "that's so thoughtful of you bro" 

but he locks his door on the man washing windows and prays for a green light so he can go

Thoughts and prayers and Facebook shares, can seem so heartfelt and productive 

"Why can't we love and respect those different from us" is the mantra in the wake of a mass shooting,

but we can't look past looting 

to get to the heart of the problem 

"A riot is the language of the unheard" but we forget thatpart of King's gospel 

Thoughts and Prayers and Facebook shares are a nice way to tell someone you care

but wouldn't it be nice if we could bring back a life, or get into Heaven off of 

Thoughts and Prayers and Facebook shares? 

There's no need to invade. This land is yours as it is ours. Your independence is inalienable. In fact, let me take you through your orientation. See those guys over there? Matching uniforms, buzz cuts, Dodge Chargers that could probably rival some of your top shuttles? They're here to protect and serve you.  Of course, there's a stipulation or two. Be sure to listen to what they say. Without question. Those commands they give, they're in your best interest. They know what they're doing. Oh, and be sure not to look too suspicious. I mean, how are they supposed to protect your independence if they don't know what you're doing? You get what I'm saying. While I'm at it, be sure not to get involved in their disputes. Sometimes you'll see them interacting with others, and it will seem like their independence is being infringed upon. But remember, those guys in the uniforms, with the buzz cuts and Dodge Chargers, they have a job to do. The person they're disputing with probably violotated one of the terms of that independence. You know, that inalienable independence I mentioned earlier? Obviously it comes with terms. Now, obviously, be sure you're where you're supposed to be. I mean, yeah you have independence, but certain people just shouldn't be certain places. And if they're in those places, there have to be consequences. So just watch out for that. So, just be sure to follow these guidelines, and you'll be fine. Oh, one more thing. Sometimes, you might follow all of these guidelines, and you might still encounter trouble. Be sure, after you've followed their commands, made yourself inconspicuous, be sure, when you're minding your own business, and your where you're supposed to be, be sure, when you've done everything right, to the best of your ability, be sure that if they still apprehend you, that you don't fight back. Be sure not  to resist. Be sure not to question. Be sure not to complain. Argue. Raise your voice. React. Exist outside of the norms that they have set. Be sure to do all of that, and they will repay you generously by possibly not shooting you. That's independence.