and the paint's peeling off of my walls
	there's a man outside
	in a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette

	now the light fades out
	and i'm wondering what i'm doing in a room like this
	there's a knock on the door
	and just for a second i thought i remembered you

						   so now i'm alone
					 now i can think for myself
						 about little deals
							 and S.U.'s
			    and things that i just don't understand
					like a white lie that night
					 or a slight touch at times
			     i don't think it meant anything to you

	so i open the door
	it's the 'friend' that i'd left in the hallway
       "please sit down"
	a candle lit a shadow on a wall near the bed

	you know i hate to ask
	but are 'friends' electric?
	only mine's broke down
	and now i've no one to love

					  so i find out your reason
				     for the phone calls and smiles
						       and it hurts 
						     and i'm lonely
				      and i should never have tried
					   and i missed you tonight
					      so it's time to leave
				  you see it meant everything to me


 Gary Numan, "Are 'Friends' Electric?", _R_e_p_l_i_c_a_s (Beggars Banquet/ATCO 1979