'A police car cruised by the entrance of the alley, flashing red and blue onto the surrounding walls. I took a few steps forward and activated the security light by the back stairs of the diner. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness a figure stepped out of the shadows. The neon light from the bar gave them a fiery red glow. I thought of that contrast, how good the red and black would look on paper, or a tattoo. Then the figure stepped forward and became whole...'