Chicago-Midway airport - 4:40PM CST

I was killing time in the airport food court before my connecting flight to Indianapolis. While waiting in line to get some coffee, I noticed John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon in front of me getting a slice of pizza. He was immediately recognizable, that distinctive face that seems to scowl and smile at the same time. Lydon and his colleague were similarly attired, with spiky, colored hair, long khaki trench coats, and sneakers.

I figure he is able to be fairly anonymous so I didn't want to bother him, but I managed to compel myself to politely acknowledge him and offer a compliment. Despite the fact that I know his Sex Pistols stuff better than the Public Image Ltd stuff, I only have one of his records, and it's P.i.L. 9 -- but there are a couple of great moments on it. The second song on that record, "Disappointed", is a shimmering, glistening, hammering, bitter, hard pop rock anthem.

Disappointed a few people
When friendship reared its ugly head
Disappointed a few people
Well isn't that what friends are for

Rather than say, "Hey, aren't you Johnny Rotten!", I opted for a polite, "Mr. Lydon?"

"That's me," he responded, only half-way turning to respond. (Was that a grimace or a smile?)

"I just wanted to say that one of your records is a favorite of mine."

"Only one?" (Was that a smile or a smirk?)

"Uh, well, I think P.I.L. 9 is really great."

"Thanks."

And by the way, I did not get the feeling that I had been cheated.