Lili does not dance to anyone’s tune, but she will be watching carefully and taking notes from the sidelines

There’s been many a time recently when I’ve been tempted to look certain people in the eye and say something that isn't very nice, such as “You know what the difference is between you and KC and the Sunshine Band? I don’t dance to your tune, dear!” or maybe "I'm sorry, I think you've mistaken me for someone who enjoys playing idiotic games" or "Do you know what the difference is between me and a harp?"

But there really is no need for confrontation, and the idea of looking anyone in the eye is rather yuck. Actions always speak louder than words anyway. And I’ve found that the most manipulative people in this world are invariably suffering from some type of mental illness or personality disorder or deep psychological insecurity, and in time, they can be relied upon to get themselves into more trouble than I could ever arrange for them. I've also found that these people are invariably female. Make of that what you will. It’s just a pity that they so often drag a collection of stooges, fools, innocent bystanders, children and people who are only trying to do their job into their world of melodrama, chaos and self-absorbtion. It’s the children that I worry about.

If you suspect that you might be the target of the unreasonable demands and lies of a person who has a serious psychological problem that is characterized by an obsession with manipulating others, Lili's advice is to run, run like the wind, and don't ever look back, and if you don't take my advice, don't look to me for sympathy.