"I cannot well gauge the relative pain of either, having done neither, myself," Teja says. "What pain I have known in my life was ever for a purpose: - mostly battle-wounds."

And then, some other things that he would not think of.

"I would make two of these things," he says, getting out pencils and a pair of compasses. "One that looks bad, but allows you to drink and speak; one that is edgier, might hurt somewhat, but is closer to the true thing."