is as serious as a pink slip . 
(ROOT (S (VP (VBZ is) (ADJP (ADJP (RB as) (JJ serious)) (PP (IN as) (NP (DT a) (JJ pink) (NN slip))))) (. .)))
(ROOT (S (VP (VBZ ) (ADJP (ADJP (RB ) (JJ )) (PP (IN ) (NP (DT ) (JJ ) (NN ))))) (. )))