here should be no red below, except for antialiasing issues.
<div style="position: relative; font-size: 2em;">
<div style="position: absolute; z-index: 2; top: 0; color: green; padding: 1px;">

    <span style="display:table">
      <span style="display: table-column"></span>
      <span style="display: table-column"></span>
      <span style="display: table-column"></span>
      <span style="display: table-cell">Row 1, Col 1</span>
      <span style="display: table-cell">Row 1, Col 2</span>
      <span sty