dennis scharnberg

tra la la

This was Jimmy’s notion:  a US Army made up of Barbie and her “diversity” buddies—all in camo, head to foot.

Will Southey,  Government Cheese, the Novel.

corrosion of everything

He wanted to stumble.  He really did.  He felt that he had a right to stumble.

Rubina Malcolm,  The Black Box.

caeli et terra

Every restriction of your freedom will be framed as an extension of freedom.  Is there a word for this?

Clem Tartessos,  Designing the Past.

running a gauntlet

“But how does it make you feel, Deborah?  How does the picture make you feel?”

Jane Chetwynde,  The Have-Not Faradays.

team of experts

…then, suddenly, it all disintegrates into a fine pale dust and is blown away in the slightest breeze.

Pryce Cummings,  Rattle Box.

battle of zama

Down the hall, in a pool of light, there hung a painting.  A portrait.  A self-portrait of Lindsay, looking like the tadpole he always had been.

Corinna Sparks,  Turning to Stone.

run far away

Solipsism and Narcissism are ornaments that hang from the Philosophy Tree.

Christopher Allyn,  Militant Vulgarity.

two in bush

It was like approaching a cabinet, with the idea of organizing its contents.  Secretly.

Jack Dawes,  Circus Interruptus.

count your pennies

The narcissist has to be told that he is looking in the mirror.  He has no self-awareness at all.

Cedric Plumm,  Calpurnia’s Dream and Other Essays.

architecture as abuse

“How many questions, Lieutenant?”

“Nine.  You need to answer nine questions.”

Everson Dwight,  Being and Murder.