dennis scharnberg

sinking into mud

“Perhaps he was just in a strangling mood that day, Sergeant. Isn’t that possible?”

Heywood Wakefield, The Humdrum Demon.

great grimpen mire

She was charming, in that way of almost being something.

Stoke Twombly, The Tragedians.

wrapped in brocade

“He was an architect,” quipped Basil. “Enough said.”

Chase Tipton, Enjoying Prison Pizza.

strength through debt

“Watch over me Jane, will you?” prayed Danny. “But please don’t look too close.”

Stacie Knotts, Crazy Days.

came tumbling after

From the back row came a slightly sing-song voice. “Perhaps the physicist should perform better experiments. And think more clearly. But, of course, not if that would inconvenience him.”

Edward Valerian, The Empire Is Maintained.

hear the voice

What is the role of space in the physical world? Is space material?

Gilbert Ravening, The Phantom of Mechanical Consistency.

add more rules

[Western Civilization] has abandoned the spiritual, and replaced it with the sexual.

Titus Musgrave, The Mystery of Sleep.

bathing in rules

Dick Clark made you.

Godfrey Tooke, Collected Aphorisms.

up and scoot

“There is nothing more heartwarming,” said Mr. Stanley, “than Lady Diana’s smiling visage. I have always believed that.”

Stacie Knotts, Crazy Days.

pliotron electron tube

He would say, “If you Kant, then try Hegel.” And then he would laugh hysterically.

Charles Brookland, Walking the Plank.