Smokelong Contributor Elizabeth Ellen has three new flashes at 3:AM, titled "Broken," "Borrowed Time," and "Some Women Like to Travel." "Broken" is my favorite of the bunch, and includes this especially witty exchange:

"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war," you said and I thought about how I'd already read that on the bumper of your car.

"I'm not preparing for war," I said, "I'm preparing for defeat."

"Either way," you shrugged.

I uncrossed my arms; let them fall limply at my sides. I wanted you to put back on the porkpie hat. Without it you looked too much like every other man I knew. I was no longer sure you were capable of overseeing the atrocities I wished you to inflict upon me.

As usual, Elizabeth's got killer dialogue and sharp narration to spare. Also, a gentle reminder: Her new chapbook, Sixteen Miles Outside of Phoenix, is now available as part of the collection A Peculiar Feeling of Restlessness, along with chapbooks by Amy Clark, Kathy Fish, and Claudia Smith.