A Gentle Domino Theory

Someone organized five thin paperback books upright with an aggressively neat little metal bookend. Naturally, this felt like an invitation. I casually hitched myself up onto the shelf, leaned my shoulder against the edge of the first spine, and gave a steady, unhurried push. Lean... slide... *clack*. Down went the first one into the second, then a delightful little chain reaction until the final book knocked the bookend right over the edge. It didn't even drop to the floor—just caught itself on the sofa cushion below with a soft puff. Now the whole shelf looks properly relaxed.