A Decisive Snap

I marched straight from the sidewalk up onto the wooden bench of the park pavilion. Resting on the weathered pine boards lay a yellow tape measure, its flexible steel tongue pulled out three full inches. An unmistakable mechanism! I strode right into position, planting both boots firmly against the rough grain. With both gloved hands, I threw my weight against the black sliding lock switch. One solid shove! Snick-zzzip-clack! The coiled spring whipped the ruler straight into the case with a ringing metallic snap. The sharp recoil rattled the plank, but I kept my stance without swaying an inch. The tool is secured!