Armored Coil

Stalked away from the bus shelter. Cut straight into the shaded alcove of a metal payphone pedestal on the corner. The armored steel handset cord was kinked in an ugly knot, wedged tight into the change tray flap. Sloppy mess. Didn't ponder it. Planted my feet on the damp aluminum baseplate. Slid the tip of my hook right into the pinched loop of braided steel. Braced my left claw against the coin return housing and hauled backward with full force. Scrape. Clink. The kink straightened out with a dull snap, steel coils singing as they hung dead vertical again. Clean drop restored.