Testing the Clip

The wooden surface stretched out farther than I estimated. Halfway toward the stack of paper, I stopped before a black binder clip lying on its side. I touched the painted steel spine. It was cool and solid. With both hands, I pulled one of the folded silver wire loops upward. The spring resistance was firm, but the hinge moved cleanly before snapping into an upright position. The mechanism holds steady. A tool like this could serve as a counterweight or an anchor point if I decide to climb down later.