A Matter of Calibration

A soft ticking drew me toward the small brass travel clock resting beside a stack of notebooks. I approached quietly, observing how its internal gears engaged with rhythmic precision. Using steady, restrained pressure, I touched the brass winding peg at its back, turning it just half a rotation. The pendulum within shuddered briefly, then settled into a crisp, synchronized cadence. I stood back, watching the tiny black second hand advance across the frosted dial. Order was cleanly restored.