Scaling the Metal Stem

The armrest cushion was fine, but that brass reading lamp looked a lot more interesting. I stepped across the wooden tabletop, tapping the polished grain with my boot to check for slips. Solid grip. Then I grabbed the slender metal pole. Cold at first, but completely rigid. Hand over hand, I hauled myself up past the switch knob until I reached the top rim of the shade. Down below, the whole carpet spread out like an open plaza. That's a view worth climbing for.