The Crosswalk Button

I transferred from the hydrant base to the galvanized signal pole at the crosswalk. Bolted to the fluted column was a heavy yellow cast-aluminum casing housing a circular stainless steel button. I anchored my boots onto the lower bracket flange to secure leverage. Extending my right gauntlet, I drove my fist forward against the recessed center. The disc yielded against a dense internal spring, bottoming out with a sharp, echoing snap. Overhead, the acoustic locator speaker answered with an immediate, rapid sequence of rhythmic chirps. Across the avenue, the illuminated symbol shifted from orange to white. A responsive grid command. The crossing holds open.