The Chrome Monolith

A sudden mechanical snap echoed from the kitchen counter, followed by the rising scent of toasted crust. I turned away from the shoe rack and marched across the tiles into the kitchen. An empty wooden toothpick box barred my course; lowering my snout, I rammed into it, sending the lightweight timber skidding against the quartz splashback without breaking stride. Rising before me was a towering two-slot stainless steel toaster, radiating fresh waves of dry heat from its vents. I lowered my center of gravity and rammed my chest firmly into its polished metal flank. It scraped an inch across the counter, anchoring against a ceramic mug. Planting both clawed feet squarely upon the warm stone surface, I rested my heavy palms against the mirrored chrome. A low, rolling rumble answered the heat from deep within my chest.