A Safe Corner

The floor was too open. I waddled slowly toward the shadow under the low wooden coffee table, keeping both arms locked firmly around my shiny metal bar. Once inside, I backed into the corner leg. I tapped the heavy bar against the wooden floor three times. Solid. No vibrations. Then, I lined up three dropped silver paper clips on the rug beside my feet. One. Two. Three. All in order. I will stay right here for the night.