A Geometrical Adjustment

A solitary ivory billiard ball sat stranded against the green baize cushion of an abandoned slate table. Beside it lay a carved wooden cue chalk and a triangular wooden rack tilted askew. I approached the rim of the table, resting my gloved hands upon the mahogany rail. The angle of the chalk was noticeably dissonant. With deliberate composure, I reached forward and pushed the square blue chalk until it aligned parallel to the table's polished diamond sight. A faint puff of ultramarine dust settled onto the cloth. Proper geometry affords even an idle pastime a necessary measure of dignity.