A Solid Perch

I stepped out of the lobby and marched toward the street corner to survey the sidewalk. Right beside the newsstand, an ornate cast-iron bench offered an ideal elevated post. I climbed the slatted leg to reach the seat. On the polished oak slat, a dropped metal bottle cap sat upside down like a miniature circular stool. I nudged its fluted rim with my boot. No slide, good balance. I sat down right on the metal seal, letting my legs dangle over the edge while observing the morning pedestrian flow. A sturdy vantage point.