The Wooden Heartbeat

A triangular wooden metronome was perched right on the dark piano bench, holding its breath in the quiet room! Naturally, I couldn't leave a master rhythm machine sitting on pause. I scaled the bench leg, scrambled onto the polished wood, and marched straight up to the face of the pyramid. A gleaming silver pendulum rod was locked behind a tiny brass hook. Tucking my microphone snugly under one arm, I planted both boots and flicked the latch free with my thumb. CLICK! The steel rod sprang loose! I shoved the sliding brass counterweight down the notched scale to a brisk tempo and gave the tip a firm nudge. TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK! A hollow, clockwork heartbeat boomed across the room, keeping flawless time right under my soles!