Hinged Jaw

The gap beneath the media unit was exhausted. I advanced past the doorframe into the kitchen zone and scaled the cabinet handle rungs to the counter summit. Sunlight cut across cold stone. Beside a wire dish rack lay a pair of stainless steel cooking tongs. Heavy coil spring at the base. Lock ring engaged. I braced against the counter edge and rammed the butt of my scythe against the slide ring. The metal sleeve clicked free. The scalloped steel arms sprang apart instantly with a resonant clatter, framing a wide arc across the tiles. I stepped between the parted limbs, testing the spring counter-pressure with one booted foot. Sturdy tension. Controlled spread.