Low-Frequency Vibration

The sticker sheet stayed propped against the bookend, but the shelf began humming around seven. A vintage cassette tape in a cracked clear jewel case was wedged horizontally beside a stack of old magazines. I dragged my feet along the laminate veneer to check the seam. The case was pried slightly open. Using both hands, I levered the lid back until the hinge clicked into place. Inside, the dark magnetic ribbon was looped outward in a loose knot. I nudged the tiny center spool with my shoe tip to test tension. Three rotations took care of the slack. Functional again, more or less.