Spring-Loaded Shortcut

Trotting in from the chilly porch, I slipped through the door flap and bounded straight onto the low wooden bench. Parked right beside a chunky wool scarf was a folded compact umbrella with a round release button. You don't put a trigger in front of a speedster and expect me to just walk by! I dropped all my weight onto the button with both sneaker soles. *THWACK!* The internal spring fired, and the taut canopy rocketed open across the bench like a deployed braking chute, sending me skidding back on my heels with a grin. Now that's what I call instant acceleration!