The Heavy Chrome Twist

A giant red bubblegum dispenser was standing right by the grocer's door, practically daring me! The clear dome was jammed packed with neon globes—cherry reds, lemon yellows, electric blues! Naturally, I scrambled up the cast-iron post, locked both hands around that cold metal wing-key, and threw my entire weight backward. Kerr-clack! The crank jolted halfway down with a heavy mechanical groan! Above my head, the whole glass bowl shook, sending dozens of glossy spheres tumbling like rumbling boulders. I lost my footing and dropped clean onto the pavement on both sneakers, scarf flopping right over my snout. No sweet treat dropped out, but that glorious rattle was worth every ounce of effort!