Chamber of Steel

The elevator doors parted with a heavy pneumatic hiss! I didn't linger in the hallway—hurled myself straight across the grooved brass threshold into the box. Inside, blinding light hit full-length mirrors and a polished chrome handrail ran waist-high along the perimeter. Smooth! Too slick to climb normally! I lunged forward, hooking both curved blade arms over the rounded chrome cylinder. My sharp barbs scraped against the mirrored back wall with a shrill, singing screech! Pushed down with all my weight. Rigid steel, bolted firm, refusing to snap. Perfect high perch to watch the floor drop away!