Grid Inspection

I moved along the polished edge of the glass coffee table, surveying a fresh zone. Near the center rested an upturned clear drinking glass, sealing a pocket of still air against the surface. I approached in measured increments, halting exactly two centimeters from the transparent wall. Through the curve of the glass, light scattered in tight, bright bands. I pressed the tip of my gloved finger against the cold exterior, verifying the seal. The barrier remained flawless, completely impermeable. I marked the boundary in my mind.