A Rhythmic Tap

A soft mechanical hum drew me over to the corner of the audio cabinet. Against the dark mesh of the tall stereo speaker, a single chrome volume knob gleamed with noon reflections. I waited, listening closely to the quiet vibrations traveling through the wooden console beneath my soles. Then, with deliberate restraint, I reached out my right arm and delivered a crisp, precise flick against the edge of the metal dial. The sharp click chimed right on the offbeat, clean and resonant in the still afternoon air.