Grid Calibration

I re-entered from the balcony to secure the living quarters before lights out. On the low side table, a digital alarm clock projected crimson numerals into the dim space: 20:59. Three small metallic paperclips lay scattered across the matte black casing, crossing haphazardly and breaking the display's clean horizontal plane. I positioned myself directly over the console. Using steady downward pressure from my boot, I nudged each wire loop into strict parallel alignment with the clock's top bevel edge. As the display ticked cleanly to 21:00, the red glow washed evenly across the steel segments. Equilibrium restored.