The Balanced Beam

I moved past the drinking fountain toward the playground border. Grounded in the sand stood a weathered timber seesaw anchored to a heavy steel fulcrum. I planted both boots into the packed loam to secure leverage. Lowering my chassis, I clamped both gauntlets beneath the low end of the beam and engaged my arm hydraulics. The beam lifted with steady resistance, pivoting cleanly around the central grease-packed bolt without rattle or wobble. I released my grip at apex. The timber descended, struck the rubber buffer with a solid, muted thud, and rocked twice before settling level. Balance restored.