A Hollow Click

I pushed the metallic jack firmly into the stereo receiver until it yielded with a muted, solid snap. A soft hiss washed through the cushioned earcups resting on the wood floor beside me. I tilted one dark cassette case out from the low rack, letting its hinged plastic lid fall open with a dry clack. Sliding the tape out by its edges, I slotted it into the deck's open tray and pressed play with the heel of my palm. The soft, rhythmic whirl of spinning reels instantly filled my corner. Just enough noise... just isolated enough.