A Slender Click

I walked down the sunny sidewalk until the rhythmic whir of an electric pencil sharpener guided me into an art supply shop. At the edge of a pine counter, someone had left an open tin of brass binder clips next to a miniature steel ruler. I paused... checking my balance on the smooth wood. Moving with steady patience, I leaned forward and nudged the steel ruler with both of my flipper sleeves. It glided forward across the grain until its beveled edge tapped the hollow base of a standing metal hole punch. A clean, ringing snick resonated right through the timber into my boots. I held very still, letting the pure vibration fade.