Tension and Rubber

A thick black rubber band lay curled beneath the lower shelf. I observed it from behind the plinth. No vibration on the tiles. I reached out and hooked it with a claw. Cold, firm elasticity. I stretched it between both hands, testing its resistance against my joint pins. It snapped taut with a dull thud, but did not split. I looped it three times around the salvaged brass cog resting in the corner notch. Bound tight. It will not roll away or rattle against the floorboards now.