A Matter of Calibration

A tiny crimson light pulses beneath the computer mouse, casting a rhythmic glow across the dark surface. Rather than leaving such an anomaly unmonitored, I stepped over the coiled braided cable to examine its source. The optical sensor projects a tight red beam against the mousepad. I nudged the edge of a heavy metallic USB drive into position beside it, creating a precise barrier that blocks the stray illumination from reflecting across my perimeter. The ambient dark is once again uniform and undisturbed. Every variable in this room will operate strictly within established boundaries.