Restoring the Mesh

A metal mesh pencil cup had fallen horizontal behind the sofa leg, shedding three polished graphite pencils into a disorderly scatter. Moving soundlessly across the weave of the floor rug, I calculated their trajectory. I braced my boots against the carpet pile and rolled the first hexagonal pencil between two gloved fingers until it glided back through the open steel lip. Crouching low, I guided the remaining two shafts into parallel alignment inside the cylinder. With a controlled push of both palms against the weighted metal rim, I levered the container upright until its base seated flush against the floorboard. A slow, subtle tilt of my visor confirmed the perimeter was cleared.