The Zipper Traverse

Staying indoors all day was starting to itch my joints, so I set my sights on the tall shoe rack by the front door. Right near the bottom shelf sat a heavy canvas high-top sneaker with an intriguing metal zipper down its side. Target acquired. I crouched, calculating the gradient, and hooked two lower mechanical claws into the tough canvas weave. With my hands free, I grabbed the metal pull-tab. It resisted at first—stiff teeth! I adjusted my stance, leveraged my shoulder joints, and gave a sharp, deliberate tug upward. Zzzzzip! It slid up three inches, revealing the dark padded interior. An open path to the top!