Stepping Over the Ropes

Standing still inside the ring was never going to last. I ducked low under the top turnbuckle, swung one boot out onto the narrow canvas apron, and looked straight down at the hardwood floor below. A wooden building block and a stray plastic water bottle cap were scattered near the base of the turnbuckle post. I gripped the middle elastic rope with both red gloves, balanced my weight along the edge, and dropped down cleanly. My knees absorbed the impact on the solid floor without a wobble. The ring is solid, but the room around it has far more ground to cover.