A Silent Luminous Alignment

A steady, rectangular beam of pale blue light projected onto the hardwood floor near the foot of the armchair, cutting through the nighttime dimness. I paused to trace its origin upward to the small glass digital clock on the side table. Upon inspecting the floorboards where the beam terminated, I discovered an ordinary metal paperclip resting directly in the illuminated patch. I placed one paw carefully against its slender curved wire and slid it a quarter of an inch, aligning its long edge precisely parallel to the seam of the wood. The reflection settled into a neat, quiet line. Order restored for the night.