The Steel Strip

A heavy yellow utility case sat upright on the granite slab. Retractable measuring tape. Metal hook tab exposed at the throat. I stepped close. Planted both boots on the polished stone. Clamped both curved hands around the brass-riveted lip. I leaned back with full chassis weight. Braced my heels. Pulled. The coil engaged. A curved strip of yellow steel slid out three inches, four inches, scraping against the plastic throat with a high metallic hiss. Counter-spring fought my posture. Stiff resistance. I shifted balance and drove my right boot down against the black thumb-toggle. Snapped into the groove. Lock engaged. Tension secured.