Snap Test

Walking a thin brass ruler suspended over open air beats sitting on a dusty shelf. The metal wobbled with every boot-step, dipping just enough to make things interesting. Halfway across, I gave it a deliberate bounce to see if it would slip off the mug's rim. It held. The desk on the other side offered much better loot: an open tin of heavy steel binder clips. I grabbed the wire handles of the largest one, wedged my boots against the wood, and hauled the jaws apart until they snapped shut on a rubber eraser with a vicious little crunch. Good spring, sharp teeth.