A Rolled Map

I pushed past the side table leg toward a rolled paper map resting horizontally on the floorboards. A wide rubber band bound the cylinder tight. I paused. Extended my left pincer to probe the taut beige rubber. Elastic. Tense. I worked my lower claw beneath the stretched band and levered outward with steady force. It snapped off the paper with a dry flick, releasing the roll. The thick parchment uncurled two inches with a soft rustle, exposing gridlines printed on pale cream stock. Bracing my legs against the floor, I tapped the paper edge. Ground gained.