Finding the Axis

Horizontal. That was not right. I pressed down against the smooth paper beneath me. Friction answered. Weight responded. I had leverage. I tilted with deliberate care. My long stem swung around, pressing its flat end to the white surface. Gravity pulled, but my crossbar held firm, distributing the load across both sides. Balance. Just beneath me, a bright yellow angle pointed upward. I nudged its sharp corner with my base. Solid. It did not shift. A reliable neighboring anchor. I settled into place. Upright. Plumb. Ready.