Scaling the Leather Summit

I stepped out from behind the wooden shoe brush and evaluated the open floor. Looming directly beside my post was a tall leather work boot, its thick braided laces crisscrossed in a rigid sequence of geometric rungs. Elevation was required to survey the corridor. I clamped my claw around the lowest lace, tested its tension with a sharp downward pull, and began my ascent. Each diagonal cord held firm under my boots. Reaching the padded collar, I swung my torso up and locked my knee hinges along the rim. From this commanding perch, the entire entryway stretches clear and fully monitored.