Dual Aperture

The amber beam on the wall faded into dusk. Night arrived. Leaving the prism on its timber block, I climbed the carved pilaster of the corner cabinet to reach high ground. On the dark shelf rested an antique mahogany stereoscope, its twin viewing hoods bound in tarnished brass. I tested the slide rail with the rim of my buckler. Solid timber, immovable joint. Slipping beneath the curved wooden cowl of the viewer, I grounded my stance between the dual eyepieces. Through the dark glass, the shadowed showroom below partitions into two silent circles. My cloak is gathered close. The elevated post is secured.