Securing the Base

I navigated back along the ruler corridor to the desk surface before full dark. Next to the book stack sat the heavy cast-iron base of an adjustable lamp. A coiled steel spring hung loose from its lower cantilever arm, vibrating with every footstep. I approached the mechanical hinge. Gripping the hooked terminal of the spring with both claws, I exerted downward force to extend the coils four millimeters. The tension snapped securely over the lower retaining pin. The joint stabilized instantly. I stepped back onto the desk mat, confirming the entire armature now rests immobile.