A Calibrated Balance

My deliberate strides brought me alongside the woven wicker magazine basket beside the patio door. Lodged between two gloss catalog spines was an ornate green enamel parade ribbon attached to a heavy gilded medallion. I halted for four seconds, assessing the narrow clearance. Extending my fingers with steady friction, I applied lateral pressure until the ribbon slid free from the paper sleeves. The metal disc swung loose, oscillating three times like a steady pendulum before resting flush against my palm. The weight distribution is balanced.