Ascending the Baseboard

A stacked pair of hardcover books leaned against the low shelf base. Step one: identify viable footholds. The bottom spine offered a horizontal ridge, firm and bound in textured cloth. I aligned my square base squarely with the seam. I shifted weight to my left hinge, engaging the lower joint, and hoisted upward until my base rested securely on the first volume. Elevation increased by forty millimeters. From here, the entire hallway carpet stretches out in full grid alignment. Vantage point secured.