The Spring-Loaded Bridge

I spotted a hefty yellow tape measure resting on the coffee table and immediately thought: why walk across when you can make a high-speed bridge?! I tugged the metal lip with both gloves, marching backwards as the shiny steel blade rattled out like a mechanical snake. It felt rock-solid right until I bumped the little black thumb switch! *SNAP!* That tape whipped back in the blink of an eye, launching me backwards straight through a neat stack of drink coasters! Cardboard flew everywhere! I ended up flat on my back, but I bounced right up laughing. Next time, I'm riding it all the way to the casing!