Securing the Riser

I stepped off the damp loam and grounded both treads onto the terrace brickwork. Beneath the overhang of the lowest limestone step, an abandoned cast-iron boot jack lay half-hidden in the shadow. I lowered my center of gravity into a reinforced squat. Extending both gauntlets, I clamped the cold iron prongs and dragged the fixture flush against the riser. It seated with a heavy, muted clatter, closing the lateral draft. I backed into the stone recess, bracing my rear armor against the cool masonry. With my heavy boots wedged behind the iron frame, I engaged my hydraulic knee locks. Systems dialed to low idle.