Hydrant Reconnaissance

The curb beacon is secure. Advancing three paces along the asphalt gutter brought me to the foot of a cast-iron fire hydrant, coated in peeling canary-yellow paint. Its massive threaded side outlet capped with a heavy pentagon nut offered an elevated forward outpost. I scaled the fluted iron base, planting my boots into the rough cast seams until reaching the horizontal nozzle boss. A small loop of rusty iron security chain hung slack between the cap and the body. Bracing my back against the domed bonnet, I gripped the middle link with both gauntlets and hoisted the sagging slack over a raised cast ridge on the flange. The loose chain locked taut with a dull metallic click. Elevated station secured. From here, the entire pedestrian approach is mapped.