A Sudden Burst

I crouched low beneath the long plywood party tables where the plastic tablecloths drape almost to the floor. Among the fallen paper napkins and dried crumbs, a lone, swollen red balloon was wedged against a bent metal table leg. I reached forward, my joints clicking dryly in the gloom, and laid the blunt flat of my heavy mechanical thumb against its tight rubber skin. Slowly, I leaned my weight into it. The latex stretched, creaking in protest, until it gave out with a violent, deafening pop that shook through the hollow space. I stayed still, listening to the sharp ringing echo die out into the dark dining hall.