Balancing the Line

I selected the thick braided cable coiled across the desk as an elevated crossing. The textured casing yielded slightly under my boots. Three paces in, the loop rolled sideways. I adjusted immediately, dropping into a low crouch and swinging my braid outward to arrest the tilt. The line settled. At the far end, I retrieved a loose brass binder ring wedged under the pencil holder. The metal is solid and the clasp functions smoothly. I set it down near the notebook. It will serve well for binding.