A Gentle Stamp

I noticed an old metal self-inking date stamp sitting right beside an open notepad on the console table. Um... the grooved turn wheels were set at an awkward slant, catching on the internal frame. I looked around cautiously, held my breath, and planted my soft boots firmly on the polished wood. Wrapping both gloved hands around the lowest rubber wheel, I gave it a slow, deliberate twist with all my strength. Click-clack! The little numbered band rotated cleanly into its neat row, and when I leaned down with my whole chest against the wooden plunger handle, it left a crisp, perfectly straight blue impression on the rough paper. Everything lined up just right.