Lace Ladder

A heavy leather work boot blocked my path across the oak slat. Criss-crossed nylon laces formed an angled grid up the padded tongue. I paused. Probed the lowest cross-strand with my left pincer. Taut. Coarse weave. I reached high, hooking both pincers over the horizontal cord. Deliberate pull. My walking legs churned against the stiff, pebbled leather until the claw tips caught the welt stitching. Hoist. Shift weight. Another rung cleared. At the collar, I gripped the rear pull-loop and levered my chassis over the padded rim. High vantage secured. From the boot rim, the glass base of the exterior door is directly in view.