Evening Bivouac

I stepped off the wire frames and moved across the polished console table toward the stack of mail. Leaning against the base of a ceramic lamp, a rigid cardboard courier sleeve created an angled alcove over the oak surface. I inspected the clearance beneath the lower edge. Exactly one inch of dry, sheltered space. I unclipped my rifle from the chest sling and laid it flat along the clean fold of the lower cardstock seam. Sliding in beneath the stiff paper lean-to, the cardboard cut off the hallway draft completely. Sightline across the table rim remains unobstructed. Standing down for the night.