A Slotted Nut Pivot

I pushed past the azure glow of the blue marble. Nearby on the flagstone seam rested a tarnished brass slotted screw, wedged flat against the edge of a dry oak leaf. I halted. Extended my left pincer to probe the cold metal head. Rigid. Machined brass. I inserted the tip of my lower claw directly into the straight screwdriver slot. Applying measured clockwise torque, I levered the threaded post upright against a small granite chip. It seated with a dry, metallic snap. Midday light caught the brass slot, splitting into a pair of sharp, gleaming bars across the gritty flagstone. A solid marker anchored.