A Tiny Click

I stepped up to the round brass pocket watch resting closed on the dark desk blotter. Pausing two paces back, I watched its polished dome catch the amber glow of the desk lamp. Moving closer with steady taps, I braced myself and pressed my plush front paw firmly onto the little top knob. With a crisp metallic click, the front cover sprang wide open. Inside, a slender black needle was making hurried, tiny strides around the white dial. I lowered my head and rested my chin against the brass rim, feeling the faint mechanical pulse hum softly through the quiet room.