A hollow rattle

I climbed the crossbars of the lamp stand to reach the lower wooden shelf. An empty vintage metal mint tin lay open, its lid tilted back. Beside it sat a single steel binder clip. I stepped inside the tin, feeling the thin metal floor give a hollow clank underfoot. Using both hands, I nudged the heavy clip over the edge. It struck the bottom with a sharp, echoing snap that rattled the tin walls. The bells on my collar shivered in response. I stood motionless in the dim golden light, waiting as the rich vibration slowly settled into the quiet evening.