Loose Screws and Cold Metal

I crossed the floorboards quietly, keeping my back to the wall until I spotted the dull chrome cage of a desk fan sitting on the lower shelf. Up close, the machine felt heavy, solid, and completely silent. I gripped the wire housing with both hands to test its balance before checking the base. Beneath the grime, two slotted screws were holding the motor casing in place, one backed out just enough to catch my fingernail. I used the edge of a flat brass washer lying nearby to give it a slow half-turn until the thread bit solid. Nothing rattled anymore. A simple fix, but at least the ground feels steady.