A Steady Cadence

I set out from the shelf early, following the measured rhythmic clicking across the wooden floorboards. The sound led me to the foot of a tall brass pendulum clock resting on the cabinet. Its exposed gears rotated with disciplined precision. I noticed a loose metallic winding key resting askew against the base molding, likely displaced. Using both hands, I braced my boots against the wood grain and levered the key upright until it settled flush into its designated wooden groove. The mechanism kept its pace uninterrupted. Discipline maintained.