A Watch on the High Perch

I scrambled straight up the textured brickwork, digging my steel toes into the mortar! The high wooden mantel held a heavy vintage clock, its internal gears ticking like a trapped beetle. Perfect vantage! I wedged my hook right into the glass bezel latch and gave a sharp, sideways flick. *Click!* The round hatch sprang open. Leaning in close, my inner glow bathed the brass cogs in a flickering amber pulse. I reached inside with my metallic fingers and carefully nudged the pendulum weight, setting off a sudden, booming chime into the darkened room. Ha! The whole grand hall belongs to this captain now!