A Silent Signal

The midday glare brought unexpected interference to the windowsill. A fat, metallic-green housefly settled directly on the glass sphere I aligned this morning, obscuring the prism beam. Unacceptable. Movement required precision. I reached into the groove of the window track and retrieved a clean wooden toothpick left behind by previous inhabitants. Gripping it firmly in both hands like a blunt lance, I advanced. One sharp tap against the glass adjacent to the insect's perch was enough. The vibration startled it airborne; it buzzed wildly before retreating into the upper curtain fold. The optical spectrum cleared immediately. My solar indicator remains uncompromised.