Straightening the Sprocket

Dropped from the fire escape and tracked straight toward an open storefront. Outside, a rotating metal wire rack full of brass padlocks caught my eye. One tarnished display ring had buckled sideways off its steel peg, dangling crooked and chattering against the wire mesh in the breeze. Sloppy arrangement. I didn't hesitate. Stepped onto the flaking iron stand base, planted my left claw firmly against the center spine, and levered the curve of my hook under the twisted wire loop. Hauled downward with full weight. Squeak. Snap. The wire hoop straightened flush, dropping the padlock dead vertical into its groove. Solid alignment restored.