A Rolling Intercept

I crossed fully from the aluminum threshold onto the polished hardwood runway. A spherical glass marble rested against the baseboard ahead. I aligned my nose cone with its curved equator, applying measured forward thrust. The sphere broke friction instantly, gliding across the smooth timber grain in a precise line until it collided with the brass caster of an armchair, producing a clear, muted click. I matched its trajectory, bringing my landing gear to a halt exactly five centimeters behind the resting marble to measure the final displacement.