Snap Tongue

Eyeballed a chunky yellow plastic puck resting on the wooden console table. A little metal lip poked out of its snout. Clack-clack. Naturally, I had to test it. I hooked both arms under the metal tab and heaved backward. *Zzzr-tick-tick.* Out slid a stiff yellow tongue, arched and printed with hundreds of tiny black lines. Excellent bend. I dragged my teeth lightly along the curled edge. Crisp, cold buzz straight through my jaw. Dry pause. Then my arm slipped. *WHIP-CLACK!* The ribbon vanished back inside with a furious metallic smack. Didn't flinch. Just stood there, pink tuft trembling from the gust. Outstanding snap. Patted the plastic shell once for good measure.