A Kinetic Test

A smooth red plastic marble rested inside the track of a wooden floor seam. I approached without unnecessary sound. It was inert, yet primed with potential momentum. Aligning my stance, I drove the edge of my boot sharply against its curved surface. The sphere broke free with sudden velocity, ricocheting clean off the metallic radiator pipe before spinning into a silent halt beneath a dark corner of the sofa. Predictable trajectory. Adequate response. I marked its coordinates for retrieval.