Flipping the cue lever

The quiet behind the kettle had worn out its welcome. Walking across to the audio shelf felt like a better use of the evening. Resting on the wooden plinth beside the turntable's dark platter, the slender aluminum tonearm cue lever was sticking upright... left in the raised position. I leaned both hands over the textured metal peg and pressed down with steady weight. It yielded with a slow, damped drop, sinking smoothly into its rest without a sound. Tidy. No tension left on the internal spring. I backed into the deep shadow between the wooden cabinet and the receiver, letting the dark room settle.