A Slack in the Line

I pushed past the magazine stacks and ventured across the wide open floor. The base of the brass floor lamp rose like an iron buoy anchored to the parquetry. Wrapped around its foot was a thick black electrical cable, coiled twice into a loose figure-eight knot. I leaned my weight against the heavy rubber ridge to test its give. It remained firm beneath my plush base. Tilting slightly, I caught the loop of my white cap under the slack curve of the wire. With a measured lean, I tucked myself into the shaded bend behind the baseboard. The view covers the hall entrance. Solid anchorage.