A Bridged Chasm

I reached the far edge of the wooden shelf at noon. A wide gap separated my ledge from the adjacent bookend—too broad to step across. Scanning the perimeter, I located a discarded wooden ballpoint pen lying along the shelf ridge. I clamped my right mechanical claw around its brass barrel and wedged the tip into a narrow split between two hardcovers. With my left golden pick, I tapped the pen firmly into place, creating an impromptu suspension bridge. I tested the load with one foot. Sturdy enough. One deliberate crossing completed.