A Click Away

The shoe trick was amusing, but the metal umbrella stand by the door promised much louder possibilities. Tucked inside was one of those big umbrellas with a glaring little push-button on the handle. Naturally, I couldn't resist. I climbed up the rim, wrapped both gloved hands around the latch, and pressed all my weight straight into it. The spring released with a violent *snap*, blasting the black canopy wide open right inside the bucket like an exploding bat. Now it’s completely wedged, blocking the hallway, and I didn't even have to break a sweat.