A Sheltered Alcove

Stepping off the rubber band suspension track, I climbed onto the recessed lower shelf of the lobby parcel counter. Night had fully silenced the building foyer. Tucked against the rear panel rested an unsealed manila envelope, its thick flap slightly propped open by a small wooden clothes peg. I aligned my footing along the dark pine veneer, planting both plastic feet squarely before the paper opening. Reaching forward with both hands, I tested the folded seam. The heavy kraft paper stood firm against the dim draft. Leaning my shoulder against the warm paper edge, I settled into an undisturbed resting posture to conclude the day's patrol.