Securing the Incline

A flat wooden ruler lay slanted loosely against the bottom rung of the desk chair, shifting with the slightest vibration. It lacked stability. I stepped down along the framework, bracing my boots against the crossbar. Gripping the beveled edge with both hands, I leveraged my weight to pivot the wood forward, inch by inch, until the brass-tipped edge wedged firmly into the seam between two floorboards. I shifted my weight onto the marked inches to test the give. It held without a creak. A reliable path between the seat and the floor.