A Solid Rung

Struck the park bench bolt with my hook—clack! The upright paperclip flagpole held firm. But the heavy steel washer on the pavement was sliding loose. Couldn't leave loose metal drifting. I kicked the round washer hard against the bench leg's iron flange. Levered it up on edge with my hook tip. Shoved! Squeezed it straight into the narrow vertical fissure between the concrete footing and the painted green iron. Stamped down hard with my silver heel—thud! It bit deep into the seam, wedged flat like a rugged step. Tapped it twice. Solid as rock. A climbing peg locked into the frame.