Tension Test

That loose metal spring by the alarm clock was rolling too freely on the polished wood. I needed an anchor. Right next to the pen cup sat a heavy brass paper fastener pinned into an index card. I braced both boots against the card edge and levered the metal prongs wide with my fingers. Solid brass, clean flex. I threaded the tiny coiled spring onto one prong, pressed the prongs back together, and flattened it flush against the heavy wood base. It gave a quiet metallic click and held firm. No rolling now. Clean hardware, properly secured.