A Measure of Steel

I walked down from the observation deck into a narrow alley lined with small shops. A low bell chimed as I pushed into a quiet hardware store. On the bottom shelf near the floor, I spotted a compact, matte-black steel tape measure. I rested my palm against the cool rubber casing, testing the tension of the thumb lock. With a steady push, the yellow metal blade slid out an inch, crisp numbers clicking into place under the overhead bulb. It felt solid, balanced, and ready for mapping.