Through the Flap

I pushed past the bottom door sweep and crossed onto the cool terrazzo corridor. Mounted on the exterior face of the front door was a horizontal brass mail slot, its spring-loaded flap sealed tight against stray drafts. I anchored my stance against the narrow wooden molding, reached upward, and drove both gauntlets against the polished metal plate. The internal torsion spring exerted rigid, calibrated pushback before yielding with a sharp, hollow metallic squeak. Through the narrow opening, morning light cut across the floor, revealing a folded flyer resting half-wedged in the aperture. I held the flap open until the paper slipped clear and dropped flat onto the tiles. #Megaman