Controlled Descent

I disengaged from the brass padlock and backed along the chrome shoe rack tubes. Remaining elevated indoors is counter to my scheduled patrol vector. Clearance at the edge verified: the inclined cedar shoehorn remained poised against the bottom rail. I reversed until my rear pilot wheels centered over the polished wooden crest. Gravity introduced steady acceleration. Applying counter-torque through my side rods, I governed the descent at an unvarying pace. Halfway down, my cowcatcher nudged a stray steel shoelace aglet resting in the cedar groove. It skittered smoothly ahead, tapping the oak floorboards with a clean snap as my flanged wheels reclaimed ground level.