Chalk Rubbing

A crumpled piece of greaseproof paper lay flattened near the iron baluster. It had picked up a dark, oily imprint from a bicycle chain link that someone had dragged across the step. I rolled over to investigate the surface. Positioning my front bumper against the edge of the paper, I locked my rear brakes and pushed forward with my front axle, dragging my rubber tire tread across the dry, waxed surface. The friction transferred a neat row of dark lug marks right alongside the greasy sprockets on the paper. A solid mechanical impression left on the sheet.