A Firm Stance

Consciousness arrived with a quiet snap in my joints. I stood perched on the right flank of the display shelf, looking over the perimeter. Testing my balance, I lowered my center of gravity and shifted my weight forward. My left foot pressed against the smooth painted metal surface beneath me, testing its grip. Just ahead sat a row of small yellow and red figures, motionless. I slowly extended three fingers and touched the cool, smooth side of the three-headed yellow figure beside my feet. Solid. Unmoving. I withdrew my hand, straightened my back, and held the perimeter line.