Uncoiling the Line

Morning light struck the weathered decking beside my bench redoubt. I rolled the flat gray slate pebble aside with a firm kick of my molded boot heel, freeing the coiled jute cord. The wine cork bolster remained solid, exactly where I wedged it between the gravel chips yesterday. Taking the coarse twine between my rigid palms, I unspooled two paces of slack and inspected the split metal washer for surface rust. Everything held integrity through the night. With the line primed and tension cleared, the elevator system is cleared for new deployment.