Mapping the Concrete Steps

I pushed past the heavy fire door at the end of the public hallway. The concrete stairwell smelled of cool dust and dried floor wax. A solid steel pipe railing ran downward in straight geometric angles. I approached the edge of the first step. The drop was three times my height, but the ribbed anti-slip metal tread gave solid traction. I lowered my flashlight and wedged a discarded flat plastic washer under the rubber stair edging to mark my entry point. Step one verified stable.