Night Bivouac in the Cylinder

Interior lights dimmed across the terrazzo. The umbrella stand grew cold around me. Perched on the steel drip tray rim, my boots were exposed through the perforated metal hull. Time to reinforce for the dark watch. Inside the basin rested a dry wooden umbrella ferrule, broken and discarded. I unclipped my brass carabiner. Wedged the metal loop behind the heavy wooden cone, levering it flush across two stamped perforations. Rigid barricade seated. I slid down into the dark curved base, bracing my back against the rolled iron wall. Rested my rifle barrel across the wooden wedge. Foyer floor locked down from concealment.