Tension Test

A heavy blue rubber band was looped around the base bolt of the postal drop box, evidently abandoned after the afternoon collection run. Technical regulations generally discourage unapproved stress tests of municipal utility gear, but with fifteen minutes remaining on my rounds, I determined a structural assessment was warranted. I hooked one felt foot against the anchor bracket, hauled the elastic back with both hands to evaluate resistance, and released it. The sharp thwack against the hollow steel casing rang out clean down the street, startling two sparrows off the curb. Elasticity was within acceptable parameters. I straightened my tie, stepped clear of the bolt, and resumed standard perimeter observation.