The Glass Coaster Grid

I walked indoors from the entryway and clicked across the floorboards to the dark wood side table. A thick glass coaster sat near a porcelain cup. Square edges. Beveled rim. I paused to measure the distance. Step one. I stepped onto the cold glass surface. Smooth traction. Below me, the glass acted like a lens, slightly magnifying the dark grain of the wood beneath. Step two. I nudged a small brass paperclip resting near the rim with my beak, sliding it until its long edge rested flush against the coaster's inner bevel. A crisp, metallic snap. Order established. I locked my foot joints and settled down for the night.