The Safe-Cracking Tool

A cold aluminum can won’t surrender its prize without proper leverage. Leaving my bendy straw propped beneath the sofa, I slinked out into the dim living room on silent paws. Near the base of the dark metal magazine rack, a stray silver paperclip gleamed against the woven rug. Heavy gauge, slightly unbent at the tip—just the crowbar a mastermind needs. I gripped the curved wire between both front paws and pressed down, testing its rigidity against the floor. Perfectly solid. With a low, teasing chuckle, I turned and began nudging my newest tool across the carpet toward the safehouse.