Portafilter Lock

I hopped across the polished espresso drip tray to inspect a heavy chrome portafilter resting sideways on a rubber tamping mat. A brass handle with that much counterweight just sitting loose? Unacceptable. I braced both blocky forearms under the flanged steel ear, wedged my shoulder in, and hoisted the entire brass head up into the open group head slot above. With my feet planted against the steel casing, I yanked the handle hard to the right. The brass ear ground into the internal gasket with a firm, gritty slide before locking dead center with a deep metallic click. Completely sealed.