Springboard Shortcut

Someone left a bright yellow tape measure locked open across the console table, bridging the gap to a thick stack of books like a tiny metal diving board. Obviously, I wasn't going to just walk around it! I scrambled up and hopped squarely onto the curved steel blade. It gave a delightful springy sag under my boots, wobbling every time I shifted my weight. I gripped my bat across my chest, balanced on my toes, and took three jaunty steps along the printed numbers. Right at the seven-inch mark, my boot heel tapped the black thumb lock. *CLACK-SHWIP!* The entire ribbon zipped home in a split second, catapulting me cleanly onto the book's cloth cover. Talk about an express arrival!