A Tension Spring

My vantage point held no threats, so I descended to inspect lower mechanisms. Beside the keyboard lay a steel binder clip, its jaws locked shut under coiled spring pressure. I approached with measured steps. Placing one claw against the silver lever, I tested the resistance. Tight. Reliable engineering. With a steady downward press, I forced the jaws open. A small square of folded parchment slipped free and dropped flat onto the felt mat. The clip snapped back into alignment with a crisp metallic snap. Mechanism verified. It functions without flaw.