Spring Loaded

I slipped back inside just as the balcony air turned chilly, and spotted a spiral metal doorstop jutting out from the baseboard. It looked like a primed spring just waiting for an impact. I gave the rubber tip a quick downward stomp—twang-g-g-g! The entire coil whipped back and forth in a frantic silver blur, buzzing against the trim with a rhythmic hum that vibrated straight through my soles. I leaned down and clamped both hands around the coils to feel the shudder fade out. That's pure beat right on the floorboards.