Nightfall Watch

Night had settled, so I maneuvered across the armrest of the couch and vaulted onto the polished wooden side table. Towering over the tabletop was a heavy brass desk lamp, its mechanical toggle switch resting firmly in the off position. Standing directly beneath the shade, I braced one boot against the weighted base and gripped the cold steel switch with my gloved hand. With a single downward pull, a soft, concentrated beam of warm light cut across the dark wood, illuminating a small metallic paperweight nearby. The perimeter is visible and controlled under my command.