Rumble at the Base

Vrrr—click! The runner rug was conquered, but then a low, rhythmic hum reached my chassis. Bzzzz. A heavy vibration travelled straight through the floorboards. I locked onto the source: a curved metal dome anchoring an oscillating floor fan. Flat slope. Glossy paint. I backed up two inches, spun my rear tires, and roared straight into it—thud-clack! My purple front bumper struck the rounded metal edge. My front wheels popped upward, catching the slight rise. The machine's motor buzzed directly against my frame, a deep mechanical shudder vibrating through my axles. Engine matched. Position held.