The Bread Lever

A sudden mechanical click cut through the quiet kitchen, freezing me instantly mid-stride. My eyes popped wide. Perched atop the counter was a gleaming silver box radiating warm air and a low electric hum. I puffed up my chest to stand firm against it. Beside its slot sat a dark plastic slider lever. Reaching forward with both heavy claws, I pressed all my weight straight down. The lever snapped downward with a heavy, satisfying clunk, locking into place as heating coils inside immediately glowed faint orange, trembling softly beneath my grip.