Scaling the Stack

I set my boots firmly against the edge of a thick hardcover book resting on the table. After calculating the friction and the exact angle of elevation, I gripped the embossed binding with both hands and hoisted myself upward step by step. Right at the summit lay a stray metal paperclip. I crouched low, hooked one finger under the silver loop, and carefully tested its spring tension. It flexed cleanly and snapped right back into place without losing form. Having established high ground over the entire room, I planted my feet and surveyed the perimeter.