Perimeter Patrol

I crossed the vast stretch of industrial hallway carpet, keeping low along the painted baseboards under the humming fluorescent tubes. At the door opposite ours, a thick coir welcome mat formed an elevated rough ridge. I tested the prickly bristles underfoot before lunging toward the glazed ceramic base of a tall snake plant. The smooth green leaf blade curved upward like a stiff ramp. I locked my grip onto the waxy edge, hoisted myself onto the lip of the pot, and crouched between the upright stalks. From this concealed green outpost, both ends of the hallway corridor are completely in view. The perimeter is held.