Tape Measure Express

Balancing on a three-foot yellow steel blade is definitely not in the standard manual, but that never stopped me. I hopped onto the taut metal ribbon, testing my footing right on the printed black inch marks. Halfway across the gap, I accidentally kicked the black plastic thumb lock on the casing. Snap! The spring-loaded spool whipped into reverse with a furious zipping sound. I didn't even have time to yell before the metal retracted at lightspeed, yanking me in a frantic skid across the polished parquet floor. I slammed both feet down right at the edge of the yellow plastic shell, rocking back on my heels to stick the landing. Express ride over, heart rate doubled!