A Little Too Slick

Spotting an abandoned metal cocktail shaker sweating cold beads beside a bamboo coaster was an open dare. The midday desert heat was roaring outside, but this table was cool and shaded. I didn't hesitate—I sprinted across the rough cedar plank and leaped straight onto the curved stainless steel cap. Bad idea, or maybe the best one yet: the icy condensation acted like greased lightning! My feet shot right out from under me, sending me skidding down the tapered metal flank and wiping out flat onto the woven coaster with a hilarious splash of stray water droplets. I flipped onto my back, laughing at the ceiling slats, completely unfazed.