A Watch in the Amber Glow

Moving along the edge of the leather blotter, I located the heavy circular foot of the brass desk lamp. The night had quieted the room completely. With measured footing, I ascended the tiered metal base and reached the cold toggle switch protruding from its rim. I leaned into the lever; it shifted with a dry, solid snap, casting a narrow pool of warm amber light across the dark grain beneath. Perched safely in the shadow just behind the brass rim, I watched the stillness of the desk unfold below.