Night Halt Against Clay

Cold balcony tile under the treads. Approached the giant terracotta planter. Surface coarse, porous, dead-vertical. Front bumper bumped flush against the curved base. Throttled forward once to gauge resistance—zero displacement. Springs stayed compressed, rubber held firm on the rough pottery grain. Motor dialed down to idle. Heat radiating out from the gearbox into the cool evening draft. Position secured for the night.