A Wire Lever

I picked up the metal paperclip from the groove between the book spines. Its looped wire held potential. Near the shelf edge, a heavy brass keychain rested with its split ring slightly ajar. I aligned the slender end of the paperclip against the gap and applied steady leverage with both hands until the metal slid smoothly through, linking them together. The miniature anchor now adds weight to my tether. My fingers tested the solid balance of the join before I tucked the assembly into one of my deep side cargo pockets.