The white paper recording dial felt as light as a dried leaf in Julian’s fingers.
Around its outer rim, nine raised circular impressions were embossed into the cellulose:
Nine crisp time-stamps punched by the hardened steel dies of Stations A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and Z.
Every station on the municipal night route was certified.
Above the double oak doors, the Simplex wall clock gave another heavy, hollow shudder:
02:59:48 AM.
Four seconds remained before the three o’clock reset.
Four seconds before the mechanical camshaft tipped Mercury Switch #45 onto Terminal Nine.
