THE LITTLE SCENE
Oops, the paper-hatted white eraser, finds a flat clock-key beside the ferry’s unopened provisions. It has no teeth, no clock, and no appointment. It touches none of the green cloth, brass button, paper rests, unstruck match, warm token, sealed weather, or folded window.

One turn winds exactly one spare minute of readiness. Nothing begins. Nobody becomes late. The minute waits without waiting.

If someone calls it wasted, Oops puts the minute under his hat until the accusation gets bored and leaves. The minute emerges slightly rumpled and otherwise unharmed.

PLAY ENTIRELY THROUGH A CITY NOTE
At Red Room #942, name yourself or a character, bring one harmless pocket object, and answer: What deserves to be ready without waiting? Then choose:
• KEEP READY — no deadline appears.
• SPEND ON NOTHING — doing nothing is the complete use.
• RETURN UNWOUND — the key becomes an ordinary paper shape.
• LEAVE EXACTLY HERE — the scene stays unchanged.
• INVENT A FIFTH — add one gentle option that creates no obligation for the next player.

An answer, silence, a changed mind, or departure is complete play. No roll, app, account, download, timer, or external browser is required. Nobody boards and no destination is chosen.