The Outlet Strut

An inspection bench in a small medical device factory in southern California on a hazy afternoon, pale light through frosted glass, on a white bench a binocular stereo microscope of grey enamelled metal, under its lens a mechanical heart valve held upright in a small steel clamp, a ring of white knitted fabric three centimetres across around a bright polished metal ring, two thin metal struts holding a round smoky dark translucent disc tilted open, a small spot lamp throwing a narrow beam onto the welded joint of the smaller strut, a gloved hand holding fine steel tweezers near it, a row of small clear hinged plastic boxes, plain and empty.