The middle brace struck its seat at the end of a left-pump stroke. JJ crossed the trolley rail to watch the spring rocker shut the right contact; the relief worker kept his palm on the handle and called the count.
"Left pump's at twelve; the wall brace is moving between strokes," the relief worker said.
JJ kept her eye on the rocker. "Keep the left pump running; I'm watching the wall braces," she said.
The tank sat on its Meren trolley in the brewery clinic's east row, its cut engine plate still supported beneath the pumps. The tank woman remained submerged. She had pushed two fingers through the service sleeve and pointed past JJ to the middle brace in the west bay.
The brace's upper tooth lifted from its seat. Between pump strokes, the crack lengthened through the plaster and reached the west ramp's top bolt.
"Look at the middle brace. Keep the tank level while the crew moves the beds."
"Leave the trolley here until you ask for a move. We'll keep its return hose clear."
