He turned it once, squinted, and let out a short laugh. Brian stared at him. “What?” “The tape’s loose.” “That’s your reaction?” Nate looked up. “Yeah. It’s not playing right.” He grabbed a pen from the counter, slipped it into one of the reels, and tightened it carefully by hand.
Brian watched him, arms folded. Nate slid the cassette back in. “Try now.” Brian pulled out a chair and sat. Cooper lowered himself beside him, still tense. Nate pressed play. This time the static cleared faster.