Chip finds a sturdy divided project box and paints a coral-orange circle with two cream pause bars on the front.

“This,” he announces, “is the Not Right Now box. Not ‘bad.’ Not ‘never.’ Not ‘we forgot where we put it.’”

He holds up the first sketch like an official document. “Portable sign stand?”

“Later,” Glitch says, painting a turquoise spiral along the welcome sign.

Chip files it carefully. “Cart label hierarchy?”

“Later.”

“Improved label hierarchy for the label hierarchy?”

Glitch pauses. “Definitely later, but keep that near the top.”

Chip places every sketch and small component into the divided sections, closes the lid, and sits back proudly. “All ideas preserved. None currently making eye contact.”

Dozer settles beside the box, blanket pooled around his broad paws.

Glitch glances toward it. “I may need to check one detail.”

Dozer rests one paw gently on the lid. “It’ll still be brilliant after three.”

Glitch smiles and turns back to the easel.

The pencil moves. Color fills the sign. For the first time all afternoon, the next step stays the next step.