Key to the Road: Urban Fantasy

The glimmer in the gloom faded to a dull matte sheen when he got close enough to pick it up. When he tried to pick it up, though, he realized it was embedded firmly in the asphalt. He stooped, knowing that he risked getting hit by a drunk driver too focused on his speed to notice the dumbass crouching in the middle of the crosswalk on a Friday night at two pm. It was a key. Again, he tried to pick it up, even though he knew that it was embedded. It didn't make sense. Keys didn't belong in streets. And he was drunk enough to think that there was a puzzle that needed unraveling. He took his Leatherman from his pocket and dug at the asphalt around the key. If he got it out, he could--


Inspiration: It's imbedding season. I saw a bottle cap imbedded in the street today.
Story Potential: From this alone, I would say...medium. But I've been drawn to these keys for a while.
Finished Length: Short story, could extend to novel.
Notes: Magic realism, sort of. Think Charles de Lint and Neil Gaimon as writing inspirations. Maybe a touch of Mieville.