so. the battery in a Ford Focus is tucked up under the cowl and must be slid forward to get out. this requires removing the air box in front of it.

in a fit of misguided optimism, after installing the new battery, i closed the hood. then i discovered the new battery was not fully charged, and did not start the car. and subsequently, i discovered i couldn’t open the hood again.

in removing the air box i inadvertently knocked the hood latch release cable out of its bracket.