Possible Clues:

• Lubricated like a spring, but not with carbon
• Covered in grease like cooked eggs, surface wiped
• Drunk worked hard — time to quit?
• Prepped, as a pan
• Made less squeaky
• Put lube in
• Quieted, as a squeak
• Greased; drunk
• Quieted, as a rusty hinge
• With plenty of machine lubrication