Help jerry-rigging an air mattress

[TsPoet]

well if you just need the contacts (metal), can you just tape a piece of metal over the open cover? If all you need is something to complete the circuits- would that work?

Um, aluminum would work.

I take it that the pump has two stacks of D (or C, or AA) cells inserted in opposite directions - and that the cover bridges between the stacks?

Some possibilities: A screwdriver, a fork, a knife, a key, a SPD cleat, a quarter or other coin.

Aluminum foil will work as well. Since the batteries are Dsize, I would recommend that you fold the aluminum foil so that you have four layers of foil to make the contact.

You can also use a sewing needle.

You gals are scary. Cool scary, but scary.