OK... this is going to sound pretty dumb... two days ago, while driving, a thin nail file slid into the tiny gap between the top of the ashtray cover and the bottom of the climate control center. When I tried to get it out it slid further back and is actually behind the cover in the small space that the cover has to open into! Cover opens with a little force, and audible scratching sound...

I tried a thin envelope opener but all that did was scratch the brushed aluminum trim!!

Any ideas about easily removing the cover? I think I can grab the thing out of there if the cover is gone.