Characters: - Alex (A) - Sam (S) - Jamie (J) --- **WhatsApp Group Chat: "Mystery Gang"** *A: Guys, I've got something HUGE to admit...* *S: What is it? Did you finally admit that pineapple does belong on pizza?* *A: No, Sam. This is serious. Like life-altering serious.* *J: Did you find out you're secretly a royal heir to a small European country?* *A: Haha, I wish, Jamie. Okay, here it goes... I've been living a double life.* *J: What do you mean?* *S: Are you like a spy or something? Because that would be kinda cool.* *A: Not a spy. You promise not to freak out?* *J: Promise.* *S: Cross our hearts.* *A: Alright... I am the infamous "Barefoot Bandit." I steal shoes... but I never wear them.* *J: WHAT?* *S: You're joking, right? You have like, two pairs of shoes, Alex.* *A: That's just it - I'm a minimalist for myself, but a maximalist for others. My apartment is filled with stolen shoes. Size 9. All brand new.* *J: Size 9? But that's my size... Wait a minute! My limited edition sneakers went missing last week!* *A: Umm... You know how I said no freaking out?* *J: ALEX!!!* *S: Hold on, hold on. This doesn't add up. You're not coordinated enough to pull off a heist. You tripped over your own shoelaces yesterday.* *A: About that... I fake my clumsiness so no one suspects me.* *J: I can't believe this. I thought you were my friend!* *S: Wait guys, I have a confession too...* *J: Now's not the time, Sam!* *S: No, you need to hear this. Alex isn't the Barefoot Bandit. Because I am.* *A: What?! No, I am!* *S: Guys... I pranked you both. I set up a fake news story online about a Barefoot Bandit and hacked Alex's phone to send those messages.* *J: SAM! You nearly gave me a heart attack.* *A: Wait, so I'm not the Barefoot Bandit?* *S: No, you absolute walnut. There is no Barefoot Bandit. And your shoes are safe.* *J: I am going to make you pay for this, Sam.* *A: Hold up, my apartment *is* full of shoes.* *S: ... What? How?* *J: Yeah, Alex. How?* *A: Oh! Uh... Plot twist. I forgot to mention I started a side hustle refurbishing and selling vintage shoes online?* *J: Oh my God, Alex! Really?* *S: And here I thought I was the master prankster! I've been outplayed.* *A: I guess you could say I kept you both... on your toes?* *J: That was so bad, I'm not even mad anymore.* *S: Foot puns... Guess I deserve it after that prank.* *J: All I know is, our group's name has never been more appropriate.* *A: Mystery Gang for the win!* *S: Now, who's up for an actual mystery? Someone ate my last piece of cake and it wasn't me.* *J: Back to regular programming, I see.* *A: The game is afoot!* *S: ...Stop while you're ahead, Alex. Please.* ---