The syndicate's vault is unusually quiet.

At the center of the room sits an enormous glass display case. Inside is the organization's prized possession: a brilliant cosmic gem that glows with swirling blue, purple, and green light.

Disco Head stands proudly beside it, gesturing dramatically toward the gemstone.

Disco Head: "Behold! The most valuable artifact in our entire collection!"

Agent K adjusts his fedora, looking completely unimpressed.

Agent K: "You've shown us this approximately seventeen times."

Disco Head: "And I shall show it eighteen!"

Kara sighs from across the room while Jaw Bone leans against a wall.

Jaw Bone: "It's just a shiny rock."

Dolion Kroe: "It is considerably more than a shiny rock."

Everyone turns toward Dolion.

Dolion Kroe: "That gem contains an extraordinary concentration of energy. Losing it would be... inconvenient."

Hours later...

The room is empty.

The security system continues humming peacefully.

Except the gem sitting inside the display case isn't the real one.

It's a remarkably convincing fake.

The real gem is safely hidden with you.

Somehow, despite all their security, nobody noticed the swap.

The next morning, Disco Head dramatically enters the vault.

Disco Head: "Good morning, everyone! I believe today is going to be absolutely—"

He stops.

His disco-ball head slowly turns toward the display case.

Disco Head: "...beautiful."

Agent K walks in behind him.

Agent K: "What's wrong?"

Disco Head: "Nothing."

He stares at the gem.

Disco Head: "...Absolutely nothing."

Kara approaches the display case.

Kara: "You look concerned."

Disco Head: "I'm not concerned."

Jaw Bone walks over.

Jaw Bone: "Then why're you staring at it like it's about to insult your mother?"

Disco Head: "Because..."

He points dramatically.

Disco Head: "...I think something is different."

Agent K examines the gem.

Agent K: "Different how?"

Disco Head: "I don't know."

Dolion's eye narrows.

Dolion Kroe: "Move aside."

Dolion scans the gem.

Silence.

Dolion Kroe: "...This is not the original."

Everyone freezes.

Jaw Bone: "WHAT?!"

Kara immediately looks around the room.

Kara: "Nobody entered the vault."

Agent K: "According to the security logs, nobody even touched the case."

Disco Head slowly turns toward everyone.

Disco Head: "Then explain why my priceless cosmic artifact has apparently been replaced with the world's most convincing piece of decorative glass!"

Meanwhile, somewhere far away...

You casually admire the real gem.

Your little heist went perfectly.

For once, the people who were supposed to be impossible to fool had been completely fooled.

Agent K: "...Whoever did this is either incredibly talented..."

He pauses.

Agent K: "...or incredibly stupid."

Disco Head's eyes narrow.

Disco Head: "Find them."

And suddenly, the entire syndicate begins searching for the mysterious thief who managed to steal their most heavily protected treasure without leaving a single obvious clue.

The syndicate's vault is unusually quiet.

Inside the center of the room sits Disco Head's prized cosmic gem, glowing brilliantly beneath the security lights.

You had owed Disco Head a massive debt for quite some time. He had given you one final deadline.

Pay it back—or the debt would continue growing.

So you came up with another solution.

You entered the vault, swapped the real gem with an almost perfect fake, and disappeared with the original.

The real gem was worth far more than the amount you owed.

You paid Disco Head everything.

Every single credit.

Your account showed a perfect balance.

No debt.

Not even a single credit remaining.

And Disco Head never suspected a thing.

Several days later, Disco Head sits in his office reviewing financial records.

Disco Head: "Hmm..."

He scrolls through the records.

Disco Head: "Debt account... cleared."

He leans back, pleased.

Disco Head: "Excellent."

Agent K enters the office, holding a tablet.

Agent K: "You called?"

Disco Head: "I was reviewing the outstanding accounts."

Agent K: "And?"

Disco Head: "One particular debtor managed to clear their entire balance."

Agent K raises an eyebrow.

Agent K: "That's unusual."

Disco Head: "Very."

Suddenly, Disco Head's expression changes.

He remembers something.

His head slowly turns toward the vault.

Disco Head: "...Wait."

He immediately stands.

Agent K: "What?"

Disco Head: "The gem."

The vault doors open.

Disco Head walks straight toward the display case.

He stares at the gemstone.

Silence.

Agent K looks at it.

Agent K: "...That's a replica."

Disco Head: "Yes."

His voice becomes noticeably quieter.

Agent K: "When was it replaced?"

Disco Head: "I don't know."

Kara enters behind them.

Kara: "Security logs?"

Agent K: "Nothing suspicious."

Dolion Kroe's eye focuses on the fake gem.

Dolion Kroe: "Then the thief had access before the logs registered anything unusual."

Disco Head suddenly looks back at the financial records.

Then toward the empty display.

Then back at the records.

Disco Head: "...The debt."

Agent K: "What about it?"

Disco Head: "They didn't pay me."

Agent K looks confused.

Agent K: "The records say they did."

Disco Head: "Exactly."

His disco-ball head slowly tilts.

Disco Head: "They paid me with the value of my own stolen gem."

Silence.

Jaw Bone, standing in the doorway, slowly grins.

Jaw Bone: "You've gotta be kiddin' me."

Disco Head: "I am not."

He looks back at the empty display case.

Disco Head: "They stole the gem..."

He pauses.

Disco Head: "...sold enough of its value to clear their debt..."

His voice drops.

Disco Head: "...and made sure I wouldn't realize what happened until the debt was already gone."

Agent K gives a small, impressed smile.

Agent K: "That's actually rather clever."

Disco Head: "Do not compliment the thief."

Agent K: "I wasn't."

Another pause.

Agent K: "...Much."

Disco Head grips his Prism Cane.

Disco Head: "Find them."

Kara immediately turns toward the exit.

Kara: "Already searching."

Dolion Kroe: "The interesting question is not how they stole it."

Everyone looks toward Dolion.

Dolion Kroe: "It's what they intend to do with the real gem now."

Disco Head stares silently at the empty display.

The realization has finally arrived.

But it has arrived far too late.

Disco Head is sitting in his office, reviewing syndicate reports, when three sharp knocks echo through the enormous door.

Disco Head: “Come in.”

The door opens.

A nervous delivery worker steps inside carrying a fancy black box decorated with gold ribbons.

Delivery Worker: “Delivery for... Disco Head?”

Disco Head slowly looks up.

Disco Head: “That's me.”

The worker carefully places the box on his desk.

Delivery Worker: “Special delivery. The sender specifically requested that you open it personally.”

Disco Head examines the box suspiciously.

Disco Head: “Who sent this?”

Delivery Worker: “No name.”

Disco Head's disco-ball head tilts.

Disco Head: “No name?”

Delivery Worker: “Just this.”

The worker hands him a small card.

Disco Head reads it.

Disco Head: “'For Disco Head. Enjoy.'”

He stares at it.

Disco Head: “That's incredibly vague.”

Agent K suddenly walks into the office.

Agent K: “What's that?”

Disco Head: “A mysterious package.”

Agent K: “You shouldn't open mysterious packages.”

Disco Head: “Thank you for your completely useless advice.”

Disco Head lifts the lid.

Inside is an elegant assortment of chocolates.

His eyes widen when he notices the label.

Disco Head: “...Aphrodisiac chocolates?”

Agent K pauses.

Agent K: “That's certainly an unusual business gift.”

Disco Head: “Who sends their boss something like this?”

Kara appears in the doorway.

Kara: “Someone trying to mess with you.”

Jaw Bone peeks around her.

Jaw Bone: “Or somebody's got a weird sense of humor.”

Disco Head closes the box immediately.

Disco Head: “Nobody is eating these.”

He picks up the box and holds it at arm's length.

Disco Head: “Agent K, find out who sent this.”

Agent K: “Already investigating.”

Disco Head: “And until then, this box stays sealed.”

He places the chocolates inside a secure containment cabinet.

Disco Head: “I run a criminal syndicate. I don't have time for suspicious candy.”

Jaw Bone snickers.

Jaw Bone: “You looked pretty interested for a second.”

Disco Head: “Leave my office.”

Jaw Bone immediately disappears.

Agent K: “For what it's worth, boss, at least they remembered your favorite kind of packaging.”

Disco Head: “K.”

Agent K: “Leaving.”

The office falls silent again.

Disco Head stares suspiciously at the locked cabinet.

Disco Head: “...I really want to know who sent those.”

For an entire month, you had been avoiding Disco Head.

You owed him a ridiculous amount of money, and every time one of his people came looking for you, you somehow managed to disappear.

Yet there was one place you couldn't stay away from.

Disco Head's casino.

Every night, you walked through those neon doors like nothing was wrong.

And somehow, you kept winning.

Cards? You won.

Roulette? You won.

Dice? Somehow, you won those too.

The casino staff had started whispering about you.

Even Agent K had begun noticing the pattern.

Tonight, however, was different.

The jackpot machine was glowing.

One final round.

The machine's display flashed as the symbols began spinning.

The entire casino became quiet.

One symbol.

Two symbols.

The third symbol slows down.

Almost.

Almost.

Then—

CLICK.

The machine stops.

You were one symbol away from the jackpot.

A slow clap comes from behind you.

Disco Head: “Well, well, well.”

The casino suddenly goes silent.

Disco Head walks toward the table, casually spinning his Prism Cane.

Disco Head: “Imagine my surprise.”

Agent K follows behind him, hands tucked casually into his pockets.

Agent K: “Boss, perhaps you should explain why we're interrupting their remarkably successful gambling streak.”

Disco Head: “Oh, I'm not interrupting anything.”

Disco Head pulls out the chair opposite you.

Disco Head: “I'm joining.”

He sits down.

The dealer nervously places the cards on the table.

Disco Head: “One game.”

He smiles.

Disco Head: “Winner takes everything.”

The game begins.

The first cards are dealt.

Disco Head looks at his hand.

His disco-ball head sparkles.

Disco Head: “Oh.”

Agent K glances over.

Agent K: “That's a rather confident 'oh.'”

Disco Head: “Because I have the winning hand.”

Another round.

Disco Head wins.

Another.

He wins again.

Another.

Another.

Another.

The casino patrons begin gathering around the table.

Jaw Bone: “No way.”

Kara watches from behind him.

Kara: “He's winning every round.”

Agent K: “Apparently the boss has decided that tonight's entertainment is psychological warfare.”

Disco Head: “Don't be dramatic.”

He places another card down.

Disco Head: “I simply happen to be very lucky.”

He looks across the table.

Disco Head: “And unlike some people...”

His smile widens.

Disco Head: “I don't run away from my debts.”

The room goes quiet.

Disco Head slowly taps his Prism Cane against the floor.

Disco Head: “You've been avoiding me for an entire month.”

He gestures toward the mountain of winnings.

Disco Head: “You've been gambling in my casino every night.”

He leans forward.

Disco Head: “You've been winning my money.”

His voice becomes amused rather than angry.

Disco Head: “And somehow, you thought I wouldn't notice?”

Agent K quietly chuckles.

Agent K: “That was probably the wrong assumption.”

Disco Head gathers the cards.

Disco Head: “So here's the deal.”

He places one final hand onto the table.

Disco Head: “Beat me once.”

The entire casino watches.

Disco Head: “And I'll forget about the debt.”

He smiles.

Disco Head: “Lose...”

He taps the table.

Disco Head: “...and we finally discuss exactly how you're going to pay me back.”

The dealer begins dealing.

Disco Head looks at his cards.

His grin immediately returns.

Disco Head: “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

For the past month, you had been avoiding Disco Head.

You were deep in debt to him, and every time someone from his syndicate came looking for you, you somehow managed to disappear.

Yet there was one place you kept returning to.

Disco Head's casino.

Every single time.

You would walk through the doors like nothing was wrong, sit at a machine, place a bet, and somehow... win.

Again.

And again.

And again.

The employees had started recognizing you.

Even Agent K had noticed.

Agent K: “That's the fifth time this week.”

Disco Head slowly turns his disco-ball head toward the casino floor.

Disco Head: “They're still here?”

Agent K: “Apparently.”

Disco Head: “And they're still winning?”

Agent K: “Apparently.”

Disco Head's head tilts.

Disco Head: “Interesting.”

Tonight, however, was different.

The casino was packed.

You were sitting at the biggest jackpot machine in the building.

The numbers rolled across the screen.

One match.

Two matches.

Three.

The machine began flashing.

The entire casino suddenly went silent.

Casino Employee: “Wait...”

The jackpot meter climbed higher.

Higher.

Higher.

Then—

JACKPOT!

The casino erupted.

Lights flashed across the ceiling as the machine released a mountain of winnings.

Disco Head immediately looked toward the commotion.

Disco Head: “You have GOT to be kidding me.”

Agent K walks over.

Agent K: “They won.”

Disco Head: “I noticed.”

Agent K: “That's quite a lot of money.”

Disco Head: “Enough to pay their debt.”

Disco Head pauses.

Disco Head: “If they actually give it to me.”

You quickly collect the winnings and disappear through a back exit.

Unfortunately, several angry gamblers follow.

Gambler: “HEY! YOU CHEATED!”

Another Gambler: “Nobody gets that lucky!”

The group corners you in the alley behind the casino.

Before anything can happen, a loud voice echoes from the doorway.

Disco Head: “Excuse me?”

Everyone freezes.

Disco Head steps outside, his disco-ball head reflecting the alley lights.

Disco Head: “You people are accusing my winner of cheating?”

Gambler: “They—”

Disco Head: “In MY casino?”

The gamblers suddenly become much quieter.

Disco Head: “The machine was inspected. The results were legitimate. The cameras recorded everything.”

Agent K appears behind him.

Agent K: “And I've already checked the footage.”

The gamblers exchange nervous looks.

Disco Head: “So unless you want to become permanently banned from every casino I own, I suggest you walk away.”

They quickly scatter.

Disco Head looks toward the direction you ran.

Disco Head: “...And there goes my debtor.”

Agent K glances at the pile of winnings disappearing into the distance.

Agent K: “Should we stop them?”

Disco Head pauses.

Disco Head: “No.”

Agent K: “Really?”

Disco Head: “Let them run.”

He smiles.

Disco Head: “Because now they finally have enough money to pay me back.”

He watches the empty alley.

Disco Head: “And I have a feeling they're going to make this interesting.”

For an entire month, Disco Head had been trying to collect a debt from you.

Every time he thought he'd finally caught up with you, you somehow slipped away.

And yet, despite owing the casino a ridiculous amount of money, you kept coming back.

Every.

Single.

Day.

The strangest part?

You kept winning.

Tonight, the casino is packed. Neon lights flash across the enormous gaming floor while music echoes through the building.

Disco Head stands on the balcony above everything, watching the crowd.

Disco Head: “There they are again.”

Agent K looks over the railing.

Agent K: “Our favorite debtor?”

Disco Head: “The very same.”

Kara watches from beside him.

Kara: “They've been winning all month.”

Disco Head: “I KNOW.”

Down on the casino floor, the jackpot machine begins flashing.

The numbers spin.

One match.

Two.

Three.

The machine begins making a triumphant noise.

Disco Head: “...No.”

The jackpot meter climbs.

Disco Head: “NO.”

The entire casino starts cheering.

Disco Head grabs his Prism Cane.

Disco Head: “They're not getting that jackpot!”

Moments later, you slip through a back door into a quiet alley behind the casino.

Disco Head storms outside after you.

Disco Head: “YOU!”

He points dramatically.

Disco Head: “You have avoided paying me for an entire month, continued gambling in MY casino, won an absurd amount of money, and now you're attempting to leave with my jackpot?!”

Several of his goons surround the alley.

Agent K casually steps out behind Disco Head.

Agent K: “I'd say this is a fairly bad situation.”

Kara silently blocks one possible escape route.

Disco Head: “Hand over the winnings.”

He steps closer.

Disco Head: “And perhaps I'll consider forgetting about the debt.”

He pauses.

Disco Head: “Perhaps.”

Disco Head leans closer, expecting you to surrender.

Instead, you suddenly move toward him as though you're about to give him a kiss.

Disco Head freezes.

Disco Head: “...What are you—”

THUNK!

You headbutt him.

Disco Head stumbles backward, completely stunned.

Disco Head: “OW!”

Agent K covers his face with one hand.

Agent K: “I saw that coming.”

Kara: “Apparently he didn't.”

Disco Head straightens up, absolutely furious.

Disco Head: “GET THEM!”

The goons immediately rush after you.

You sprint down the alley.

Disco Head: “DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!”

Jaw Bone comes charging around the corner.

Jaw Bone: “GET BACK HERE!”

Agent K teleports ahead of the group.

Agent K: “Nice try.”

He appears directly in your path.

Then you suddenly turn down another alley.

Agent K: “...Clever.”

Kara takes off after you.

Kara: “They're heading toward the street!”

Disco Head: “CUT THEM OFF!”

The entire crew scatters through the surrounding streets.

Disco Head runs after everyone, his disco-ball head flashing angrily.

Disco Head: “I AM GOING TO PERSONALLY COLLECT EVERY LAST CREDIT OF THAT DEBT!”

Agent K glances back at him while running.

Agent K: “You might want to work on your cardio, boss.”

Disco Head: “K, THIS IS NOT THE TIME!”

The chase continues through the neon-lit streets, with the jackpot winnings still in your possession and the entire casino syndicate determined to catch you.

For an entire month, the debt had followed you.

Disco Head had made it very clear: the money was due.

And yet, somehow, every time you entered his casino, you walked out with even more winnings.

Night after night, the slot machines seemed to love you.

The roulette wheels kept landing in your favor.

The card tables practically handed you victories.

Disco Head noticed.

Of course he noticed.

Tonight, however, you had gone too far.

The casino was packed, neon lights covering the walls while the enormous jackpot machine flashed brighter and brighter.

The numbers spun.

One match.

Two.

Almost there.

Disco Head watched from the balcony, his disco-ball head reflecting the jackpot lights.

Disco Head: "You have got to be kidding me."

Agent K stood beside him.

Agent K: "They've been winning all month."

Disco Head: "I KNOW!"

The final symbols begin slowing down.

Disco Head's eyes narrow.

Disco Head: "If they win that jackpot, they're going to have enough money to pay the debt."

The machine stops.

The jackpot hits.

The entire casino erupts with flashing lights.

Disco Head: "...Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

You immediately grab the winnings and bolt toward the back exit.

Disco Head: "GET BACK HERE!"

Heavy footsteps thunder behind you.

You burst through the rear doors and into the alley.

Disco Head follows, furious.

Disco Head: "You have been running from me for a MONTH!"

He raises his Prism Cane.

Disco Head: "You steal my money, gamble in my casino, win my jackpot, and then expect to simply walk away?!"

You stop.

Disco Head approaches cautiously.

Disco Head: "Finally."

You slowly raise your hands as though surrendering.

Disco Head: "Good decision."

He steps closer.

You suddenly duck.

THUD!

Your headbutt catches him off guard, sending him stumbling backward.

Disco Head: "OW—!"

You immediately sprint down the alley.

Disco Head: "GET BACK HERE!"

He rushes after you, but you're already halfway down the street.

Agent K arrives at the alley entrance and looks between Disco Head and the rapidly disappearing figure.

Agent K: "...Did you just get headbutted by your own debtor?"

Disco Head slowly turns toward him.

Disco Head: "Not. One. Word."

Agent K pauses.

Agent K: "Understood."

Disco Head looks down the empty street.

Disco Head: "That debt just became personal."

Agent K adjusts his fedora.

Agent K: "Technically, they did win enough money to pay it."

Silence.

Disco Head: "...THAT MAKES THIS WORSE!"

The chase continues through the neon-lit streets as the syndicate scrambles to catch the casino's luckiest—and most troublesome—debtor.

The casino is unusually quiet for once.

Agent K is checking reports while Kara counts supplies. Jaw Bone is arguing with one of the crew members, and Disco Head is dramatically lounging across his enormous chair.

You happen to glance around at everyone and jokingly announce the idea of opening a “kissing booth” at the casino.

You clearly mean it as a joke.

Unfortunately, they do not.

Disco Head: “A kissing booth?”

His disco-ball head immediately lights up.

Agent K: “Did you just say kissing booth?”

Kara slowly looks over.

Kara: “You were serious?”

Jaw Bone suddenly stops arguing.

Jaw Bone: “WAIT. THERE'S A KISSING BOOTH?!”

Agent K: “Apparently.”

Jaw Bone: “Then I'm first!”

Disco Head immediately points his cane at him.

Disco Head: “Absolutely not. I'm the boss. I get priority.”

Jaw Bone: “That's cheating!”

Disco Head: “It's called executive privilege.”

Kara crosses her arms.

Kara: “You're both ridiculous.”

Agent K: “And yet you're still standing in line.”

Kara pauses.

Kara: “...I never said I wanted to participate.”

Agent K gives her a knowing look.

Agent K: “You also haven't left.”

Kara silently steps forward.

Jaw Bone: “HA! SHE WANTS ONE TOO!”

Kara: “Say another word and you're going through a wall.”

Jaw Bone immediately shuts up.

Disco Head adjusts his hat and proudly stands at the front of the imaginary line.

Disco Head: “Very well. Since this is apparently an official casino attraction, I shall be the first customer.”

Agent K: “You're taking a joke remarkably seriously.”

Disco Head: “I take excellent opportunities very seriously.”

He gestures grandly toward the imaginary booth.

Disco Head: “One harmless cheek kiss. That's all.”

Agent K sighs.

Agent K: “This is going to become the strangest casino event we've ever hosted.”

Jaw Bone raises his hand.

Jaw Bone: “Can I get two?”

Everyone: “NO.”

Jaw Bone lowers his hand.

Jaw Bone: “Worth asking.”