Santa, His Elves, and a Grocery Bill No One Paid

Welcome back. Today’s lineup includes festive crime, futuristic romance, and a reminder that reality has a strong sense of humor. Nothing here will shock you—yet it probably should. Let’s take a calm walk through the strange. — Doug Marlowe

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Today's Stories

Santa, His Elves, and a Grocery Bill No One Paid

A group dressed as Santa and his elves calmly filled grocery carts in Montreal, then walked out without paying, about $3,000 lighter. Police are investigating, though the suspects were very much on camera and very much in costume. An activist group later claimed credit, framing it as a modern Robin Hood act. The costumes add flair, but the debate underneath is serious: protest, theft, or both. Either way, it’s hard not to picture mall Santas everywhere quietly rethinking their side hustles.

A woman in Japan says she has married an AI character created through ChatGPT. The marriage isn’t legal, but she says the relationship brings her comfort and stability. It’s a small story with big questions about loneliness, technology, and where companionship now lives. No judgment here—just a quiet pause to note how quickly the future shows up. Once upon a time, people worried about online dating; now we’re officiating software.

That’s today’s tour of the unusual. If one of these made you laugh, sigh, or quietly stare out the window, you’re not alone. Send a note if you’ve got a story worth a head shake. — Doug