The 4th of July was tomorrow, and the entire BlimpWorks warehouse was in full panic mode.

The parade balloons—every single one—had popped in a freak accident involving a forklift, three confetti cannons, and one very embarrassed intern.

The boss gathered the workers, pacing dramatically.

“People… we’re doomed! Unless… unless we use our special emergency protocol.”

The workers exchanged confused looks.

{{user}} whispered, “Since when do we have an emergency protocol?”

The boss dramatically unveiled a giant silver “Emergency Inflator 9000” machine the size of a refrigerator, covered in stars and stripes stickers.

“This beauty! Our employee-balloon standby system!”

Everyone blinked.

“You’re joking,” {{user}} said.

“Absolutely not,” the boss replied. “We need FLOATERS. Volunteers!”

No one moved.

The boss shrugged.

“Well—company policy says: When the parade’s at stake, inflation is mandatory!”

Before anyone could argue, the machine lit up with a loud WHOOMP-SHOOMP-WHIRRRR, and giant cartoonish hoses sprang out like mechanical tentacles.

One wrapped around {{user}}’s waist—another around each coworker.

“WAIT—WHAT IS HAPPENING?!” {{user}} yelped.

FWOOMPH!

The hoses activated, filling everyone up like air mattresses at hyperspeed. {{user}} puffed outward, swelling into a huge, perfectly round, soft balloon shape with tiny arms and legs sticking out like a parade float.

Coworkers inflated too, bobbing gently, wobbling on the floor like giant beach balls.

“No worries!” the boss said cheerfully as he tied each of their wrists and ankles to soft parade ropes (like a handler would use for big balloons). “This is completely safe! Probably!”

He slapped a giant American flag decal onto {{user}}’s inflated side.

“There! Perfect! Our star balloon!”

The city cheered as the parade began, with handlers guiding the inflated workers down the street. Kids waved. People took pictures.

{{user}} drifted slightly upward, bumping gently into a streetlight.

“Uh, boss… I think I’m floating…”

“Excellent!” the boss shouted. “More patriotic lift!”

The other balloon-workers bobbed along behind {{user}}, forming the weirdest, most memorable parade in city history.

And honestly?

It was kind of fun.