Thanks, it took me years to arrive at any kind of formulation of this very complex situation. (I really liked your original story; sorry I didn't say at once.)

I think your idea about the teenage kids in your neighborhood who show up on Halloween without costumes is probably more broadly applicable. I'm sure some of the ones who do that around here are also unhappy to lose that aspect of childhood, particularly the ones I recognize from earlier years when they did have costumes. Some of the others may not be able to afford much of a costume and are being defiant rather than deciding to put together something that isn't what they want. And sometimes one kid will have a domino, or whiskers drawn on their cheeks, a fancy hat or something of that sort.

P.