diff --git a/shared/examples/day_three_build_car.rs b/shared/examples/day_three_build_car.rs
index a96d80e..5321807 100644
--- a/shared/examples/day_three_build_car.rs
+++ b/shared/examples/day_three_build_car.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ async fn main() {
         &("codes.advent.supersecret.verification".parse().unwrap()),
         &("1337".parse().unwrap()),
         "ABCDE-FGHIJ",
-        "what did the muffin say to the other muffin?",
     )
     .await
     .expect("failed to build car");
diff --git a/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/day_three.rs b/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/day_three.rs
index 3cf2ee7..54f44a2 100644
--- a/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/day_three.rs
+++ b/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/day_three.rs
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@ impl AdventChallenge for DayThree {
                 &("codes.advent.supersecret.verification".parse().unwrap()),
                 &("1337".parse().unwrap()),
                 &code,
-                "hellooooooo",
             )
             .await
             .map_err(|e| AdventError::ShouldNotHappen(format!("failed to render car: {e}")))?;
diff --git a/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/repo.rs b/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/repo.rs
index c08c57f..98b63c5 100644
--- a/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/repo.rs
+++ b/shared/src/advent/challenges/day_three/repo.rs
@@ -3,10 +3,30 @@ use std::io::Cursor;
 use atrium_api::types::string::{Nsid, RecordKey};
 use atrium_crypto::keypair::P256Keypair;
 use atrium_repo::{Repository, blockstore::{CarStore, MemoryBlockStore}};
+use rand::seq::IndexedRandom;
 use serde::Serialize;
 
 const CHALLENGE_DID: &str = "did:plc:3oktyyf7u4ecnvdwf3ogehpd";
 
+const VERY_BAD_JOKE_SETUPS: &[&str] = &[
+    "what do you call a cow with two legs?",
+    "what do bees do if they need a ride?",
+    "what do you call a monkey that loves doritos?",
+    "why did the can crusher quit her job?",
+    "when’s the best time to go to the dentist?",
+    "why do seagulls fly over the sea?",
+    "what do you call a farm that makes bad jokes?",
+    "why do fish live in saltwater?",
+    "what kind of streets do ghosts haunt?",
+    "what do you call it when one cow spies on another?",
+    "what happens when a frog’s car breaks down?",
+    "what does a zombie vegetarian eat?",
+    "what do you call it when a snowman throws a tantrum?",
+    "why did the scarecrow win an award?",
+    "what did the buffalo say when his son left?",
+    "wait, you don’t want to hear a joke about potassium?",
+];
+
 #[derive(Debug, thiserror::Error)]
 pub enum CarBuildError {
     #[error("Signing error: {0}")]
@@ -33,7 +53,6 @@ pub async fn manufacture_car(
     collection: &Nsid,
     rkey: &RecordKey,
     verification_code: &str,
-    message: &str,
 ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, CarBuildError> {
     let did = CHALLENGE_DID.parse().unwrap();
 
@@ -47,10 +66,11 @@ pub async fn manufacture_car(
     // add record
     let key = format!("{}/{}", collection.as_str(), rkey.as_str());
     let created_at = &chrono::Utc::now().to_rfc3339();
+    let joke = VERY_BAD_JOKE_SETUPS.choose(&mut rand::rng()).unwrap_or(&"no joke");
     let record = ChallengeRecord {
         created_at,
         verification_code,
-        message,
+        message: joke,
     };
     let (cb, _cid) = repo.add_raw(&key, record).await?;
     let sig = keypair.sign(&cb.bytes())?;
@@ -75,7 +95,6 @@ mod tests {
             &("codes.advent.supersecret.verification".parse().unwrap()),
             &("1337".parse().unwrap()),
             "ABCDE-FGHIJ",
-            "what did the muffin say to the other muffin?",
         )
         .await
         .expect("build a car");