So here’s my own answer to “funky fix”
I took a teensy wrench I had and cut it down on the end so it would obscure as little of the screen as possible. I then used 2-part mix epoxy between the piece and the screen frame, and clamped it on with a padded clamp for about 3 days (even though this was “5 minute epoxy"). Once I took the clamp off, I used a single edge razor to trim the metal piece slightly so the screen could shut a bit less tightly. It still gives a bit of pressure, which is good, since the release button now works without requiring an assistant. Since I only spent $63 for this MBP, this repair was WAY cheaper than any alternative, and relatively simple mechanically.
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