I did try. Still “sign in to read.” Your second link gives me an option to close the full screen modal (or the NYT gives second-try people a pass.)

Worked for me. I got a little popup that I dismissed, then I saw the full article.

How did you construct that link? For example, where do these bits come from: 1.wE4.E3Qm.Fu3gorL0b1_5

I didn't construct that link: It was the link that appeared when, as a New York Times subscriber, I clicked "Share this story."