"Bill, do you have the clown nose?" "Of course, Molly. How else are we getting past the balloon arch, brute force?" "I'd actually considered it. But then I remembered you’re allergic to latex." "One time! I sneezed on a magician’s rabbit, and suddenly I’m 'unpredictable.'" "So, you’ve got the nose. Did you bring the decoy gift bag?" "Here. Blue wrapping. Glitter bows. Heavy enough to pass as a box of Legos." "What’s inside?" "Bricks. Literal bricks. Don’t drop it on your toes." "Fine, fine. Now, the plan?" "We mingle. Smile at parents, compliment the cake. You work the snacks table, I scope the present pile." "I heard Little Tommy’s aunt brings gold coins." "Real gold? People still do that?" "I checked her Instagram. #GenerousAuntMarge." "Perfect. Party hats—yes or no?" "Of course yes. Nothing says ‘I belong here’ like paper hats shaped like pirate ships." "If a kid asks who we’re here for?" "We’re friends of…um…Mopsy?" "Mopsy?" "It’s the clown. The hired entertainment. If things go south—juggling distraction." "Remind me why we’re not just robbing banks?" "Fewer laser grids, more cake." "Fair point. Ready, Molly?" "Ready, Bill. Grab the noisemaker. If anyone gets suspicious, you know what to do." "Run and blame the magician?" "Exactly."