Run: 2026-02-16-01KHKRWNXMXC3QGFEV986DD28Q

The night before the birthday bash, Molly and Bill crouched behind folding chairs in the community center’s hallway. Neon streamers clung to the ceiling, and the faint smell of frosting lingered, making the mission sound absurdly festive. Molly, a former magician’s assistant, whispered a plan while twirling a cheap plastic wand, scanning the makeshift gift table piled with brightly wrapped parcels. Bill, a retired accountant turned cat‑ burglar, consulted a crumpled schematic of the venue, noting the fire‑exit door that led directly to the children’s play area. They imagined themselves as stealthy elves, slipping past giggling toddlers and dodging “Happy Birthday” chants. Their banter was peppered with absurd metaphors, and each step was rehearsed with the seriousness of a bank robbery, only to be undercut by the ridiculousness of stealing candy‑filled toys and glittery crayons. As midnight approached, they checked their gear: a sack of empty gift bags, lock‑picking tools, and oversized clown shoes for distraction. The absurdity made them grin, and the thrill felt like a mischievous birthday wish granted. They felt unstoppable, like kids with secret candy in. Molly: Back door, quiet. Bill: Disable lights, grab gifts quickly. Molly: Watch kids, stay hidden now. Bill: We’re ghosts silently.