Run: 2026-02-16-01KHM5HYB0ZP1D470DHKVNCH5B

Molly leaned back in the rickety folding chair, tossing a rubber chicken from hand to hand. “Alright, Bill. Let’s hear it. What’s the plan?” Bill adjusted his sunglasses, even though they were indoors. “Simple. We crash the party, blend in with the kiddos, and walk out with the loot. Easy peasy.” Molly stopped tossing the chicken. “Blend in with the kiddos? Bill, you’re six feet tall and have a mustache that looks like it belongs on a cowboy from a spaghetti western.” Bill stroked his mustache thoughtfully. “Fair point. But that’s why we’ve got disguises.” He reached into a duffel bag and pulled out two oversized clown costumes. Molly stared at the costumes, then at Bill. “You want us to dress as clowns? At a children’s party? Have you met children? They’re terrified of clowns.” Bill shrugged. “Exactly. They’ll be too scared to notice us stealing the presents.” “Or,” Molly said, crossing her arms, “they’ll scream bloody murder, and we’ll have to make a run for it with a piñata under one arm.” Bill sighed. “Fine. No clowns. What’s your brilliant idea?” Molly grinned. “Simple. We go as the entertainment.” Bill raised an eyebrow. “Entertainment?” “Yeah. You’ll be the magician, and I’ll be your assistant. We’ll dazzle them with tricks, and while they’re distracted, we’ll swipe the presents.” Bill nodded slowly. “Not bad. But what kind of tricks can we do?” Molly leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Simple stuff. Pulling rabbits out of hats, card tricks, maybe even sawing someone in half.” Bill frowned. “What’s your plan if they actually volunteer someone to be sawed in half?” Molly hesitated. “Uh… we’ll improvise.” Bill groaned. “This is why I’m the brains of the operation.” Molly smirked. “Brains? You thought dressing as a clown was a good idea.” Bill ignored her. “Alright, fine. We’ll go as magicians. But we need a code word for when things go south.” Molly nodded. “How about ‘banana split’?” Bill frowned. “Why ‘banana split’?” “Because if things go south, we split.” Bill sighed. “Fine. ‘Banana split.’ But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Molly shrugged. “With your plan, it’s a coin flip.” Bill glared at her. “This is *our* plan now.” Molly laughed. “Fair enough. So, we’ve got the disguises, the code word, and the distraction. What about the getaway?” Bill reached into the duffel bag again and pulled out a map of the neighborhood. “We park the van two blocks away, make our escape through the back garden, and boom. Clean break.” Molly studied the map. “What’s the plan if someone sees us?” Bill grinned. “We’ll have balloons. Kids love balloons. If anyone sees us, we’ll just hand them a balloon and keep walking.” Molly raised an eyebrow. “And if they’re not buying it?” Bill held up a water gun. “Then we resort to Plan B.” Molly groaned. “Your Plan B is always a water gun.” Bill shrugged. “It’s worked so far.” Molly shook her head. “Alright, magician. Let’s hope you can pull off this trick.” Bill tipped an imaginary hat. “Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be amazed.”