Run: 2026-02-16-01KHM5KFZTMQJ8GPR1PR5YGKZ0

**Molly and Bill sat in their beat-up van, parked a block away from the brightly decorated house hosting the birthday party. Streamers fluttered in the breeze, and the distant sound of children’s laughter drifted through the open window.** "You sure this is the right place?" Bill asked, squinting at the house. "Looks like a clown’s nightmare in there." Molly rolled her eyes. "Of course it’s the right place. Little Timmy Thompson’s sixth birthday. Rich parents, spoiled kid, and a mountain of presents taller than you." Bill scratched his scruffy chin. "And we’re stealing from a kid? That’s low, even for us." "Please," Molly scoffed. "Kid’s got more toys than a toy store. He won’t miss ‘em. Besides, we’re doing him a favor—teaching him early that life’s unfair." Bill sighed. "Fine. What’s the plan? Waltz in there dressed as clowns?" "Better," Molly said, grinning. "We’re the entertainment." She reached into the backseat and pulled out two oversized, garish costumes. "Magicians." Bill stared at the sequined vests and top hats. "You’ve got to be kidding me." "Nope. We show up, do a few terrible tricks, distract the kids, and while they’re all gawking at our ‘magic,’ we load up the presents." Bill frowned. "What if someone recognizes us?" "Bill, we’re wearing glitter and fake mustaches. No one’s gonna recognize us unless they’ve got X-ray vision." He sighed again, deeper this time. "Alright, fine. But if this goes south, I’m blaming you." Molly clapped him on the shoulder. "That’s the spirit! Now, let’s go make some magic—and some money." They climbed out of the van, tugging on their costumes. Bill adjusted his hat, which immediately slid sideways. "This thing’s defective." "It’s part of the charm," Molly said, straightening his hat with a smirk. "Now, remember—bad magic, big distractions." They strode up to the house, where a frazzled-looking woman answered the door. "Oh! You’re the magicians?" "The one and only," Molly said with a flourish. "Madame Mystique and her trusty assistant, Bill the Bewildered." Bill shot her a glare but forced a smile. "Uh, yeah. Magic. Woo." The woman ushered them inside, where a dozen kids sat in a semi-circle, sugar-hyped and restless. Molly whipped out a deck of cards. "Who wants to see a trick?" The kids cheered. Bill leaned in and muttered, "You *do* know how to do magic, right?" Molly winked. "Nope. But how hard can it be?" She fumbled the cards, sending them flying. The kids erupted in laughter. Bill groaned. "Ah, a classic misdirection!" Molly announced, sweeping the cards into a messy pile. "Now, for my next trick—who wants to see a rabbit?" The kids screamed in delight. Bill whispered, "We don’t *have* a rabbit." Molly grinned. "Exactly." She reached into her hat, pretended to panic, and gasped. "Oh no! The rabbit escaped! Quick, everyone—search the house!" The kids bolted in every direction, shrieking. The parents scrambled after them. Bill blinked. "That’s… actually genius." Molly grabbed a nearby gift bag. "Told you. Now start grabbing!" As chaos erupted around them, they stuffed presents into their oversized magician’s sleeves, grinning like fools. Bill shook his head. "We’re terrible people." Molly shrugged. "Yeah, but we’re *rich* terrible people."