Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXPDRDAPEFDJ9RF9YQQ1DS8

Molly adjusted the glittery unicorn horn strapped to her head and squinted at the inflatable bounce castle swaying in the backyard. "You realize we look like we’re here to perform a magic show, not rob the place." Bill, dressed in a too-tight clown suit that made his knees creak when he walked, scratched his rainbow wig. "I *am* performing a magic show. The kind where I make all the presents disappear. Ta-da." "Ta-da is right. You look like a rejected Muppet." "Says the woman wearing enough glitter to blind a small village." Bill tugged at the elastic waistband of his polka-dot pants. "I swear, if these pants split open in front of a bunch of five-year-olds, I’m suing the costume shop." Molly sighed, adjusting the strap of her oversized gift bag. "Just focus. We get in, we mingle, we grab the loot, we get out. Simple." "Simple? Molly, we’re about to commit grand theft *My Little Pony*. This isn’t exactly *Ocean’s Eleven*." "It’s *Ocean’s Two*, and we’re upgrading to *Ocean’s Twelve* if we pull this off. Now, act natural." She pasted on a smile as a harried-looking mom herded a group of sugar-high toddlers toward them. Bill cleared his throat and forced his voice into a high-pitched squeak. "Hello, little friends! Who wants to see a *magic trick*?" A tiny girl in a princess dress stared up at him, her eyes wide. "Are you a *real* clown?" "Oh, sweetheart, I’m the realest clown you’ve ever—" Bill’s voice cracked. He coughed. "I mean, yes. Yes, I am." The girl frowned. "You don’t sound funny." Molly elbowed him in the ribs. "He’s just shy. Here, let’s play a game!" She crouched down, pulling a deck of cards from her sleeve. "Who can find the queen?" The kids swarmed her like seagulls at a picnic, and Bill took the opportunity to sidle toward the gift table. He picked up a suspiciously light box wrapped in Spider-Man paper. "Huh. Feels like socks." Molly shot him a look. "We’re not here to judge. Just grab and go." "Right, right." He stuffed the box into his bag, then paused. "Wait, what if there’s a *bomb* in here?" Molly groaned. "It’s a *children’s party*, Bill. The most dangerous thing in that box is probably a Lego." "Legos are *tiny landmines*." He shook the box again. "I’m telling you, this feels wrong." A boy with a juice-stained shirt tugged on Molly’s sleeve. "Miss, can you do the trick where the coin disappears?" "Absolutely!" Molly said, forcing a laugh. "Bill, *help*." Bill sighed, shoving the box into the bag. "Fine. But if I step on a Lego later, I’m blaming you." The boy grinned. "I *love* Legos!" Molly patted his head. "Of course you do, sweetie." She turned back to Bill, lowering her voice. "We’ve got about five minutes before someone notices the pile of presents is shrinking. Move faster." Bill eyed the remaining gifts. "What if one of them *cries*?" "Then we cry with them. Now *hurry up*." He grabbed another box, this one shaped suspiciously like a Barbie. "I feel like we’re the villains in a *very* weird after-school special." Molly snatched a glittery pink bag off the table. "We *are* the villains. Now stop whining and grab the Paw Patrol one before I leave you here to explain to the cops why you’re dressed like a rejected circus act." Bill muttered something under his breath but obeyed, shoving the last of the presents into his bag. "Alright, we’re done. Let’s get out of here before I traumatize a child for life." Molly adjusted her unicorn horn one last time. "Too late. You already did."