Run: 2026-02-20-01KHYA1MFWP870DV4ERAHT4FWG

Molly squints through the hedge. “They’ve got a balloon arch. Last year, a balloon popped and scared a three-year-old so bad, he peed his dinosaur pants. We could use that.” Bill adjusts his ski mask, which has a smudge of what might be mashed peas. “Nah. Too messy. Let’s hit the cupcakes first—” “—and knock over the piñata. That’ll clear the room. My mom’s birthday’s next week; those presents have gift cards. We’ll swap ‘em for a bottle of wine and a ‘Get Well Soon’ card for my dog, who ate a sock.” “Perfect. Now, the presents—sparkly, wrapped, shaped like trucks. You grab the princess one, I’ll take the robot. Security’s a goldfish in a bowl, right? Bubbles mean safe. I’ll knock the bowl over,” Bill says, tapping his wristwatch. “Ten seconds. We’re out.” Molly snorts. “You’ll knock the bowl over *and* your foot. Last Tuesday, you tripped over a garden hose and face-planted into a rose bush. They gave you a balloon to calm you down.” “Point is, I’m *focused.* Now—” A door slams. A child’s voice: “Molly? Is that you? Mom says you can help set up the loot bags!” Molly freezes. Bill whispers, “Say yes.” She puts on a high-pitched trill. “Hi, sweetie! Where’s the loot? Let me hide it in my *pocket*—” (199 words)