Run: 2026-04-24-01KQ0MV8SYNZEJGC39Q4KGXMBS

Molly pressed her ear to the nursery window. “Bill, report.” “Hostiles: twelve sugar-powered goblins, one clown, one cake shaped like a dinosaur, and a mountain of presents.” “Excellent. We wait until they sing.” “Why?” “Because everyone closes their eyes on the high note.” “That’s birthdays, not operas.” “Bill, confidence is ninety percent of crime.” “And the other ten?” “Snacks. Did you bring the distraction?” He lifted a balloon animal. “Behold, Gerald the Suspicious Giraffe.” “That looks like a worm with knees.” “It’s avant-garde.” “Molly, are we truly stealing from children?” “Not stealing. Temporarily relocating gifts to a surprise inspection facility.” “That sounds like my garage.” “Exactly.” “What if one contains socks?” “We leave a receipt of sympathy.” “What if one contains a puppy?” “We promote it to lookout.” “What if the clown sees us?” “We tell him we’re rival clowns.” “I don’t own clown shoes.” “You own those yellow loafers.” “Cruel but accurate.” Inside, the children cheered. “That’s the song,” Molly whispered. “Masks on.” Bill tugged down a rabbit mask. “Wait. If they open the presents, no burglary.” Molly sighed. “Fine. Plan B: steal cake.” “Finally, a victimless crime.” “And balloons,” Bill said. “They’ll float home unsupervised, right into custody.”