Run: 2026-06-01-01KT1H7GAX2EDF9XJKXTZYHAX6

Molly spread the crumpled birthday invitation across the table like it was a treasure map. "Okay, Bill. Operation Sugar Rush. The party starts at two." "I still don't understand why we're stealing presents from a child," Bill said, scratching his head. "Because, you beautiful idiot, rich kids get the good stuff. We're talking unopened tablets, designer sneakers, gift cards." She tapped the invitation. "Little Timmy Bradford is turning eight, and his daddy owns half the dealerships in town." Bill leaned back in his chair, which groaned under his considerable weight. "And how exactly do two grown adults blend into a kid's party?" "Disguises," Molly said, grinning. "You're going to be the entertainment." "The entertainment?" "A clown." Bill's face fell. "Absolutely not. You know I have a fear of clowns." "You're afraid of *being* a clown?" "It's the same fear, Molly. It transfers." She rolled her eyes and pulled a wrinkled costume from a duffel bag. "It's a rainbow wig and a red nose. You'll be fine. Meanwhile, I'll pose as a parent. While you're juggling or whatever, I sneak into the gift room and load everything into garbage bags." "Juggling?" Bill held up his hands. "I can barely catch a cold." "Then make balloon animals." "I made a balloon dog once. It looked like a tumor with ears." Molly massaged her temples. "The kids won't care. They're eight. They think dirt is delicious." She handed him the costume. "Just keep them distracted for fifteen minutes. That's all I need." Bill held the wig at arm's length like it was radioactive. "And if something goes wrong?" "What could possibly go wrong at a children's birthday party?" "That's exactly the kind of thing people say right before everything goes wrong." "We have an exit strategy," she said, ignoring him. "Side gate, behind the bouncy castle. I'll have the van running." "You're parking the getaway van behind a bouncy castle." "It's brilliant. Nobody suspects the bouncy castle." Bill sighed and tugged the rainbow wig over his head. He looked into the small mirror on the wall and immediately recoiled. "I hate everything about this." "You look adorable. Terrifying, but adorable." Molly clipped the red nose onto his face. "Now, the magic words if we need to bail. If I yell 'piñata,' you drop everything and run." "Why piñata?" "Because it'll blend in. Everyone yells piñata at these things." Bill honked the nose experimentally. "This is the dumbest plan you've ever cooked up, and you once tried to rob a bank using a kazoo." "That kazoo created a *diversion*." "It got us arrested." "It got *you* arrested. I escaped through the air vents." She slung the empty duffel bags over her shoulder. "Now come on, Bozo. We've got presents to liberate." Bill stood, his enormous shoes flopping against the floor. "If I get attacked by a swarm of sugar-crazed children, I'm telling them you're my accomplice." "Deal," Molly said, opening the door. "Just remember—smile, juggle, and whatever you do, don't cry in front of the birthday boy."