Run: 2026-07-09-01KX419QKHMQZCT24HJGCXK03J

Rain ticked against the van roof while Molly spread a hand-drawn map across the dashboard. The map showed a suburban garden, a bouncy castle, and an alarming number of balloons. Bill peered at it. “You’re sure this is the party?” “According to the invitation.” “You stole an invitation?” “Borrowed. From a pigeon.” “Pigeons don’t receive invitations.” “This one had excellent connections.” Bill tapped the map. “And our target?” “Twenty-seven presents, stacked beneath the gift table.” “Twenty-seven? For one child?” “Children’s parties are booming. Apparently, tiny people now expect tribute.” “And the security?” Molly pointed to a sketch of a woman holding a clipboard. “Party mum. Ruthless. She alphabetizes the cupcakes.” “Any guards?” “One clown.” “Armed?” “With a water pistol.” “Then we’re doomed.” Molly folded the map. “We enter disguised as entertainers.” “Please don’t say magicians.” “I was going to say magicians.” “I still have nightmares about the rabbit.” “The rabbit had a criminal record.” “It bit the mayor.” “It knew what it was doing.” Molly opened the van’s rear doors. Inside were two glittery costumes, a plastic top hat, and a suspiciously enthusiastic rabbit. Bill stared. “Absolutely not.” The rabbit thumped. “It remembers you,” Molly said. “I remember it.” “It’s part of the disguise.” “It’s a rabbit.” “Exactly. Nobody suspects rabbits.” “Nobody trusts rabbits.” “Children do.” “Children trust strangers with face paint.” “Excellent. You’ll be the clown.” Bill picked up the red wig. “Why am I always the clown?” “Because you have the emotional range.” They crept around the hedge toward the garden. Music blared from a speaker, followed by a child shouting, “The piñata is fighting back!” Bill adjusted his bow tie. “Maybe we should reconsider.” “Bill, we’ve robbed casinos, museums, and that vending machine in the bus station.” “The vending machine had a terrifying security light.” Molly slipped through the gate. “Smile.” “Why?” “Clowns smile.” “Clowns also haunt dreams.” “Then you’re perfectly cast.” A little girl spotted them. “Are you entertainers?” Molly bowed. “The finest in the county.” Bill waved stiffly. “I make balloons.” “You don’t know how.” “I make them disappear.” The girl pointed at the presents. “Can you make that one disappear?” Bill glanced at the gift table. “Professionally, yes.” Molly coughed. “He means magically.” “Same paperwork,” Bill muttered. They reached the presents, but Party Mum appeared behind them. “What are you doing?” Molly raised the top hat. “A magic trick.” “With the presents?” “Classic misdirection.” Party Mum narrowed her eyes. “Where’s the rabbit?” A rustle came from inside Bill’s costume. Bill froze. “I’m digesting.” The rabbit poked out through his collar. Party Mum screamed. The children cheered. In the confusion, Molly loaded the presents into a gift bag while Bill performed an accidental cartwheel. “Run!” Molly shouted. “I’m stuck in the tablecloth!” “Leave the tablecloth!” “It’s attached to me!” The clown music swelled as they fled through the hedge, pursued by laughing children and one furious rabbit. In the van, Bill collapsed beside the presents. Molly started the engine. “Successful operation.” Bill removed the rabbit from his sleeve. “We stole toys from children.” “Technically, we stole them from a table.” “That’s worse.” A siren chirped behind them. Molly glanced in the mirror. “Good news. It’s only the clown.” Bill sighed. “I knew we should’ve robbed a bank.”