Run: 2026-07-09-01KX41CV56RE0AA32JD5A9MPK1

Molly crouched behind the hedge and peered through the kitchen window. Inside, balloons bobbed beneath the ceiling, a tower of cupcakes leaned dangerously beside the sink, and a dozen children shrieked around a magician wearing a purple cape. “Report,” Bill whispered. “The target is heavily guarded.” “By whom?” “Children.” Bill frowned. “Armed?” “One has a plastic sword. Another is holding a juice box like he knows how to use it.” “Then we proceed with caution.” “You said that last time before falling through a conservatory roof.” “That roof was structurally overconfident.” Molly checked the map spread across her knees. It was actually a coloring page featuring a dinosaur, but she had drawn arrows over the dinosaur’s stomach. “The presents are stacked beneath the staircase. We enter through the side door, cross the laundry room, bypass the cake table, and extract the packages through the garden gate.” “Why not use the front door?” “Because the front door is where normal people go.” “And we’re thieves.” “Exactly. We have standards.” Bill adjusted his black turtleneck. “What’s the distraction?” “I brought a remote-controlled mouse.” “Excellent.” “It’s pink, wears a tutu, and plays ‘The Wheels on the Bus.’” “Less excellent.” “It was the only one at the novelty shop.” “Fine. We release the mouse. The children chase it. We take the presents.” “What if they catch it?” “Then we improvise.” “What if the birthday child cries?” Molly paused. “We’re stealing from a child?” “We’re stealing presents from several children. That’s different. It’s practically organized.” “That does not make it better.” “It makes it professional.” A cheer erupted inside. The magician had produced a rabbit from his hat, although the rabbit appeared to be a stuffed toy with a price tag still attached. “Now,” Molly whispered. “Go.” Bill nudged open the side door. It squeaked. Every child in the house went silent. The magician slowly turned. “Would anyone like to see another trick?” A small boy pointed toward the doorway. “There are burglars!” Bill stepped inside and raised both hands. “Technically, we’re party consultants.” Molly entered behind him. “Specializing in gift redistribution.” The birthday girl narrowed her eyes. “You’re here to steal my presents.” Bill glanced at Molly. “Children are alarmingly perceptive.” “Give us one good reason we shouldn’t call the grown-ups,” said the girl. Molly looked at the crooked cake, the exhausted magician, and the mountain of brightly wrapped boxes. “Because we can improve this operation.” “How?” “We’ll steal the presents, hide them, and make the magician find them.” The magician brightened. “I’ve been looking for a new finale.” Bill leaned toward Molly. “That is not stealing.” “It is if we keep one.” The girl considered this. “You can keep the empty box.” Bill sighed. “Fine. But we’re taking the biggest one.” “It’s full of socks,” she said. Molly smiled. “A flawless victory.” Five minutes later, the thieves vanished through the garden gate carrying an empty cardboard box, while the children applauded their escape. Inside, the magician pulled the real presents from beneath the sofa. Bill trudged beside Molly. “We’ve become entertainers.” “No,” Molly said. “We’ve become criminals with boundaries.” “Do boundaries pay?” Molly opened the box. A pair of enormous wool socks tumbled out. “Apparently,” she said, “in installments.”