Run: 2026-09-02-01M1H5JHQGSDF4JMWFSN7TCHS6

Molly pulled the van behind the community center and cut the engine. Bill was already fidgeting with a balloon animal he'd found on the dashboard. "Put that down. You look ridiculous." "It's a giraffe, Molly. I made it while you were casing the parking lot. I've got talents." "You've got a court date on Tuesday, is what you've got. Now listen. The party starts at two. Clowns at three, cake at four. We go in during the cake because every kid in that room will be facing the bouncy castle." "The bouncy castle is inside?" "Bill, focus." "I'm focused. I'm extremely focused. I just think if we're stealing from children, the least we can do is understand the terrain." "We're not stealing from children. We're stealing from parents who overcompensate with wrapped boxes. There's a difference." "Is there, though? Morally?" "Bill. You stole a wheelchair ramp from a nursing home." "That ramp was damaged. I was recycling." "Anyway. Twelve presents, minimum. Wrapped in sparkly paper, stacked by the door under a banner that says Happy Birthday, Bella." "How do you know the birthday girl's name?" "Because the invitation was taped to the front door, genius. Green. Big glittery letters. Bella turns six." Bill whistled low. "Six. That's a whole person, Molly. A tiny person with hopes and dreams and probably a wish list." "Are you developing a conscience? Now? After the museum job? After the raccoon thing?" "The raccoon thing was a misunderstanding." "You taught a raccoon to open donation boxes, Bill." "And it worked beautifully for three months, which is the point I keep making." Molly unfolded the blueprint on her knees. "Entry is through the kitchen. We wear the caterer uniforms I stole from the church bingo night." "The ones with the garlic stain?" "The ones with character. Now, here's your job. You hold the door. I grab the presents. Thirty seconds, in and out." "Thirty seconds? Molly, I've seen you empty a jewelry case in eleven." "Jewelry doesn't giggle, Bill. Kids notice things. Kids are witness-shaped hazards." "Fine. Thirty seconds. But what do we do about the clown?" Molly went still. "What clown?" "There's always a clown. Every children's party has a clown. It's like a rule of nature, like gravity, or taxes." "There was no clown mentioned in the invitation." "There's always a clown that goes unmentioned. That's how clowns get you." "It's a pony party, Bill. There's a pony. I'm worried about the pony." "The pony's fine. Ponies are professionals. Clowns are wildcards." "Fine. If we see a clown, you handle the clown." "With what? Charm?" "With whatever's in your pockets. I know for a fact there's a whoopee cushion in there." "That's a tactical device, Molly." "Sure it is. Okay. Two o'clock. We hit it during cake. You ready?" Bill tucked the balloon giraffe into his jacket like a good luck charm. "Ready. But if this goes wrong and we end up on the news, I want it noted that I said the pony should get a cut." "The pony gets nothing. Let's go steal a birthday."