Run: 2026-09-03-01M1KRSYKYVPGVMEYDTJHKJMEH

Molly spread a crumpled flyer across the kitchen table and tapped it with a cheap pen. Bill stood over her with a half-eaten donut, squinting at the picture of a pink castle. Molly said, "It's a seven-year-old's birthday party at the community center Saturday at two. The flyer says come dressed as your favorite animal. Presents table is by the inflatable slide." Bill said, "So we dress as animals. That's either genius or the dumbest thing you've ever said." Molly said, "It's both. We get in free, we blend in, and nobody questions two adults in full costumes at a kid's party." Bill said, "Nobody questions two adults in full costumes trying to steal a plastic tiara and a Paw Patrol backpack." Molly said, "It's not the tiara, it's the presents. The invitation says please no gifts over twenty dollars. Twenty kids times twenty dollars is four hundred dollars of stuff." Bill said, "Four hundred dollars of Lego sets and scented slime we can't resell." Molly said, "We resell the wrapping paper. The parents bought the good stuff." Bill said, "You are a sick person." Molly said, "I'm a professional. Bill, think about it. Community center has one entrance, two bored teenagers on a phone, and a mom with a camera." Bill said, "And a hundred screaming children." Molly said, "Exactly. Screaming covers everything. You grab from the left, I grab from the right, we meet at the bathroom." Bill said, "Why the bathroom?" Molly said, "Because the bathroom is the only place kids aren't allowed without a parent, and the parent on duty always goes in with them. We can stage there." Bill said, "Stage what, a hostage situation?" Molly said, "We stage a costume change. The fox costume has a big tail pouch. Perfect." Bill said, "You made a costume with a tail pouch?" Molly said, "I made three. One for you. The bear costume has a belly pouch that holds a whole Xbox." Bill said, "Is there an Xbox?" Molly said, "The flyer says the birthday kid's dad works at GameStop. You do the math." Bill took another bite of donut and stared at the flyer. The pink castle looked smug. Bill said, "What about the cake?" Molly said, "We don't steal the cake. That's a line." Bill said, "Okay, but if there's a spare slice I want a slice." Molly said, "Fine. But you have to eat it while wearing the bear head. It'll look suspicious." Bill said, "Everything about this looks suspicious." Molly said, "That's why we have the animal theme. Suspicious becomes thematic. Also we bring earplugs." Bill said, "For the kids or for you?" Molly said, "Both. Meet me Friday with the costumes. I'll bring the diaper bag." Bill said, "Why a diaper bag?" Molly said, "Because it's the perfect smuggling device and no one at a kids party questions a diaper bag." Bill said, "I hate that you're right." Molly smiled and folded the flyer into a tiny square.