Run: 2026-09-23-01M36NH1E7XZ19F8ZGRMXJRDKA

Molly studied the party invitation through binoculars. “Three o’clock. Presents stacked beneath the balloon arch.” “Security?” Bill asked. “A clown, two parents, and a toddler with excellent peripheral vision.” Bill nodded gravely. “We’ll need disguises.” “You mean the matching pirate costumes?” “I mean matching pirate costumes with believable criminal backstories.” They approached the garden gate carrying a cake. Molly wore an eye patch; Bill wore two, one over each eye. “Why can’t you see?” Molly whispered. “I’m method acting.” A little girl opened the gate. “Are you the magicians?” “We’re the cake inspectors,” Molly said. Bill lifted the lid. The cake read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, in icing that had begun to slide off. “Inspection failed,” he announced. “We must confiscate it.” The girl considered this. “Can you make a rabbit appear?” “Certainly,” said Molly, producing a rabbit-shaped napkin. “That’s a napkin.” “An undercover rabbit.” The girl waved them inside. Beneath the balloons, presents glittered in bright paper. Bill reached for the biggest box. “Stop,” Molly whispered. “That one’s labeled for the birthday girl.” “So?” “So we’re thieves, not monsters.” Bill sighed and picked up a smaller gift. It rattled. “Maybe it’s loot,” he said. Molly opened it carefully. Inside lay a toy badge and handcuffs. The clown appeared behind them. “Arrested!” Bill glanced at Molly. “I told you we needed better disguises.” “You wore two eye patches.” “Exactly. Nobody suspects a pirate who can’t see the presents.”