Run: 2026-09-23-01M36NHAVE00TDDPHM1BSWC42P

Molly spread the floor plan across the kitchen table. Bill weighted one corner with a tin of sardines. “The presents are in the dining room,” she said. “We get in, grab the boxes, and leave.” “Simple,” said Bill. “What’s the complication?” “The party.” Bill frowned. “The children’s party?” “That’s generally what ‘party’ means when the invitation has a cartoon dinosaur on it.” Outside, a chorus of children shrieked with delight. Bill flinched. “They’re louder than the alarms at the museum.” “There are no alarms at a children’s party.” “There are parents.” Molly tapped the floor plan. “We’ll go in disguised as entertainers.” Bill examined his suit. “I’m dressed as a man who has recently lost an argument with a hedge.” “Then you’re halfway to being a clown.” “I refuse to wear a red nose again.” “You wore it once.” “It stuck to my face for three days.” Molly opened a duffel bag. Inside were two paper crowns, a balloon pump, and a glittery sign reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILO. Bill lifted the sign. “Who’s Milo?” “Don’t know. He’s our way in.” “And what are we?” “Magicians.” “I can’t do magic.” “You can make a wallet disappear.” “That’s pickpocketing.” “Not if the audience is impressed.” They slipped through the garden gate carrying the sign. A woman in a party hat spotted them. “Are you the entertainers?” Molly beamed. “Absolutely.” Bill bowed. “Prepare to be mildly astonished.” The woman ushered them inside. Children bounced around the living room while a golden retriever wore a paper crown and chewed a balloon. “Where are the presents?” Bill whispered. “Dining room,” Molly whispered back. “Then why are we in the living room?” “Because the woman asked us a question.” A small boy tugged Molly’s sleeve. “Can you make my dad disappear?” “Only temporarily,” Molly said. Bill leaned down. “Does he have a wallet?” “Bill.” “What? It’s a magic trick.” Molly clapped her hands. “Gather round! We’re going to perform the Amazing Gift Escape.” The children crowded close. Bill produced a silk scarf and draped it over a cardboard box. “On three,” Molly said. “One, two—” The dog snatched the scarf and bolted. “Three!” Bill shouted. The children roared with laughter. Molly lunged after the dog, and Bill ducked into the dining room. He found a mountain of presents beneath a banner: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILO. “Got them!” he called. “Don’t touch the presents!” Molly shouted from the hall. “I thought we were stealing them!” “We are. But not while the children are watching!” Bill froze, arms full of boxes. “They’re watching?” Every child stood in the doorway. One girl pointed. “He’s the bad magician!” Bill set the presents down carefully. “No, I’m the good magician. I’m making these gifts reappear.” “Where?” asked Milo. Bill glanced at Molly. She grabbed the balloon pump and pointed it at the ceiling. “Look! A flying giraffe!” The children turned. Bill bolted for the door, empty-handed. Molly followed, clutching the sign. Outside, Bill wheezed. “We failed.” “We performed.” “We stole nothing.” “We stole the balloon pump.” Molly inspected it. The dog trotted up and dropped the silk scarf at her feet. Bill sighed. “Next time, we rob somewhere without children.” “Agreed,” said Molly. “Children are alarmingly good witnesses.” From inside came a cheer. The party woman had found the presents. Bill glanced at the sign. “At least Milo had a nice birthday.” Molly considered this. “We should send him a card.” “With our names?” “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re professionals.”