Run: 2026-09-23-01M36NHFQN6KAWF1P26D0VWHND

Molly crouched behind the hedge, peering at the community hall through a gap in the leaves. A paper banner sagged over the entrance: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOBY! Beneath it, children shrieked with the buoyant force of a small weather system. Bill consulted a napkin covered in drawings. “The presents are stacked by the cake.” “That’s not a plan,” Molly whispered. “That’s a fact with frosting nearby.” “It’s the first step of a plan.” “What’s the second?” “Acquire presents.” “And the third?” “Become wealthy.” Molly looked at the pile of gift bags visible through the hall’s window. “You’ve forgotten the part where we get inside.” “I haven’t forgotten it. I’ve left it flexible.” Bill wore a purple waistcoat and a paper crown. Molly wore a sweater with a cartoon rabbit on it, which she had borrowed from a laundry line and which seemed to be judging her. “You look like a magician’s assistant,” she said. “I’m aiming for party entertainer.” “You’re holding a napkin map upside down.” “I’m aiming for a party entertainer who can read.” A child inside pressed both palms to the window and stared at them. Bill waved. The child waved back, then vanished. “Was that Toby?” Molly asked. “Could be.” “Did you just make contact with our target?” “I made contact with a child. It’s different.” The hall door swung open. A woman carrying a tray of cupcakes stepped outside and eyed them. Bill immediately pulled a balloon from his pocket. It was shaped like a giraffe, though it had the long, melancholy face of a retired accountant. “Good afternoon,” he said. “We’re the entertainment.” Molly leaned close. “Since when?” “Since this afternoon.” The woman looked at the balloon. “Are you the balloon artist?” “I’m the balloon artist’s associate.” “What does that mean?” “I hold the balloons while the artist—” Bill gestured at Molly. Molly stared at him. “I’m the artist?” “You have the sweater.” The woman’s expression softened. “Oh, good. Toby’s been asking for a rabbit.” Molly glanced down at her sweater. “This rabbit is more of a print than a performance.” “Could you make one?” the woman asked. Bill handed her the giraffe. “This is our rabbit.” The woman inspected its neck. “That’s a giraffe.” “It’s a rabbit with confidence,” Molly said. The woman laughed and ushered them inside. The party swallowed them in noise, streamers, and the smell of icing. Molly spotted the presents beside the cake, exactly where Bill had said. She also spotted Toby, who had the same eager expression as the child at the window. “Now,” Bill murmured, “we take the gifts.” “Not while everyone’s watching.” “They’re all watching the cake.” “They’re watching you eat the cake.” Bill looked down. He was holding a cupcake and had already eaten its paper wrapper. Molly sighed. “We are not stealing presents from a child.” “Then why did we come?” “To learn a lesson?” “Couldn’t we learn one somewhere quieter?” Toby approached, clutching a bright blue box. “Are you the balloon people?” Molly crouched. “We are. What would you like?” “A dragon.” Bill whispered, “We could steal the presents and leave the dragon.” Molly took the balloon giraffe from the woman and began twisting its neck. “We could stay and help instead.” Bill considered this. “Do helpers get cupcakes?” “Only if they don’t eat the wrapping.” Toby watched Molly’s hands. “It’s a dragon!” “It’s a giraffe,” Bill said. “With ambition.” Toby laughed, and Bill laughed too. The presents remained stacked beside the cake, untouched, while the thieves found themselves recruited to lead a game of musical statues. Bill lost in the first round, frozen mid-wiggle, wearing the paper crown. Molly took a cupcake. “Is it safe?” Bill asked. She peeled off the wrapper. “For you, I’d get a second opinion.”