Run: 2026-09-23-01M36NKXHSNSZXCD9EDFC5Z90F

“We go in at three,” Molly whispered, studying the birthday party through binoculars. “That’s when the children are distracted by the magician.” “Or terrified by the magician,” Bill said. “He’s got a rabbit.” “Rabbits are harmless.” “This one’s wearing a tiny top hat. That’s how they start.” Molly lowered the binoculars. “Our objective is the presents. All of them. We enter, gather, exit. No complications.” “Have you ever met a child?” “I’ve met several.” “Briefly. From behind a hedge.” “Children are just small adults with louder shoes.” A shriek came from the garden. Bill flinched. “That one sounded like a kettle being murdered.” “Focus. The gifts are stacked by the patio doors. We use the laundry basket.” “The laundry basket says ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLA’ in glitter.” “Then nobody will suspect it.” “They’ll suspect it’s a laundry basket.” “Bill, I’ve planned every detail. You’ll distract the adults.” “How?” “Tell them you’re a magician.” “I’m not a magician.” “Neither is the man with the rabbit, apparently. I saw him pull a sausage from a child’s ear.” “That’s not magic. That’s a health-code violation.” Molly pointed toward the house. “There. The parents are serving cake. We move now.” “Wait. What’s the signal?” “I’ll say, ‘The frosting is compromised.’” “What does that mean?” “It means go.” “Why not say ‘go’?” “Too obvious.” “Who are we hiding from?” “Everyone.” Bill swallowed. “Right. I’ll distract them with a trick.” He stepped onto the lawn and clapped his hands. “Ladies and gentlemen! Observe: the mysterious disappearance of—” A dozen children turned toward him. “—my confidence,” he finished. Molly hurried to the present pile. “Bill, distract them!” “I am! They’re watching.” “They’re watching me.” “Then I’ll distract you.” “Just do something!” Bill pulled a coin from behind a child’s ear. The child stared at him. “That’s my tooth.” Bill examined the coin. “Then I’ve made a terrible mistake.” Molly lifted the laundry basket. “The frosting is compromised!” A parent glanced over. “What?” “Nothing!” Molly said. “We’re with the magician.” “There’s no magician,” the parent said. Bill pointed at the rabbit, which had escaped its tiny top hat and was sprinting beneath the picnic table. “Then who’s that?” The children cheered and gave chase. In the commotion, Molly and Bill filled the basket with presents. “Got them,” Molly whispered. “Now walk naturally.” Bill put the basket on his head. “That’s not natural.” “I’m hiding the presents.” “You’re wearing them.” A small girl appeared beside them. “Those are for my birthday.” Molly froze. “We know.” “Are you taking them?” “We’re transporting them,” Bill said. “For security.” “Why?” He looked at Molly. “Because,” she said, “your parents asked us to.” The girl narrowed her eyes. “They didn’t.” “No,” Molly admitted. “They didn’t.” The girl considered this. “You can have a cupcake if you put them back.” Bill lowered the basket. “Deal.” “Excellent,” Molly said. “The heist is over.” “What about the cupcake?” “Bill, don’t push your luck.” “I wasn’t. I was negotiating.”