Run: 2026-09-23-01M36NM0HK0C6N7ZD3PKD44YBG

Molly unfolded the floor plan across the bonnet of Bill’s van. A drawing of a smiling clown beamed up at them from the invitation underneath. “Why is there a clown on the security diagram?” Bill asked. “Because it’s a children’s party, Bill. The clown is security.” Bill peered toward the community hall. Balloons bobbed behind the windows. A banner read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCY! Beneath it, a cardboard castle guarded the entrance. “I thought we were robbing a house,” he said. “You said you knew a place with lots of presents.” “I did. I didn’t say it would be defended by a wizard.” The wizard in question was a seven-year-old wearing a silver cape, standing beside the door with a plastic sword. Molly studied him through binoculars. “His name is Oliver,” she said. “He’s the birthday girl’s cousin. I’ve done my research.” “You researched a child?” “I researched the perimeter.” Oliver swung his sword at a balloon. The balloon escaped upward, squeaking against the ceiling. Bill lowered the binoculars. “What’s the plan?” “We enter disguised as entertainers. I’m a magician. You’re my assistant.” “I refuse to wear tights.” “You’re a magician’s assistant, not a ballet dancer.” “That sounds exactly like something a magician’s assistant would say before handing me tights.” Molly opened the van’s side door. Inside lay a cape, a top hat, a bouquet of plastic flowers, and a large papier-mâché rabbit. Bill pointed at the rabbit. “Why is its mouth open?” “So we can hide the presents inside.” “All of them?” “If the presents are small.” “What about the bicycle?” “We’ll improvise.” They emerged dressed in black trousers and bright red waistcoats. Molly wore the top hat. Bill carried the rabbit, whose fixed grin made him look like he’d already seen the inside of the evidence locker. At the hall entrance, Oliver raised his sword. “Password,” he demanded. Molly smiled. “Abracadabra.” “That’s not it.” Bill leaned down. “Is it cake?” Oliver considered this. “Maybe.” “Your security is excellent,” Molly whispered. “It’s the cake,” Oliver said. “But you can come in if you do a trick.” Molly produced a plastic flower from her sleeve. Bill pulled a coin from behind Oliver’s ear, then accidentally dropped it down his own collar. “Ow,” he muttered, wriggling. Oliver laughed and waved them inside. The party was a chaos of paper plates, sugar, and children running in directions that suggested no known laws of physics. The presents sat in a bright heap beside the cake table. Molly eyed them with professional admiration. “Now,” she whispered. “We distract the room.” “With what?” “Your juggling act.” “I can’t juggle.” “Neither can most children. They’ll think it’s intentional.” Bill tossed three plastic oranges into the air. One struck the ceiling, one rolled beneath a table, and the third landed neatly in the birthday cake. The room went silent. Then every child cheered. “Again!” Lucy shouted. While Bill bowed, Molly slipped toward the presents. She had just opened the rabbit’s mouth when Lucy appeared beside her. “Are you taking my presents?” Molly froze. Bill stopped juggling. An orange rolled slowly across the floor. “We’re borrowing them,” Molly said. “Why?” “To make them disappear. It’s a magic trick.” Lucy narrowed her eyes. “Can you make my uncle disappear?” “Probably,” Bill said. “But not until after cake.” Lucy considered the offer, then thrust a wrapped box into Molly’s hands. “Start with this one. It’s socks.” Molly looked at Bill. Bill sighed, picked up the rabbit, and held it open. They spent the next ten minutes performing a trick in which every present “vanished” into the rabbit, then reappeared beneath the table. The children applauded. Lucy’s uncle gave them a slice of cake. Oliver promoted them past the door. Outside, Bill examined the empty rabbit. “Not one present stolen.” “Not true,” Molly said, licking frosting from her thumb. “We stole the cake.” Bill stared at her. “Best haul we’ve had in months,” she said, and climbed into the van.