Run: 2026-09-23-01M36NPBCN5N61WMVET6PW1MQQ

Molly spread the map across the bonnet of Bill’s car. It was actually a napkin from a diner, and the map was mostly gravy, but the red circle around the community hall looked authoritative. “The presents are under the enormous balloon arch,” she whispered. “We go in, take everything, and leave before anyone notices.” Bill adjusted his bow tie. “What if someone notices?” “Then you’re the magician.” “I’m not a magician.” “You own a cape.” “It’s a bathrobe.” “Exactly. Mysterious.” Across the street, the hall’s windows glowed with party lights. Children darted past them in paper crowns, trailing streamers and shrieks. A banner over the door read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAM! in letters that had been individually taped on by a child with strong feelings about spacing. Bill peered at the hall. “You said this would be a quiet job.” “It will be. We’ll simply remove the presents.” “From a children’s party.” “Yes.” “While children are inside.” “That’s why we’ll be dressed as entertainers.” Molly gestured to their costumes: her sequined jacket and Bill’s bathrobe, now decorated with a hand-painted rabbit. The rabbit had one eye and appeared to be asking for help. A small boy pushed open the hall door and stared at them. “Are you the birthday magicians?” Molly smiled. Bill made the rabbit wave. “We are,” Molly said. “Prepare to be amazed.” The boy shouted, “MUM! THE MAGICIANS ARE HERE!” and vanished into the hall. Bill looked at Molly. “We have been hired without consent.” “Excellent. We’re already inside.” They entered to applause. Molly bowed. Bill bowed too, though his bathrobe belt came loose and slid onto the floor. The children laughed so hard that one fell gently into a pile of cushions. Molly seized the moment. “For our first trick, we shall make all the presents disappear!” “Is that wise?” Bill murmured. “Can you think of a better trick?” “I could make your plan disappear.” She whispered, “Focus.” They approached the gift table. Molly picked up a glittering box. A girl with a plastic crown stepped in front of her. “That one’s for Sam,” the girl said. “Of course,” Molly replied. “We’re just checking it for… magical energy.” The girl narrowed her eyes. “You’re bad magicians.” “Harsh,” Bill said. “But not inaccurate.” Sam, the birthday boy, appeared beside them. “Are you going to steal my presents?” Molly froze. Bill’s rabbit drooped against his chest. “We were,” Molly admitted. “But then we met the security team.” The children surrounded them, solemn as tiny detectives. One held a cupcake like evidence. Another had a kazoo. Bill cleared his throat. “We’ve decided to perform a different trick. We’ll make these presents stay exactly where they are.” “And,” Molly added, “we’ll make two suspicious adults disappear.” The children cheered as Molly and Bill backed toward the door. Outside, Bill retrieved his belt from the floor of the hall. “So,” he said, “no presents?” “Not a one.” “Can we at least keep the cape?” “It’s your bathrobe.” “Then I’m keeping it.” From inside came a delighted roar. Molly glanced back through the window. Sam was opening a gift shaped like a lumpy, badly wrapped box. “Look,” Bill said. “A successful heist.” Molly raised an eyebrow. “We stole the show.”