Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HAEZ31F2SFVQSMDAJJ9GC

Across the street, Molly and Bill watched six shrieking children orbit a mountain of presents beneath a glittering cardboard castle. “We enter disguised as magicians, then make everything disappear quietly.” “Your last magic trick set my trousers on fire. Twice.” Bill tugged his borrowed cape straight. It had once been a tablecloth, and still smelled faintly of gravy and defeat. “Fine. We pose as balloon animals. Nobody suspects balloon animals.” “Nobody invites balloon animals inside either, unless they’re already inflated.” Molly pointed to the invitation taped beside the gate. Apparently, entry required one joke, one costume, and absolutely no parents. “Excellent. I have jokes, and you look permanently unsupervised anyway.” “That’s my face. What’s the plan once we’re actually inside?” A child appeared at the gate, wearing a paper crown and the expression of someone auditing tax returns for fun. “My joke: why did the present cross the road, Bill?” “Because you forgot to check for traffic again, Molly? Seriously?” The child considered this, then silently lifted the gate latch. Behind him, a dozen parents cheered, grateful for incoming entertainment. “We’re in. Grab the presents while I distract everyone magnificently.” “Molly, they’ve hired us. We just burgled ourselves employment instead.”