Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HGYCHADPES782ECFYD9FK

Molly spread a crayon map across the café table. “That’s the house. What do you notice?” Bill squinted. “Balloons. A bouncy castle. A sign saying, ‘Welcome, Princess Ava.’” “And?” “Her parents have better handwriting than us.” “The presents, Bill. By the window.” “Right. We stroll in, scoop them up, and leave.” “We can’t just stroll into a children’s party.” “Why not? You strolled into my birthday.” “You were thirty-four, and your front door was open.” “So we need a disguise.” “Exactly. I’ll be the magician.” “You don’t know any tricks.” “I can make your wallet disappear.” “You still have it?” “Focus. You’ll be the clown.” “I refuse.” “You already own the shoes.” “They’re orthopedic.” “Perfect. We arrive at two, perform for twenty minutes, then carry out the presents.” “What if the children ask us to stay?” “Tell them we’re booked elsewhere.” “What if Ava cries?” Molly paused. “We leave hers.” “What about the others?” “Bill, I don’t know. Maybe we should steal from someone awful instead.” “Her dad parked across two spaces.” “That’s not enough.” “He also ordered pineapple pizza.” Molly folded the map. “We’re stealing his parking spot.” “Can I still wear the shoes?” “Only if you perform.”