Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HH311W2YQDRC78EB3NJGG

Molly spread a crayon map across the café table. A purple dinosaur grinned from the paper’s corner. “Tell me you didn’t draw this during the party.” “I drew it before the party,” Bill said. “During the party, I was conducting reconnaissance.” “You were wearing a balloon hat.” “Effective camouflage.” “You cried when the magician pulled a coin from your ear.” “It was my coin.” Molly tapped the map. “Sixteen children, two adults, one mountain of presents. We enter through the kitchen at three fifteen.” “That’s when they serve cake.” “Exactly. Everyone’s distracted.” “By cake,” Bill said. “Including me.” “You are not allowed cake until we’re gone.” “That wasn’t in the original plan.” “The original plan had you fitting inside a gift bag.” “I tested it. My shoulders are wider than anticipated.” Rain rattled the café windows. Bill adjusted his balloon hat, which squeaked against the chair behind him. “First problem,” he said. “The kitchen door has a lock.” “I have a key.” “How?” “The parents put one under a ceramic frog.” “Second problem. The frog is suspicious.” “The frog is ceramic.” “Exactly what it wants us to think.” Molly ignored him. “We cross the kitchen, collect the presents from the dining room, and leave through the garden gate.” “All the presents?” “All of them.” “Even the homemade ones?” “Especially the homemade ones. We can’t leave evidence of selective taste.” Bill studied the drawing. “What’s the big red circle?” “The dog.” “That dog is roughly the size of the house.” “It’s drawn to scale.” “And the little blue circle?” “You.” “That feels personal.” “The dog likes sausages. Bring sausages.” “I brought sausages last time.” “You ate them.” “I was establishing whether they were good sausages.” A waitress arrived with two coffees and paused at the map. Molly flipped it over, revealing a menu Bill had doodled on the back. “Planning a party?” the waitress asked. “Surprise party,” Molly said. “For a frog,” Bill added. The waitress nodded slowly and retreated. Molly leaned forward. “At three fourteen, you distract the dog. At three fifteen, I open the door. At three sixteen, you carry the presents.” “Why do I carry them?” “Because I’m carrying the cake.” “We’re stealing the cake now?” “No. We’re moving it away from the presents so nobody sees us.” “Where are you moving it?” “Outside.” “Near the garden gate?” “Possibly.” Bill narrowed his eyes. “You’re planning to eat it.” “Focus.” “What happens if a child sees us?” “We say we’re party helpers.” “What if they ask us to help?” “We help.” “What if they ask us to perform magic?” “You already know the coin trick.” “I know how to lose a coin. The magician did the rest.” Molly folded the map. “You can still back out.” Bill looked at the balloon hat in his lap. “What did you say the presents were for?” “The children’s shelter. This party is collecting donations.” “So we’re stealing presents from a donation party?” “We’re taking them to the shelter. The host asked us to make it a surprise delivery.” Bill stared. “We have permission?” “From everyone except the dog.” “Oh.” He picked up his coffee. “Can I have cake?” “If there’s any left.” “I’m buying more sausages.”