Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HJ8GBABC8RM7FDPX59SHA

Molly spread a crayon map across the café table. “The party starts at two. Presents go beside the bouncy castle.” Bill squinted. “Why does the castle have teeth?” “That’s a dragon.” “Why does the dragon have a security camera?” “It’s an eye, Bill. Focus.” “Right. We enter disguised as entertainers?” “I’ll be a magician. You’ll be my assistant.” “I have concerns about the word ‘assistant.’” “You’ll get a cape.” “I withdraw my concerns. How do we move the loot?” “Through the kitchen, into the laundry cart, out the side gate.” “All the presents?” “All of them.” “Even the handmade ones?” Molly hesitated. “Especially the handmade ones. They’re light.” “Suppose a child asks where their present went?” “We say the magician made it disappear.” “And if they ask for it back?” “We say magic has a strict no-refund policy.” Bill leaned closer. “Molly, whose party is this?” “The mayor’s son’s.” “The mayor with the police escort?” “The very one.” “And the bouncy castle dragon is just a drawing?” “Yes.” Bill tapped the map. “Then what’s this labelled ‘armed guard’?” Molly looked down. “That says ‘Arthur’s dad.’” “He’s armed?” “With a balloon pump.” “That’s worse. Last time one popped, I confessed to everything.” “Then don’t touch balloons.” “Could we steal the cake instead?” “No.” “Fine. But I’m keeping the cape.”