Run: 2026-09-23-01M37HXFYA2KPH3PEDH3G5STQP

Molly spread a crayon map across the café table. It showed a house, a garden, and forty-seven balloons, each drawn with the care of a hostage sketch. “Where did you get this?” “Birthday boy’s invitation.” “You stole an invitation from a child?” “I borrowed it from a recycling bin. Keep up, Bill.” Bill squinted at the map. “Why is the garage labeled ‘dragon’?” “Because he’s six. That’s where the presents are. His mother posted a picture of the party setup.” “All the presents?” “All of them.” “That’s ambitious. Last time you said ‘all,’ we left with one shoe and a decorative gourd.” “The shoe was Italian.” “It was for a doll.” Molly tapped the map. “We go in at two, during the magician’s act. You’re dressed as a magician.” “What’s the actual magician dressed as?” “That’s his problem.” “He’ll notice another magician.” “Then you tell him you’re the regional manager.” “Of magic?” “Obviously.” Bill stirred his coffee. “And you?” “I’m the balloon safety inspector.” “That’s not a job.” “Neither is regional manager of magic. Yet here we are.” Outside, a bus hissed to a stop. Molly folded the map before anyone could see the dragon. “Suppose they ask for credentials.” “I made a badge.” “What does it say?” “BALLOON SAFETY.” “That’s not a credential. That’s two nouns having an argument.” “Three words. You’re counting badly, which worries me because you’re in charge of the presents.” “I thought you were in charge of the presents.” “I’m in charge of distracting the parents. You put the gifts in the big blue sack.” “What big blue sack?” “The one you brought.” Bill looked under the table. “I brought a lunch bag.” “How many presents fit in it?” “Depends. Are they sandwiches?” Molly leaned back. “Fine. We use the birthday boy’s gift tablecloth. Bundle everything inside it.” “Won’t he notice his presents disappearing?” “He’ll be watching the magician.” “Me?” “The real one. You’ll be in the garage.” “What am I doing there?” “Opening the side door so I can carry the bundle out.” Bill frowned. “I thought you were distracting the parents.” “I can do both. Watch.” She waved brightly at a passing waiter while sliding Bill’s teaspoon into her pocket. Bill watched the spoon vanish. “That’s impressive.” “Thank you.” “Give it back.” “After the job.” A silence settled between them. Bill studied the crayon drawing again. “There’s a note on the back,” he said. “‘Please bring one wrapped gift for the birthday charity drive. No presents for Oliver.’” Molly held out her hand. Bill surrendered the invitation. “So,” he said, “we’d be stealing gifts meant for charity.” “Yes.” “Does that change the plan?” Molly examined the cheerful little dragon, then pushed his teaspoon across the table. “Yes. We’re stealing the magician’s job. I already bought the hat.”