Run: 2026-09-23-01M37J3858Z99KXJMH5HMBK36M

Molly studied the invitation through binoculars. Across the street, balloons bobbed above a garden gate, and a magician carried a suspiciously large cake inside. “Six-year-olds,” Bill whispered. “How hard can security be?” “Last year, one of them identified me from a footprint.” “You wore clown shoes.” “It was a themed operation.” Bill unfolded his diagram of the house. It was drawn on a napkin and mostly occupied by a ketchup stain. “We enter through the kitchen,” he said. “I distract the adults. You collect the presents.” “With what distraction?” “I’ll announce the cake is on fire.” “The cake isn’t on fire.” “Then I’ll need matches.” Molly lowered the binoculars. “No fires. We go as entertainers.” “Excellent. I can juggle.” “You can drop things in sequence.” “That’s essentially juggling with consequences.” The magician emerged and waved them over. Molly stiffened until she noticed the glittery sign beside the gate: VOLUNTEERS WANTED. “We could just carry the presents out,” Bill said. “And where would we take them?” He read the smaller sign underneath. DONATIONS FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. Molly folded the invitation and slipped it into her pocket. “We take them to the hospital,” she said. Bill sighed. “Our getaway vehicle had better have cup holders.”