Run: 2026-09-29-01M3P2JGHFWK1P6RY9DG390B6M

Molly adjusted her binoculars and peered through the hedge at the Hendersons' backyard, where a bouncy castle shaped like a unicorn wobbled in the afternoon breeze. "Seventeen presents," she whispered. "Stacked on the folding table beside the juice boxes." Bill crouched next to her, clutching a clipboard. His balaclava had HAPPY BIRTHDAY stitched across the forehead in glittery thread. "Why does your mask say that?" "It was the only black one at the party store," Molly said. "Also, it's a discount on Tuesdays." "Today is Saturday." "Then I'm a trendsetter. Focus. Here's the plan. At two o'clock, the magician arrives. Every kid in the yard will be staring at him, and every parent will be staring at their phones. That's our window." Bill frowned at the clipboard. "Says here the magician is you." "Yes. I'm the distraction." "And I'm the one stealing the presents?" "Correct." "Dressed as what?" Molly reached into her duffel bag and pulled out a foam costume with a large, sad face. "Sparkles the Clown." Bill stared at it. "Molly, clowns are terrifying." "Exactly. Nobody will look directly at you. It's the perfect cover." "What if a child cries?" "Then you cry back. Establish dominance." Bill sighed and pulled the costume over his head. It squeaked. "This isn't very stealthy." "Stealth is about confidence," Molly said, tying a purple cape around her neck. "Now, the getaway vehicle." She pointed to a rusty ice cream truck parked at the curb, its speakers quietly playing a warped version of "Greensleeves." "You stole an ice cream truck?" "Borrowed. Emotionally." "Molly, that's the third time this month you've borrowed something emotionally." "And it's worked every time except the swan boat." She checked her watch. "One minute. Remember the signal?" "Three owl hoots." "Two owl hoots and a cough." "You said three owl hoots yesterday." "I evolve, Bill. Now go." Molly strode through the gate with a flourish, shouting, "Behold! The Magnificent Mollini has arrived!" Thirty children gasped. A toddler in a dinosaur costume immediately began to wail. Bill waddled behind the hedge toward the gift table, squeaking with every step. Halfway there, a small girl in a tiara blocked his path and folded her arms. "You're not a real clown," she said. Bill glanced around and lowered his voice. "I'm a very real clown." "Then do a trick." Bill panicked. He pulled a stolen present from the pile, shook it dramatically, and said, "Ta-da. It vanishes." He tucked it under his costume. The girl's eyes widened. "Do it again!" Across the yard, Molly pulled a rabbit from her hat. It was clearly a hamster, and it bit her. By the time the party ended, the presents had vanished, and the children were convinced they'd witnessed the greatest magic show ever performed. Bill and Molly sped away in the ice cream truck, jingling "Greensleeves" all the way down the street.