Run: 2026-10-07-01M4ATYVR16EZN836F31EABTAZ

The fluorescent buzz of the Starlight Diner made Bill's temples throb. He slid a napkin under his coffee, which stuck to the table like a dying frog. Outside, children in party hats marched past the window like a pastel militia, their sneakers squeaking against the pavement. "They've got juice boxes," Bill whispered, sliding a flyer across the table. It showed a cake with JAXSON'S BASH in glitter. Molly didn't look up from her notebook, where she'd sketched the Hendersons' backyard. The light cast a sickly pallor across her face. "Capri Sun. Tropical punch." "That's not intel. I need security details." "The security is a golden retriever named Biscuit," Bill said, stirring his coffee. He explained he'd watched them for three hours and that the dog had the situational awareness of a potato. Molly met his eyes, her makeup smudged like a raccoon's. "Do you know how fast those furry missiles move? One wrong step and we're covered in dog hair and shame." "We could bring treats." "We are not bringing treats to a children's party. That's how you end up on a list." Molly drummed her fingers on the table, scrolling through photos. The backyard looked like a toy store had exploded. A pink bounce house loomed in the corner. "There's our blind spot." "And the piñata?" "Amateur hour. Suspended three feet off the ground." She stood, pacing. The bell chimed as a customer entered. Molly outlined their timing strategy, explaining they would strike during the Happy Birthday song for thirty-two seconds of pure chaos while cake flew everywhere and parents were distracted taking photos. "What about the presents?" "Stacked by the gift table. East wall." She grabbed her duffel bag, checking the contents: grappling hook, smoke bombs, and a menacing clown nose. She detailed their approach: rappel from the oak tree, use the bounce house as acoustic cover, seize the loot, and vanish into the hedges before anyone noticed. "It's a birthday party, not Fort Knox." "It's a birthday party with a PlayStation 5!" Molly slammed the table, demanding to know if he understood what that was worth on the secondary market. Bill winced, raising his hands. "Okay. But what if the kids see us?" "Then we do balloon animals." Molly pulled a purple balloon from her pocket, twisting it into a giraffe with scoliosis. She explained their contingency plan involved charming the children with terrible but enthusiastic balloon animals, specifically her elephant which she'd been practicing for weeks. "You're going to break into a party dressed as a clown?" "I'm going to get that Lego Hogwarts castle." She zipped her bag. The afternoon light gilded the dust motes. Bill sighed, folding his arms. The weight of poor decisions settled between them. "Alright. But if we get caught, I'm telling the cops you were the mastermind." "Deal." Molly extended her hand. Outside, a child laughed. "Partners in crime?" "Partners in slightly illegal birthday appropriation." They shook. Bill's hand came away sticky with syrup or regret. Molly checked her watch. She told him to move fast and warned him that if Biscuit attacked, he was the decoy. "That's not in the contract." "It is now."