Run: 2026-10-27-01M5YEDQFKWT5SK4GCTYTM5JFF

Molly and Bill crouched behind the hedge outside the community hall, studying a birthday party through a window smeared with frosting. Inside, children swarmed around a mountain of brightly wrapped presents, while a clown juggled oranges with the grim concentration of a man defusing bombs. “The clown guards the presents,” Molly whispered. Bill opened his duffel bag and revealed a potato wearing a red nose. “I brought a bigger clown,” he said. Molly examined the potato. Its smile, drawn in permanent marker, suggested it knew something about taxes. “That's not a clown, Bill.” “It's a very convincing potato.” Molly sighed and unfolded their plan on the grass. Step one: enter disguised as balloon artists. Step two: distract everyone with a spectacular balloon sculpture. Step three: load the presents into the empty cake trolley parked beside the kitchen door. Unfortunately, Bill had practiced making only one balloon animal, and it resembled a medical emergency. Molly had practiced none, but considered confidence a perfectly adequate substitute for skill. They pulled on striped aprons. Molly tucked the potato into her pocket, just in case the clown required backup. Bill tested the trolley wheels; one squeaked like a mouse reporting a crime in progress.