Run: 2026-10-27-01M5YEK74M23EY43BQXQ4R8Y7E

Molly spread the birthday invitation across the kitchen table and flattened it with a tin of beans. Bill leaned over the map she had drawn on its back. “The party starts at two,” Molly said. “We arrive at one fifty-five, enter through the garden gate, and remove every present before anyone starts singing.” “Why before the singing?” Bill asked. “I know the words, mostly. I always forget whether it’s ‘dear somebody’ or just a very long pause.” Molly tapped a square labeled PRESENTS. Beside it, she had drawn a cake, six balloons, and something that resembled a furious octopus. “Because singing means the children are in the room,” she said. “And children notice things. Especially when the things are their presents and you’re carrying them away.” “That’s a spider,” Bill said, pointing at the octopus. “Is it part of the security?” “It’s a clown.” Bill sat back. “Then it’s definitely part of the security. They can fit themselves into tiny cars and produce flowers from nowhere. Imagine what one could do to us.” Molly crossed out the clown and drew an arrow toward the garden shed. “We disguise ourselves as entertainers. I’ll be a magician, and you’ll be my assistant. While I distract the guests, you put the presents into the empty sack.” “Won’t it look suspicious if I walk out with a sack full of presents?” “Not if I shout, ‘Behold! The presents have vanished!’ Everyone will be looking at me.” Bill considered this. Rain ticked against the window. Somewhere downstairs, their neighbor’s dog began barking at what was probably a leaf. “What if the parents ask you to do another trick?” he said. “Last Christmas, you tried to pull a coin from my ear and got your finger stuck.” “I’ve practiced since then. Give me your ear.” “No. It’s still making a noise when I chew.” Molly tucked a deck of cards into her sleeve. Half the cards slid out and scattered beneath the table. She watched them fall without comment. “We could dress as delivery people instead,” Bill said. “We bring in an enormous empty box, say it’s a surprise, and fill it with the smaller boxes.” “And when someone asks who it’s from?” “An aunt. Everybody’s got an aunt who sends odd things and refuses to explain.” Molly nodded slowly. “Good. We’ll need labels, a trolley, and a convincing company name.” “Bill and Molly’s Parcel Removal Service.” “Too honest.” “Bill and Molly’s Parcel Arrival Service.” “Still has our names in it.” Bill thought for a moment. “The Parcel People. Friendly, anonymous, and difficult to sue.” Molly wrote it down. Then she added a small arrow from the garden gate to the presents and drew a box around the arrow. “What about the birthday child?” Bill asked. “All those presents disappearing could be upsetting.” “We leave a note saying they’ve won a treasure hunt. By the time they find the first clue, we’ll be halfway home.” “What’s the first clue?” Molly smiled. “Ask your aunt.”