Run: 2026-10-27-01M5YESG2QSF5CBVVK7KVXARYE

Molly unrolled the plan across Bill’s kitchen table, pinning down one corner with a rubber chicken and the other with a stolen bag of sugar. Outside, Saturday traffic grumbled past. Inside, Bill was wearing a sequinned waistcoat, one oversized shoe, and the expression of a man who had expected a more respectful costume department. The plan itself had been drawn in green crayon because Molly had lost her pencil and refused to discuss the giraffe in the corner. “That’s not a giraffe,” Bill said. “It’s a surveillance giraffe.” “Of course it is.” “Focus. The children’s party starts at two. You enter at two-ten as a magician.” “The Great Bill?” “If you like.” “The Astonishing Bill?” “You astonished yourself with a revolving door. You’re The Great Bill.” “Fine. Where will you be?” “By the presents, dressed as a princess.” “You hate children.” “I hate loud children, sticky children, and children who ask follow-up questions. So, most of them.” “And I distract them with magic?” “Exactly.” Bill held up the rubber chicken. “I’ve got this.” “Hypnotic. Put it away. While you’re doing tricks, I’ll move the presents through the kitchen window.” “All forty?” “Thirty-eight. Aunt Linda’s two are always socks.” “How do you know?” “I called her about the gift registry. She cried over a bread maker for ten minutes.” “You called a child’s aunt?” “Keep up.” Bill circled the house on the plan with one finger, leaving a faint smear of jam. Molly moved his hand before he could circle the bouncy castle. Somewhere beneath the table, the other oversized shoe squeaked. She decided not to ask. The whole operation depended on silence, timing, and Bill remembering which window was the kitchen. “What if someone catches you?” “I’ll say I’m taking everything to the special present room.” “What if a child catches you?” “Same answer, but in a princess voice.” “And if they ask where it is?” “Bill, this plan depends on children having no grasp of geography.” “Solid.” “At two-twenty, I give the signal. You cause a diversion.” “What sort?” “Nothing flammable.” “You’ve taken all the joy out of this.” “Nothing alive, either.” Bill lowered the chicken. “You’re being very specific.” “Experience has made me specific.” “Can I release balloons?” “No.” “Blow bubbles?” “No.” “Sing?” Molly considered the ceiling. “That might clear the house.” “Thank you.” “But the guests should stay distracted, not flee into traffic.” “Perhaps you should do the diversion.” “Perhaps you should carry the presents.” “Perhaps we should steal something easier.” “Like what?” “A bakery. One door, no party games, and we can eat the evidence.” “We are not robbing another bakery.” “You said the cream horns were a bonus.” “They were, until you left a trail of custard to the car.” “Two o’clock. No improvising, no livestock, and no conga line.” “It was going to be a very short conga line.” “We’re stealing from six-year-olds. Try to be professional.” “Can professionals stop for ice cream?” “After.” “Before?” “No.” “During?” “Bill, I will put you in the special present room.”