Run: 2026-11-11-01M753ZC3N45E01DT90PJ20ZQQ

Molly and Bill hid behind the hedge outside the community hall, watching balloons bob past the windows while parents arranged cupcakes and a tower of brightly wrapped presents for Timmy. "Are you sure this children's party is really our big break, Bill? Because stealing birthday presents from kids sounds morally damp. And also possibly extremely illegal and noisy and glittery on a Tuesday night too." "Absolutely, Molly, these are premium presents, not damp ones. Look at that pile: dinosaurs, robots, a bicycle with actual gold tassels. We sell them online and retire to a beach with novelty drinks and umbrellas." Bill produced a crumpled blueprint of the hall, drawn in crayon, with every door, vent, and emergency exit labelled by an overconfident six year old last Tuesday afternoon in glitter. "Look, even the blueprint has a trapdoor labelled Beware Dragon. What kind of children's party is this? Is Timmy secretly training for warfare or something? Because I did not bring my sword or my lawyer." "That is just the under-stairs cupboard, Molly. The dragon is a cardboard cutout Cody made. He guards the secret present stash year-round. Probably also the bouncy castle. We distract him with snacks. Works every time." Inside, children screamed with delight as a magician pulled flowers from his hat, while Molly counted twelve presents stacked beside the cake like delicious, poorly guarded treasure under bright balloons. "Okay, new plan, we dress as clowns. Nobody suspects clowns, because clowns are basically human balloons. They are legally invisible at parties. Science has confirmed it repeatedly. Probably. Definitely probably. Trust me on this one." "I am allergic to clown school, Molly. Last time I tried juggling, I juggled a cat. The cat pressed charges. Also they squeak when you squeeze them. That is not metaphor. I owe therapy money." Bill unpacked their disguises from a suitcase: two enormous rubber ducks, a wizard hat, and a fake moustache that refused to stay attached properly during their last rehearsal yesterday again. "Perfect, I will be the duck, you be the wizard. We waddle in, honk politely, and nobody questions anything. Parents love ducks, children adore wizards. That bicycle is practically ours. Gold tassels, Bill, gold tassels." "Great, but I cannot honk and cast spells simultaneously, Molly. My mouth is occupied with prophecy. Also the wizard hat smells like cheese. Did you store it near sandwiches again? Be honest. Tell the truth." As music started, Molly checked her watch, Bill checked his fake moustache, and both thieves prepared to waddle towards glory, cake, and an extremely confused magician at the hall door. "Alright, remember, stay in character, no matter what. If a child asks for balloons, we provide balloons. If a child asks for magic, we provide magic. If a child asks about taxes, we run. Fast." "Deal, and if anyone asks our names, we are the Birthday Detectives. We investigate cake, presents, and suspicious clowns. Mostly presents, if I am honest. That bicycle has our names on it. Possibly in glitter."