Run: 2026-11-11-01M755AHN9Q0T18VM700D7W4ME

The van smelled of old chips and sheer optimistic confidence as Molly spread a map of the hall across the steering wheel. Outside, balloons bobbed against the windows while a banner announced a very important seventh birthday. "Okay Bill, the plan is simple, we wait until the cake arrives, then we sneak in the back and grab every present under that table." Bill tapped the dashboard twice, then nodded as if wisdom had just arrived by post. "What if the parents ask why we are wearing balaclavas and carrying a giant sack?" Molly adjusted her mask, her gloves, and her expression of professional innocence for the tenth time. "Then we tell them we are professional present inspectors and this is a surprise health check." She pointed at the side door, where the presents formed a glittering mountain of paper and ribbon. "That sounds completely made up, Molly, and I am pretty sure surprise health checks are not a real thing." "Trust me, Bill, children love excitement, and parents love anyone who looks confident with a clipboard." Bill examined his inflatable duck with the seriousness of a general inspecting a newly recruited soldier. "I do not own a clipboard, but I do own this inflatable duck, and I think that could be our distraction." A child ran past with cake on his face and handed Bill a juice box without any hesitation whatsoever. "Perfect, you squeak the duck, I grab the loot, and we escape in the getaway shopping trolley." Molly smiled, because unsupervised generosity felt like a promising omen for their criminal enterprise. "Molly, the getaway trolley has a wobbly wheel and it squeaks louder than my duck, so everyone will hear us." Inside, music pounded, chairs scraped, and someone tested a kazoo at a dangerously high volume. "Exactly, Bill, the squeaking becomes our soundtrack, and nobody suspects thieves who announce themselves with music." Bill whispered his contingency plans, which involved running, hiding, and blaming the bouncy castle guard. "What about the bouncy castle guard, the one with the whistle and the very serious moustache?" Molly tapped her watch and explained the schedule with the confidence of a museum tour guide. "We bribe him with a slice of cake, a toy dinosaur, and a signed apology from the birthday child." The clock above the hall door ticked loudly, as if it also wanted to join the heist. "That is a terrible bribe, Molly, because the child will not sign anything until after the pinata, which is at four." Bill practiced squeaking the duck under his breath, then stopped when Molly gave him a warning glare. "Then we steal the clock too, Bill, and we set it back to three, and nobody notices a thing." They both studied the present mountain, imagining socks, books, and one suspiciously ticking gift box. "Deal, Molly, but I get the biggest present for myself." And somewhere inside, the birthday child blew out imaginary candles and prepared to make a wish. Molly nodded with great determination.