Molly drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the balloon-festooned house across the street. Next to her, Bill fidgeted with his ski mask, rolling it between his palms. "You sure about this, Molly?" Bill asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Molly sighed. "For the hundredth time, yes. It's foolproof." "But it's a kid's party," Bill protested. "Doesn't that seem a bit... I don't know, evil?" "Evil pays the bills, darling," Molly retorted. "Besides, think of all those shiny new toys just begging to be liberated." Bill shook his head. "I don't like it. What if we get caught?" "By who? A bunch of sugar-high seven-year-olds?" Molly scoffed. "We'll be in and out before they finish playing pin the tail on the donkey." "And what about the parents?" "They'll be too busy posting pictures on Instagram to notice us," Molly assured him. "Now, are you ready?" Bill hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "I guess so. What's the plan again?" Molly rolled her eyes. "We wait for the cake to come out. When everyone's distracted by the candles and off-key singing, we slip in through the back door." "And then?" "Then we grab as many presents as we can carry and make a run for it," Molly explained, her tone suggesting she was talking to a particularly dim child. Bill frowned. "Won't the kids be upset?" "Who cares? They're kids. They'll get over it," Molly said dismissively. "Now put on your mask. It's almost showtime." As Bill pulled the ski mask over his face, a commotion erupted from the house. Children's voices raised in an excited chorus of "Happy Birthday." "That's our cue," Molly hissed, already opening her car door. "Let's move!" They crept across the street, keeping low and sticking to the shadows. As they approached the back of the house, Bill stumbled, nearly knocking over a trash can. "Watch it, you klutz!" Molly snapped. "Sorry," Bill mumbled. "These shoes aren't made for sneaking." They reached the back door, and Molly produced a small tool from her pocket. Within seconds, the lock clicked open. "We're in," she whispered triumphantly. "Now, remember the plan. Grab and go." They slipped inside, finding themselves in a kitchen littered with party debris. Through the doorway, they could see a mountain of brightly wrapped gifts in the living room. "Jackpot," Molly breathed. As they moved towards their prize, Bill suddenly froze. "Molly," he whispered urgently. "I think I hear someone coming." Molly cursed under her breath. "Quick, hide!" They dove behind the couch just as a woman entered the room, carrying a tray of cupcakes. She set them down on the coffee table and left, humming to herself. "That was close," Bill said, his voice shaky. "Too close," Molly agreed. "Let's grab what we can and get out of here." They emerged from their hiding spot and began stuffing presents into the bags they'd brought. Just as they were about to make their escape, a small voice piped up behind them. "What are you doing with my presents?" Molly and Bill turned slowly to find a little girl in a princess dress staring at them, her eyes wide with confusion. "Uh oh," Bill muttered.