Molly cased the perimeter of the brightly decorated backyard, her eyes darting from the bouncy castle to the gift table draped in vibrant streamers. She turned to Bill, who was wrestling with a helium balloon that had somehow become entangled in his hair. "You know, this could be the easiest score we've ever had," Molly said, her voice barely above a whisper as she watched a clown hand out oversized lollipops to squealing children. Bill finally managed to free the balloon, which floated upwards, narrowly missing a low-hanging tree branch. "Easiest and the most ridiculous," he replied, shaking his head. "We're really stooping to stealing from a bunch of six-year-olds?" Molly shot him a withering look. "It's not about who we're stealing from; it's about the challenge. And the payoff. You saw the invite – that table is loaded with the latest toys and gadgets. Besides, their parents will just assume little Timmy's friends forgot to bring their gifts." "Or we could grow a conscience and, I don't know, hold off on traumatizing children," Bill suggested, only half-serious as he glanced at the piñata shaped like a cartoon dragon, its belly filled with candy and small toys. Molly rolled her eyes. "Conscience? Bill, we're thieves. Professional ones. And this is a victimless crime. The kids get a story about a mysterious gift-snatcher, and we get to retire to a beach where the only thing we have to plot is which cocktail to have next." Bill chuckled despite himself. "You've got it all worked out, don't you?" He watched as a little girl in a frilly dress chased a wayward balloon, her laughter mixing with the sound of ice cream truck jingles in the distance. "Of course," Molly said with a sly grin. "We hit during the chaos of the cake cutting. Parents will be too busy snapping photos to notice us. We grab the goods and slip out with the crowd when the party's over." "And if someone does see us?" Bill asked, playing devil's advocate. Molly patted the bag at her side. "That's where these come in," she said, pulling out two oversized, plushy mascot costumes. "We go in as entertainers. Who's going to suspect a six-foot teddy bear and a rainbow unicorn?" Bill stared at the costumes, a slow smile spreading across his face. "You're a genius, Mol. A twisted, toy-stealing genius." "Damn right," she replied, tossing him the teddy bear head. "Now, let's get into character. Remember, we're here to party and make sure these kids have the time of their lives." "Right," Bill said, struggling to pull the cumbersome costume over his head. "Because nothing says 'party' like two adults sweating bullets inside mascot suits." Molly, now fully dressed as a unicorn, pranced around to test the suit's mobility. "Just follow my lead. We'll be in and out before you can say 'Happy Birthday, little Timmy.'" The two thieves, now unrecognizable in their fluffy disguises, made their way toward the gift table, blending in with the other entertainers. Molly waved at the kids, who shrieked with delight, while Bill did his best to mimic dance moves that were far too complex for someone inside a teddy bear suit. As the DJ announced the cake cutting, Molly and Bill sprang into action. With the precision of a well-rehearsed routine, they swiped armfuls of presents and stashed them in a large, hidden bag. The chaos of the party was their perfect cover; laughter and music drowned out the rustling of wrapping paper. With their mission accomplished, they made their way to the exit, pausing only to photobomb a few pictures and give high-fives to the kids, who were none the wiser. As they slipped away, Bill couldn't help but laugh. "What's so funny?" Molly asked, pulling off her unicorn head. "We just pulled off the sweetest heist of our careers," he said, gasping for air between laughs, "and we did it dressed as children's party mascots." Molly joined in the laughter, feeling the adrenaline of their success. "To the beach, my friend. To the beach."