Molly cased the perimeter of the brightly decorated yard, her eyes darting between the bouncy castle and the gift table. Bill sauntered up beside her, munching on a stolen hot dog. "You know, this isn't exactly the big score I had in mind," Bill mused, squinting at the mountain of presents wrapped in primary colors. Molly rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. Those presents are probably full of the latest gadgets and gizmos. Besides, it's not like the kids will miss them." "Speak for yourself. I miss my childhood," Bill lamented, taking another bite. "Focus, Bill. We're not here for a trip down memory lane. We're here to make a buck." "Alright, but if we get caught, I'm blaming you. I've got a reputation to maintain," Bill said, gesturing to his black-and-white striped shirt. Molly snickered. "You look like a walking barcode. If anything, you'll confuse the security cameras." "Hey! This is classic thief attire," Bill protested, tugging at his shirt. "Besides, I thought you said there wouldn't be any cameras." "There aren't," Molly assured him. "But there's a clown on stilts. Does that count?" Bill's eyes widened. "A clown? Great, now I have to worry about coulrophobic security." Molly stifled a laugh. "Don't worry, I've got a plan. You distract the clown, and I'll grab the goods." "Distract the clown? How am I supposed to do that?" "I don't know, tell him a joke. 'Why don't clowns make good lawyers?'" "Why?" Bill asked, playing along. "Because they're always juggling evidence and the truth never comes out of the little car." Bill groaned. "That's terrible. I'm not saying that." "Fine, you come up with something. Just make sure he's looking the other way," Molly said, checking her watch. "What's the rush?" "The birthday kid's about to open presents. Once that starts, there's no way we'll be able to sneak in. Kids have notoriously sharp radar for free stuff." Bill nodded, eyeing the clown. "Alright, I've got this. But if I get a balloon animal shoved anywhere it's not supposed to go, I'm holding you responsible." "Deal," Molly said, giving him a light shove. "Now, go be funny." Bill took a deep breath and approached the towering clown, who was in the midst of twisting balloons into animal shapes for a circle of enraptured children. Molly, meanwhile, crept toward the gift table, her heart pounding in her chest. "Hey, buddy!" Bill called out, forcing a jovial tone. "Ever consider a career in the circus? I hear they're looking for someone who can take a punch." The clown turned, a exaggerated frown painted on his face, but the children laughed, thinking it was part of the act. Molly seized the moment, darting forward and sweeping armfuls of presents into her large duffle bag. "What's the matter?" Bill continued, circling the clown. "Did somebody step on your red nose?" The clown's painted-on smile seemed to droop as he regarded Bill with a mix of confusion and irritation. Molly, now with the bag bulging with loot, gave Bill a thumbs-up from across the yard. "Okay, kids," the clown announced, clapping his oversized gloves together. "Let's play a game! Who wants to find the hidden balloon animal?" The children cheered and scattered, leaving Bill and Molly a clear path to the exit. Bill backed away from the clown, who was now leading a conga line of children on a wild goose chase. "Mission accomplished," Bill whispered as Molly joined him, both chuckling as they disappeared into the nearby woods, the sounds of the party fading behind them. "Next time, let's aim for a bank," Molly said, panting slightly from the adrenaline rush. "Only if they serve hot dogs," Bill replied, finishing his pilfered snack with a satisfied grin.