“Okay, Bill, I was thinking we could sneak in through the back, right?” Molly said, peering through the hedge at the colorful balloons. “Sure, but isn’t sneaking into children’s parties, like, super weird?” Bill replied, adjusting his mask. “I mean, they’re just kids. What are we gonna do? Steal their toys?” “Exactly! That’s the point!” Molly waved her hands dramatically. “Look at them, Bill! They’ve got a mountain of presents! This is like a treasure trove waiting for us.” “But... they’re toys, Molly. Aren’t we supposed to be aiming for, like, banks? Jewelry stores? What’s next—a Lego heist?” “Lego? Brilliant! But not where we’re going tonight. This is all about the presents!” Molly grinned. “Look, if we don’t grab those gifts now, someone else will. Think of all the hard work we’ve done for this moment!” “I still don’t get it. What’s the plan, then? Kidnap the birthday kid and get ransom for their presents?” Bill chuckled, but then frowned. “Wait, are we kidnapping a kid?” “Not unless they start crying!” Molly laughed. “Here’s the real deal: We go in, grab the bags, and bolt. Simple!” “Simple? You call it simple, but I call it dangerously reckless. These parents are merciless!” “Oh, come on! Have you ever seen a parent lose it over a piñata? Just wait till they see their precious spoils going missing! They're fierce! But they’ll be too busy watching the magic show or refilling snack tables to even notice us.” “Great. So we just blend in with the spools of glitter and joy? I can already hear the little ones squealing ‘who are those mysterious cloaked figures?’” “Exactly! We’ll be like, um... ninjas! Jewel-thieving ninjas!” Molly’s eyes lit up. “Ninjas, huh? You know ninjas do a bit more than just stand around and look confused, right?” Bill poked her. “Don’t you remember the last heist where you tripped over a cat and fell into a bush?” “Hey! That bush had it coming! Besides, I pivoted!” “Pivoted? You rolled and thudded like a five-pound weight. But okay, lead the way, Master of Stealth.” “Right! So, you stand guard by the entrance while I go and clear the loot.” “Guard duty? Why do I always get guard duty?” “Because you’re great at it!” Molly paused. “Remember the last time I gave you a job?” “You mean when I ended up eating popcorn and pretending to be a statue?” “Exactly! You were so convincing you earned a tip!” “I don’t want tips; I want to not get caught!” Bill said, crossing his arms. “What if we do get, you know, busted?” “Busted? By angry parents? Please. They’ll be busy enough trying to keep the kids from eating all the icing on the cake.” “Best case scenario, we end the day with toys. Worst case, we end up in the line-up for not-so-fun criminals.” “Look, if we don’t steal these presents tonight, they’ll just be opened tomorrow, and we’ll lose our window of opportunity!” “Fine! I’ll guard, but if I get stuck with a piñata stick as a weapon, it’s your fault!” “Deal! Now let’s get our ninja on!” “Sure, as long as I get to keep my snacks!”