Molly adjusted her sequined eye patch, a flamboyant flourish completely at odds with the rundown diner they were in. “Alright, Bill, you got the layout?” Bill, dressed in his usual attire of faded jeans and a grubby sweatshirt, slid a napkin across the table. Scrawled on it in crayon, presumably swiped from the family restaurant they frequented, was a child-like rendering of a house. “Target is the birthday boy’s room, second floor, facing the oak tree. Intel suggests it’s practically overflowing with loot, Mol.” Molly smirked, tapping the napkin with a perfectly manicured nail. “Loot? Are we pirates now, darling? I prefer to think of it as temporarily re-homing neglected treasures. Poor, unappreciated gifts.” “Right, right, neglected treasures,” Bill mumbled, already halfway through a plate of fries. “So, what’s the plan? You gonna distract them with one of your infamous tap-dancing routines?” Molly gasped, feigning offence. “Darling, you wound me. My routines are dazzling, not distracting! Besides, these are children, Bill, not hardened criminals. One expertly executed “I lost my puppy” routine is all it’ll take.” Bill choked on his fries, eyes wide. “You’re serious? You’re gonna fake losing a puppy at a kid’s birthday party? That’s… that’s just wrong, Mol.” “Wrong is relative, dear boy. These brats won’t even notice a few missing presents with me around.” She leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Think of it as a public service, Bill. Teaching them a valuable lesson about the fleeting nature of material possessions.” Bill groaned, burying his head in his hands. “You know what? Just… just promise me you won’t try to convince them you’re a real-life fairy godmother again. That was a disaster.” “Oh, hush, you. It was going wonderfully until some little terror pulled my wig.” Molly straightened her sequined beret, a touch defensively. “Look, all you need to worry about is grabbing the goods while I work my magic downstairs. We’ll be in and out before the birthday cake is even served.” Bill sighed, knowing full well arguing with Molly was a lost cause. “Fine, but I’m making you take the blame if we get caught. Tell them the giant teddy bear made you do it.” Molly threw back her head and laughed, the sound like windchimes in a hurricane. “Deal.”