“Bill, this is the craziest idea you’ve ever had.” “Molly, trust me, it’s foolproof. Who’s gonna suspect a couple of clowns?” “Clowns, Bill? Really? I haven’t worn those oversized shoes since we hit that last… uh, museum.” “C’mon, Molly. It’s perfect! We blend right in, grab the goods, and poof, we’re out. All while making balloon animals.” “Bill, do you even know how to make a balloon animal?” “How hard can it be? You twist, turn, and voilà—you’ve got a dog or something.” “I don’t know, Bill. Breaking into a children’s party? They’ve got, like, parents and guardians. It’s risky.” “Think about it, Molly. Parents are busy chatting, kids are distracted by cake and games. We’ll be in and out before they know it.” “We’ve done some strange heists, Bill. Cake shops, antique stores, even that time we burgled a magician’s hat collection. But this takes the cake. Literally.” “And that’s why it’s genius. No one would ever suspect!” “Okay, say we go through with it. What’s the plan?” “Right, here’s the layout. We’ll enter through the back gate, where the caterers go. Easy access.” “And then?” “I’ll do my usual magic tricks, make a few kids laugh. You, on the other hand, will handle the presents.” “Bill, are you really going to pull a rabbit out of a hat this time?” “Actually, I was thinking of sawing someone in half, but, y’know, lace-trimmed hazards and all.” “Bill, you scare me sometimes. Fine. So, you distract. I stuff the gifts in this oversized clown sack?” “That’s the plan. We should be in and out in twenty minutes.” “And what if someone catches us?” “Are you kidding? We’re clowns! Just start honking the nose and make a run for it!” “I’d rather not add getting chased by angry mothers to my résumé.” “Molly, calm down. We’ve seen worse. Remember the Christmas heist? Reindeer costumes? Santa’s sleigh?” “Yeah, that was close. Right, back to the plan. What if they ask us to play games or, gosh, engage in a conga line?” “Then we play along till the coast is clear. How hard can it be to pin the tail on the donkey?” “Bill, we break safes, not pin tails. But, for the sake of all those shiny new toys, I’m in.” “There’s the spirit! Now, costumes are in the bag. I even got us honking noses.” “Oh, joy. I’ll put that right next to my lock picks and crowbar.” “Trust me, Molly. This’ll be a piece of cake. Or, should I say, pieces of presents?” “Let’s hope so. When’s the party?” “Tomorrow afternoon. We’ll get our gear ready tonight.” “And the exit strategy? We’re not leaving in a clown car, right?” “Nah, the van this time. Parked just down the block. Stealth is essential.” “Right, ‘stealth’ and giant shoes. Got it. This better work, Bill.” “It will, Molly, it will. And by the end of it, we’ll be the most infamous clowns in town.” “Let’s just make sure ‘infamous’ doesn’t land us in jail.” “Relax, Molly. What could possibly go wrong?” “Bill, every time you say that, something goes wrong. Remember the zoo?” “Let’s not talk about the zoo.” “I just hope this party is more fun than fierce.” “Trust me, Molly. You’ll be laughing all the way to the hideout.” “Well, Bill, let’s get our clown on. Tomorrow, we party.” “Tomorrow, we score.” “And maybe, for once, we don’t end up on the news.” “Here’s hoping, partner. Honk honk.” “God help us, Bill. God help us.”