Molly and Bill stood under the dim light of an alley, tools in hand, maps spread out before them with the target: the neighborhood's bright Laurence Hall. A festival was happening, a street-wide party for the neighborhood's brightest little darlings, but the allure of the gilded wrapped gifts called to them. "Tonight, Bill, we have the chance to take what this neighborhood can only dream of," Molly whispered, the glint of excitement in her eye betraying the mischief in her heart. Bill grinned, adjusting the conical cap over his eyes. "To take their dreams for a real night off," he said dreamily, before switching gears. "Here's the plan. We divide and conquer. I handle the balloon boys' section. The taller the sleigh I get, the fluffier the prize." "Agreed. The night's off to a toe-tapping start," Molly chuckled. "For me, we hang on the corridors where the tunnels are, every room a maze of valuables—crib hides, sleeping catches of diamond patterns, and mom's cheap, chocolate-covered canary nuggets." Bill tapped his pencil against the map. "We make distractions the usual suspects—a scratched bike, a gum-jar explosion. Tonight's casualty list expands." "Distractions, yes, but remember our escape. It's key, you know. Nothing beats a quick slip back to darkness." Molly tapped her temple. "I'll sneak past the guards, the ping pong tournament's now my diversion." "Annapurna and Hannah will never look at tiddlywinks the same again," added Bill, his voice laced with anticipation. "Oh, and who's the human lock-picking sensation? A well-promoted stand-up comedian, Howard the Chuckle, from the community center," Molly said with a laugh. "His blend of jokes and breath-stealers, perfect for loosening lock cogs." Bill nodded. "He draws a crowd, a controlled chaos—perfect cover. We feign laughter and pocket the crowns." "And for every fifth child, we'll oooh and aaah over their premier—maybe a stolen one, to their innocent relief,” Molly laughed, the thrill almost too much to contain. "We shall become legends, or at least have a great night's fortune!" Slipping through the alley, they caught the scent of exhaust—other characters yet to fall into the night's narrative. A final exchange of worried glances, and the duo strode into the darkness, the absurdity of their heist a secret as heavy as the hugs of excitement slid across their shoulders. FADE OUT.