Molly leaned forward, dangled a shiny set of lockpicks from her fingertips. "Perhaps I should just use the Force and Jedi mind tricks instead," she said with a smirk. Bill shook his head. "No fancy sci-fi nonsense. We stick to what we know. Be stealthy, be quick, get out before anyone notices." "You're no fun." Molly pouted childishly. "Just focus, will ya? We're gonna rob a room full of kindergartners of their birthday loot. It's an all-time low, even for us self-absorbed lowlifes." Molly rolled her eyes. "Get over it. It's not our fault the rich brats get mountains of presents while other kids on our block go hungry. I'm just evening the score." "Fine, your social injustice speech trumps my moral qualms. But you still sound like a whiny brat yourself. Let's just scope out the party." They crept up to the open window of the lavish backyard, peeked through the curtain. Colorful balloons and streamers, a gaggle of giggling children playing noisily in a bouncy castle. And there, tented and guarded by a stern-faced police officer - the most glorious, mountainous Present Pile. Molly let out a low whistle. "Holy unattended loot. Lookit the loot! Other than the hired cop hampering our fun, this seems easier than pickpocketing penny-pinchers." "Piece of cake." Bill cracked his knuckles. "I'll handle Rotten-cop and put him in a trance. I'm like, really good at talking people into doing dumb stuff. Mostly by saying dumb stuff till it sounds smart." Molly snickered. "Oh goodie. You and that silver tongue a' yours. I'd pay to see your distraction plan play out." Bill leaned over, stage-whispered, "I'm gonna say he looks like a real life action figure toy. For someone attendant. You know, keeping up our cover of dastardly brat bandits." Molly burst out laughing, lost her balance, caught herself before falling. "Dastardly brat bandits! Only you could make stealing feel like ten-year-old make-believe. You'd rob a bank and call yourself 'Thieving Raccoon.'" "Says the girl wearing a Ninja Turtle costume." He snorted. "C'mon, this is cake. I'll make it so you can grab and scram. Be the hero for once." "For once! Excuse you!" Her face scrunched up in mock-offense, but her eyes twinkled. "Guess I'd better get on the good side of a buddy since he's my ride from the slammer down the road." "Quip quip." Bill strolled over to the drooling guard of the present fortress. After a few moments of "conversation" the cop nodded and arced an eyebrow, fingered his badge. By the time Molly made her move, the policeman was on the phone with the Chief, requesting vacation time, "heard Cancun is nice". With barely a glance, he let her waltz away from the unguarded pile of gifts, already plotting how to sell the hot loot for beer money. Safe from the play zone of screaming brats, the duo shared a look, then fell about laughing. Bill gave an exaggerated bow. "John Dillinger, at your service." Molly crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Hannah Sterling, reporter... shall I add expert scoop on the costumed con? " And in a twirl of Halloween costumes, the amateur criminals moonwalked off the scene with their hard-earned bribe, ready for another legendary adventure as the Robin Hoods of Teethless Knaves.