"Alright, Molly, we've got ourselves a gem of a heist today," Bill grinned widely, absently tapping his foot. Molly nodded, eyeing the soon-to-be festive disaster clocked up on her phone. "Time to hijack happiness." "Think of it like a treasure hunt minus the laces, partner. Just imagine filling our pockets with the cheer and giggles." "The giggles usually mean more eyes looking our way," Molly teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Plus, we ain't stealing Joy." "No joy, just well-earned gifts that Laurence, the grumpy old sweater man, has been knitting for months." Bill scowled darkly at the vision of the party, remembering in vivid colors. "A good reason, Bill. Besides, the best crime is a crime with a cause, isn't it?” "So, plan is this," Bill started, sweeping the mischief aside. "Samantha, our mutual friend at work, she knows a thing or two about gardens—a lot. We'll use her secret green tunnels." "Gardens, huh? As if we can plant ourselves in a sea of merry faces without a trowel." Molly laughed, her flute-like giggle bouncing through the surveillance footage scripts. "We pick up speed midnight. No one's expecting parents like us, wrapped in Santa hats, whispering tunes. Balloons and wrappers be our disguise." "Sounds like a noisy hand-off to me," Molly raised an eyebrow. "Not if we move with sophistication," Bill retorted with confidence. "I'll handle the balloons, and you'll mingle with the elves—or teddy bears, rather." "Teddy bears. That's a stink. Let's call it 'Mr. Cuddles'." "Mr. Cuddles it is. The last thing we need is a badbye hug at five." "Speaking of badbye hugs, Molly, we can't forget the exit." "Of course, we won't be trapped. There's a good ol' spy knockout gas detector in my coat." Molly’s finger trembled a tad as she fingered the strap. "Perfect. I’ll roll my gold in disguise as a rogue bow wrapped in bright red bliss bows. Bowing's the ticket." "And Fred, the kind-hearted clown, he’ll draw a huge crowd for a performance. Vulnerable gold veins, anyone?" Bill chuckled. "In the heart of a clown’s smile, the time to prance will premier." "Let's not get dodgy-eyed at the parents, Bill, they panic every time they spot a stranger." "Nah, worries take people, not us. We’re subtle, like the silent strings of a pinch." "Subtle and sophisticated," Molly affirmed, unbuckling her trusty gadget belt. "Except for this: you hold the pepper as our countermeasure. Just in case of an angry parent spazz." "Why pepper, anyway?" Bill was puzzled but masked it well, rolling his hand to his waistcoat pocket. "Tactical," she purred, "tactful. A thief's best friend." "In that case, operations a go?" "A go,” Molly agreed with a nod. “We're the night's stealthy jesters, walking gold and merriment in our pockets." "Jesters," Bill echoed. "That has a certain ring to it. Let’s not forget, we’ve still got to dispose of the fish’s food." "And maybe pretend to play with Mr. Cuddles to show our absence from the chaos." "No, Bill." "Tell me 'no' to mouse lackeys and hidden cameras. Let’s go, team Joybeams." "Joke and merriment, my partner,” Molly pronounced, slipping into the blue Santa suit that would silhouette their entrance into the birthday banquet. "Let’s outsmart the grim reaper of holidays." They shared a knowing look, their hearts syncopated with adventurous thrills. Then, they stepped into the shadows, phony cherubs in stellar mission.