Molly and Bill huddled in the dimly lit alleyway, the neon glow of a nearby ice cream parlor flickering over their faces. Molly adjusted her ski mask and glanced at her companion. “Bill, you sure this is the best idea?” she whispered, peering around the corner. “Trust me, Molly. What's the worst that could happen?” Bill replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We get caught by a bunch of seven-year-olds?” Molly rolled her eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, because that would be so much fun. What’s the plan?” Bill grinned and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. “Alright, here’s the layout of the backyard. The presents are piled up on a table near the bouncy castle.” Molly squinted at the paper. “That's not a very detailed map, Bill. Where did you get this?” “Drew it myself,” Bill replied, puffing his chest out proudly. “It’s not bad, huh?” “Sure,” Molly said, suppressing a laugh. “But how do we get past the kids?” Bill’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Diversion, of course. I brought these.” He pulled out a handful of bright red clown noses. Molly stared at him, bewildered. “Clown noses? Really?” “Kids love clowns!” Bill said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “I’ll do a bit of juggling, maybe a balloon animal or two.” “Bill, you can't juggle. Or make balloon animals,” Molly pointed out. “Details, details,” Bill waved her off. “I’ll wing it. You just grab the presents while they're distracted.” Molly sighed but finally nodded. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.” The two crept toward the backyard, where they could hear the sounds of childish glee and laughter. Bill popped on a clown nose and grabbed a handful of balloons. As they reached the gate, Bill turned to Molly and whispered, “Remember, you grab the presents, I entertain. Ready?” “Ready as I’ll ever be,” Molly muttered. Bill pushed open the gate and immediately launched into an exaggerated clownish prance. “Hey there kids! Who wants to see some juggling?” The children stopped playing and stared wide-eyed at Bill, who attempted to juggle the balloons, only to have them all float away. “Wow, look, flying balloons!” Bill exclaimed, trying to keep the kids’ attention. “Anybody want a balloon animal?” As the kids crowded around Bill, Molly slipped around the edge of the yard, inching toward the table piled high with brightly wrapped gifts. She glanced back to see Bill making a valiant but utterly disastrous attempt at twisting a balloon into something resembling a dog. The children were laughing hysterically, completely enthralled by Bill’s antics. Molly seized the opportunity and began shoving the presents into a large sack she had brought. As she grabbed the last gift, a loud voice boomed, “Hey! What are you doing?” Molly froze. A tall, burly man was glaring at her, hands on his hips. “Uh, magic trick?” Molly stammered. “Nice try,” the man growled, grabbing her by the arm. “Bill, I think we’ve been made!” Molly yelled. Bill looked up, panic flashing across his face. “Run!” he screamed, tossing the remaining balloons into the air. Molly yanked her arm free and bolted for the gate, Bill scrambling behind her. They dashed down the alley, the sounds of adult chaos and children’s giggles fading into the distance. Panting, they finally stopped in another alley. Molly glared at Bill, who still sported the red clown nose. “Next time, Bill,” she said, breathing heavily, “we stick to adult parties.” Bill grinned sheepishly and nodded. “Agreed. But hey, at least we brightened the kids' day, right?” Molly couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re incorrigible.” She shook her head as they turned to disappear into the night.