Bill peered over the rim of his coffee cup, eyebrows raised. "So, you're telling me the biggest score we're going to pull off is at a kiddie party? Are we in the right line of work or what?" Molly rolled her eyes, tapping the edge of her meticulously organized binder. "Listen, Bill, these aren't your run-of-the-mill teddy bears and dollhouses. We’re talking top-tier, high-dollar items. Drones, gaming consoles, limited edition toys—you name it. It’s a gold mine." Bill set his coffee down with a clatter. "Kids these days! Back in my day, a yo-yo was the bee's knees. So, how do we infiltrate? I suppose I'd make a terrible clown." Molly chuckled, flipping a page in the binder. "No clowns. You’d be a lousy one anyway. We’re going undercover as the entertainment. Magician and assistant." "Magic, huh? I can do magic. Watch me make this donut disappear!" Bill said, grabbing a donut from the table and stuffing it into his mouth in one go. "Focus, Bill!" Molly snapped, then softened her voice. "The presents will be stored in a secondary room off the main party hall. While I divert the children’s attention with some spectacular tricks, you will handle the... acquisition of the gifts." "Right, the ol' switcheroo. Grab the loot while you dazzle them with your wand waving. Piece of cake," Bill mused, brushing off crumbs. Molly sighed. "Exactly. And I’ve already done a bit of recon. At 1500 hours, right after the cake, the kids are hyper-focused on the magic act—that's our window." Bill nodded, suddenly serious. "What’s our exit strategy?" "We leave with the outgoing flow of parents and nannies. Blend right in. Seamless." "And what if someone gets suspicious? Or worse, some kid starts bawling because he saw me with his new PlayStation tucked under my cape?" "Diversion tactics, remember? I've packed extra smoke bombs and flash powders. Besides, you'll be wearing gloves and a mask—part of the magician’s costume. No fingerprints, no faces." "I’m liking the sound of this more and more," Bill grinned, pretending to twirl a fake mustache. "The Great Billy-o and his dazzling assistant, Molly-cadabra, make kids' toys disappear!" "Just remember, it’s all about timing and precision. No detours. We stick to the plan." Bill raised his hands in mock surrender. "Yes, ma’am—captain of the heist." Molly closed her binder with a snap. "Great. Let’s pack up; we have a party to crash." Bill stood up, adjusting his imaginary magician's hat. "After this, we'll be taking candy from a baby. Literally." Molly just shook her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Let’s go, Billy-o. Time to pull off the greatest show on Earth—or at least in the suburbs." As they walked out the door, talk turned to how they’d spend their ill-gotten gains. With a shared laugh, they stepped into the sunlight, ready to face the day of deceit.