Molly sat across from Bill in their dingy safehouse. A crusty old map littered the table between them, illustrating the floor plan of the glamorous party venue. "So Bill, I get the clown outfit, and you'll have to be Spider-Man. The kids love that one, right?" The twinkle in Molly's eyes flashed an unstable grin. "Ugh, you're kidding me. Last time I dressed as a clown, I almost went full Pennywise in there," Bill grimaced. "This time, don't forget, little helpers. I'm going as a mime." "Funny. But work with it. We need to blend in." Bill shook his head and leaned back in his creaky chair. "Alright, fine. Let's talk the logistics. Where's our entry point?" "Smoke grenades," Molly stated grandly. "I'll open the emergency exit with a little help from my lock-pick. Cover me for the commotion, and bam, we're in." "Won't the parents notice that too?" Molly's eyes flashed. "We spray paint the escape sign red so that it reads 'Exit,' not 'Fire Exit.' And we put it behind a stack of gift tables. It's obscured, plus, who'd know the difference?" "Smart," he nodded reluctantly. "On a side note, we still need a van. One that doesn't look shady and can hide all these presents." "I know someone from the 'Guam Rollers,' " Molly slyly winked. "Sister's boyfriend has a Mercedes van we can borrow, exchange for a little joyride after the heist." “Hmm, I like the way you think. Now, if we can distract the staff," Bill began, "Realize a fake emergency, like it’s me choking on a pretzel." "I don’t want you to die. Just be a disturbance when we’re making our move.” Bill's expression faltered, “I'll do better. Fake a break-in to the parents' car. They're like magnets for chaos, especially in protective mode.” "Splendid. Now the presents, we don't have time to bag each one. How do we take 'em all?" Molly's blue eyes scanned Bill's. "A two-part plan. We spearhead with a sack the size of Jolly Old Saint Nick's. While it fills, I'll keep the balloons company." Bill held up an experimental magic card that supposedly made balloons deflate at its will. "Brilliant, but how do we vanish so swiftly?" Molly posed. "Me, the distraction with a balloon escape. You, the stealth that no one notices. Take the gifts, dump 'em, and run to the van. Trust me, I'll keep them captivated. We’ve got fifteen minutes, maximum, after we’re inside. Hourglass, set." Molly giggled, "Race against time. But what about the system? Don't fret, my baby girl coding skills made an app earlier, and I'll sync it with the printer. It's set to print 'Happy Birthday Dear Santa' till doomsday, tripping the alarm." "That's gold. Last bit, our alibi. Where will we be post-heist?" "Down the block in my place with pie," Molly flashed an evil grin. "A make-believe candle-blowing and a birthday song. Easily alibi-able, while our Guam buddy returns the van." Bill studied the room blueprint, “We take the stairs. They’ll be deserted during the chaos. Empty floors good for speed.” "On it." Molly stuffed the map into her blazer. "Alright, Bill, let's steal some dreams." A grin so devilishly wide, it seemed to split her face. The duo, in costume, entered the venue's side alley, and they shared an eyelock. "Birthday bash, baby. Lights out," Bill, transformed into a mime, announced. "Eye of the tiger. Smoke time," Molly whispered, producing a sleek metal contraption. Bursting through the obscured emergency exit, she flung smoke grenades and lit up the room. The duo entered the scuffle, just as expected, the ruckus was real. Bill stumbled as if choking, while Molly, pinched by the clown's red nose, dashed off to a gift nook. Kids cried, parents fumed, and Molly furiously stuffed sacks. Bill scattered balloons everywhere, drawing eyes. “Pop Pop Pop!” Time was running out. Molly's work was near completion, and she heard the wail of the printer, a continuous chorus of a Santa birthday. It was time to go. Bill, the prima donna, fell into a stack of balloons, and the room convulsed. While Molly sprinted out, her eyes never leaving the sack's plumper girth. Outside, their heist seemed innocent enough, singing lousily, but they hid their laughs, secrets, and stolen children's dreams. Guam-dude's Mercedes van, a perfect getaway. The sun set on the sweetest unheard heist, and the two thieves raised a toast to their craft - a worthy sip for the heist-book archives.