Molly squirmed nervously in her folding chair, drumming her slender fingers on the cheap plastic table in front of her. "I can't believe we're actually doing this, Bill. Stealing from a bunch of rugrats' presents?" She glowered over the stained cafeteria walls, her piercing blue eyes betraying her unease. "I thought we had standards." Bill, resting his feet on the table, grunted nonchalantly. "Relax, Molly. It ain't like we're taking from the needy. These are the rich kid's version of Christmas, filled with Xboxes and motorized scooters. It'll be a cakewalk." He winked, sipping his soda from a paper cup through a straw. "And the payday is sweet too. Four grand just for this little job." Molly scoffed. "Four grand for stepping into a sea of suicidal toddler tackles and jelly-covered high chairs. That's a princely sum for watching paint dry, Bill." Bill smirked. "Easy-peasy. We blend in, hit the loot, and skip out before anyone notices. They'll just assume old Uncle Gus made their presents disappear." He chuckled at his own joke, patting his paunchy midsection. "Plus, you've got your mojo working today, dazzling the guests wide-eyed with your charm. I'll slip in, grab the loot, and be out like a ghost. Done in under a minute." Molly raised an eyebrow. "Your 'ghost' routine better knock their socks off tonight because if you spook the little savages, I'm leaving you with the consequences." She adjusted the bright red nose attached to her clown outfit, frowning. "Seriously, Bill, we can't leave a trail of tantrum-fueled mayhem in our wake." "Don't you start worrying now, Moll. Little kids love clowns, especially one as enchanting as you." Bill slyly flirted, crooking a ring-adorned finger. "And I'll make sure to seize the prettiest gifts without a peep. Now, focus on being the life of the party." He gave her a pointed look. Molly rolled her eyes. "As if... I'll be the belle of the ball. We just need to time this just right. When the parents are completely distracted by their booze and PTA chit-chat, we swoop in, snatch the booty, and run." Bill nodded, gulping down the rest of his soda. "Let's stall for time. Once the cake's served, that's our signal. And for the love of all that's bogus, no one touches the punch bowl. I'm not risking a sudden outbreak of delirium tremens amongst the minis." "Right." Molly grumbled, sighing, then gritted her teeth, revealing a glint of determination. "Alright, let's get this ball rolling. I'll be the clown of their dreams, juggling, balancing, and misdirection at its finest. You'll be the ghost with the most, Bill. Now, let's just pray that no one asks too much of our skills." Bill tapped the side of his head, "Trust me, Molly, we've got this. It's a walk in the park." The duo finished their last preparations, examining their disguises one last time. Bill wore a snug, form-hugging, full-body, translucent ghost costume with a wide toothy grin. Molly was the epitome of circus fantasy--red nose, floppy shoes, wild makeup, and rainbow wig. They split up, blending into the crowd. The hall rang with the infectious shouts and laughter of children. Molly greeted party-goers with a bouncy, "Hiya, kids!" while balloons attached to her wrists swayed weightlessly. As clowns do, she spun plates aloft on thin sticks, her eyes never leaving the parents, gauging their level of distraction. Bill, in the corner, sipped on a soda with a straw, blending perfectly with the other adult guests. The party's energy crescendoed as the birthday boy Nathan's mother brought out the massive Napoleon cake. Children shrieked in excitement. Molly watched as Bill made his way slowly, smoothly to where the presents were piled, "Ready," mouthed Molly into Bill's ear, her voice barely audible above the din. Bill nodded, deft fingers snatching the largest presents. The kids, hypnotized by the clown's balloon creations, seemed oblivious. Molly pumped her arms and legs, weaving a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of balloons with a wicked grin. Seconds later, Bill stepped back, a tiny duffel bag bulging from underneath his phantom belly. A thunderous 'Happy Birthday!' erupted, prompting the slick thief to evaporate like smoke in the crowd. Molly, keeping her pace, expertly juggled a bouquet of Disney princesses' heads using a cornucopia of balloons. She cleared her throat, eyes darting for the exit. As her last balloon fell to the ground, the show over, the casualties of the hour were obscured in good cheer. Sweeping a last glance at the guests, Molly strutted out, her final act capping a perfect heist. Outside the hall, the thieves collapsed against each other in laughter, a stolen fortune tucked safely within Bill's duffel. "You were incredible, Bill. You really did pull off the vanishing act." Molly exhaled, a wave of relief crashing through her. Bill chuckled, "Always did have a flair for the dramatic, this side of David Blaine." The two thieves grinned, arm in arm, exiting the venue. Dishonesty wrapped in childish wonder, their latest caper was a rousing success, their journey back to the real world shrouded in the echoes of laughter, and the fading convulsions of sugar highs. A fortune stolen. Another easy job in the bag.