Molly paced inside the van, tapping her foot. "Man, the place is crawling with parents and balloons. It's like a beehive full of sugar." Bill, donning his clown garb, checked his makeup in the side mirror, smirking. "Don't sweat it, Molly. I've got this." "You better," she replied, sliding her weapon into a black, spandex holster. "I'm the muscle, and you're the charmer. No charisma, no swag. And no loot in the bag." "Relax, we've rehearsed this a million times. Now, watch and learn, grasshopper." Bill stepped out of the van, waddling with a funhouse gait towards the private garden of the mansion where the children's party took place. Molly pulled on her ski mask with the elf ears. "And remember, I'll be in as the Elf on the Shelf." "Right under Santa's little nose." He blew her a kiss and entered, the laughs cascading from the children as he wound his way through. "Little Timmy, what's your favorite thing about Christmas?" Bill inquired. "Toys and stuff," the boy replied, grinning. Molly, entering in her elf getup, bumped into Bill, acting astonished. "Oh, Uncle Clown, what a surprise. How do you fit into that suit?" "Magic!" Bill boomed, eliciting squeals of delight. A girl waddled over, tugging on Molly's sleeve. "Is that an elf? Our teacher says they're not real." Molly patted her head, her eyes locking with Bill's. "My, you're so smart. What's your name, darling?" "Lily." "Well, Lily, I'm the real deal, just on a mission for Saint Nick. But only mischievous kids on the naughty list ever know our names. So, you might be safe." Lily's eyes widened in astonishment. "What's that, kids?" a parent asked, pointing at Bill. "Is that a..." Bill finished, "A balloon animal? Yup. Whaddaya got, kiddos?" He started twisting and turning the latex into elaborate shapes. Molly weaseled her way to the presents, kneeling beside a little boy and flashing her elf grin. "You know what, Clark? I'll bet you're on the nice list. How about I trade you a magical dust for that action figure, and then no one will steal it." The boy hesitated, eyeing Molly suspiciously. "And he'll grow abs, too, just like Daddy!" Bill contributed, swinging a long neck from the balloon. The boy handed over the package, giving Molly the distraction she needed to start gathering presents. She hissed to Bill, "Gotta move, kiddo, before they catch on." Bill leapt into action, creating a waterfall of balloons to cover Molly's escape to the van. The children gasped, mesmerized by the sight. A nervous parent practically statue-stared, "These balloons... they're brilliant." Inside the van, Molly started throwing stolen goods on the pile. "Baby, you're a star," she panted, wiping sweat. "You know it. Let's get these under the seat for now, put a bit of distance, and then we hit the road." They quickly stashed the presents and transformed back into regular garb. The adults and children were too captivated with Bill's diversion to notice. Molly strapped in the driver's seat, her laugh contagious. "Next time, I'm bringing child-sized gloves to avoid prints." "Spoilsport," Bill groaned in counter, leaning against the passenger door. "We should hit that Christmas charity next. Altruistic thievery, a trend I'm starting." Molly revved the engine, pulled back on the road. "Money for poor kids... priceless pickpocketery." Bill's brow furrowed, scanning the surroundings. "I swear, we're being followed by an SUV. License plate: LIL-NATS." She checked her rearview, curling her lip. "Just our luck, and it's a goddamn minivan." Molly expertly swerved through alleys, Bill's eyes wide as they danced through chaos. "I'll stall 'em." He jumped out at a crossing, adopting his clown once more. A woman screeched, honking her horn. Bill leapt aside, waving merrily. In the SUV, a mother cursed before continuing. Molly smirked as she increased the speed. "To us, the Christmas spirit is in the take. They can't spoil the heist." As they zoomed off, Bill waved, still in character, a cheesy grin plastered on his face. "We're good," he laughed, alluding to their escape. Molly high-fived him as they cruised down the road. "Merry heistmas, Bill." "Ho, ho, ho, Molly, back at ya. Time to sell 'em and fill our stocking."