Molly peered through the binoculars at the birthday party in full swing across the street. A giant banner reading "Happy 5th Birthday, Timmy!" stretched across the front door of the suburban home. Kids in party hats ran around the lawn, shrieking with delight, while harried adults tried to keep up. "Okay, Bill, here's the plan," Molly said, passing the binoculars to her partner in crime. "We sneak in through the garage door during the piñata break. That's usually when the adults are distracted and the kids are too busy fighting over candy to notice us." Bill took the binoculars and focused in on the festivities. "I love piñatas. They're like nature's safe-cracker – all that chaotic energy and inevitably someone ends up crying." Molly chuckled. "You're such a professional. Now, once we're inside, I'll start scooping up presents while you create a diversion near the bouncy castle." "What's the diversion?" Bill asked, still surveying the party. "Improvise. I trust your instincts. Just don't traumatize any of the birthday partygoers. We don't need that on our conscience." Bill lowered the binoculars and turned to Molly with a mischievous grin. "You know what would be a great diversion? If I dressed up as a clown and started doing balloon animals." Molly's eyes widened. "Bill, that's either the most brilliant or the most terrifying thing I've ever heard." "What? I'm a natural with a balloon!" Bill protested. "No. No clown suit. We're thieves, not party entertainment. Stick to something simple, like...I don't know, a stray cat or something." "A stray cat?" Bill repeated. "That's not a diversion, that's a disease vector." The sound of children cheering and the thud of a piñata bursting open signaled the start of their window of opportunity. "Time to get to work," Molly said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Right behind you," Bill said, sauntering after Molly as they slipped across the lawn toward the garage door. As they approached the party, the cacophony of laughing children and sugar-high chatter swallowed them whole. It was the perfect cover for their stealthy entrance. Molly expertly picked the lock on the garage door, and they slipped inside just as the first shower of candy rained down from the piñata. Inside the garage, Molly and Bill paused to get their bearings. The presents were stacked haphazardly on a table near the back door. Molly's eyes sparkled as she surveyed the loot. "Birthdays are the best," she whispered, already starting to scoop up gifts. Bill chuckled, fading into the shadows to create their diversion. "You're such a Grinch, Molly." The sound of maniacal laughter and the sudden appearance of a "lost" balloon animal, a wobbly giraffe, near the bouncy castle sent the partygoers into a fit of giggles. Meanwhile, Molly was busily making off with an impressive haul of gifts, all carefully sorted by price and potential resale value. This birthday party was about to become one to remember – for all the wrong reasons.