The dazzling colors of balloons shimmered from a distance, their bobbing shapes scattered like wild confetti against the backdrop of a candy-hued tent. A sign in front proudly proclaimed, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIMMY!" in large, child-like scrawl. Beyond the fence, the laughter of children mixed with the playful tunes of a clown in mid-performance. Skulking in the shaded alley behind the tent, Molly and Bill squatted beside a dumpster. Bill peered through binoculars, crumpling his forehead into a focus of analytical lines. "Bill, this is ridiculous," Molly said, tapping her sneaker impatiently. "We're talking about a bunch of kids. Half of them barely know which hand goes in the cake." "That's precisely the point, Molly. They're distractions," Bill murmured without removing the binoculars from his eyes. "Adults will be too busy entertaining, little ones will be too occupied with sugar rushes. Ideal scenario for scooping up gifts." Molly gave a knowing smirk. "It's almost sweet how you overthink everything. What's the plan on sneaking past the army of toddlers on sugar high?" He lowered the binoculars and shrugged, a sly grin curling around his lips. "I've got a map of the tent's layout. We'll enter through the back, blend in as children's entertainers... maybe we could pass as a clown duo." Molly snorted, eyes alight with mischief. "You in a clown costume? Sure, Bill, because nothing screams 'stealth' like a nose that honks." He rolled his eyes. "Okay, so clown's out. Jugglers then. Simpler. Distract the party Organizer. You grab the loot, while I keep them enthralled with eye-popping tosses." "We could make a game of it," she suggested with a cocky wink. "Catch me if you can - while you’ve got them juggling, I’ll grab a handful of those shiny boxes and make a run for the car." "That could work," Bill replied, his voice thoughtful. "But coordination is key. We have a slim window between cake cutting and the piñata frenzy. We should aim to vanish right at the break." "Bill, I've swiped an alarm clock from a museum exhibit," Molly reminded him, casting a sidelong glance full of confidence. "Timing isn't just my forte; it's my signature." He chuckled, relinquishing his binoculars to his coat pocket. "Alright, classic Molly. At least humor me with a backup plan. If things go sideways, you know I’m not swift in packed toy arenas." Her eyes sparkled with a promise of chaos. "No worries. Meet me by the balloon arch. I'll have the car engine purring, and we’ll be off with nobody the wiser." He adjusted his cap, his determination etched with a roguish twinkle. "In and out. Smooth operation. Like taking candy from—” "Don’t say it," Molly cut in, laughing as she mimicked wiping sweat from her brow. "Well, what are we waiting for? It's a party after all." "To Timmy's unexpected gain and our spectacular escape," Bill toasted with a nod, and the two melted into the festivity under the guise of merriment-seeking wanderers. With hopes set high and plans rattling like hidden treasures in their pockets, they crossed into the chaos, colorful streamers marking both celebration and the starting line of their mischievous heist.