"Okay, Bill, here's the plan," Molly said, eyeing the blueprints of the community center. "What plan? It's a kid's birthday party, not Fort Knox!" Bill quipped, taking a sip of his lukewarm coffee. "Precisely why we have to be extra careful," Molly replied. "We can't just waltz in like we own the place." "Technically, we'll be waltzing in like we own it temporarily, right? I mean, we’ll be in disguise." "That’s right. But even a clown suit has its limits, Bill." "So, who am I supposed to be again?" Bill asked, squinting at the list Molly handed him. "You’re Bingo the Magic Clown," Molly said, tapping the list. "I've got Rusty the Balloon Artist." "Wait, why do you get to be Rusty? That's way cooler," Bill protested. "Because I have more experience with balloons. Besides, you'd pop those things just looking at them." "Fine, fine. Now, how exactly do clowns steal presents?" "As seamlessly as possible. Remember, the presents are the main attraction. We have to make it look like part of our act." "Right, part of the act," Bill nodded, tapping his nose. "How about a distraction?" "Exactly! I’ll be making balloon animals while you work the magic. Kids love those tricks," Molly said enthusiastically. "But how do I snag the goods while they're watching me?" "Simple. You make a big show of pulling candies from thin air, distract the kids and parents, then toss the presents into this oversized magic bag." "You mean the same bag we'll be stuffing the loot into? Genius!" Bill grinned. "And you thought my plan was overkill," Molly chuckled. "Remember, everything relies on timing." "So, how much time do we have?" "Twenty minutes before the cake is cut. That's when everyone’s eyes will be glued on singing." "Gotcha. But what if that fails? Plan B?" “Plan B is running," Molly smirked. "We abandon the balloons and magic wands and bolt." "That’s not much of a plan." "Hey, we're clowns, not escape artists," Molly sighed. "If things go south, we improvise." "What about the clown costumes afterwards?" "They're disposable. Change in the van, we're back to being invisible." "And who looks for thieves in pancake makeup, right?" "Exactly, Bill. Keep your cool and your oversized shoes fastened." "You're assuming they’ll fit," Bill laughed, wiggling his feet. "Okay, run it through again," Molly insisted. "Right. We stroll in thirty minutes before cake time, I do the magic routine, you make balloon animals," Bill recapped. "And while you're pulling endless scarves from your sleeves, you inch towards the presents," Molly added. "I exchange scarves for presents, make a quick swap into the magic bag." "And we both keep an ear out for the cake call." "We finish the act, head for the parking lot. Done and dusted." “Perfect, almost sounds too easy." "Easy for us, chaotic for them. And nobody suspects Bingo and Rusty." "Remember, this is just phase one. We need those presents for the next job." "Right, for the charity auction scam," Bill said. "Exactly, stars of the show," Molly grinned. "We pull this off, Molly, and we might just be infamous." "Infamous or just infamous clowns, Bill?" "I suppose it depends on how good a trickster Bingo can really be."