Molly checked her watch, then adjusted the fake mustache she'd glued to her upper lip. "Five minutes and counting. You sure this will work?" Bill straightened his bow tie and smoothed a hand over his slick-backed hair. "What could possibly go wrong? We're dressed like the circus performers the kids hired. No one's going to suspect a thing." "Unless they get a close look at us, which, considering our masks and assorted wigs, is pretty hard to miss." Bill waved a hand dismissively. "Just stick to the plan. We infiltrate the party, find the presents, and make off with the loot before anyone's the wiser." "And if anyone asks questions? Or worse, calls our bluff?" "Simple. We keep them distracted with juggling balls and oversized rubber snakes. By the time they figure out something's amiss, it'll be too late." Molly pursed her lips into a thin line. "I don't know...this feels like a bad idea." "Since when have you been the cautious one?" Bill sighed, adjusting the child's mask over his face. "If you're feeling squeamish, you can always bail." "Except I'm the one with the gymnastic skills needed to snatch the presents undetected," Molly pointed out. "Without me, tonight's little escapade doesn't happen." They approached the party venue, exchanged one final bracing glance, and made their way inside. Within moments, a throng of boisterous kids swarmed them, demanding juggling tricks and magic tricks and balloon animals. Molly managed a weak smile as she patted a sugared-up boy on the head. "Sorry lil' buddy, but Mama Bear's got things to do, y'know?" She winked at the boy, then glanced toward Bill, who was stumbling through a rousing version of "Popcorn" on a set of bagpipes, his breath misting the pointed ends. Soon enough, the cacophony of excited shrieks dissipated, and Molly recognized an opportunity to slip away. She darted down the hallway, unearthed the hidden pile of presents in the back, and began expertly untying ribbon after ribbon with her teeth. When Bill found her empathy, she'd tied a dozen bags full of stolen loot and was ready to go. "Can't commit the perfect crime if you don't have the perfect timing," Molly gloated. "Well, congratulations. Your high-handed stunt worked," Bill admitted begrudgingly. "But what happens when we try this holdup again and things inevitably go down the drain?" "Then we get ahead of the curve and have an exit plan ready," Molly replied with a shrug. "Besides, the suspense only heightens the experience!" Bill rolled his eyes, but a sly grin spread across his face. "At least this is better than the crap I usually get stuck doing. Beginners luck for the rest of tonight, eh?" "Why not? There are enough presents to last me the year."