Molly and Bill crouched behind a row of hedges, peering through the leaves at the chaos of the children's party unfolding in the backyard. Balloons bobbed in the breeze, and the sound of laughter and shrieks filled the air. "Bill, are you sure this is a good idea?" Molly whispered, adjusting her ski mask. "Of course, Molly. Who'd suspect a couple of thieves at a kid's party?" Bill replied, grinning. "Well, I don't know. Maybe the fact that we're wearing ski masks in July might tip them off." "Details, details. Look, the presents are right there under the table. Easy pickings." "Easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to distract the clown." "Hey, you volunteered for that job." "Only because you said you were allergic to face paint." "I am! It makes me sneeze." "Right, and I'm the Queen of England. Anyway, what's the plan again?" "Simple. You distract the clown, I grab the presents, and we meet back here." "Okay, but what if the kids start chasing us?" "Then we run faster. They're kids, Molly, not Olympic sprinters." "Have you seen how fast they move when there's cake involved?" "Good point. But don't worry, I've got a backup plan." "Which is?" "I brought a decoy present. We leave it behind, and they'll never know the difference." "Bill, that's a box of cereal." "Exactly. Kids love cereal." "Not as much as they love toys." "Fine, we'll fill it with candy. Happy?" "Ecstatic. Let's just get this over with." Molly took a deep breath and stood up, smoothing her clothes. "Alright, here goes nothing." "Break a leg, Molly." "Thanks, Bill. I'll try not to break anything else." Molly sauntered over to the clown, who was busy making balloon animals. "Hey there, Bozo," she said, trying to sound casual. "Hiya, little lady! Want a balloon animal?" the clown asked, his red nose bobbing. "Sure, how about a giraffe?" "Coming right up!" As the clown focused on twisting balloons, Bill crept towards the table, eyes on the prize. He reached out, fingers brushing the colorful wrapping paper. "Bill, hurry up!" Molly hissed over her shoulder. "I'm going as fast as I can!" Bill whispered back, stuffing presents into a large sack. The clown finished the giraffe and handed it to Molly. "Here you go!" "Thanks, Bozo. Say, can you make a... um... a platypus?" "A platypus? That's a new one!" "Yeah, it's my favorite animal." "Alrighty then, one platypus coming up!" Molly watched as the clown struggled with the request, buying Bill more time. "Bill, are you done yet?" "Almost... just one more..." "Bill, the kids are looking this way!" "Got it! Let's go!" Bill slung the sack over his shoulder, and they both bolted for the hedge. Behind them, the clown was still wrestling with the balloon platypus. "Did we make it?" Molly panted as they ducked behind the bushes. "Yeah, I think we're clear," Bill said, peeking through the leaves. "Great. Next time, let's steal something less stressful, like a bank." "Deal. But first, let's get out of here before they realize their cereal is missing." "Agreed. And Bill?" "Yeah?" "Next time, you're distracting the clown."