Molly adjusted the ski mask over her red hair, tugging at the edges to ensure it was snug. Bill, her lanky partner, was fumbling with a satchel filled with lock picks and other tools. They stood behind a dumpster in the alleyway, the faint sound of children's laughter and the occasional scream of delight drifting over the fence. “Are you sure this is going to work?” Bill asked, his voice muffled by the mask. Molly rolled her eyes, though he couldn't see it. “For the hundredth time, yes. It’s a children’s party. They’re all going to be too distracted by clowns and piñatas to notice a couple of grown-ups sneaking in.” Bill bit his lip, glancing nervously at the fence. “But what if someone recognizes us? We’re not exactly in disguise.” Molly smirked. “Bill, we’re wearing ski masks and casual clothes. We blend in better than you think. Besides, we’re not wearing clown makeup. We’re good.” Bill still looked dubious. “And what about the presents? We can’t just walk out with them, can we?” Molly chuckled. “Of course not. That’s where the stroller comes in. We’ll use it to cart the loot out, one trip at a time. It’s a classic move, Bill.” Bill nodded slowly, his confidence building. “Right, the stroller. Got it.” They both leaned against the dumpster, catching their breath. The sound of children's laughter grew louder, punctuated by the occasional burst of music from a portable speaker. “So, what’s our cover story if someone asks?” Bill asked, picking at a loose thread on his hoodie. Molly grinned. “We’re Uncle Bill and Aunt Molly, here to surprise the birthday kid with a gift from far, far away. You know, the ones who live in the next state but couldn’t make it to the party.” Bill raised an eyebrow. “Far, far away? Isn’t that a little over the top?” Molly shrugged. “It’s a kids’ party, Bill. They won’t question it. Just play along.” Bill sighed, resigned. “Okay, got it. Uncle Bill and Aunt Molly.” They pushed off from the dumpster and crept towards the fence. Molly peered over the top, scanning the backyard. The party was in full swing, with a bouncy castle, a clown juggling colorful balls, and children scattered everywhere. “See? Clear as can be,” Molly whispered. “We go over the fence, find the gift table, and start loading up. Simple.” Bill nodded, his heart pounding. “And if we get caught?” Molly’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “We’ll wing it. What’s the worst that can happen? A couple of minutes in the hot seat, and we’re out of there.” Bill took a deep breath. “Alright, let’s do this.” They hoisted themselves over the fence, landing quietly on the other side. The children were too engrossed in the party to notice the new arrivals. Molly and Bill walked casually towards the gift table, where stacks of brightly wrapped presents were piled high. “Hey, kids!” Molly called out, her voice cheerful. “We’re Uncle Bill and Aunt Molly! We brought a special gift for the birthday boy!” The children’s eyes widened, and a few of them started to gather around. Bill forced a smile, feeling a bit unnerved by the attention. “Look, we brought a stroller full of surprise presents,” Molly added, pointing to the stroller they had wheeled in. “But we need your help to find the perfect one for the birthday boy.” The children eagerly followed, their curiosity piqued. Molly and Bill began to overload the stroller with presents, making sure to grab the biggest and most expensive-looking ones. “Hey, you two!” a voice called out. They turned to see a frazzled-looking mother approaching them, a baby on her hip. “Are you really Uncle Bill and Aunt Molly?” Molly flashed a winning smile. “Of course we are! We just couldn’t make it to the party, so we decided to surprise the birthday boy with these presents. Isn’t that right, Bill?” Bill nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. We just wanted to make the day extra special.” The mother looked skeptical but decided to play along. “Well, thank you so much. But the birthday boy is actually over there, playing with the piñata. He’d love to see these presents.” Molly and Bill exchanged a quick glance. “Of course, we’ll bring them right over,” Molly said, pushing the stroller towards the piñata area. As they neared the piñata, Molly whispered to Bill, “This is our chance. Float the idea of a ‘special game’ and we’ll use the chaos to slip out.” Bill nodded, his nerves settling. “I got it.” He turned to the children, his voice adopting a dramatic tone. “Hey, everyone! How about we play a special game? We’ll hide these presents around the yard, and the first one to find them gets to keep them!” The children erupted in excited cheers. Molly and Bill quickly unloaded the presents, scattering them in various hiding spots. As the children dashed off to find the treasures, the two thieves slipped away, making a beeline for the fence. “Phase one, complete,” Molly muttered as they climbed back over the fence. Bill chuckled, his adrenaline still pumping. “We make one hell of a team, Molly.” Molly smiled, her eyes glistening with mischief. “You know it, Bill. Now, let’s make sure we get a good head start before the chaos catches up with us.”