They crouched in the shadows behind a dumpster, a faded "Happy Birthday" banner tangled in the trash can's lid. Molly checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. "Okay, it's dark enough. Shall we?" she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eye. Bill nodded, his scruffy chin puffing out like a chipmunk's cheek. "Yeah, before it gets too hot outside." "Besides, I heard the kid's parents have a whole room full of toys and bribes. We can make off with an entire treehouse's worth of sappy gear." Molly snorted, a stifled giggle bubbling up. "You and your treehouse fixation, genius." Bill shot her a dry look. "Hey, I like a good treehouse. It's the ultimate symbol of trust, where kids can temporarily forget the crushing gravity of adulthood." Molly snorted. "And an excellent metaphor for our lifestyle. At least we get to ignore the police and screaming parents while we shop 'til we drop." "Exactly. Okay, let's get moving. I've got the windows." The birthday party was a labyrinth of corridors and brightly colored decorations. Bill produced a Swiss Army knife and began expertly cracking open the windows one by one. Molly checked off each target with a small notebook and drawl, avoiding the pinatas and piñatas-shaped flower arrangements that resembled giant glass beakers. "What's the plan, exactly?" Bill asked, his work done. "We grab the big-ticket items, of course. Dolls, electronics, anything you can play with for more than five minutes. We avoid the plastic dinosaurs. I heard those things are worse than the Muppets." Bill whistled. "Now that you mention it, I need something fun to play with." At the door, Molly handed him a handful of glittery hats and noise-makers. "For the getaway ride. Don't make too much noise." Bill popped the cans onto his head and winked. "I've been practicing my victory dance in the living room. Born to be wild, right?" "Suddenly you're a hyperactive toddler having a seizure. Play it cool." As they slipped into the room, Muppets watching silently from the far end like unblinking sentinels, Molly and Bill darted across the floor like amateur thieves at a Vegas casino. A red train set in a corner tumbled and crashed to the floor as they snatched up a rubber chicken, a Game Boy, and a collection of fluffy unicorns with glowing swords. Molly grinned, waving the glittery hats. "That was too easy. Let's do this again sometime. Every birthday party in the city." Bill flipped a gangster gang smile. "Oh, we'll be back. With the pizza. And a vengeance."