"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Molly whispered, her eyes darting nervously around the dark alleyway. "Of course, it's a great idea," Bill replied with a smirk. "Kids' birthday parties are the perfect place to score big." "But we're stealing from children," Molly argued, shaking her head. "Isn't that a little low, even for us?" "Molly, Molly, Molly," Bill sighed dramatically. "We're not taking candy from babies. We're liberating presents from spoiled brats who probably won't even notice." "Well, when you put it that way..." Molly said hesitantly. "Plus, think about all the good stuff we'll find - shiny new toys, video games, and maybe even some cash tucked inside cards," Bill continued, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Alright, but how do we get in?" Molly asked, peering through her binoculars at the brightly decorated backyard, teeming with children. "Easy," Bill said with a grin. "I'll pretend to be the balloon guy, and you can be my assistant." "You know how to make balloon animals?" Molly asked, raising an eyebrow. "No, but how hard can it be?" Bill shrugged. "I'll just twist them into abstract shapes and call it art." "Okay, so we get inside," Molly said, biting her lip. "Then what?" "We keep an eye on the present table," Bill explained. "When the coast is clear, we swoop in, grab the loot, and make our grand escape." "This sounds crazy," Molly muttered, shaking her head. "Trust me, it's foolproof," Bill insisted. "Now, put on your clown nose and let's go." Molly groaned but complied, adjusting the red foam ball on her nose. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this." "That's the spirit!" Bill exclaimed, slipping into character. "Come on, Smiley Sally! Let's bring some joy to these kiddos!" They approached the party, Bill's arm draped casually over Molly's shoulders as he bellowed, "Greetings, young partygoers! Prepare to be amazed by the incredible Balloon-tastic Bill and his lovely assistant, Smiley Sally!" A chorus of excited squeals and applause greeted them, and they were ushered into the backyard by a frazzled mother who eagerly shoved a pile of balloons into Bill's hands. "Balloon-tastic Bill, huh?" Molly whispered as they made their way towards the present table. "What can I say? I'm a natural," Bill replied smugly. They pretended to mingle with the children, Molly making silly faces and Bill attempting to twist balloons into recognizable shapes. "I don't think that's supposed to look like a giraffe," Molly murmured, stifling a laugh. "It's an artistic interpretation," Bill hissed back. Finally, their moment arrived. The children were distracted by the arrival of a giant cake, and the adults were busy taking pictures. "Now!" Bill whispered urgently. They rushed to the present table, scooping up armfuls of brightly wrapped packages. Just as they were about to make their escape, a small voice piped up behind them. "Hey! What are you doing with my presents?" Molly and Bill turned slowly, coming face-to-face with a pint-sized girl in a princess dress, her arms crossed and her face scrunched up in suspicion. "Uh... we're just making sure they're safe," Molly stammered. "Yeah, we wouldn't want anything to happen to them," Bill added, plastering on his best smile. The girl narrowed her eyes. "You're not the balloon guy and Smiley Sally. You're thieves!" Molly and Bill exchanged panicked glances. "Uh-oh," Molly muttered. "Run!" Bill shouted. And so they ran, bursting through the backyard gate and disappearing into the alleyway, pursued by the furious shouts of the birthday girl and her army of pint-sized vigilantes. "I thought you said this was foolproof!" Molly panted as they raced down the street. "Hey, nobody's perfect," Bill replied with a sheepish grin.