"Are you sure this is going to work, Molly?" Bill whispered, his beady eyes peering through the bushes outside the brightly decorated house. The sound of children's laughter and cheerful music spilled out from the backyard. "For the tenth time, yes, Bill," Molly hissed, rolling her eyes as she adjusted her ill-fitting clown wig. "Trust me, I've studied this family's schedule for weeks. They always throw the biggest parties, and today's the kid's seventh birthday." "Seventh? Poor kid, won't even see it coming," Bill snickered, stroking his fake mustache. "But seriously, there must be at least a dozen adults in there. What if someone recognizes us?" Molly shot Bill a withering look, her heavy clown makeup cracking around her mouth. "That's why we're in disguise, genius. Now, remember the plan: I'll distract the kids with balloon animals while you search for the presents. Got it?" "Yeah, yeah, I got it," Bill grumbled, tugging at his oversized polka-dot pants. "I still don't see why we have to dress like clowns, though. I feel ridiculous." "Because, Bill, it's a kid's birthday party. We have to blend in, and what's more inconspicuous at a children's party than a couple of clowns?" Molly deadpanned, prodding Bill in the stomach with a rubber chicken. "Now, quit whining and put on your red nose. It's showtime." "Fine," Bill muttered, affixing the bright red sphere to his face. "But if anyone asks me to make a balloon poodle, I'm out of here." Molly sighed, shaking her head as she reached into her giant pocket and pulled out a handful of balloons. "Just stick to the plan, Bill. With any luck, we'll be in and out before they even cut the cake." "Okay, okay," Bill conceded, watching as Molly deftly twisted the balloons into a menagerie of colorful creatures. "I gotta admit, Moll, you really do make a convincing clown." "Glad you noticed," Molly replied, grinning as she handed him a pink balloon giraffe. "Now, take this, and let's go crash a party." With that, Molly and Bill strode confidently through the backyard gate, waving and making exaggerated faces as the children squealed with delight. Parents turned to watch the unexpected arrival of two more clowns, while a hired magician paused mid-trick to glare at them. Bill stuck close to Molly as she dove into her role, shouting greetings and firing off cheesy jokes to make the kids laugh. As soon as she had a sizable group gathered around her, Bill made his move, edging toward the house while she dazzled their audience with balloon animals and slapstick antics. Minutes felt like hours as Bill rummaged through closets and peered under furniture in search of the coveted birthday gifts. Just when he was beginning to lose hope, he spotted a pile of brightly wrapped presents stashed in a corner of the garage. "Bingo," Bill whispered, carefully gathering the packages and stacking them inside a spare cardboard box he found nearby. As he slipped back into the yard, Molly caught his eye from across the lawn, where she now led a chorus of giggling children in a round of "The Wheels on the Bus." Bill sidled up beside her, trying his best to blend in as he juggled the box of stolen presents. "Ready to make our grand exit?" Molly whispered behind her oversized grin. "More than ready," Bill replied, the anticipation of their getaway nearly making him giddy. "Lead the way, Bozo." With one final chorus of the song, Molly gathered the children together for a group photo and wished the beaming birthday boy a happy seventh year. As parents snapped pictures and children begged for one last balloon animal, Molly and Bill shared a knowing glance and backed slowly toward the gate. "Time to clown around somewhere else, kiddos!" Molly called, waving her rainbow wig at the crowd. "Happy birthday, little guy!" The children groaned in disappointment, but Molly and Bill were already making a break for it, dashing down the driveway and around the corner with their box of stolen gifts. As they peeled off their disguises and raced toward their waiting getaway car, Bill couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. "Can you believe we pulled it off, Molly? We actually did it!" Molly, grinning from ear to ear, replied, "I told you, Bill—it's all in the art of misdirection."