Molly pressed her nose to the rain-streaked window and squinted in at the chaos inside. "Okay, so the pirate in the corner is the dad, right?" Bill slid beside her, umbrella dripping. "No, I think that's the magician. The dad’s the T-Rex in the tutu." "The T-Rex’s tail is on fire. You sure you want to compete with that level of distraction?" "Makes it easier," Bill whispered. "No one’s looking at the pile of presents." "They're stacked in the corner," Molly replied, tapping the glass. "Behind the bouncy castle. Prime real estate, but heavily patrolled by sugar-high toddlers." "I’ve got a plan," Bill said. "We go in, pretend we’re lost clowns. People see a red nose, nobody suspects a thing." Molly rolled her eyes. "Your last disguise was a garden gnome and you got thrown in a pond." "Technicality," Bill protested. "This is foolproof." "Fine. How are we getting inside? Walk in through the front waving balloon animals?" "I made us name tags," Bill said, producing two wonky laminated badges. "'Tickle Master' for you, 'Juggly Billy' for me." Molly snatched one. "Juggly Billy? That’s not a name, that’s a diagnosis." "Less talk, more action," Bill hissed. "Once we're inside, we mingle. You distract the mummy wrapping kids in toilet paper, I lure the dog away from the cake table." "Why do you need the dog?" Molly said. "Because the dog is guarding the presents," replied Bill. "See? He’s doing circles around them." "That dog weighs six pounds. You scared of poodles now?" "He's got shifty eyes. I don't trust poodles. Too clever." "We need a decoy," Molly reasoned. "What if I start a limbo contest and get all the kids under the streamer? You grab the gifts, meet me out back." Bill considered. "What if I trip and fall into the punch bowl again?" "I'll pass you a towel," Molly said with a smirk. "Stay focused. Also, don’t touch the balloon arch—I think it’s structural." "We clear on the plan?" "Crystal," replied Molly. "I distract, you grab. Meet outside in seven minutes." "Seven? As in, not six?" "Six minutes is ambitious. These kids move fast." "Fine. In and out. Not a single present left for Timmy." "Wait, whose birthday is it?" Bill shrugged. "Who cares? This is work, not social hour." Molly straightened her ridiculous wig. "Next time, we're robbing an adult party. Less confetti." Bill peered into his clown bag with a grin. "But more wine." Molly grinned back. "Ready?" "Born ready. But if anyone asks, my name’s Juggly Billy." "Still a terrible name." "Blame my parents. Let's do this." They slipped away from the window, hearts pounding in comic rhythm with the clatter of piñata bats just out of sight.