Molly and Bill crouched behind the inflatable dinosaur at the edge of the backyard, peering toward the pastel balloons fluttering in the balmy evening breeze. They had twenty minutes until the party ended and exactly ten minutes to execute the plan before the sugar-fueled chaos erupted. Molly: "Alright Bill, time to make our grand entrance and nab those presents." Bill: "Do I really have to dress as a clown again? Last time my wig fell off." Molly: "Yes, the children love clowns. It’s all part of your distraction strategy." Bill: "Fine, but after that I’m refusing to put on another oversized bow tie." Molly: "We’ll be in and out before they notice anything is missing." Bill: "Are you sure about that? I spilled the blue paint on your boots." Molly: "Trade you my lockpick for your extra hand sanitizer and let’s focus." Bill: "Deal. So we sneak through the cake table, grab gift bags, and go?" Molly: "Actually, I thought we’d work the piñata first, then fill our bags stealthily." Bill: "Brilliant. I’ll stand guard while you swing and crack it open." Molly: "Just don’t hit any kids with a bat, okay? Safety first." Bill: "Safety second, but okay. Remind me why I signed up for this again?" Molly: "Because you owe me twenty bucks from our last taco heist." Bill: "Ow, you won’t let me forget that will you?" Molly: "Never. Now shimmy along the fence while I pop the lock." Bill: "On it. Just don’t break your nail, boss." Molly: "Step aside, amateur burglar. I’m a professional when it comes to nails." Bill: "Famous last words. Here comes a kid with a glitter wand." Molly: "Hide behind the dinosaur. I’ll distract with an impromptu juggling act." Bill: "Great. If any parents ask, we’re hired entertainment." She slipped inside, adjusting her borrowed polka-dot wig so that it covered her ponytail. Bill tiptoed after her, clutching a helium balloon for balance, looking every bit the very absurd performer. Inside the yard, children darted around with paper crowns and noise makers. Colorful streamers draped between the fence posts made the place feel like a candy-colored labyrinth. A line of sugary treats beckoned from the picnic table, where the birthday cake sat like a jeweled centerpiece. Molly gestured toward a mountain of wrapped gifts by the balloon arch. Bill’s eyes lit up. They ducked behind a folding chair, where Molly handed him two canvas loot sacks. As the piñata shaped like a dinosaur hung overhead, Bill climbed onto a small plastic stool, swinging the foam bat with exaggerated gusto. Children cheered and scattered as the brittle shell finally cracked. Candy rained down. Molly dove in, scooping sweets into her burlap sack alongside her loot. Bill hopped down, wiping fake lipstick from his grin. Each moment pulsed with chaotic energy, but neither suspecting the real show was the silent disappearance of every gift from the table. As the birthday shout rose, Molly and Bill slinked away, juggling presents and candy in perfect rhythm. They emerged through the gate, hearts practically pounding.