Molly adjusted her oversized polka-dot tie and frowned at Bill, who was practicing juggling with three rubber chickens. "Bill, put those down. We need to focus." "But Molly, I'm perfecting my cover! What kind of children's entertainer can't juggle?" "The kind that gets caught because he's too busy showing off. Now listen, the birthday girl's party starts at two o'clock sharp." Bill dropped a rubber chicken on his foot. "Right, right. So we go in through the front door?" "Obviously. We're party entertainers, remember? I'm Giggles the Clown, you're Bobo the Magnificent." "Why can't I be Giggles?" "Because you don't fit in the clown costume, and frankly, your makeup skills are terrible." "That hurts, Molly. That really hurts." Bill picked up his top hat and placed it backwards on his head. "So where exactly are these presents?" "According to my reconnaissance, they'll be stacked on the dining room table. Parents always put the gift table there so the kids can stare at it longingly during cake time." "Diabolical. I like it. But how do we carry out a dozen wrapped boxes without anyone noticing?" Molly grinned and patted a large, striped bag. "Magic tricks, my dear Bobo. We make them disappear into this bag, tell the kids we're saving them for the grand finale." "And then we just walk out?" "Not walk. Skip. Maybe throw some confetti. Really sell the entertainer bit." Bill practiced a theatrical bow. "What if the kids want to see the presents reappear?" "That's why we have the smoke bombs. Big dramatic exit, poof, we're gone." "Wait, smoke bombs? At a children's party? Isn't that a bit much?" "Fine, fine. Glitter bombs. Happy?" "Much better. Glitter says 'magical mystery,' smoke says 'possible felony.'" Molly checked her oversized watch. "We need to be there in twenty minutes. Do you remember the escape route?" "Through the backyard, over the fence, into the getaway car parked behind the ice cream truck." "Perfect. And Bill?" "Yeah?" "Try not to actually entertain the children. We're thieves, not miracle workers." Bill straightened his bow tie and grabbed his juggling balls. "Got it. Minimal entertainment, maximum theft." "Exactly. Just remember, if anyone asks, you learned your magic tricks from YouTube." "What if they want me to do a card trick?" "Then you better hope those YouTube videos were educational." Bill headed toward the door, then stopped. "Molly?" "What now?" "Do you ever feel bad about stealing from children?" "They're not losing anything, Bill. Their parents will just buy more presents. Think of it as encouraging the local economy." "You know what? That's actually pretty thoughtful of us." "See? We're practically philanthropists."