Molly crouched behind the miniature hedge maze, adjusting her oversized clown nose for the third time. The red foam kept slipping down her face, threatening to reveal her identity to any suspicious six-year-old who might be conducting counter-surveillance operations from the bouncing castle. "This is absolutely ridiculous," she whispered through gritted teeth, watching Bill struggle with his balloon animal kit. His fingers, more accustomed to picking locks than twisting latex, had already produced what appeared to be either a deformed giraffe or possibly a medieval torture device. Bill squinted at his creation, turning it upside down. "I thought we were supposed to blend in." "Blend in, yes. Look like we escaped from a psychiatric facility, no." Molly peered through the hedge at their target. Princess Penelope's seventh birthday party was in full swing, complete with a magician who kept dropping his rabbit and a face painter whose artistic vision seemed limited to lopsided butterflies. More importantly, a mountain of presents sat unguarded on the pristine patio table. The morning's reconnaissance had revealed their golden opportunity. While thirty sugar-fueled children rampaged through the backyard obstacle course, those beautifully wrapped packages would be completely vulnerable. All they needed was a foolproof infiltration strategy. "What's our cover story again?" Bill asked, practicing his balloon-twisting technique and producing something that vaguely resembled roadkill. Molly sighed dramatically. "You're Giggles the Magnificent, master of balloon artistry. I'm Sparkles the Stupendous, bringer of joy and moderately entertaining magic tricks." "Right, and we're here because?" "The entertainment agency double-booked us. Classic mix-up. We're just here to help make Princess Penelope's day extra special." Molly straightened her rainbow wig, which had been shed by some unfortunate performer at last week's mall opening. "Once we're inside, you distract the kids with your questionable balloon skills while I conduct a tactical present relocation operation." Bill nodded solemnly, then paused. "Wait, what exactly is a tactical present relocation operation?" "It's when we steal all their stuff, genius." The magician on stage had just accidentally made his entire deck of cards disappear into the swimming pool. Children scattered like confetti as wet playing cards rained from the sky. Princess Penelope began crying, her tiara askew and her pink dress splattered with chlorinated water. "Perfect chaos," Molly muttered, checking her oversized shoes one final time. "Let's move." They emerged from their hiding spot with exaggerated enthusiasm, Molly juggling three tennis balls she'd found in the garden shed while Bill waved his balloon disaster above his head like a trophy. The birthday girl's mother, desperately trying to salvage the situation, spotted them approaching and practically wept with relief. "Oh, thank goodness! More entertainers!" she called out, clearly not questioning their convenient timing or Bill's concerning balloon technique. Molly grinned beneath her clown makeup. Sometimes the best crimes were hiding in plain sight.