"Are you absolutely certain this is our target?" Molly squinted through the hedge at the bouncy castle dominating the backyard. "Dead certain," Bill whispered back, adjusting his fake mustache. "My cousin's neighbor's dog walker mentioned the birthday kid got a Nintendo Switch, three iPads, and designer sneakers." "Your intelligence comes from a dog walker?" "She's very observant. Notices everything during her routes." Molly rolled her eyes. "Bill, those are six-year-olds running around with juice boxes. How do we even blend in?" "Easy. We pose as party entertainers." Bill pulled out a red nose and oversized shoes from his duffel bag. "I'll be Bobo the Clown, you can be my assistant." "I'm not wearing a tutu, Bill." "It's a character choice! You could be Sparkles the Magical Helper." "I'd rather be caught by security than called Sparkles." Molly peered around the fence again. "Wait, where are the presents? I only see a pile of gift bags by the picnic table." "Those must be the decoys. The real treasure is probably inside the house." "Or maybe children's birthday presents aren't actually worth stealing?" Bill gasped dramatically. "Molly! Where's your criminal ambition? Your thieving spirit?" "Apparently it draws the line at robbing kindergarteners." "Think of it as redistributing wealth from privileged children to financially struggling adults." "We're not Robin Hood, Bill. We're two grown adults planning to crash a Chuck E. Cheese party." "Actually, it's a backyard party. Much easier security." Molly stood up, brushing leaves from her knees. "I'm calling this off. My grandmother would roll over in her grave if she knew I was stealing birthday presents." "Your grandmother was a con artist!" "Exactly! She had standards. She only swindled rich casino owners and corrupt politicians." Bill deflated slightly. "But I already bought the clown costume. It was expensive." "Return it." "I got it from a guy named Sketchy Pete. He doesn't do returns." "Then wear it for Halloween or your nephew's birthday." "My nephew is twenty-three." "He'll appreciate the irony." Molly started walking back toward their getaway car. "Come on, Bill. Let's find a real score. Like that jewelry store downtown." "The one with armed guards and laser security?" "At least stealing from them won't require face paint and balloon animals." Bill sighed heavily, gathering his clown supplies. "Fine. But if we end up in prison, I'm blaming you for talking me out of easy targets." "And if we end up on the evening news as the idiots who robbed a children's party, I'm denying I ever knew you." "Deal. But I'm keeping the clown nose. It might come in handy." "For what possible future heist?" "Circus robbery?" Molly stared at him. "We're having a serious conversation about your career choices tomorrow."