Molly pressed herself against the garden fence, watching through a gap in the wooden slats as dozens of sugar-fueled seven-year-olds ran screaming across the backyard. A magnificent pile of wrapped presents sat unguarded on a picnic table near the back door. "This has got to be our lowest point," Bill whispered, crouching beside her with his black ski mask already pulled down over his face. "Are you kidding? Look at that haul! I count at least twenty boxes, and that's just what's visible." "Molly, we're literally planning to steal candy from babies." "They're not babies, they're children. Big difference. And technically we're stealing toys, not candy." She adjusted her own mask and checked her watch. "The birthday girl should be opening presents in ten minutes." "I can't believe I let you talk me into this." "Hey, you were the one complaining about being broke after the museum job went sideways." Bill winced at the memory. "How was I supposed to know the security guard was an insomniac who liked to do midnight yoga in the Egyptian wing?" "The point is, we need money, and kids' birthday presents are worth serious cash these days. Did you see that tablet-sized box? That's easily three hundred dollars right there." "What if we get caught? How do we explain ourselves? 'Sorry officer, we were just redistributing wealth to more deserving adults?'" "We won't get caught if you stop being so paranoid." Molly pointed toward the house. "Parents are all inside gossiping and drinking wine. Kids are completely distracted by that bouncy castle. It's the perfect setup." "I draw the line at stealing something with unicorns on the wrapping paper." "Your moral compass is incredibly selective, you know that?" "Everyone has standards, Molly." The back door opened and a woman emerged carrying a camera and looking harried. "Okay everyone, present time! Come gather around the table!" "That's our cue," Molly hissed. "You create a distraction on the left side of the yard while I grab what I can from the right." "What kind of distraction?" "I don't know, pretend to be a lost delivery driver or something. Use that boyish charm you're always bragging about." "I never brag about boyish charm." "Bill, focus. Are you in or out?" He watched as the birthday girl, wearing a glittery crown and chocolate-stained dress, bounced excitedly toward the present table surrounded by her friends. The pure joy on her face made his stomach twist uncomfortably. "I'm having second thoughts about this whole career path." "Save the existential crisis for later. Right now I need a partner, not a philosopher." Bill sighed deeply and pulled his mask down further. "Fine. But next time we're going back to robbing banks like civilized criminals." "Deal. Now move!"