Molly crouched behind the hedge, peering through the chain-link fence at the bouncy castle dominating the Johnsons' backyard. "Bill, remind me again why we're robbing a six-year-old's birthday party?" "Because Tommy Johnson's parents are loaded, and rich kids get expensive presents." Bill adjusted his ski mask, which kept sliding down over his eyes. "Plus, security at Chuck E. Cheese was too tight." "You do realize we're grown adults hiding in bushes to steal Pokémon cards and action figures?" "Don't forget the PlayStation his uncle probably bought him. Those things are worth serious cash." Molly sighed and pulled a twig from her hair. "What's our exit strategy when thirty screaming children witness us running off with their gift bags?" "We blend in. I brought party hats." "Party hats." "And I practiced singing 'Happy Birthday.'" "Oh good, because nothing says 'professional criminal' like a tone-deaf rendition of—wait, are those clowns?" Bill squinted through the fence. "Yeah, looks like they hired entertainment. Perfect cover." "Perfect cover? Bill, we don't have face paint or balloon animals." "We'll improvise. I can juggle." "You cannot juggle." "I can juggle two things." "That's called tossing." "Details. Look, the presents are stacked on that table near the back door. We wait for the clowns to distract everyone, sneak through the gate, grab what we can, and disappear." Molly watched a clown twist a balloon into what might have been a giraffe. "What if the kids follow us?" "Kids hate strangers. They'll probably run away screaming." "From us or because we're terrible at being clowns?" "Does it matter? Either way, we get the loot." A woman emerged from the house carrying a massive birthday cake shaped like a dinosaur. "Oh great, here comes the cake. Everyone's going to gather around for the song." "This is our moment, Molly. Are you ready?" "I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's go rob some children." They crept toward the gate as "Happy Birthday" erupted from the crowd. Bill's party hat immediately fell off, and Molly stepped on a squeaky toy that honked loudly. "Smooth, Bill. Real smooth." "Just keep moving. Almost there." They reached the present table as the birthday boy blew out his candles. Bill grabbed a large box wrapped in shiny paper while Molly stuffed smaller gifts into her bag. "What do you think's in this big one?" Bill whispered, hefting the box. "Probably something worth more than our dignity." "What dignity? We're birthday party bandits now." A balloon popped nearby, and both thieves jumped. The sound of approaching footsteps made them freeze. "Someone's coming. Time to go." They sprinted toward the fence, arms full of stolen birthday loot, leaving behind only fallen party hats and their remaining self-respect.