“Right, so we’re clear,” Molly said, leaning over the table, a crayon drawing of a bouncy castle her current focus. “No actual children are to be harmed in the making of this heist.” “Molly, for the love of… do I look like I’m going to punt a toddler?” Bill grumbled, adjusting his glasses. “We’re stealing presents, not souls. Though some of those toys, I swear, are a menace.” “Just checking. You get a certain gleam in your eye when discussing strategic ‘distraction techniques,’ and frankly, your last ‘distraction technique’ involved a flock of pigeons and a slightly traumatized mime.” “He had it coming. And besides, this is different. This is a children’s party. Low-stakes, high reward. Think of it, Molly. All those unopened packages, just waiting to be… repurposed.” “I think the word you’re looking for is ‘stolen,’ Bill. Let’s not sugarcoat it for the sake of our rapidly declining moral compasses.” “Details, details. The key is the bouncy castle. Prime infiltration point. High visibility, but also, crucially, high chaos.” Molly tapped the crayon drawing. “Your plan is to parachute into a bouncy castle?” “No, no, that’s insane. I’m thinking more of a ground-level approach. A discreet insertion. While everyone’s in sugar-fueled ecstasy inside, we make our move.” “And how, precisely, do we, two adults, discreetly ‘insert’ ourselves into a children’s birthday party without looking like, you know, child snatchers?” “Simple. We go as… entertainers.” Molly stared at him. “Entertainers?” “Yes! Think about it. Everyone expects a clown, a magician, maybe a slightly sad puppeteer. We blend right in.” “Bill, the last time you tried to perform magic, you set a cat on fire.” “It was a very small fire! And the cat was fine! Mostly. Look, I’ve been practicing. I can make a coin disappear.” He demonstrated, fumbling a quarter and promptly dropping it under the table. “Impressive. You’re practically a master of illusion. My turn. What’s our cover identity for these ‘entertainers’? Because unless you’re planning on being ‘Bill and Molly, the slightly suspicious adults who keep eyeing the gift table,’ I think we need something more specific.” “I was thinking ‘The Marvelous Mysterioso and his Lovely Assistant, Sparkle.’ Or perhaps ‘Captain Kaleidoscope and his trusty sidekick, Pixie!’” Molly pinched the bridge of her nose. “Pixie? You’re calling me Pixie?” “It’s a working title! The point is, while everyone’s distracted by the, ahem, dazzling display of our talents, you, my dear Sparkle, will be in charge of present procurement.” “So I’m the one doing the actual thieving, while you attempt to pull a rabbit out of a hat and probably just end up with a very confused badger?” “It’s teamwork, Molly. A symbiotic relationship. I create the diversion, you execute the extraction. We’re practically a well-oiled machine.” “A well-oiled, slightly rusty machine that occasionally sets itself on fire. Fine. But I get first pick of the loot. And if I see one of those singing baby shark toys, it’s going straight in the bin.” “Agreed. Anything with repeating jingles is strictly off-limits. Now, about the escape route…”