Molly adjusted the oversized rabbit ears on her head, the pink fluff itching her scalp. “I’m telling you, Bill, this is a foolproof plan. A children’s birthday party is the perfect cover. Nobody suspects the bunny.” Bill sighed, tugging at the collar of his bright green dinosaur costume. The tail kept trying to wrap around his leg. “Foolproof? My nostrils are full of polyester and regret. Besides, why a bunny and a T-Rex? We look like the start of a very confusing joke.” “Distraction, you big lizard. While I’m doing the adorable bunny hop for the toddlers, you’re the prehistoric terror. You roar, they scream, they all look at you. That’s when I make my move for the gift table.” “Right, the gift table. And what exactly is my move? I can’t exactly stuff a Barbie Dreamhouse into a plastic tail. My pockets are non-existent. It’s just me and a lot of green felt.” “That’s why you’re the diversion, not the getaway driver,” Molly hissed, peering through the bushes. “Look, the piñata is set up. That’s our signal. You see that papier-mâché monstrosity? It’s filled with candy, not money. Our real target is the mountain of presents underneath it.” Bill groaned. “So, let me get this straight. I am to lumber over to a group of unsuspecting children, roar like a maniac, and induce mass panic. Meanwhile, you, the cute one, will pilfer their Christmas in July.” “Birthday in August, but yes. You’ve got it.” “And how do we get away with it? The parents will notice when all the presents are gone and a six-foot dinosaur is trying to waddle out the gate.” “That’s the beauty of it,” Molly said, a sly grin spreading across her face. “You create a scene, a big one. Maybe you ‘trip’ and fall into the bounce house. Cause a little structural damage. While the parents are freaking out about the collapsing inflatable and the crying children, I’ll have already loaded the goods into the van.” “The van. You mean the one with ‘Party Palooza’ painted on the side?” “Exactly! No one questions a party van leaving a party, especially if it’s being driven by a sobbing T-Rex who just had a very public accident.” Bill looked from the bouncing castle to the pile of beautifully wrapped gifts. A slow, dangerous smile finally cracked his scaly face. “Okay. I’m in. But I get first pick of the loot.” “Deal,” Molly said. “Now, let’s go steal a birthday.”