The crinkled diagram wasn't of a bank vault or a museum, but of a suburban backyard, complete with a lopsided drawing of a swing set. Molly stabbed a finger at a crudely drawn rectangle labeled ‘Prize Pinnacle’. “The bounce castle is the primary variable, Bill. Its instability could compromise our ingress.” Bill peered at the map, then at his partner. “It’s a bouncy castle, Molly. Not a pressure-sensitive floor. We’re not dodging lasers. We’re dodging a seven-year-old named Timmy who’s had too much sugar.” “Don’t be naive,” Molly snapped, her voice a conspiratorial whisper in the stuffy confines of their getaway van. “That’s the Horde. Unpredictable. Highly volatile. Our window of opportunity is precisely twelve minutes, between the passing of the party hats and the ceremonial cutting of the cake. That’s when the parental units—The Wardens—are distracted.” “So, we just… walk in?” Bill asked, gesturing vaguely with a half-eaten donut. “Walk in? Bill, this is precision work. I’ll create a diversion at the refreshment table. A strategic spill of punch. While The Wardens are mopping up, you’ll approach the sentry.” “Sentry? You mean Kevin, the dad who’s grilling?” “His name is irrelevant. His function is perimeter defense. You will engage him. Talk to him about propane. I’ve seen his grill; it’s a passion point. You will keep him occupied for three minutes. That’s my extraction window.” “I’m talking to a dad about barbecue grills while you grab a bunch of poorly wrapped gifts? This is the big score?” “These aren’t just gifts, Bill. They’re treasure. Video games. LEGOs. The latest ‘Princess Sparkle-Pants’ action figure. That’s retirement.” She circled the present table with a red pen. “While you’re securing the sentry, I’ll be liberating the assets from the Pinnacle. We rendezvous at the slide. No later than 3:17 PM.” Bill sighed, the air whistling through his teeth. “What if one of the kids sees us?” “That’s why we have the masks,” Molly said, holding up two cheap, plastic party masks. One was a grinning pirate, the other a Dora the Explorer. Bill stared at the Dora mask. “I’m not wearing that.” “It’s non-negotiable. It’s about maintaining anonymity. Now, mask on. We have a party to crash.”