Molly adjusted the focus on her binoculars, scanning the perimeter of the suburban backyard. The target was a plastic table covered in Spiderman wrapping paper. "We have eyes on the package," Molly whispered, ducking behind the steering wheel of their unmarked van. "It’s sitting right there, Bill. Unprotected. Just begging to be taken." "It’s a bike, Molly," Bill said, unwrapping a foil-wrapped burrito. "I can see the handlebars. It’s got tassels." "High-value assets often do. Look at the security detail. I count seven, maybe eight hostiles. They’re wearing party hats. That indicates rank." "They’re six years old, Molly. That indicates first grade." "Don't underestimate them. They travel in packs. I saw one of them take down a piñata with a baseball bat earlier. It was brutal. Stick hit the eye. There was candy everywhere. Absolute carnage." "So we wait for the sugar crash?" "Negative. We wait for the entertainment. According to my intel, a magician goes on in five minutes. That’s our window. While he’s pulling a rabbit out of a hat, we pull the loot out of the yard." "What about the parents? The large ones with the wine coolers?" "Civilians. Collateral damage if necessary, but I’d prefer a clean extraction. You take the flank by the bouncy castle. I’ll approach from the rose bushes. We need to be ghosts, Bill. Ghosts in cargo shorts." "I don’t like the bouncy castle angle," Bill said, taking a bite. "It creates a bottleneck. What if they try to recruit me? A guy with a beard looks like a potential target for a jumping contest." "Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. If they ask, tell them you’re the Inspector General of Inflatables. Just make sure nobody puts a sticky finger on your wallet. They have a tendency to hug legs." "This feels wrong. It’s a party." "It’s a heist! The greatest heist of our careers! We’re liberating toys from the tyranny of not being ours. Think of the resale value, Bill. Think of that bike on Craigslist. Think of the Lego sets." "It’s just... they look happy, Molly. They’re singing. They’re eating cake." "And we’re eating a burrito in a van! Who is winning here? Us! Because we have a plan! Now, check your pockets. Do you have the heavy-duty trash bags?" "I have two Hefty bags and a fold-up shopping cart." "Good. We go in, we bag the swag, we cart it out. If anyone spots us, we scream 'Free ice cream' and run toward the street. It’s the perfect diversion." "What about the dog? The Golden Retriever with the bandana?" "Counter-intelligence. He’s been watching us for ten minutes. He knows. Toss him a hot dog and keep moving. Loyalty is bought, Bill. We learned that in Atlantic City." "I thought we learned that Atlantic City was a mistake." "That was the flight, not the principle. Get your gloves on. No fingerprints. We leave no trace except the lingering scent of disappointment." "I still think we should just buy a gift." "Where is the sport in that? Prepare for insertion. The magician is pulling out a handkerchief. The crowd is distracted. Go! Go! Go!"