Always The chinese..

The case was solved. Tiffany was found (against all odds), and the team was still somehow employed (against even greater odds). Naturally, it was time for a well-deserved break.

"Where are we going?" Crimson grumbled, staring at the neon sign above the entrance.

Golden Dragon Imperial Spa & Massages

Leon stretched his arms. "Boys, we work hard, we stress hard, and we commit war crimes against the English language every time we speak. We deserve this."

Kaz squinted at the sign. "Is that… a dragon giving a thumbs-up?"

"Yeah," Kai muttered. "Very reassuring."

MJ looked around. "Who picked this place?"

"I did," Leon said proudly. "Got a discount. 50% off if we don't ask for 'extra services.'"

"Define 'extra services,'" Kaz asked.

Leon ignored him and stepped inside.

The spa smelled like lavender, regret, and something suspiciously fishy. A tiny bell rang as they entered, and immediately, a short, elderly Chinese man with half his teeth missing hobbled over, wearing a silk robe two sizes too big.

"Ahhh, welcome welcome!" the man grinned. "You very stressed, yes? You need big massage, strong hands, fix all problem!"

Kaz leaned over to MJ. "Why do I feel like I'm about to get my spine permanently adjusted?"

"You look very tense!" the old man continued, grabbing Crimson's arm. "You come, I give you special deep tissue. Very deep. Maybe touch soul."

Crimson yanked his arm back. "Don't touch me, Mr. Miyagi."

The old man chuckled. "Hahaha! You funny guy! But no worry, we take good care! You trust!"

"Yeah, trust," Kai muttered. "Last time I trusted a Chinese guy, I lost my wallet and gained a fake Rolex."

The old man clapped his hands, and five young spa workers in matching uniforms emerged like ninjas. They bowed in unison.

"We fix you," one of them said in a thick accent. "You go in, take off clothes."

Leon grinned. "Now we're talking."

Twenty minutes later, the squad was in their respective rooms, getting what could barely be described as massages.

Kaz had a knee in his back.

Crimson was being beaten with a bamboo stick.

MJ had two men walking on his spine.

Kai was given something called a "dragon pressure treatment," which was just a fancy name for getting elbowed repeatedly in the ribs.

Meanwhile, Leon had the VIP treatment—a pretty masseuse giving him a hot stone massage while whispering sweet nothings in broken English.

"This… is the life," he sighed.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from the hallway.

Kaz's voice.

"MY HOTDOG IS GONE!"

The room fell silent.

Crimson sat up. "Wait. What?"

The door to Kaz's massage room burst open. He stumbled out, his robe half open, eyes wide with pure terror.

"MY HOTDOG!" he shouted again, pointing at his crotch. "THEY TOOK MY HOTDOG!"

The old Chinese man appeared in the hallway, stroking his beard. "Ahhh, yes. Hotdog problem. Very common. You no worry, we fix."

Kai bolted upright. "What do you mean, 'fix'?"

MJ looked around. "Where's Leon?"

The old man just smiled.

The door to Leon's VIP room creaked open.

Inside, Leon was missing.

The only thing left?

A steaming plate of freshly made dumplings.

To be continued…