18-THE POOLS AT THE ANCIENT BATHS

THE POOLS AT THE ANCIENT BATHS Only two more places to check out! Number ten, the Pools of the Ancient Baths, could be found at the Rats La Lanne Gym. Trap told me to talk to his friend JOCK MUSCLEMOUSE, a personal trainer who worked there. When I got to the gym, I was greeted by a rat the size of a cheese delivery truck. He had more muscles than a hunk of Swiss cheese has holes! The mouse picked me up under one arm. "You must be here for the full treatment," he said. "Well, actually, I—" I began.

Jock dropped me in the changing room. "Put on some sweats," he instructed me. I changed into sweatpants and a T-shirt. When I came out, Jock PUSHED me through a door and shut it behind me. "Is this the way to the pools?" I asked. Then I saw that Jock had put me in a closet— a very hot closet. I was in a sauna! I looked at the thermometer on the wall. "Holey cheese!" I cried. "It's a HUNDRED DEGREES in here!" I pushed open the door, gasping for air. Jock looked surprised. "Done already?" Jock turned on a faucet on the wall, and cold water splashed all over me. "You don't understand," I said. "I'm here for Jock picked me up again. This time, he dropped me on a treadmill! It was moving

at maximum speed. "jumping gerbil babies!" I panted. "How do you stop this thing?" Jock switched off the treadmill. Then he plopped me on a table. "Nothing like a good massage to soothe your tired muscles," he said. "It's all included in the price." Jock began to knead my muscles with his powerful paws. I felt like a slice of cheese going through a shredder. "Eeeenough!" I screamed. I JUMPED OFF the massage table and ran to the door. Jock grabbed me by the tail. "Are you planning to run off without paying?" he asked. Then he slapped a bill in my paw. I couldn't believe the amount. "I didn't ask for a sauna! Or a shower! Or a massage!" I squeaked. "I ABSOLUTELY refuse to pay!"

Just then, Thea came by, wearing a trendy workout outfit. "Geronimo? What are you doing here?" Jock SCOWLED. "Do you know this guy? He was trying to scurry away without paying!" "This is the most exclusive gym in New Mouse City," Thea HISSED in my ear. "You're making me look bad! So pay up now!" I wrote out a check, furious, while Jock glared at me. As I stormed off, Thea stopped me. "What brings you here, anyway?" she asked. "I'm looking for the tenth letter," I explained. "You didn't have to come all this way," Thea said. "I looked at the pools this morning. They're shaped like the letter N."