Author's Note: This story takes place before Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand.

Sonny Gets Fired. (Again).

Mr. Johnson had gone to the Beech Hill Museum to learn about the ancient Mayans, not to be attacked with conspiracy theories. Really. He did.

"The Aztec civilization came to an end when they were defeated by the Spanish conquistadors," Mr. Johnson read off of one of the plaques in a display case.

"Of course, that's not really what happened," a voice behind him said.

Mr. Johnson turned around. Standing the shadows was a Beech Hill Employee. A name tag reading "Sonny Joon -- Assistant Curator" was attached to his shirt pocket. Inside the shirt pocket were two, no, three Koko Kringle Bars.

"Excuse me?" Mr. Johnson asked.

"The Mayans weren't defeated by the conquistadors. They were taken."

"Taken? By whom?"

Sonny Joon lowered his sunglasses and shot Mr. Johnson a deadly serious look.

"They were taken..." he whispered. "By aliens."

"What?" Mr. Johnson asked.

"I'm serious, man! Aliens from outer space came and kidnapped all the Mayas! I can prove it!"

"How can you prove something like that?"

"Simple. Did you hear about the girl who got kidnapped yesterday in the Royal Palladium Theater? The one that Brady Armstrong is trying to save? Her name was Maya. Maya Nguyen. Coincidence? I don't think so."

Mr. Johnson was confused. "You're saying the ancient Mayans were kidnapped by aliens because some girl named Maya is missing in St. Louis?"

"I've made some doodles of what the aliens probably look like," Soony said. "Check them out!"

The pictures were just the start of it. Not only did Sonny have pictures, but he also had a twelve-page paper on the topic of alien abductions, four pamphlets on what to do in case an alien mistakes you for King Pacal, and a dance routine.

After twenty minutes, Mr. Johnson was finally saved by a red-haired woman with a striped shirt.

"SONNY JOON!"

"Joanna! How's it going, boss?"

"How many times have I told you not to harass our clients with your ridiculous conspiracy theories?"

"It's not ridiculous! It's true!"

"This is it, Sonny!" Joanna cried. "I've had it with you! If you make one more mistake, you're fired!"

"Aw, man!" Sonny complained. Joanna was a way harsh boss—she was always getting mad at him for telling people about aliens. Maybe he should have taken that job offer in Paris after all...

Henrik came to see Joanna shortly afterwards. He was wearing a mask.

"Hello, Henrik," Joanna said. "Are your allergies acting up again?"

"Yes, actually," Henrik said. "I came to ask if Mr. Joon could move his chocolate bars out of the lab. The smell is interfering with my ability to concentrate."

"Chocolate bars don't smell that bad," Joanna said. "How much chocolate does he have in the lab?"

"You'd best see for yourself."

Sonny was cornering another museum guest and explaing the connection between Bul and the planet Mercury when he heard Joanna scream.

"SOOOOOOOOONNY!!!!"

Sonny winced. He knew that tone of voice. He was going to be fired.

Again.