" Hardly,” Erica replied, before Zoe or I could. “This place is a dump.” Alexander’s good cheer faltered. When he smiled again, he looked far more apologetic. “Ah, yes. Well, there’s been quite a bit of belt-tightening at the Agency lately. We have to keep an eye on the budget for missions now. Not like the good old days. Once, when I was on a mission in Gstaad, I rented the executive suite of the Hotel Beauxville for six weeks. . . .” “And he wonders why the CIA doesn’t have any money anymore,” Erica muttered. “But this place isn’t so bad,” Alexander said spiritedly. “Sure, it’s a little cramped. And it’s cold. And it’s unlikely that the sheets have been washed in the last few weeks. And there’s barely any water pressure in the showers. And . . .” Alexander frowned. “What was my point again?” “This place isn’t so bad,” I reminded him. "

― Stuart Gibbs , Spy Ski School (Spy School #4)