Post by veryferociousdrama on Jan 16, 2019 15:54:16 GMT -5
For Quartz – Without you, my life would be incomplete. Your life, however, is the opposite.
Chapter One.
If you are reading this, then I presume that you, like myself, have followed some of the previous unfortunate misadventures in the lives of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, Sunny, and the newest member of their family, Beatrice. I presume that you're also familiar with the narrator, Lemony Snicket.
I am sad to tell you that Lemony Snicket is dead.
Whilst he led his editor, his associates, and the reading public to believe that he had only recorded the Baudelaires up until the time of Beatrice's first birthday, this is not true. I found many different records, files and papers that tells of a different series of unfortunate events. The first takes place five years after the Baudelaires left the Island. I am not sure what happened during these five years, but I do know that the Beatrice reached a danky desert. I also know that they then bought a few items for disguises, and caught a train to the small town of Powwlel, a quiet location outside the City, somewhere between Lake Lachrymose, and Paltryville. Where our story begins is one quiet early-to-mid-mid-evening in Powwlel.
Violet Baudelaire was in her inventing room, drawing up a device to sort colour-code assorted items. This was for the market stall she had in the town, in which she sold tools to the citizens. Once a week, she would meet a delivery driver, who sourced the items from huge junkyards. She would then sell them, but recently the people had decided that colour-coded items were “in”. And so there she was, making new designs.
Over in the next room, in his reading room, Klaus was inspecting the books. Just like his older sister, Klaus had a market stall, where he sold antique books. He loved books, and frequently couldn't help but briefly read the books before he calculated the value, based on factors he had been educated on through mannuals. Once a week, a different delivery driver would give him books sourced from a huge sewer.
Downstairs, Sunny was cooking food, to be ready for when her siblings were finished with their work. Being only eight years old, Violet refused to allow her to work, and had enlisted her and Beatrice into a local school. Both Sunny and Beatrice were bright for their respective ages, and their older siblings were very proud of them. Beatrice was helping Sunny cook, and they both were content. Sunny was an excellent cook by all accounts, and had never in her life burnt a single piece of food, until this day.
Violet and Klaus ran downstairs frantically, as the single hint of a fire brought back many traumatic moments of their past. Nobody knows the preciese cause of the minor fire, but I am happy to tell you it was put out quickly, and sad to tell you it was very traumatic for all involved. Beatrice, who was really too young to understand what was going on, started wailing. Sunny, who had vague memories of the fire at the Hotel Denonument, also got quite upset.
“It's alright, my dears, it's fine. Accidents happen.” Violet tried to comfort them.
“People burn foods all the time, Sunny.” Klaus added.
“I don't want us to die...” Sunny wailed, ignoring her sibling's comments.
“I don't want this to happen again...” Beatrice also wailed.
“OK everyone, we'll go out for dinner tonight – there's that new cafe at the other side of town, and on the way home we can walk along Hardy Hill.” Violet decided. Hardy Hill was the Baudelaires' favourite place to go after a long day, it overlooked the whole of the town. And so that evening, Violet reached for her favourite blue coat, Klaus reached for his favourite red boots, Sunny reached for her favourite purple scarf, and Beatrice reached for her favourite green mittens, and the four of them strolled along the town's busy streets in search for the new cafe.
One thing you may have noticed so far during this book, is that the secret organisation known as the Volunteer Fire Department, or VFD, has not been mentioned up until this point. By the end of Mr. Snicket's published works, the Baudelaires had just joined, but their evacuation onto the Island, and Kit's death, had them cut all ties with them. Sometimes, they missed their friends in the organisation, such as the Quagmire triplets, who they still didn't know their current situation, but they decided it would be best to live completely normal lives.
Another strange occurance that evening was the re-appearance of a familiar face at the Cafe de Harlem. Over the years, the Baudelaires had faced many people who they believed they would never see again, but this one was surprising – a waiter from the Anxious Clown, from when they lived with their Aunt Josephine.
“I didn't realize this was a sad occasion.” he murmured as he showed the four to a table.
“Is that the waiter from the Anxious Clown?” asked Klaus, as soon as he had gone.
“It looks a lot like him.” Violet replied.
“From his right cuff, I can tell he is trying to reach somebody.” Beatrice's skill was deductions, and she could usually find out a lot.
“Uh oh.” murmured Sunny.
Throughout their meal, all four of them felt an edging sense of mystery. There were six other people in the Cafe de Harlem, all sitting on seperate tables. All six of them were smoking cigarettes, and because of this you could not see their faces. The cafe also felt bare, with no decorations at all, and only one item on the menu, a chief's salad, which none of the Baudelaires particuarly enjoyed upon this night. They payed the bill quickly, and went on their promised walk to Hardy Hill.
Huge bouts of fog filled the skies, and once again the Baudelaires felt their circumstances to be very suspicious. Sunny was the first to notice a tall, elderly, pleasant-faced man approach them.
“There may just be a man behind us...” she said.
“Powwlel is a busy area. It may just be a tourist on the way to the City.” Klaus tried to reason.
“Or a businessman.” Violet added.
“By the way he's turning his head to the left, I can tell he wants to talk to us.” Beatrice concluded. With all they had been through, the idea of a stranger following them was very concerning to the Baudelaires. The man kept following, and Violet signalled for her siblings to stop walking. All holding hands, the four approached him.
“Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice Baudelaire. My name is Dr. Ving.” the man spoke grandly.
“What do you want from us?” asked Violet.
“I'm a member of VFD, and we need your help.”
Chapter Two.
Many of us would agree that the strangest things in life are the unexpected. For instance, the Baudelaires were not expecting to be riding in a yellow taxi through a highway out of Powwlel, being driven by a member of VFD.
“May I begin with stating how much of an honour it is to finally meet you, Baudelaires. Your legendary tale against Count Olaf inspired so many of us.” Dr. Ving began.
“But we burnt down Caligari Carnival.” Violet protested.
“And Hotel Denonument.” Klaus said.
“We know you wouldn't have done any of it if you had a choice. You proved yourselves to be good and noble Volunteers, and now we need your help.”
“What happened to Quigley and his family?” asked Violet.
“What happened to Captain Widdershins and his family?” asked Klaus.
“What happened to Phil and Hector?” asked Sunny.
“What happened to everyone in the Hotel Denonument?” asked Beatrice.
“I'll explain later, Beatrice, though I admire your curiosity.” Dr. Ving smiled, “And as for everybody else, we don't know. We've spent the past five years searching for them, but nothing, I'm sad to say.”
“They were in the Great Unknown.” Violet pointed out.
“That's right Violet, they were. The Great Unknown is a huge submarine, we tracked it down, but nothing. No trace of them. We've got hundreds of agents searching for them, don't worry.” Dr. Ving reassured them.
“So VFD have been searching for our friends this whole time?” Klaus asked.
“That's not the only thing. The Hotel Denonument Operation took a lot of resources, we had to re-habilitate the survivors. For those who did survive, we gave them completely new identities and sent them all over the world. Except for a few, who we gave the chance to join us.”
“Did Justice Strauss survive?” Sunny had always felt guilty at forcing her to let them escape.
“No, Sunny, she didn't. She didn't die instantly, we rushed her to a hospital, and her lungs collapsed. We held her as she died, her death was peaceful.” Dr. Ving began to choke up.
“You said “we”. That usually means multiple people. Who else was there?” Beatrice requested.
“Very good, very observant. See that umbrella in the distance?” The taxi was in a smoke-filled alley-way, and a familiar-shaped man hid behind an umbrella. The man then entered the taxi.
It was the Baudelaires' old guardian, Jerome Squalor.
“Jerome!” exclaimed Violet.
“Violet!” exclaimed Jerome.
“Jerome!” exclaimed Klaus.
“Klaus!” exclaimed Jerome.
“Jerome!” exclaimed Sunny.
“Sunny!” exclaimed Jerome.
“Jerome Squalor, I presume?” asked Beatrice.
“Beatrice Baudelaire, I presume?” asked Jerome.
Violet, Klaus and Sunny joyously remembered how kind and loyal Jerome had been to them, and they were glad to see him. Even Beatrice, who had heard about Jerome was pleased to see him.
“I'm so glad to see you! It's been six years!” Jerome smiled.
“So you survived?” Klaus asked.
“Yes, with no long-lasting injuries. Dr. Ving and I are the major reformers of VFD, and we want you to be there with us.” Jerome informed them.
“I'm not sure about that...” Violet began.
“Hang on, hear me out please. VFD no longer uses immense amounts of codes and disguises, though we still do every now and again. Because of our friend Count Olaf, and his old associates, VFD has gained itself a bad name. We envision VFD to be a safe place where the most noble of humanity can refine their skills, and use them to help others. We don't kidnap children anymore, nor do we even put out fires that much, we gave the OFD some jobs.” Jerome explained.
“And what do you want with us?” asked Violet.
“We've been studying you and your lives for a while now, Baudelaires. I wanted to get in touch sooner, but Dr. Ving thought it would be best to leave you be. But our enemies have been performing strange actions.” Jerome began.
“What form of strange actions? By the way your eyebrows poke, I can tell it's worrying you.” Beatrice concluded.
“First Prufrock Prepatory School came down in flames. It had been closed down for a while, but then Lucky Smells burnt down. That had been shut since Sir and Charles burnt, but it was still a shock. And then the Fountain of Victorious Finance burnt, despite the water. Our agents looked into it, but then we realized. You, they're all places to do with you.” Dr. Ving managed to explain this whilst still looking amongst the traffic.
“But who's been doing it?” Sunny asked.
“We're not sure. But then, the eagles started coming. None of the Volunteers had seen the eagles since the Hotel, but suddenly everyone was delievered a letter, in Count Olaf's handwriting. The letters are all being tested, but they speak of events that occurred during your stay at the Island.” said Jerome, “We think you may soon be targeted, so we'd lie to offer you our protection.”
“On a condition”, Dr. Ving cut in, “You occasionally carry out missions for us. What do you say, Baudelaires?”
Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice looked at each other, now was decision time. Violet sighed.
“Myself, Klaus and Sunny experienced great misfortunes many years ago, at the hands of both Count Olaf and several others. No child or adult should have to go through what we did, and I would like for Sunny and Beatrice to have as much as ordinary childhoods as I can give them. However, I also feel we may be at more danger without VFD's help. So with my siblings' agreement...” the others nodded, “We accept.”
Jerome's eyes widened with happiness, “Excellent!”
Dr. Ving also smiled, “Welcome aboard Baudelaires. We'll take you to the HQ right now.” The Baudelaires had noticed that the taxi was now speeding through a huge tunnel, with many signs with names like “NEWMAN” and “EDMUNDSON” pointing in different directions, and places like “PERU” and “ARIZONA”. The road was bumpy, with several obstructions, and overall wasn't suitable for a taxi, or any other car-esque vehicle.
“Why are we going through this tunnel?” asked Sunny.
“There was once a secret underground trolley business under the tunnel. Everybody involved emmigrated to Asia, but the tunnel proves to be one of the most well-linked transportation systems. A few more miles and we'll be there.” Dr. Ving explained, “My second cousin-in-law was involved. He was a good magician, always a wonder at dinner parties. Shame he moved to Asia.”
After a few minutes, the taxi sped up a ramp, and the Baudelaires spotted a huge castle glimmering off the top of an upwards forest.
“Welcome Baudelaires, to the Volunteers' Focus District, your new home.” Jerome pointed to a spire right at the top turret, “From there you can see for miles!” The taxi pulled to a hault, and Jerome took Violet's hand, who took Klaus', who took Sunny's, who took Beatrice's, as they walked a twenty-seventh of a circumference around the hill, before spotting a wooden door poking around foliage. Jerome gently knocked thirteen times with his free hand, before a small, dumpy black-haired woman arrived.
“Baudelaires! I've been reading up on your tale for ages, it's great to see you! Dinner will be ready soon! My name's Libassa!” Libassa exclaimed, hugging each of the Baudelaires in turn, “Come on through!” The group then walked into a spaceous, clean and white-tinted hallway, full of activity. Huge bounts of owls flew through the air. A man dressed in a fake moustache and a caretaker's outfit taken from his high school prom pushed a trolley with a jug of cereal. A group of eight children were carrying a crocodile-shaped bar of steel around the area. Two women holding hands and dressed in identical suits and bow-ties were each reading a dictionary.
“Like I said, dinner should be ready soon, but there's just enough time to show you each your offices. Come, we'll take the lift.” Libassa directed them, with Jerome following them into a circular elevator.
The first floor of interest was the sixth floor, where Violet saw “VIOLET BAUDELAIRE” written in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Invention, where all of our inventors have their studios and equipment. Look Violet, there's your office.” Jerome pointed. The next floor they saw was the eleventh floor, where Klaus saw “KLAUS BAUDELAIRE” in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Literature, where our top researchers have thousands of books for any occasion. Look Klaus, there's your office.” Jerome pointed. They went on to the thirty-seventh floor, where Sunny saw “SUNNY BAUDELAIRE” in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Food Technology, where our chiefs have the facilities to make any meal imaginable. Look Sunny, there's your office.” Jerome pointed. Finally, they came to the fifty-second floor, where Beatrice saw “BEATRICE BAUDELAIRE II” in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Departments. I'm sorry Beatrice, but you're the first deducer VFD's ever had, so we've given you an office at the top, with myself and Dr. Ving. Is that alright?” asked Jerome.
“That's quite alright.” Beatrice said cheerily.
“Libassa's going to bring us some food, I thought for tonight we could eat in my office. Dr. Ving's just storing the taxi away, he might come and join us.”
Libassa waved as the lift de-escalated, and Jerome shepherded the four into his large office. Everybody sat along a triangular table, and Jerome poured bitter tea.
“Now Baudelaires, there is one thing I must warn you. We have already proposed a first mission for you, but it may be very difficult for you. I feel I must explain it to you.”
“Is it about an old friend or enemy of ours?” asked Violet.
“Yes. At the Hotel, the sugar bowl was smuggled out of Dewey Denonument's hiding place by an unknown party. There are several conspiracy theories and accounts about its whereabouts, but our agents detected it a few miles from here underwater. It is being protected by a key-keeper of sorts, who we think can be persuaded to help us, if you go and see her.”
“Who?” asked Klaus, running through a list of VFD's enemies through his head.
“Esme Gigi Genieve Squalor”.
Chapter One.
If you are reading this, then I presume that you, like myself, have followed some of the previous unfortunate misadventures in the lives of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, Sunny, and the newest member of their family, Beatrice. I presume that you're also familiar with the narrator, Lemony Snicket.
I am sad to tell you that Lemony Snicket is dead.
Whilst he led his editor, his associates, and the reading public to believe that he had only recorded the Baudelaires up until the time of Beatrice's first birthday, this is not true. I found many different records, files and papers that tells of a different series of unfortunate events. The first takes place five years after the Baudelaires left the Island. I am not sure what happened during these five years, but I do know that the Beatrice reached a danky desert. I also know that they then bought a few items for disguises, and caught a train to the small town of Powwlel, a quiet location outside the City, somewhere between Lake Lachrymose, and Paltryville. Where our story begins is one quiet early-to-mid-mid-evening in Powwlel.
Violet Baudelaire was in her inventing room, drawing up a device to sort colour-code assorted items. This was for the market stall she had in the town, in which she sold tools to the citizens. Once a week, she would meet a delivery driver, who sourced the items from huge junkyards. She would then sell them, but recently the people had decided that colour-coded items were “in”. And so there she was, making new designs.
Over in the next room, in his reading room, Klaus was inspecting the books. Just like his older sister, Klaus had a market stall, where he sold antique books. He loved books, and frequently couldn't help but briefly read the books before he calculated the value, based on factors he had been educated on through mannuals. Once a week, a different delivery driver would give him books sourced from a huge sewer.
Downstairs, Sunny was cooking food, to be ready for when her siblings were finished with their work. Being only eight years old, Violet refused to allow her to work, and had enlisted her and Beatrice into a local school. Both Sunny and Beatrice were bright for their respective ages, and their older siblings were very proud of them. Beatrice was helping Sunny cook, and they both were content. Sunny was an excellent cook by all accounts, and had never in her life burnt a single piece of food, until this day.
Violet and Klaus ran downstairs frantically, as the single hint of a fire brought back many traumatic moments of their past. Nobody knows the preciese cause of the minor fire, but I am happy to tell you it was put out quickly, and sad to tell you it was very traumatic for all involved. Beatrice, who was really too young to understand what was going on, started wailing. Sunny, who had vague memories of the fire at the Hotel Denonument, also got quite upset.
“It's alright, my dears, it's fine. Accidents happen.” Violet tried to comfort them.
“People burn foods all the time, Sunny.” Klaus added.
“I don't want us to die...” Sunny wailed, ignoring her sibling's comments.
“I don't want this to happen again...” Beatrice also wailed.
“OK everyone, we'll go out for dinner tonight – there's that new cafe at the other side of town, and on the way home we can walk along Hardy Hill.” Violet decided. Hardy Hill was the Baudelaires' favourite place to go after a long day, it overlooked the whole of the town. And so that evening, Violet reached for her favourite blue coat, Klaus reached for his favourite red boots, Sunny reached for her favourite purple scarf, and Beatrice reached for her favourite green mittens, and the four of them strolled along the town's busy streets in search for the new cafe.
One thing you may have noticed so far during this book, is that the secret organisation known as the Volunteer Fire Department, or VFD, has not been mentioned up until this point. By the end of Mr. Snicket's published works, the Baudelaires had just joined, but their evacuation onto the Island, and Kit's death, had them cut all ties with them. Sometimes, they missed their friends in the organisation, such as the Quagmire triplets, who they still didn't know their current situation, but they decided it would be best to live completely normal lives.
Another strange occurance that evening was the re-appearance of a familiar face at the Cafe de Harlem. Over the years, the Baudelaires had faced many people who they believed they would never see again, but this one was surprising – a waiter from the Anxious Clown, from when they lived with their Aunt Josephine.
“I didn't realize this was a sad occasion.” he murmured as he showed the four to a table.
“Is that the waiter from the Anxious Clown?” asked Klaus, as soon as he had gone.
“It looks a lot like him.” Violet replied.
“From his right cuff, I can tell he is trying to reach somebody.” Beatrice's skill was deductions, and she could usually find out a lot.
“Uh oh.” murmured Sunny.
Throughout their meal, all four of them felt an edging sense of mystery. There were six other people in the Cafe de Harlem, all sitting on seperate tables. All six of them were smoking cigarettes, and because of this you could not see their faces. The cafe also felt bare, with no decorations at all, and only one item on the menu, a chief's salad, which none of the Baudelaires particuarly enjoyed upon this night. They payed the bill quickly, and went on their promised walk to Hardy Hill.
Huge bouts of fog filled the skies, and once again the Baudelaires felt their circumstances to be very suspicious. Sunny was the first to notice a tall, elderly, pleasant-faced man approach them.
“There may just be a man behind us...” she said.
“Powwlel is a busy area. It may just be a tourist on the way to the City.” Klaus tried to reason.
“Or a businessman.” Violet added.
“By the way he's turning his head to the left, I can tell he wants to talk to us.” Beatrice concluded. With all they had been through, the idea of a stranger following them was very concerning to the Baudelaires. The man kept following, and Violet signalled for her siblings to stop walking. All holding hands, the four approached him.
“Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice Baudelaire. My name is Dr. Ving.” the man spoke grandly.
“What do you want from us?” asked Violet.
“I'm a member of VFD, and we need your help.”
Chapter Two.
Many of us would agree that the strangest things in life are the unexpected. For instance, the Baudelaires were not expecting to be riding in a yellow taxi through a highway out of Powwlel, being driven by a member of VFD.
“May I begin with stating how much of an honour it is to finally meet you, Baudelaires. Your legendary tale against Count Olaf inspired so many of us.” Dr. Ving began.
“But we burnt down Caligari Carnival.” Violet protested.
“And Hotel Denonument.” Klaus said.
“We know you wouldn't have done any of it if you had a choice. You proved yourselves to be good and noble Volunteers, and now we need your help.”
“What happened to Quigley and his family?” asked Violet.
“What happened to Captain Widdershins and his family?” asked Klaus.
“What happened to Phil and Hector?” asked Sunny.
“What happened to everyone in the Hotel Denonument?” asked Beatrice.
“I'll explain later, Beatrice, though I admire your curiosity.” Dr. Ving smiled, “And as for everybody else, we don't know. We've spent the past five years searching for them, but nothing, I'm sad to say.”
“They were in the Great Unknown.” Violet pointed out.
“That's right Violet, they were. The Great Unknown is a huge submarine, we tracked it down, but nothing. No trace of them. We've got hundreds of agents searching for them, don't worry.” Dr. Ving reassured them.
“So VFD have been searching for our friends this whole time?” Klaus asked.
“That's not the only thing. The Hotel Denonument Operation took a lot of resources, we had to re-habilitate the survivors. For those who did survive, we gave them completely new identities and sent them all over the world. Except for a few, who we gave the chance to join us.”
“Did Justice Strauss survive?” Sunny had always felt guilty at forcing her to let them escape.
“No, Sunny, she didn't. She didn't die instantly, we rushed her to a hospital, and her lungs collapsed. We held her as she died, her death was peaceful.” Dr. Ving began to choke up.
“You said “we”. That usually means multiple people. Who else was there?” Beatrice requested.
“Very good, very observant. See that umbrella in the distance?” The taxi was in a smoke-filled alley-way, and a familiar-shaped man hid behind an umbrella. The man then entered the taxi.
It was the Baudelaires' old guardian, Jerome Squalor.
“Jerome!” exclaimed Violet.
“Violet!” exclaimed Jerome.
“Jerome!” exclaimed Klaus.
“Klaus!” exclaimed Jerome.
“Jerome!” exclaimed Sunny.
“Sunny!” exclaimed Jerome.
“Jerome Squalor, I presume?” asked Beatrice.
“Beatrice Baudelaire, I presume?” asked Jerome.
Violet, Klaus and Sunny joyously remembered how kind and loyal Jerome had been to them, and they were glad to see him. Even Beatrice, who had heard about Jerome was pleased to see him.
“I'm so glad to see you! It's been six years!” Jerome smiled.
“So you survived?” Klaus asked.
“Yes, with no long-lasting injuries. Dr. Ving and I are the major reformers of VFD, and we want you to be there with us.” Jerome informed them.
“I'm not sure about that...” Violet began.
“Hang on, hear me out please. VFD no longer uses immense amounts of codes and disguises, though we still do every now and again. Because of our friend Count Olaf, and his old associates, VFD has gained itself a bad name. We envision VFD to be a safe place where the most noble of humanity can refine their skills, and use them to help others. We don't kidnap children anymore, nor do we even put out fires that much, we gave the OFD some jobs.” Jerome explained.
“And what do you want with us?” asked Violet.
“We've been studying you and your lives for a while now, Baudelaires. I wanted to get in touch sooner, but Dr. Ving thought it would be best to leave you be. But our enemies have been performing strange actions.” Jerome began.
“What form of strange actions? By the way your eyebrows poke, I can tell it's worrying you.” Beatrice concluded.
“First Prufrock Prepatory School came down in flames. It had been closed down for a while, but then Lucky Smells burnt down. That had been shut since Sir and Charles burnt, but it was still a shock. And then the Fountain of Victorious Finance burnt, despite the water. Our agents looked into it, but then we realized. You, they're all places to do with you.” Dr. Ving managed to explain this whilst still looking amongst the traffic.
“But who's been doing it?” Sunny asked.
“We're not sure. But then, the eagles started coming. None of the Volunteers had seen the eagles since the Hotel, but suddenly everyone was delievered a letter, in Count Olaf's handwriting. The letters are all being tested, but they speak of events that occurred during your stay at the Island.” said Jerome, “We think you may soon be targeted, so we'd lie to offer you our protection.”
“On a condition”, Dr. Ving cut in, “You occasionally carry out missions for us. What do you say, Baudelaires?”
Violet, Klaus, Sunny and Beatrice looked at each other, now was decision time. Violet sighed.
“Myself, Klaus and Sunny experienced great misfortunes many years ago, at the hands of both Count Olaf and several others. No child or adult should have to go through what we did, and I would like for Sunny and Beatrice to have as much as ordinary childhoods as I can give them. However, I also feel we may be at more danger without VFD's help. So with my siblings' agreement...” the others nodded, “We accept.”
Jerome's eyes widened with happiness, “Excellent!”
Dr. Ving also smiled, “Welcome aboard Baudelaires. We'll take you to the HQ right now.” The Baudelaires had noticed that the taxi was now speeding through a huge tunnel, with many signs with names like “NEWMAN” and “EDMUNDSON” pointing in different directions, and places like “PERU” and “ARIZONA”. The road was bumpy, with several obstructions, and overall wasn't suitable for a taxi, or any other car-esque vehicle.
“Why are we going through this tunnel?” asked Sunny.
“There was once a secret underground trolley business under the tunnel. Everybody involved emmigrated to Asia, but the tunnel proves to be one of the most well-linked transportation systems. A few more miles and we'll be there.” Dr. Ving explained, “My second cousin-in-law was involved. He was a good magician, always a wonder at dinner parties. Shame he moved to Asia.”
After a few minutes, the taxi sped up a ramp, and the Baudelaires spotted a huge castle glimmering off the top of an upwards forest.
“Welcome Baudelaires, to the Volunteers' Focus District, your new home.” Jerome pointed to a spire right at the top turret, “From there you can see for miles!” The taxi pulled to a hault, and Jerome took Violet's hand, who took Klaus', who took Sunny's, who took Beatrice's, as they walked a twenty-seventh of a circumference around the hill, before spotting a wooden door poking around foliage. Jerome gently knocked thirteen times with his free hand, before a small, dumpy black-haired woman arrived.
“Baudelaires! I've been reading up on your tale for ages, it's great to see you! Dinner will be ready soon! My name's Libassa!” Libassa exclaimed, hugging each of the Baudelaires in turn, “Come on through!” The group then walked into a spaceous, clean and white-tinted hallway, full of activity. Huge bounts of owls flew through the air. A man dressed in a fake moustache and a caretaker's outfit taken from his high school prom pushed a trolley with a jug of cereal. A group of eight children were carrying a crocodile-shaped bar of steel around the area. Two women holding hands and dressed in identical suits and bow-ties were each reading a dictionary.
“Like I said, dinner should be ready soon, but there's just enough time to show you each your offices. Come, we'll take the lift.” Libassa directed them, with Jerome following them into a circular elevator.
The first floor of interest was the sixth floor, where Violet saw “VIOLET BAUDELAIRE” written in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Invention, where all of our inventors have their studios and equipment. Look Violet, there's your office.” Jerome pointed. The next floor they saw was the eleventh floor, where Klaus saw “KLAUS BAUDELAIRE” in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Literature, where our top researchers have thousands of books for any occasion. Look Klaus, there's your office.” Jerome pointed. They went on to the thirty-seventh floor, where Sunny saw “SUNNY BAUDELAIRE” in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Food Technology, where our chiefs have the facilities to make any meal imaginable. Look Sunny, there's your office.” Jerome pointed. Finally, they came to the fifty-second floor, where Beatrice saw “BEATRICE BAUDELAIRE II” in golden copperplate.
“This is the Department of Departments. I'm sorry Beatrice, but you're the first deducer VFD's ever had, so we've given you an office at the top, with myself and Dr. Ving. Is that alright?” asked Jerome.
“That's quite alright.” Beatrice said cheerily.
“Libassa's going to bring us some food, I thought for tonight we could eat in my office. Dr. Ving's just storing the taxi away, he might come and join us.”
Libassa waved as the lift de-escalated, and Jerome shepherded the four into his large office. Everybody sat along a triangular table, and Jerome poured bitter tea.
“Now Baudelaires, there is one thing I must warn you. We have already proposed a first mission for you, but it may be very difficult for you. I feel I must explain it to you.”
“Is it about an old friend or enemy of ours?” asked Violet.
“Yes. At the Hotel, the sugar bowl was smuggled out of Dewey Denonument's hiding place by an unknown party. There are several conspiracy theories and accounts about its whereabouts, but our agents detected it a few miles from here underwater. It is being protected by a key-keeper of sorts, who we think can be persuaded to help us, if you go and see her.”
“Who?” asked Klaus, running through a list of VFD's enemies through his head.
“Esme Gigi Genieve Squalor”.