The Ersatz Elevator

[Violet]

In the Erstaz Elevator, why did Esme' work with Gunther... Or should I say, Count Olaf?

[SnicketFires]

What do you mean?

Do you mean why did Esmé work with Gunther, as in with the In Auction, or do you mean as in work with him like join his troupe?

[izzie]

For both of those questions, how would we know? We aren't Daniel Handler. Sorry. Esme's old acting teacher was Olaf, and she wanted to join him & his troupe, and thats why she helped him in the In Auction.

[PJ]

She said she wanted to steal from the baudelaires, the way that Beatrice stole from her. Perhaps revenge, and money is what she wanted.

[QuagmireFan]

PJ said:

She said she wanted to steal from the baudelaires, the way that Beatrice stole from her. Perhaps revenge, and money is what she wanted.

It was the sugar bowl Beatrice stole

[PJ]

Nope.
That was Lemony.
Though Esmé might have thought it was Beatrice.

[chabo]

I think that all your stories are correct but i have come up with another one. i think esme joined olaf because she wanted to be evil and i know this sounds stupid but its all true. besides she thought that olaf was good look and i dont know why. its says in future books that all she wants to do is settle down and become olafs girlfriends.

P.S. my name is Quiggly

[Dante]

She thinks that Olaf is the handsomest, innest man in the world. She's thought so, no doubt, ever since he taught her how to act, and she believes that working with him is a good way to make more money. She also believes in the fire-starting side of the schism's general philosophy, i.e. that books and well-read people should be set on fire and their fortunes stolen.

[Vacuum Pot]

Violet said:

In the Erstaz Elevator, why did Esme' work with Gunther... Or should I say, Count Olaf?

You have to remember, too, that they've known each other for quite some time. Esmé probably knew about Olaf's plans of setting the Baudelaire Mansion on fire prior to its occurrence. Olaf, an excellent planner, could've had the plans of what they'd do if he lost guardianship and they (eventually) went to the Squalor's thought out (at least partially) before he even set the fire (without the Quagmire's involvement planned, of course).

Esmé would be a willing participant because (1) she believes Olaf is in and (2) she believes that crime (bein' bad) is in.

Jerome also makes the comment about how the Squalors wanted to adopt the Baudelaires as soon as they were orphaned, which could have been as much of a want for Jerome as it could be for Esmé (with different motives, of course).