The Herpetological Society

[SnicketFires]

I just had a thought. What if Monty's "Herpetological Society" was actually VFD?
1) He still could be a Herpetologist. We know VFD uses snakes, so he could be the expert-in-residence.
2) Monty was in VFD. Between the Herp. Society and VFD, it would make a pretty crowded life, between traveling for snakes, attending meetings for *both* organizations and taking care of his reptiles.

Also when he explains about the Incredibly Deadly Viper, (page 29, TRR) He talks about the yearly "conference" this could be inside the hall on page 29 of the UA. Or it could be the Codebreaking Picnic.

Pg. 183-4 TRR:

"The name's Bruce," Bruce said. "I'm the director of marketing for the Herpetological Society. Your friend Mr. Poe called me to come and retreive the snakes now that Dr. Montgomery has passed on. 'Retreive' means 'take away'. "We know what the word 'retreive' means" Klaus said, "But why are you taking them? Where are they going?"
"...And these snakes need to be taken care of, so we're giving them away to other scientists, zoos and retirement homes. Those we can't find homes for, we'll have to put to sleep."

Bruce could actually be the director of marketing for the "society", but that doesn't mean he knows all of their secrets.

And we also know that Olaf conned Bruce out of the snakes.

Pg. 167 UA
The mamba du mal can be trained to recite
"Summer is" = "enimies are nearby"
"over and gone" = "probably in disguise"
"dying" = "beware of arson"

Any thoughts?

So I think that Olaf took a Mamba du mal.

[Amphagorey]

Wow. You did a lot of great reaserch. Thumbs Up! ;D I think the Herpetological Society was indeed a branch of VFD. I think all through out their adventures the Bauds have been secretly tested by VFD. Perhaps Monty was the main curator of the snakes. Who knows?

[E]

Good idea! In TSS they mention that the good side of the schism - whoops, would you prefer I didn't spill a clue, since it's not out in the UK yet?

[SnicketFires]

Who are you talking to? I don't live in the UK.

Good thinking that everyone has to have a field of expertise. Even if you are a waiter. Waiters have good chances to spy, as noted by the tape found in Ivan Lachyrmose: Lake Explorer (Mr Poe and Elenora having lunch). So, thinking that Mr Poe was herpetologist-in-residence is a good theory, as well as Larry being waiter-in-residence, etc.

I've noticed that each of these people seem to operate in different cities... Larry-Lake Lachyrmose, Monty- Tedia, Jacques/Lemony- The Big city, Duchess- the Orion Observitory (wherever that is) Ms. K would have been at Prufrock...

[E]

SnicketFires said:

Who are you talking to? I don't live in the UK.

No one in particular. Just didn't want to give away a spoiler. Uh, anyway, in TSS they mention that the good side of the schism got the trained reptiles. It seems likely they're talking about Monty's, doesn't it?

[SnicketFires]

Oh, ok. Just got a bit confused.

Do we know anyone else who even owns reptiles, let alone ones who seem to have talents?

-Virginia Wolfsnake shouldn't be let near a type writer
-Dissonance toad has gravelly voice
-Incredibly deadly Viper is quite tame, and likes the trick of biting people.