Katrina Snicket -- You're reading the sequel and it's not over yet. Be patient and more will be revealed.
Chapter 2, Vexation
"Vell, don't keep us vaiting," said Baron von Ruthless. "Come forvard at vunce!"
Not knowing what else to do, the three children walked up to the front of the room and onto the podium. A roomful of eccentric-looking people stared at them.
"I introduce to you Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack Parr, three promising young super-delinquents," said Mr. Myna. "They got off to a bad start by saving the city from a giant robot."
The crowd booed and hissed.
"But it turns out that was just a publicity stunt," said Unger Myna. "Since then, they've been causing accidents in lumber mills, scaring students at private schools, and most recently plunging a posh social event into complete chaos."
The crowd cheered.
"But-" Violet started to protest, then thought better of it.
"Rule number 920: No vun but Elders and police officers may speak on the podium," said von Ruthless. "Ve are allowed to make our own laws here, and so to keep all the big egos under control ve have made them harsh. The penalty for breaking the rules is burning at the stake... but ve vill let you get by this time."
"It takes a village to raise a child," said Myna, "Since all of us are raising you, you will do chores for all of us. In the mornings you will do downtown chores, and in the afternoon the uptown chores. That way you won't disturb the crows that roost uptown in the morning and downtown in the afternoon."
"Crow are our mascots, a symbol of darkness and evil," said the Baron. "Rule number 347: No one may harm a crow. We call ourselves the Villainous Fowl Devotees."
There was a sudden knock on the door and a woman police officer barged in. She was wearing a motorcycle helmet that completely concealed her face.
"I'm Officer Luciana," said the woman. "I'm here to supervise the installation of a new statue for your town fountain, a gift from Uncle Sam for your good behavior."
The crowd snorted.
"Good behavior? You wouldn't be seeing good behavior if we could past the Super Barrier," sneered Myna.
"You'll like the statue, anyway. It's a giant crow," said Officer Luciana.
The crowd chuckled in appreciation.
"I have one more warnin' to give you," said Luciana. "There's an unauthorized superhero wanderin' around this area. He calls himself The Jock, but he's believed to be Count Brody in disguise."
"Count Brody, you say?" said von Ruthless. "I think I may have heard of him -- he killed many supers with a cunning plan."
"Bah!" said Myna, "It was a plan unworthy of a supervillain. He threw money at the problem, hiring supers to fight his killer robot with the intent that they would die. On top of that, he sent his robot into the city so that he could defeat it and pretend to be a superhero!"
"And what would you be doin' differently?" asked Luciana.
"If I brought a machine to attack the city, I would do it boldly, like a villain should -- no pretense. I would tunnel up from below and announce myself: 'I am the Underminer! I have been beneath you, but nothing is beneath me! I declare war on peace and happiness!'" said Myna.
"Be quiet!" said von Ruthless angrily. "Ve have heard you rehearse that monologue a hundred times already."
"Soon now, very..." the Underminer cut himself off and gave the police officer a nervous glance.
But apparently Luciana had not been paying attention. She walked to the door, and just as she was about to leave, announced "There's a famous detective comin' here tomorrow to look for Count Brody, so I expect your full cooperation. His name is Detective Dupin."
The crowd muttered.
"Dupin?" said von Ruthless, "I've heard that name somewhere. I think he works for Poe."
Luciana was out the door before he finished.
"You'll be staying with the town handyman," said Myna. "He'll be able to direct you to your chores tomorrow. Hector, come forward."
A tall, big-chested man with a very pale complexion stepped forward. He bowed to the Elders nervously.
"Hector, take the children home and get them to bed early so they'll have plenty of energy for their chores tomorrow," said the Baron.
Hector led the children out of the town hall. As soon as they were away from the Elders, Hector gave a sigh of relief and smiled. Then he began to speak in rapid French.
"Bonjour, mademoiselle et monsieurs. Je m'appelle 'ector," said Hector.
"I think I've seen you on TV before," said Dash. "You're Bomb Voyage!"
"Oui," said Hector.