Chapter 3
There was a quiet buzz amongst the children as the room began to move again and the speaker once again crackled to life.
"Everyone please empty your pockets," the crackly voice said.
No doubt the children were confused by this command. Usually when someone tells someone to empty the contents of their pockets, they want something. Such people are usually villainous, like train robbers, pirates, and trick-or-treaters who want all your candy. However, the voice on the speaker was only trying to make a point. I was the thing that they all had in common, and was no doubt the reason why they were all here.
"You should note that you all carry notebooks," said the crackly voice. "Your note taking skills have been noticed by the people here ate V.F.D. and you have been selected to join our organizations. We will be arriving at V.F.D. shortly. Any questions?"
Samantha quickly glanced around, and, seeing her chance, began to ask, "What is V.F.- "
"Then if there are no more questions, please wait for our arrival and have a pleasant trip," the voice interrupted, leaving the children to discuss amongst themselves.
There are many phrases that are usually insincere when people say them. Several of them are, "Just fin, how are you?", "Keep the change,", "Of course that cookie isn't poisoned!", and "Have a pleasant trip." However, even if the comment coming from the voice on the speaker had been genuinely sincere, it was impossible for the Snicket brothers and the others to have a completely pleasant trip. Their sister was dozing off and her fever was beginning to come back, so their opportunity for a pleasant trip was taken away by their concern for Kit's health.
Almost as much as they were concerned about their sister's health, they were worried about what was going on. However, they couldn't do anything but wait, so they joined Samantha and Dorian in consoling the new arrival.
"Are you alright?" asked Jacques.
"No," replied the girl. "Of course not. I was only studying my ferns and then I heard a strange noise and the floor opened up. I don't know what's going on!"
"We don't know either," said Lemony. "You know as much as we do."
"What's your name?" asked Samantha.
"Sarah," she said, turning her attention to the sleeping Kit. "Is she okay?"
"She's sick," replied Lemony. "She's been getting over the flu, but I think her fever is coming back."
"Don't worry. I know about a plant that should help her fever. If we can get to a field, we could gather it."
"That would be gr-," Lemony started to say, but stopped to turn his attention to the wall.
It was opening, revealing a shaft of light that, in comparison to the dim light in the room, made the children squint and turn away.
The speaker crackled to life. "Welcome to V.F.D."