As they left Sir's office a possibility suddenly struck Violet. She said, "Why not ask if Sunny can help prepare meals? She wouldn't have to suffer this debarking nonsense, and everyone would be happier." "Good idea," Klaus said. "Like it," Sunny replied. They walked back into Sir's office and made their inquisition-a word which here means "asked if Sunny could cook instead of use her teeth to debark logs"-. Sir paused and made a "hmmm" sound. "Well, I suppose no harm could come of it. If the meals are better than roast beef, that you are welcome to become a cook. But you won't get paid extra! Are there any complaints? If so, too bad! I'm the boss and I'm not an idiot!"
The Baudelaires left and Sunny went to the kitchen and the others returned to the mill so as to work. The end of the long day was greatly appreciated, because besides Paul, everyone hated the mill. Dinner was turkey and mashed potatoes and it was delicious. Sunny proudly came out afterwards and said, "Blueberry pie." Sure enough a tray of fresh blueberry pie was brought out. It was delicious and cheering. Even though their days were full of boredom and gum for lunch and a yelling Foreman Fredrick, and their nights were full of uncomfortable sleeping in uncomfortable beds, the Baudelaires dinners were a small sanctuary and a small blessing because they were so scrumptious-a word which here means "delicious"-a word which here means "it tasted good"--.
Then Foreman Fredrick walked up and banged his pots. "Idiot workers who got a dinner they did not deserve I have an announcement to make. Tomorrow a new scumball will join your ranks as tools for the mill. His name is Count Olaf and I am sure he is as despicable as all of you. Now, go to bed, freaks!" The Baudelaires hearts stopped. Count Olaf found them again and now no one knew of his treachery, thinking "Count Omar" was the cause of their woe and "Count Omar" had died, when in reality Count Olaf just said this to confuse people and make them ignorant of the true facts. Something must have gone wrong in the Megatower if Count Olaf was chasing them still.
The next morning went by much like yesterdays-Violet, Klaus, Captain Widdershins, Fiona, Fernald and Phil debarked, Sunny cooked, the workers debarked and Paul was ridiculously optimistic. At lunchtime they just opened up their gum wrappers when a man walked in. "Hello, I am Count Olaf, and I now work for this mill." He grabbed some gum and sat near the Baudelaires and whispered to them, "In the Megatower your fortune alone was not taken by me. But, I can still adopt you and kill you! Ho!" This news distressed the Baudelaires as they could turn to no one. And it seemed yet again Count Olaf changed his laugh, now he simply said, "Ho." The Baudelaires were petrified.
It seemed wherever they went Count Olaf would be there to try and steal their fortune. No where was safe. It seemed that this cycle would go on, forever. This, at least, was not true, as this is the finale, however ferocious and how much of a fiasco.
Count Olaf, the next day, asked Foreman Fredrick if he could call Mr. Poe. The Foreman agreed. The Baudelaires overheard him asking whether he could adopt them. The phone was hung up and they could here was, "Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! The Baudelaires fortunate escapes and living and my unprofitable schemes are over! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!" He came out and then whispered, "Tomorrow at lunch Mr. Poe comes here to sign your adopting papers and then you and your fortune will be mine! Ho! Then I will kill you!"
Suddenly Klaus said, "No Count Olaf, there is a hole in your ferocious operation. We can turn to the Widdershins and Phil for help." Count Olaf's eyes in their terrifying and ferocious way started the get shiny. The were so shiny Violet thought they could burn through steel, and, indeed, wondered why she was no being consumed at that very moment. "Ho! You think I am a stupid and insolent fool! Ho! I'll have you know, they're all tied up right now! Ho!" The Baudelaires hearts sank. Count Olaf was a ferocious fiend, and they could not imagine where their friends were.
That night for the few minutes they slept, they were troubled by dreams of terrifying things. They then woke up to Foreman Fredrick's fans and his mean voice, "Wake up insolent useless people! Go to work pointless garbage cans! Slop lollygagging about like the worthless bananaheaded idiots you are! It is time to do something good, you fruitless bargain bins! Fruitless means useless, pointless and worthless!" and no one cared to point out that they already knew that, because they were so tired.
During lunch Count Olaf got permission to take the Baudelaires outside. When they refused, Foreman Fredrick said, "You will go outside with this handsome Count or be killed." So they left. Count Olaf said, "Come, to the secondary mill. Secondary means, 'Not the one that is usually used.' There is something you should see." He led them to the secondary mill, which was only used when the primary one broke down.
They entered the building and gasped in horror at what they saw. Behind a sheet of glass was a large saw, designed and used for cutting wood. However, a fair bit in front of it were four logs. Each one had a person on it-Captain Widdershins, Fiona, Fernald and Phil. They looked terrified and with good reason-the saw was slowly coming towards them. Klaus was horrified and ran up against the glass. However, not even one crack appeared. "It's very strong," Olaf said, and he was right. "No!" cried Klaus, but it was too late; the saw came ever closer. "Fredrick tied them up yesterday and started the saw today," Olaf laughed, "You orphans must be fools not to realized he is the last remaining part of my troupe. Ho!" The Baudealires were horrified, but to no avail.
Five minutes passed and now the saw and reached the soles of their shoes. The glass apparently was soundproof, as the spasming of the victims was seen, but not heard. Fernald's hooks were tied down, so he could not cut the rope. "The fool," muttered Olaf, "Ever since the saw machine cut off his hands, he has been with me. This is the price of quitting." Then the machine apparently finished the soles of their shoes and began on the soles of their feet.
It is not possible for me to describe the horror the Baudelaires felt as they banged the glass to no avail. As they watched their four friends get sawed up, they cried. Finally it finished and Olaf laughed, "Ho! Now those fools are gone! Ho! Let's go back to work! Ho! Poe won't be here until evening! Ho!" "No," said Klaus, "We are going to Sir." "Fine, then," said Olaf, "Please do go tell of this tragic incident to Sir."
So the Baudelaires ran to the offices and banged on Sir's door. After he claimed he was not an idiot multiple-a word which here means, "more than necessary, perhaps to the point of idiocy"-times, he paused and let the Baudelaires say what happened. He looked started, then angry, then said, "Oh, the horror."