Disclaimer: A Series Of Unfortunate Events is written by a twisted man named Lemony Snicket, and not me. Also, I did not take the cat. What cat? A cat? I've never seen a cat in my life.
It was early the next morning when the Baudelaires were woken from their peaceful slumber. Mrs. Poe was standing at the doorway, smiling.
"It's time for you to go, Baudelaires," she whispered brightly. The children climbed sleepily out of bed, stretching and yawning.
"Are we leaving now?" Violet murmured. She had been enjoying her sleep quite a bit, and was reluctant to leave the warm bed. Maybe I can make a device that keeps you warm all the time, she thought. There wasn't time to think about inventions, however. Mrs. Poe reminded them to change and wash up, then headed to the kitchen.
The Baudelaire children quickly changed, and as they did, questions seeped into their minds. The three wondered and wondered and wondered, until finally they couldn't wonder by themselves.
"Why do you think our parents never talked about Count Olaf?" Klaus wondered.
"Is Olaf really a count, or does he just use the word as a title?" Wondered Violet.
"Cophposa?" Wondered Sunny.
The kids weren't sure how to answer any of the questions, and instead they glanced helplessly at each other and shrugged, though inside they still bubbled and frothed with questions. With their suitcases stuffed, the three Baudelaires left the room to find Mr. Poe.
"I'm sure you children have no reason to be nervous," said Mr. Poe, adjusting the rearview mirror. "Count Olaf is a wealthy man with many friends and a steady career. You'll adjust to him just fine."
Klaus turned his head from the window to look at Mr. Poe through the mirror. "Actually, we're not nervous. My sisters and I are very anxious to meet the count."
Mr. Poe only shook his head. "You children are very clever, you and Olaf will make a fine group."
Violet also turned to Mr. Poe. "Mr. Poe, just because Count Olaf is wealthy and knows many people doesn't mean he's going to be a kind man. He could be rich and rude. And if he was, Klaus and Sunny and I would be nervous to live with him."
Mr. Poe only laughed, and the children stared out the windows at the passing scenery, Sunny gnawing absently on a metal spoon.
Now at this point, I am going to say something that not only I, but many others, find true. This is the fact that often times kind people, beautiful gardens, and kind people working in beautiful gardens can put those who are anxious at ease. This was wonders the case with the Baudelaires. They were anxious in the morning with all the questions in their minds. They were anxious as they climbed into Mr. Poe's car. They were anxious as they watched endless scenes of trees and buildings pass their windows. They were very anxious when Mr. Poe announced cheerfully, "We're almost there, Baudelaires!" Yet they weren't anxious at all when they pulled into the driveway of a tidy, pretty house with a tidy, pretty woman pulling weeds in the garden.
"Excuse me," called Mr. Poe. "Do you happen to know a man by the name of 'Count Olaf'?" The lady raised her head to look at the Baudelaires' friend.
"Why, in fact, I do," responded the woman. "Are you looking for him?"
"We are. These are the Baudelaires, and they are staying with the Count for the summer. Er…are you perhaps his wife?" The woman let out a laugh, a very pretty laugh that sounded of jingling bells.
"No, I'm not Olaf's wife. I'm not related to the man at all. He's only my next-door neighbour. My name is Justice Strauss, nice to meet you, neighbours!" Mr. Poe turned slightly pink, and the Baudelaires all giggled.
"Well then, my apologies, Ms. Strauss. I'm Mr. Poe. Children, would you like to introduce yourselves to your neighbour?" The Baudelaires stepped forward, pleased that this kind-looking woman would be living next to them.
"My name is Violet Baudelaire, and these are my siblings, Klaus and Sunny," Violet said. "We're very excited to be your neighbour." Violet always tried to be polite when meeting strangers; her parents reminded her it was a good way to make acquaintances, and it was also a good habit for Klaus and Sunny to remember.
"What charming names!" Justice Strauss exclaimed. "Sometimes I wish I had children of my own, so I could name them pretty names."
"I think Justice is a very pretty name," commented Klaus, following Violet's example and trying to be polite. They were all surprised when Justice threw her head back and laughed again.
"Oh, Justice isn't my first name! It's only a title, I work as a judge," she explained. Now it was Klaus' turn to turn pink. Justice seemed full of surprises.
The judge watched Klaus grow red, and she quickly added, "But I don't mind being called Justice. It would make a very nice name." The four nodded in agreement.
Mr. Poe coughed a few times, then turned to the Baudelaires. "Well, children, we'd best be going. Don't want to keep Count Olaf waiting, do we?" The question wasn't really a question, though. It was just a statement adults often use in a questioning tone to get out of a situation they find displeasing, or in this case, get rid of three children so that they can back to work so they can feed their family.
"Alright," agreed Violet. Remembering to be polite to their neighbour-to-be, she said, "Goodbye, Justice Strauss. It was very nice to meet you." Klaus uttered a similar thing, and Sunny shrieked something only her siblings understood. Justice Strauss stood and gave the children a warm smile, waving as the group continued to Olaf's house.
The three Baudelaire children felt many things when they arrived at Count Olaf's doorstep. They were anxious to meet their new guardian. They were nervous to be living away from home for so long. They were excited to try something new. But most of all, they were amazed by the grandeur of Olaf's house. It was two stories high, made of polished white brick and with a multitude of windows. A tall tower poked out of the east wing. Painted onto the front door was a beautiful eye, made of sharp curves and slanting lines. Flowers sprouted in the garden behind the house.
Mr. Poe grinned at the children, and the children all grinned back. "Well, children, this will be your new summer home! I have to say, I'm quite envious of it already. Now, why don't we meet the owner of the house?" The kids nodded in agreement, and Mr. Poe leaned forward to press the doorbell. It gave a melodic ding, then there was the sound of footprints. The door opened, and a figure stepped through it.
The man was tall and fit, dressed in a waistcoat and black pants. He had greying black hair and a wispy black beard. A unibrow overlooked his soft brown eyes, which studied each of the three children. Straight, white teeth formed a smile on the Count's face. He was wearing white socks. Peeking out of the top of his right sock was a tattoo in the shape of an eye, just as beautifully rendered as the one on his door.
Olaf.
This man was Count Olaf.
Hey guys! Sorry I didn't update the story in a while, I was trying to figure out editing problems with the last chapter. Anyway, here's chapter two! I hope you're all enjoying it. And if you have any tips or comments, be sure to review!
"Didn't I tell you?" She said to him. "Didn't I tell you that Snicket lad was a bad influence?"
"It's true," I said. "I am" -Lemony Snicket (Shouldn't You Be In School?)
(Jaguar)