A Series of Unfortunate Events: Vol. 2

The Austere Academy [4]

"How was your day?" Klaus asked Violet as they walked into the cafeteria.

"I heard nothing but pointless stories," Violet said.

"That's language arts. I spent the morning writing meaningless measurements,"

"That's math," Violet looked down at Sunny "How was work?"

"Tedious," Sunny babbled.

The three siblings walked up to the food with their trays.

"We've been in class all day but haven't learned a thing," Klaus said.

"There has to be someone who can answer all our questions,"

"Hello, I'm Larry, your waiter," Larry popped out from behind the serving counter.

"We know you,"

"Of course you do. I work in the cafeteria. See my hairnet?"

"We've met you before. You were the waiter at Lake Lachrymose," Klaus said.

"You were dressed as a clown," Violet added.

"You gave us peppermints,"

"Uh, peppermints are not a recognized part of the lunch program," Larry claimed "but I do have something to give you,"

"Does it have to do with our parents?" Violet questioned.

"Our guardians?" Klaus included.

"And our strange circumstances?" Sunny babbled.

"All your questions will be answered as soon as I give you..." Larry reached into his bookbag but came up empty. "Wait, I'm sure it's in here somewhere,"

Carmelita slid the three Baudelaires to the side "Out of my way. I deserve a heaping portion because I'm heaping adorable,"

"You can wait in line like everyone else," Violet argued.

"Where is it? Where is it?" Larry said as he continued to rummage for the mysterious item.

"I don't have to. I don't have to do anything I don't want to do," Carmelita proclaimed. Vice Principal Nero likes me best, and there's a beef and bean burrito with a ribbon on it just for me,"

"This is my lunch that I brought from home," Larry stuttered.

"What did you have for us?" Violet asked Larry

"Give it to me," Carmelita told Larry. "Explain how adorable I am!"

"Look at her pinafore!" A student said

"Look at her pretty face!" Another student added.

"Sorry." Larry told the Baudelaires "I have to look for something,"

"What were you gonna give us?" Klaus wondered.

"Uh..." Larry scooped up some food "Macaroni and cheese...and boiled wieners!" he ran off.

"No, thank you,"

The Baudelaires went over to the fruit table, but even those were as unappetizing as the cafeteria lunches.

"How do you like them apples?" Sunny babbled.

"I guess they were late to class," Violet said as she looked past the table over at some students who were eating with their hands tied behind their backs.

"As if eating cafeteria food isn't punishing enough," Klaus sighed.

"Baudelaires, there are seats at my table," Carmelita told the trio "but I'm afraid it's a cake-sniffer-free zone. Cake-sniffing orphans in the Orphan Shack! Cake-sniffing orphans in the Orphan Shack!"