The World is Quiet Here - ASOUE

The Reptile Room: Part Two (2/2)

"If you have ever been left out of an important conversation due to your age, then you know how the Baudelaires and Chris felt as they trudged up the stairs, unable to participate in the conversation that would determine their fate." Lemony began. "So they decided to hold their own."

"We know the incredibly deadly viper didn't kill Uncle Monty." Violet said as she set Sunny down on an armchair.

Klaus closed the bedroom door behind them. "And we know that Count Olaf did. Mr. Poe would never believe us."

"Not without evidence and proof." Violet spoke.

"Nurse Lucafont may be a fake nurse, but Uncle Monty had two bite marks like a snake would make." Klaus said. "I saw them this morning."

"I saw the incredibly deadly viper this morning, too." Violet added. "It was in its cage."

"So if the incredibly deadly viper was locked away in its cage, how could it have killed Uncle Monty?" Chris asked rhetorically. "It couldn't have. Which means..."

"While we were at the parlor, Count Olaf must have set it loose." Violet finished.

"Or worse." Klaus said darkly.

"This is terrible," Sunny babbled.

"I know Sunny," Chris sympathized. "But we'll find a way to clear the incredibly deadly viper's name. I promise."

"I'm sure it's okay, Sunny." Violet agreed. "I know you two were close."

Sunny nodded. "We bonded over biting."

"If we could find the snake..." Klaus trailed off.

"If we could find out how Monty really died..." Violet said.

"We could prove that it's innocent." Klaus added.

"And that Stephano is guilty." Violet continued.

"And Mr. Poe would have to have Count Olaf arrested." Klaus said.

"We wouldn't have to go to Peru." Violet finished.

Klaus looked forlorn. "If we'd found proof earlier, maybe we could have saved Uncle Monty."

"If we put Count Olaf behind bars, we can still stop him from harming anyone else." Violet reassured her little brother.

"Including us," Klaus realized.

"Including us," Chris agreed.

"Do you think you can get back inside the Reptile Room?" Violet asked.

Klaus looked over at their bedroom window. "I think I might have a way."

"It is now necessary for me to use the hackneyed phrase, "meanwhile back at the ranch."" Lemony stated. "The word "hackneyed" here means "used by so many writers, it is a tiresome cliché," while "meanwhile back at the ranch" is a phrase used to link what is going on in one part of a story with another part, and has nothing to do with cows or creamy salad dressing. When I say, "Meanwhile back at the ranch," what I mean is, meanwhile, back in the Reptile Room, the adults were having an adult conversation."

Hooky was explaining his plan to Mr. Poe. "If we place the peaches in a line leading up to the cage, perhaps the snake will follow the trail and then we can trap it inside."

"Do snakes eat peaches?" Mr. Poe asked.

"Yes." Hooky confirmed.

"Maybe we can use the baby." the Bald Man spoke up.

"Keep the banker distracted." Olaf told Hooky.

While Hooky kept Mr. Poe distracted, Olaf crept up the stairs and towards the Baudelaires and Chris' bedroom. He drew his knife and opened the door. "Oh, orphans and soon-to-be orphan, our ship awaits. Orphans?"