"Now children, I know you must be a little nervous," Mr. Poe coughs. "I was a little nervous myself trying to find you a new guardian, given your previous track record," he mumbles off. "This is a very fashionable block."
"We are not concerned with how fashionable this is," Violet rolls her eyes.
"We are more than nervous, Mr. Poe," Klaus starts.
"We are anxious," Y/N finishes. "My brother and our friends have been kidnapped by Count Olaf."
"Do you know what that is, Y/N?" Mr. Poe asks as a police car whizzes past.
"A police car?" the girl crosses her arms.
"A citywide manhunt to apprehend Olaf and rescue your brother and friends," the man smiles, proud of himself. "Alright, let me drop you off at this apartment building where old friends of the Baudelaire's parents promised to be your guardians."
They all got out of the car. Violet, Sunny, Klaus, and Y/N were more than reluctant to do so, but walked along regardless.
"Names?" A man shines a flashlight in the children's eyes.
"I'm Violet, and these are my siblings Klaus and Sunny. And that's Y/N," the girl speaks up.
"Oh yes, we're expecting you. Who's that?" he directs the beam of light into Mr. Poe's face, who at the harsh light, jumps slightly and squeezes his eyes tight.
Y/N and Klaus snicker quietly amongst each other.
"I'm Mr. Poe. I'm just dropping off the children. I'll be leaving now then. Good-bye children! Good luck!" With that, he's out the door.
"Friend of yours?" the man with the flashlight asks.
"He works at a bank," Y/N shrugs.
"Ah, I know the type," he clicks his light off. "In fact, you'll be staying with the city's sixth most important financial advisor. Mr. and Mrs. Squalor live in the penthouse which is the very top floor of 667 Dark Avenue, the most fashionable and secure building in town. Rest assured," he shines his flashlight on a wanted posted, "Count Olaf won't be able to get in or out of this building. Sorry about the lighting, dark is in," the man finally finishes.
"In what?" Klaus asks, thinking its a joke.
"It's just in," the man shrugs. "You can take these stairs to the penthouse."
"Is the elevator out of order?" Y/N points.
"I'm very good with mechanical devices, I'd be happy to look at it," Violet offers.
"That's a very kind and unusual offer. But it's not out of order, just out," the man explains, making the children even more confused. "I'll phone the penthouse and tell them to expect you within the hour," he steps away.
Y/N and the Baudelaire's go to the base of the stairs, looking upwards to the many, many flight above them. With a shrug, Y/N starts up the candlelit steps, spurring the others to follow.
"My calves are gonna look great after this," Y/N jokes.
"If we can make it that far," Violet laughs slightly.
"That's true," Y/N looks at Klaus. "You may have to carry me."
"Oh yes," Klaus rolls his eyes playfully, "I'm sure that'll be easy."
"See, I knew my loving boyfriend would come through," Y/N smiles.
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