A Series of Fortunate Events

Chapter 2

If you have ever been on a boat, you will probably agree that mooring the boat is not the most pleasurable experience. In this case, the word "moor" means securing the boat to the dock. It is very similar to forming connections with a person. And while this isn't enjoyable, unless you like losing boats, it is necessary. In case of the Baudelaire children, they in fact couldn't moor their boat.

The Baudelaire's stepped off their boat and took their bags out. Sunny helped Beatrice to get out of the boat, since she was to small to get out herself.

"What are we going to do with the boat?" asked Violet. She didn't understand why this question didn't cross her mind earlier.

Klaus looked at their boat. He remembered how they got on the island in this boat with Count Olaf. He remembered how they escaped the burning hotel Denamount in this boat.

"I think it will be best if we leave this boat as it is. We have to many bad memories with it to keep it around. It can bring much more happiness to someone who finds it, then to us," answered Klaus after thinking for a bit.

Violet agreed, so they just left the boat on the shore. They decided to walk to a park, to make a plan of action. Violet and Klaus were carrying the bags, while Sunny was helping Beatrice to walk. Since Beatrice was now a year old, like most babies her age, she could walk, although she wasn't very experienced. 

The finally arrived at the park. Violet saw a newspaper on a bench. First, she paid no attention to it, but then she saw a photo of Quagmire triplets.

"Klaus, come look at this" she called her brother, still not keeping her eyes away from the newspaper.

"The Quagmire triplets are alive and well!" said the title.

"What's wrong?" asked Klaus, and then he saw the newspaper as well. He picked it up and started reading the text.

"After a year of no news about them whatsoever, we have managed to find their traces. They were living on the run, and are now enrolled in the Prufrock Prep" read Klaus. He looked at his sister.

"Well, now we know where to go!" he said excitedly "Do you have any money for a trolley ticket?"

Violet looked through the main bag. There was a lot of stuff. Finally, she found what she was looking for.

"The trolley cost 1.50 per person, right?" She asked, looking at the paper bill in her hands

"Yeah," responded Klaus "how much do you have?" he asked, suddenly looking worried.

Violet's face lit up "10 dollars, that will be enough!"

Klaus smiled. They headed to the trolley station. They had to wait for about 5 minutes until the trolley arrived.

"Prufrock Prep, please." said Violet

"Hey, kids! Aren't you going to the Festive Fun Fair, with all the jolly rides and games and snacks? Festive means fun!" asked the trolley man.

"We know what festive means." responded Klaus.

"Thank you, but it's a perfect morning to go to Prufrock Prep." added Violet.

"It's gray and cloudy." said the trolley man, confused.

"That's what makes it perfect." smiled Violet.

"Suit yourself." the trolley man shrugged and went to talk with other passengers.

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They were the only people to get off at Prufrock Prep. A lot of time had passed since they stepped foot in this place. The place was very different. The quote at the gates of the school changed. Before, it said "Memento Mori". Now it said "The world is quiet here". The siblings exchanged knowing looks. It was a Very Fine Detail, however they noticed it.

Besides this, the school looked different overall. It didn't seem uninhabited like before. Now, it seemed as if someone breathed life into it. They walked into the school and looked around. There were posters on the walls. Some of them looked like they were made last year. It made sense since the year didn't start yet.

The Baudelaire's walked to the reception. Behind the counter they saw someone familiar. The first one to recognize the woman was Violet.

"Jacquelyn?!" asked Violet excitedly.

"Good evening children, how may I help you?" asked Jacquelyn, smiling.

"We are trying to enroll into Prufrock Prep," said Klaus.

"Ah, I see. Well, you are just in time. The course starts in a week. However, everyone is already settled in their dormitories. We do have one free for you both, but you will have to share with three other kids. I believe you already know them" explained Jacquelyn.

"There's no way. Are they... ?" asked Violate, trying to contain her excitement.

"Yes, they are the Quagmires" answered Jacquelyn, knowing what she was about to ask.

"Wait, what about Sunny and Beatrice?" asked Klaus.

"Oh, we can get them settled in daycare. Hold up, who is Beatrice?" asked Jacquelyn, not remembering to see her before.

"This is the daughter of Kit Snicket. She unfortunately passed away on the Island," explained Klaus, visibly sad.

Jacquelyn understood. She offered to take Sunny and Beatrice into daycare. After that she showed them their dormitory. She explained that the dormitories were like small apartments, with kitchen and everything. They were lucky enough to get a penthouse.

"No way, we got a penthouse?!" screamed Violate excitedly.

"Yes, it is the only apartment available. Now, I think I will leave you here. I'm sure you can introduce yourself without my help," said Jacquelyn, as she smiled and walked away.

Klaus looked at Violate, being as excited as her.

"Are you ready?" asked Klaus, smiling from ear to ear.

"Yeah" replied Violate.

She approached the door. She didn't know what to expect from the Quagmires. Maybe they were mad a them (which is a stupid thought, since they didn't do anything wrong). Maybe Quigley didn't like her. She threw that thought away, as she gathered her courage and rang the bell.

"Who is it?" her heart started beating faster as she heard Quigley's voice.

"It's me!" she said through the door.

After a few seconds, the door swung open.