(I actually don't know how Count Olaf and Esmè first met, so I'm saying sorry that the backstory is fabricated, but the part about Count Olaf's parents is true, go on his Wiki page if you don't believe me).

The past: A phrase which here means: "Before the Baudelaires were born".

The past: A phrase which also here means: "Before Esmè met Jerome".

Location: The town that Esmè used to live in with Jerome.

Olaf was at a bar having some drinks with the hook-handed man when a gorgeous lady walked in. Being the immature young adult that he was, he pushed Olaf into the way of the lady so he could talk to her. "Hello, my name is Count Olaf" he said shakily.

"Esmè Squalor" she responded, not afraid like Olaf. "Hi, my name's-" said the hook-handed man. "Nobody cares what your name is" whispered Olaf. "Fine" pouted the hook-handed man. "W-w-would y-you care for s-some drinks?" he stuttered to Esmè.

"Why not? This restaurant is very in" she said taking a seat at the bar. A few drinks soon cut the tension and Olaf was able to talk normally. "So, do you live around here?" he asked, now more confident.

"No, I was raised on a farm by my single mum out in the country, but over the years I realized that farms aren't very in. So 2 years ago when I turned 18, I moved out and started my life here, what about you?" she asked, kicking her legs out and sipping a martini. Olaf got quiet. "My childhood was pretty normal, apart from making schemes and burning ants with magnifying glasses. But after I turned 9...my parents died after being shot by poison darts at the opera" he said. For the first (and probably only) time in her life, Esmè felt sympathy.

"I'm so sorry" she said wrapping her arms around Olaf. "Thanks, it's not your fault" sniffled Olaf as he wiped tears from his eyes.

"You know, I don't really have anything going on later, so why don't we go back to my place and watch a couple in movies" said Esmè. "That sounds delightful" replied Olaf. "What about me?" asked the hook-handed man. "Drive home in my car" said Olaf drunkly. He said goodbye to his friend and Esmè drove herself and Olaf (who was too drunk to drive) to her house to watch movies until they fell asleep past midnight. And that's exactly what they did.