NINE - make some phone calls

"You must be on your last leg," Duncan spoke, talking to the Baudelaires. It had been a little less than a week since Marigold, Robyn, Duncan and Isadora ran from Count Olaf in disguise. Robyn hadn't had time to call her mom secretly to report information back. It was a very stressful time for the children at Prufrock Preparatory School. After Carmelita left Marigold and Robyn's table, the two stood up and walked to the orphans.

"Hey guys. Baudelaires, I'm so sorry for everything that has happened to you all," Marigold apologized.

"Aren't you friends with Carmelita?" Violet asked, a little angry at Marigold.

"Yes, but she's insufferable." Isadora choked on a piece of food and giggled.

"Ugh, I haven't been this exhausted since I stayed up all night with my first Tesla coil," Violet complained.

"At least you weren't late to class," Marigold said, pointing to a group of kids eating without utensils.

"I've never flunked a test in my life, but I got every measurement wrong," Klaus ranted.

"Of course you flunked, Klaus. Count Olaf has been making you run laps every night," Isadora responded.

"We're no closer to figuring out his scheme," Klaus said. "It's like that luminous circle he made us paint on the ground is a giant glowing zero. We know zero about it."

"Maybe he's hoping you'll be so sick of running, you'll hand over your fortune?" Isadora suggested.

"Or he's trying to prevent you from getting ideas on how to reveal him by making you guys have no brain power," Marigold added.

"He's had stranger plans. Also, why do you just insert yourself into the conversation, Marigold?" Violet said.

"Oh my days, what is your issue, Violet?" Marigold commented, folding her arms.

"You just randomly come in here after being a terrible person to us. You just expect us to welcome you? Well, except Robyn, I guess," Violet spoke.

"Just shut up. Geez. If only the library weren't closed-" Robyn was interrupted by Carmelita's annoyingly loud tap shoes.

"Cakesniffers talking about a library. Is there anything less adorable?" Carmelita articulated.

"Carm, can't you see we're in the middle of something? How about you bother the people without utensils, alright?" Marigold shouted, standing up. Carmelita huffed. "See? I'm useful."

"But I have a message for the Baudelaires." Carmelita cleared her throat. "Vice Principal Nero wants to see you right away. Because he's very mad at you today. I'm the cutest girl in town, and my name is Carmelita!"

"It doesn't rhyme," Isadora added. "And please don't sing another song, you're going to make my headache worse." Carmelita stomped away.

"I don't get how you two do it," Duncan joked.

Later that day, Robyn secretly sat in the library and dialed her mother's number into the phone. She let it ring twice until her mom finally picked up.

"Mom?" Robyn called into the phone.

"Sweetie?" Robyn's mom, Kit, replied.

"Hi! I have some information," Robyn said joyfully. "I've met three children named the Baudelaires, and triplets named Duncan and Isadora. Their brother Quigley died in a fire, along with their parents. There's an evil man-"

"Hold on Robyn, I can't hear you. Give me a second," Kit said over the phone. "Okay, continue."

"The evil man is called Count Olaf. He's dressed up as a gym coach at my school. There's this book called the Incomplete History-"

"Did you get that book?" Kit questioned her daughter.

"Uh, no. The librarian said she didn't have it," Robyn explained. Kit sighed.

"Okay, if you can, stay at the school. I'll get rather myself or someone to deliver it to you. We have a lot to discuss when you get home." Kit hung up the phone on her daughter. Robyn really wanted to talk to her about her life at the school, but she just didn't have time.

~

"Violet, Count Olaf is waiting for us at sundown. We don't have much time," Klaus said. Violet sat quietly with her hair tied up in a ribbon. Marigold impatiently chewed on a piece of gum with her arms folded. Klaus held Sunny while Duncan and Robyn uncomfortably stood next to each other.

"Violet, I said we don't have much-"

"I think I've got it," Violet finally said.

"We're listening," Klaus responded.

Robyn, Marigold, the Baudelaires and Quagmires silently opened the doors to the kitchen. The two triplets scanned the area around them. No one.

"Coast is clear," Duncan muttered. The Baudelaires went in first, Isadora and Marigold following. Duncan and Robyn stayed together, being on the lookout.

"This honestly feels thrilling," Robyn whispered to Duncan.

"It's all fun and games until we get caught," Duncan replied.

"Well, we won't. I have faith in the Baudelaires," Robyn said.

"What about Marigold?"

"Never mind, we'll most likely be caught." As the two brunettes joked, Violet and Marigold were bickering again.

"You can use flour for the body," Violet suggested.

"What if it breaks?" Marigold noted, fidgeting with her bracelet.

"It won't," Violet said sternly.

"Sweetie, are you sure that this bag of flour won't break? When two people will be dragging a fake child's body?" Marigold replied. Violet had no time to address this (especially the nickname) before a door opened. Violet and Marigold huddled close together behold the counter. Marigold pointed out Klaus and Isadora, who stood behind multiple crates while embracing. Sunny was right next to them. Duncan and Robyn snuck behind racks and spied on the person coming in. It was Carmelita.

"Carmelita?" Marigold whispered in confusion. Violet covered Marigold's mouth with her hand. Carmelita quietly tapped across the kitchen. Marigold and Violet moved to a new spot as Carmelita finally reached the cake. She jumped up to try to reach the cake. She grunted and decided to grab something resembling a stool. She reached for a pot and placed in front of the cake. She opened the cake cover and smirked. She took a tiny sniff, and eventually stuck her nose in the cake. She inhaled it and sighed. Marigold and Violet tried their hardest not to laugh as Carmelita made strange vocal noises. She eventually put the lid back on and scurried out of the kitchen. Finally, Violet quickly grabbed a bag of flour and followed the rest of the children out of the kitchen.