Chapter 2 Summary

As the Baudelaires make the long trip up the seemingly endless stairs to their new home, they reminisce on their past experiences with a long line of guardians. They finally arrive at the penthouse and are greeted by one of their new guardians, Jerome Squalor, who is dressed in a pinstripe suit. The entire penthouse is pitch black, lit only by a few candles. Jerome's wife, Esme Gigi Geniveve Squalor, the city's sixth most important financial advisor, appears and the difference between the two spouses is night and day. The similarities end with their matching pinstripe suits. Jerome seems to be a kind man, who wishes they could have adopted The Baudelaires sooner. Esme, on the other hand, is preoccupied by two things, money and what is "in." The Baudelaires find out that the Squalor's didn't adopt them at first because orphans were...