Chapter Four Summary

Chapters four through seven are narrated simultaneously, but from only one character's point of view. Chapter Four is about Violet. When she steps out of the elevator on the roof sundeck (where she has been called by the concierge service), she is immediately grateful for her giant, oversized sunglasses, which shield her from the bright glare of the sun. She is also grateful for the sunglasses because they hide her shock and surprise: the person who phoned for her is none other than Esme Squalor, Count Olaf's atrocious girlfriend and one of the Baudelaires' most treacherous enemies. Esme is spending the day sunbathing with her horrid friend Geraldine Julienne, an irresponsible journalist from The Daily Punctilio, and the spoiled child Carmelita Spats. Esme has called for Geraldine to interview her about the big party coming up this Thursday, and has called...