But when the theater lights suddenly go out, Olaf and his henchmen escape, promising to return to claim the money and kill the kids. Justice Strauss rules the loophole valid, and Poe assures the children he’ll place them with someone else. Violet then announces she hasn’t signed the marriage document “in her own hand” as the law requires, but that she’s used her left hand. Poe, Justice Strauss and other audience members are shocked but recognize that Olaf’s actions are official and binding. When they confront the count, Olaf puts Sunny in a birdcage suspended high in the air and threatens to drop her if Violet and Klaus don’t cooperate.Īfter the wedding scene in Olaf’s play, the count stops the performance and announces that the marriage is legal. He disguises his plan by telling the children and Justice Strauss that they’ll all be performing in a play called “The Marvelous Marriage.” Violet and Klaus read up on inheritance law in Justice Strauss’ library and figure out Olaf’s scheme.

Olaf discovers that he can legally obtain Violet’s fortune by making her his wife.

The children experience small pockets of joy by spending time with neighbor Justice Strauss (a judge) and perusing her vast library. He gives the children unreasonable chores, threatens their lives and makes them share one small bed. Olaf is an evil actor who intends to steal the Baudelaire orphans’ fortune. Poe, the will executor, places them with a distant relative named Count Olaf. When the parents of Violet (14), Klaus (12) and baby Sunny Baudelaire die in a house fire, Mr.

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