Following the sham wedding ceremony, Olaf manages to escape while the Baudelaire siblings are sent to live with their herpetologist uncle Dr. Monty Montgomery, who has come across a reptile known as the "Incredibly Deadly Viper". While attempting to learn more about Monty, a skeptical Klaus discovers that the hedge maze is the same shape as the tattoo on Olaf's ankle. Meanwhile, Olaf poses as Monty's new assistant to get close to the Baudelaire.

The orphans move in with their newest guardian, Aunt Josephine. Josephine is paranoid after the death of her husband at the snouts of leeches, and a stickler for grammar. However, neither one protects her from Olaf, disguised as Captain Sham.