After entering Vice Principal Nero’s office on the ninth floor, the Baudelaires were confronted with a cruel, unreasonable man, who made clear the following rules of his institution:
1. If any student enters the Administrative building without an appointment (even if one works there, like Sunny), they will not be allowed to use silverware at any of their meals.
2. If any student is late for class (or in Sunny’s case, late for her administrative duties), their hands will be tied behind their backs during meals.
3. Mealtimes are strictly at the following times: breakfast time, lunchtime and dinnertime.
4. If any student is late for a meal, their beverages will be served in large puddles, cups and glasses being removed.
5. Each evening, every student must attend a six-hour violin recital, performed by the grand genius, Vice Principal Nero. If one does not, one has to purchase him a large bag of candy and watch him eat it.
6. A permission slip signed by one’s parent or guardian is required to attain a comfortable dormitory room. If one has no guardian or parent, and only a banker in charge of one’s affairs, one forfeits this privilege.
7. Prufrock Preparatory School shall have no weekends. Saturday and Sunday are to be regular school days. (This was told to the Baudelaires by the Quagmires.)
