Why is woman startled looking?

@Fine: Not a rattlesnake, I think, because this is a scene in colonial asia or somewhere in the caribbean or micronesian seas (am i right?). Rattlesnakes live among the deserts of the north american continent - and here we see palm trees. So it might be a cobra or viper, I would say.

@Made: You are funny sometimes

I dont know. Why is she?
Has it something to do with the tentacle under the desk? Is she fondling a octopuss with her feets?
Please help