I took Charlie's hand, feeling nervous as we stood with the other Golden Ticket winners. To our right were the Salts, and to our left stood the Gloops, then the Beauregardes, and lastly, the Teavees.
I looked back at Mr. and Mrs. Bucket, waving slightly. They smiled and waved back. I faced forward, squeezing Charlie's hand. We glanced at each other and grinned excitedly.
Veruca then stated obnoxiously, breaking the silence we all held, "Daddy, I want to go in."
I squinted at her incredulously, baffled by her impatience.
Mr. Salt pointed out to his daughter in a patient tone, "It's nine-fifty-nine, sweetheart."
Veruca demanded her father, "Make time go faster."
I stared at her, repulsed by her words. Charlie tugged my hand a bit, asking, "Do you think Mr. Wonka will remember Grandpa Joe if we told him?"
I half-smiled at him and told him, unsure, "Hard to say. It's been years since Grandpa Joe worked for Mr. Wonka."
"Eyes on the prize, Violet. Eyes on the prize," Mrs. Beauregarde reminded her daughter. I rolled my eyes at that, and she must've seen my reaction, because she glared daggers at me.
Suddenly, the gates opened, and a voice came over a loud speaker from the factory. "Please enter."
We all glanced at each other, then entered in haste, stopping once we were just inside the gate.
"Come forward." We stepped forward cautiously. I squeezed Charlie's hand again, nervous of what is yet to come, yet exhilarated with excitement.
"Close the gates," the voice ordered again. The gates shut closed behind us.
"Dear visitors, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to my humble factory. And who am I?" The voice paused, and then said, "Well..."
And in front of us, the large entrance to the factory opened, revealing a burgundy curtain pulling away. Bright, colorful puppets on candy-swirled pedestals were revealed and began singing a song.
"Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka,
The amazing chocolatier.
Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka,
Everybody give a cheer! Hooray!
He's modest, clever and so smart,
He barely can restrain it.
With so much generosity, there is no way to contain it!
To contain it!
To contain, to contain, to contain!
Hooray!
Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka,
He's the one that you're about to meet.
Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka,
He's the genius who just can't be beat.
The magician and the chocolate whiz.
The best darn guy who ever lived.
Willy Wonka, here he is!"
Fireworks and sparklers whizzed and whirred, and a large throne-like chair appeared from the stage... empty. I furrowed my brow, smiling at the odd-yet-amusing show. The fireworks caught the puppets on fire, igniting the place.
I covered my mouth with my free hand to hide my smile and muffle my laughter. The song's last verse drug out as the puppets shut down.
"The ammaaziinnngg choocccooolat...ierrrrr."
I jumped when I heard overly excited clapping and exuberant laughter come from my right. A strange man with a brunette bob for hair, wearing purple goggles, a top hat, and a black fur coat, stood with a candy-clad cane to the right of Mr. Salt.
Wait a bloody minute, I thought. It's that odd man from the candy store I met not days ago... Isn't it...?
"Wasn't that just magnificent?" he exclaimed, glancing down at us all. "I was worried it was getting a little dodgy in the middle part, but then that finale... Wow!"
The man rushed up the steps and faced us all. Violet asked rudely, "Who are you?"
I proclaimed, breathless in amazement, "He's Willy Wonka."
Mr. Wonka looked at me and smiled a little brighter, recognizing me from the shop. He said quietly, "Hello!"
Charlie asked, shocked, "Really?"
Willy Wonka nodded at him. He grinned at all of the people before him.
"Good morning, Starshine!" he greeted. "The earth says 'hello'!"
He paused and noticed me standing there with a smile. I waved minutely at him and beamed. He smiled a little wider, looked at the rest of them, hoping for a "hello" back. Alas, no one returned his welcome. He was greeted by stares alone, which made his smile fall.
He cleared his throat uncomfortably, and pulled out some cards that must have written-out speeches on them. He said, "Dear guests. Greetings! Welcome to the factory. I shake you warmly by the hand."
He stretched out his hand, hoping for a shake. His latex gloves squeak with the movement.
I let go of Charlie's hand and walked up to him, smiling brightly.
"Hello," I said kindly. I took his hand and shook it once.
He let go and smiled at me once again in gratitude. As I walked back to my place beside Charlie, he announced, "My name is Willy Wonka."
Veruca obnoxiously pointed out, "Then shouldn't you be up there?"
Mr. Wonka looked at her, his expression falling slightly.
"Well, I couldn't very well watch the show from up there, now, could I little girl?" he states obviously. I shrugged. He had a point.
I then asked, "Mr. Wonka, I don't know if you'll remember, but Charlie's grandfather used to work here in the factory."
Mr. Wonka looked at me, his expression darkening by each syllable he spoke. "Was he one of those despicable spies who every day tried to steal my life's work and sell it to those parasitic copy-cat, candy-making cads?"
I opened my mouth, but closed it, murmuring timidly, "No, sir."
"Then wonderful! Tell him I said hello later," he said, a kind smile returning to his face. "Let's get a move on, kids."
He turned and we all followed him inside. Augustus inquired in a confused manner, "Don't you want to know our names?"
Mr. Wonka laughed a single light laugh and scoffed, "Can't imagine how it would matter. Come quickly. Far too much to see."
We walked inside the factory, and the doors shut behind us.
"Just drop your coats anywhere." He gestured to us the bountiful space as we stepped into the factory. He took off his black fur coat, and tossed it aside with his purple goggles.
I took off my coat, which left me in a muted, multi-colored sweater and my black corduroy pants. I took my lengthy golden-brown hair and put it in a ponytail to keep it out of my face. Charlie removed his little jacket, setting it beside mine.
I observed Mr. Wonka's outfit closely, seeing that he was wearing a burgundy corduroy dress coat that reached his knees, a dark navy blue-purple vest, and a multicolored paisley shirt, along with his purple latex gloves and black dress shoes and slacks. Classy...
Mr. Teavee pointed out to Mr. Wonka, "Mr. Wonka? Sure is toasty in here."
Mr. Wonka turned towards him, being pulled from his thoughts. "What? Oh, yeah. I have to keep it warm in here, because my workers are used to an extremely hot climate. They just can't stand the cold."
