"Here we go, Momma," I whisper, running my thumb across her elegant handwriting. I tuck the chocolate bar into my coat, placing my mobile travel factory down in front of the empty storefront. Setting my cane down on one end, I touch the hidden trigger that lengthens it, stepping up onto my travel factory and hitting the button that makes the little banner pop out.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8pglv8IPm
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Gallery Gourmet!" I cry, my eyes alighting on a lone girl. Her hair is the color of chocolate and her eyes match. Her skin is light, a similar shade to my own. Other passerby begin to slow to a stop, looking at me.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCPoIIozAg
"My name is Willy Wonka." I touch my hat, sliding my finger along the rim as I speak. "And I have come to show you a marvelous morsel!" 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5K7vBJ0jS
People begin crowding closer, and the girl gets jostled further back where I can't see her as well. The faces reflect varying degrees of interest and curiosity.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn1EZflnJX
"An incredible edible!" I continue my speech. "AN UNBEATABLE EATABLE!" I lean back then straighten with the intensity of the words. "The likes of which this world has never seen. So quiet up and listen down." I pause my animated hand gestures, realizing that the words switched themselves somehow. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmGQd5kqAV
"Nope, scratch that, reverse it." I swing my arm just so, sending the Hoverchoc down my sleeve and into my closed hand. "I give you-" I open my palm, revealing the Hoverchoc. "The Hoverchoc." 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj4ru2IQsV
Murmurs ripple through the crowd, and I can't -and don't want to- keep the smile from appearing on my face. With the other hand, I make the little flute appear and bring it to my lips, playing the notes to wake the Hoverfly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1nce18FsK
The chocolate outside opens and closes with soft clicks to the notes of the little flute.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YuO2SuWbD
"In." I close my hand over the Hoverchoc.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGFuDr5E0g
"A." I close the other hand over the flute.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqEhruhMbz
I quickly, and with the ease of endless practice, slide them both out of sight before opening both hands to the next words of my song. "Jungle near Mumbai there's a little Hoverfly."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXIbSG6fqW
Gasps and murmurs filter through the crowd with my magic trick. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn3hmfETeY
My grin widens as I continue singing, folding my arms and flapping them for emphasis. "Whose wings go at a thousand flaps a second, that's no lie." I hold up a finger, sliding my gaze across the crowd.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL58r6Z3VZe
"These microscopic fleas, like chocolate more than leaves."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIJfZmUntj
I sweep my hat off my head and into my arm. "And when asked nicely lay precisely-" I reach into my hat, pulling out an entire jar of Hoverchocs. "One little egg in each of these." I smile brightly as gasps sweep the crowd once again.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGSOF3opaC
Plonking my hat back upon my head, I hold the jar up in plain sight. "When it hatches from its shell, it gives a happy yell, 'Woohoo!'"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrtbd2ORHo
Hopping off my travel factory, I march around it in a circle, animatedly shoving the jar into the air then back down again. "'How thrilling to be living in a chocolate hotel!'"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6xppOQKRQ
I stop in front of the crowd, drumming my fingers under the jar. "It beats its wings with glee, and then as you will see-"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xVEZjIIkM
I lift the top off the jar. "The choco-LATE will levitate and float most gracefully." The Hoverchocs float up out of the jar, lifting into the air over the shocked passerby.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgO88ZqFsy
Against my will, I find myself seeking out the girl in the crown, anxious for her reaction. To my utter delight, I find her eyes alight with joy and awe.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsVVQ0iDkg
I tap the ground in time to the tune playing through my mind, pressing my lips together in an attempt to contain the pure joy running through me. "Well there's chocolate. And there's chocolate."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmbGZo8JIg
I whip my hat off my head and spin around, causing the Hoverchocs to follow my movement from above. "But only Wonka's makes your eyes pop out their sockelets." 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DPgxQy1p5
I replace my hat once again, grabbing my cane and swinging it through the air. "Put your hand into your pockelet, get yourself some Wonka chocolate! Come now I insist."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7zfK8glMu
I grab the jar back from a passerby. "You've never had chocolate like this-"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdDCNPDai4
I drum my fingers on the underside of the jar, calling the Hoverchocs back. "No, you've never had chocolate like-" I replace the lid. "This."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YNtrBhe4k
The crowd starts cheering and I tip my head to my right, smiling and nodding.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndJgU4TLkU
"Well, who wants to try one?" I call.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlUaM3BuzS
Hands shoot up all around, but one voice rings out over the others. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmSFRwEPGA
"I do." The crowd parts for a man in a dark, pinstriped suit. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1uaeExBOm
"Mr. Slugworth, sir." I find myself saying.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KWRM0Mvw5
"Excuse me!" calls another man, this one in a green suit, pushing through the crowd.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVoJthh8pQ
"Mr. Ficklegrubber." Yet another famous chocolate maker is coming to meet me.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFxrydRPmE
I catch sight of yet another man in a yellow suit pushing through the crowd.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Z8hxmEyL
"And Mr. Prodnose." I say somewhat softly, in awe of seeing the men I've admired for years.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyESnkDmjXb
"What an honor." I say as they all line up in front of me.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGi03hZYVm
Mr. Slugworth holds out his hand and I reach for his. "Ever since I was a little boy-" I trail off as his grip firmly clenches my hand, leaving me with a throbbing hand. "That is quite a handshake," I say, somewhat weakly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk6CUym4AB
"It's a business handshake, Mr. Wonka. Lets people know I mean business." Slugworth smirks ever so slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTlzG1Cqtq
"Ahh..." I massage my hand slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTGVWCNSfZ
"Now come along, let's try one of these so-called-Hoverchocs..."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw3nco9kSQ
I hold out the jar, watching them each take one and pop it into their mouths. I watch their slightly smug expressions turn shocked.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cYKDkAE86
"Ooo. There's not just chocolate is there? There's... marshmallow." Slugworth sounds surprised.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq4hga2Ytx
"That's right," I reply, getting excited. "Harvested from the Mallow Marshes of Peru."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXzCqM0Wo2
"And... caramel.." Mr Ficklegrubber puckers his mouth slightly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo04q4vQEk
"With the bittersweet tears of the Russian Clown." I turn to Prodnose as he makes his own comment.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGbNI3EOAo
"And.. is that... surely not... chili?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzz7w2AOIq
"Cherry picked by the cherry pickers of the imperial gardens in Japan." I respond readily.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfwvAyHRrY
"Well. Mr. Wonka. I've been in this business a very long time. And I think it's safe to say that of all the chocolate I've ever tasted-"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQU7xesQrO
I nod, nearly bouncing on my toes at Slugworth's impending praise.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyibvh0ZwMn
"- this is without doubt, the absolute, one hundred percent, worst."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgojPpRAf3D
I let out a whoop, turning away from the chocolate makers. "There we have it, ladies and gentle men, an endorsement from Mr. Sl-" I pause, his words suddenly hitting me and turn back to him. "Wait, the worst?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuQLKckUmn
"We three are the fiercest of rivals." Slugworth gestures to the other chocolate makers. "And yet we agree on one thing. A good chocolate should be simple, plain, uncomplicated."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtsRQczM2q
Ficklegrubber steps forward, coming alongside Slugworth. "And this, with all its bells and whistles... well it's just.."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC9XLHLnWs
"Weird," says Mr. Prodnose stepping forward as well.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilDTP7nTLx
I lower myself to sit on my travel factory, only a little disappointed they didn't like my chocolate. "It's a shame," I say sadly, watching Mr. Slugworth lick his lips. "If you thought the chocolate was weird.. you're gonna hate what happens next."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZL6ZatvUt
He opens his mouth, probably to ask what happens next, but then he lifts off the ground. "What's happening? What's going on?" he cries, sounding slightly panicked.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mPZzFmZfn
I stand up, "That's the Hoverfly! Broken out of its cocoon, it's flapping its wings in your belly!" I lean back watching the chocolate makers drift upwards.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a6Xfbop9y
Mr. Prodnose flips over, his hair dropping to the floor at my feet. "My hair!" He tries to swim through the air to get it. "My goodness!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpsLYFlUSi
"Don't worry! You'll be completely unharmed!" I pick up the wig and toss it into Mr. Prodnose's hands.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5SK4wGQxV
"Oh thank you."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3AnroFDWK
"In about twenty minutes, it'll get tired and exit through your rear!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuEDyw28Hn
I smile as they drift ever higher, nearly reaching the roof of the Gallery Gourmet.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0QjMafxkE
"You're off your rocker, Wonka!" yells Slugworth. "Who in their right mind wants chocolate that makes them fly?!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV8PKKYH0c
"Let's find out, shall we?" I whisk the lid off the jar. "Who's for a Hoverchoc?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotDsQZaCCf
People all around jump for the floating chocolates, dropping silver sovereigns in my jar as they grab them. I thank each person, telling a few of them to enjoy their flight.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvS1DIBp0h
Suddenly, the air is full of flying people and I step away, admiring my work. I catch sight of Noodle the orphan by the gate. I tip my hat to her, smiling when she smiles at me.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCThug3EXs
A whistle pierces the air, and I see policemen pushing past Noodle and into the Gallery.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexuxy0CO8m
"Alright folks," calls the one in charge. "Nothing to see here. Just a small group of people defying the laws of gravity. Poke 'em boys."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhYggFVYg7
The remaining crowd disperses rapidly.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuAo7InEk4
"That's the Hoverchoc, sir, that's the point." I glance at the policemen sticking poles up at the flying people.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0bYXciJrN
A second policeman steps up in front of me. "I'm afraid we've had some complaints about you, sir."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm0eJT5UPS
"Complaints?" I repeat, confused.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfC17sf2Lw
"That you're disrupting the trade of other businesses. And we're regrettably obliged to move you on and.. confiscate your earnings.."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oIZ01NjL2
I open my mouth to question him further, but the police chief pushes past, snatching my jar in the process. "Hey! What're you doing?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWv5wPy4Qz
"Don't worry," calls the man over his shoulder. "It's going to a good cause. Sick kids or something."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKABgOKflJM
"Sorry, sir." I look back at the police officer in front of me. "Rules is rules."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf026QslDhA
I think despairingly of the room I have to pay for. "Can you at least leave me a sovereign? I need to pay for my room..."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmVuJitrZN
He glances around then sighs, sticking his hand into his jacket. "Here." He presses a coin into my hand.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFxUbcbnji
"Thank you." 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJHEq50nuQ
I retrieve my travel factory, slinging it over my back, and start back to the guesthouse.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOnRpDu25D
With the sovereign in one hand, my cane in the other, and my eyes upon the road tiles, I don't notice until it's too late.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs3iPHKETa
Someone slams into me, and I stumble backwards, dropping my sovereign. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm3DiH2u6N
"Watch where you're going!" The man shoves me aside.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGEclIZpAt
I sigh, and look around for the sovereign, but it's nowhere to be seen.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbY3xVBiCP
"Great. Now what am I going to do?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdrF3Hu1ii
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWFT55kfTa
I turn to confront the girl I saw in the crowd earlier.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVNjHqsPRy
I shrug, letting my shoulders slump.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSPVPS1geL
"I saw what happened." The girl looks livid. "I don't understand why they'd take your money. That seemed completely unnecessary."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaoYYpo8lD
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvjvtxkM4R
She deflates ever so slightly. "That was.. kind."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0iLj89COZ
"Did you get to try a Hoverchoc?" I ask hopefully.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY42vK3IiB
She shakes her head. "I wasn't close enough to grab one. But it's okay." She hurries to reassure me since I find myself insanely disappointed. My mother always said I had an expressive face. "I'm afraid of heights anyway, so I don't mind missing out."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIujAMtYBa
I let out a slow sigh, that was all the chocolate I took the time to make last night, so I don't have any I could give her.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYefFmo9d8f
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PwraarMBX
"I dropped my sovereign.."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7odAgXpsg
"Oh no!" She puts a hand to her mouth before lowering it and looking determined.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc0BQvFisZ
I shrug again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogCZUxDThQ
She puts a hand into a pocket in her dress, pulling out a pouch. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblTMcoG0mt
"What're you doing?" I ask, watching her as she opens the pouch.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8Vwze3TG9
"Helping you." She pulls out a few silver sovereigns and replaces the pouch.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYzjcB3cvK
I smile softly. "I can't accept that.."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1vDkc7CKq
She grabs one of my hands, shocking me with how cold they are. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFb3IHxVUq
"Your hands are so cold!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb97cwPsgl
"Why thank you," she says dryly, pressing the coins into my hands.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kzXdhAOlQ
I try to press them back into her hands, noting how ratty her dress is. "I really can't take these."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1O0gl4kLs
"I insist." She closes my hand over the sovereigns and I stifle a shiver at her touch. Her hands feel like ice, only without the wetness.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDyqngXVl3
I can only stare at her as she steps away. 36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOddCWSsnV
"Think of it as an advance payment." She steps back again. "Another time you can give me the chocolate I'm paying you for."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQW2MadiV7
I open my mouth to argue but- "When will I do that?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2wD62nCf3
"The next time you see me, I assume."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRD9vVm7CG
"When will that be?"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO60xKSWGB
She takes another step back. "I don't know."36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjgwCV21Mj
I bite my lip, watching her turn away. "I don't even know your name!"36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllwK2Ga9MM
She pauses. She looks over her shoulder. And that's when I see the gold glimmering in her chocolate eyes. "Ember." And then she's gone.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEydc3cESm
I know I spent most of the chapter retelling part of the movie, but I still hope you liked it :D36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjlRKWO15Q
I'd love to hear what you think so please comment <3
