"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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wfH0tQPwN
"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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aHrGNvxmd
"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!" 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzpl3sgpqc
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajWo3Ulj4N
"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. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp2d1e9LwZ
"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." 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVcH0Une9S
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wgbnaAGdv
The chocolate outside opens and closes with soft clicks to the notes of the little flute.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVW1mQJ0GI
"In." I close my hand over the Hoverchoc.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzXWXxBOwY
"A." I close the other hand over the flute.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmT1sZKhvR
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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbpgEREQD6
Gasps and murmurs filter through the crowd with my magic trick. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXZGAgomGQ
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv75PyGqZp
"These microscopic fleas, like chocolate more than leaves."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkljIaHBQiv
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bhIkaahoZ
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!'"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfE2XDgQ8X
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!'"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEuleVeg7K
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-"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxim6t81gC4
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuekFC2KexI
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKVVZ7D1CP
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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVUaFr16Mn
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." 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrnLehT7Ee
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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8v8yPjhKO
I grab the jar back from a passerby. "You've never had chocolate like this-"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CqUEazaKF
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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHNhhS8Oi9
The crowd starts cheering and I tip my head to my right, smiling and nodding.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7WA4O9eOI
"Well, who wants to try one?" I call.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlZTT4Og11
Hands shoot up all around, but one voice rings out over the others. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYMqHLZGAm
"I do." The crowd parts for a man in a dark, pinstriped suit. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qFzteEwfF
"Mr. Slugworth, sir." I find myself saying.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PMJr6QWJw
"Excuse me!" calls another man, this one in a green suit, pushing through the crowd.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWST4ZVThep
"Mr. Ficklegrubber." Yet another famous chocolate maker is coming to meet me.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch1TYtURfO
I catch sight of yet another man in a yellow suit pushing through the crowd.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zKH2uygZK
"And Mr. Prodnose." I say somewhat softly, in awe of seeing the men I've admired for years.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy7i8CsqCH
"What an honor." I say as they all line up in front of me.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs6ZRMwnBz
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaafHHaK9H
"It's a business handshake, Mr. Wonka. Lets people know I mean business." Slugworth smirks ever so slightly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9faTHvxpQ
"Ahh..." I massage my hand slightly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ug7jYUV6
"Now come along, let's try one of these so-called-Hoverchocs..."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTMxI9LNBy
I hold out the jar, watching them each take one and pop it into their mouths. I watch their slightly smug expressions turn shocked.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEj32mCzQ5
"Ooo. There's not just chocolate is there? There's... marshmallow." Slugworth sounds surprised.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVezpnIcTr
"That's right," I reply, getting excited. "Harvested from the Mallow Marshes of Peru."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxiHtkFW4p
"And... caramel.." Mr Ficklegrubber puckers his mouth slightly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghJbgt8c7s
"With the bittersweet tears of the Russian Clown." I turn to Prodnose as he makes his own comment.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU6he2MIjA
"And.. is that... surely not... chili?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAdTSEydBq
"Cherry picked by the cherry pickers of the imperial gardens in Japan." I respond readily.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYeG4m25eW
"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-"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqiCQ3IWLQ
I nod, nearly bouncing on my toes at Slugworth's impending praise.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x0ut44g28
"- this is without doubt, the absolute, one hundred percent, worst."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsBAFXc8JH
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?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTkWHTL493
"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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnUkHibmvt
Ficklegrubber steps forward, coming alongside Slugworth. "And this, with all its bells and whistles... well it's just.."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70f1hrzQ8b
"Weird," says Mr. Prodnose stepping forward as well.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E826yOg4W
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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPax13ttmu
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTQ5Upw84V
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiPkm2P1Vi
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!"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NEuqN227y
"Don't worry! You'll be completely unharmed!" I pick up the wig and toss it into Mr. Prodnose's hands.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W7rgAlJTk
"Oh thank you."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuZfWhJZoo
"In about twenty minutes, it'll get tired and exit through your rear!"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy241IWIIk
I smile as they drift ever higher, nearly reaching the roof of the Gallery Gourmet.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDeGDrcGqY
"You're off your rocker, Wonka!" yells Slugworth. "Who in their right mind wants chocolate that makes them fly?!"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJVeEtmmq7
"Let's find out, shall we?" I whisk the lid off the jar. "Who's for a Hoverchoc?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2ZxmctdVj
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoKqwQqClT
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5yTB6f3zk
A whistle pierces the air, and I see policemen pushing past Noodle and into the Gallery.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4aAXFRO6b
"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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl7t8SkwcQ
The remaining crowd disperses rapidly.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kfmYKzXFK
"That's the Hoverchoc, sir, that's the point." I glance at the policemen sticking poles up at the flying people.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQwL51zD6p
A second policeman steps up in front of me. "I'm afraid we've had some complaints about you, sir."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XtwyQklvz
"Complaints?" I repeat, confused.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0RRi6OYfx
"That you're disrupting the trade of other businesses. And we're regrettably obliged to move you on and.. confiscate your earnings.."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfeZ7fMajC
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?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNHkuVCeNG
"Don't worry," calls the man over his shoulder. "It's going to a good cause. Sick kids or something."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha7dAXIcnt
"Sorry, sir." I look back at the police officer in front of me. "Rules is rules."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH5y9SeqLV
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..."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm0EPCJtby
He glances around then sighs, sticking his hand into his jacket. "Here." He presses a coin into my hand.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qw17JM92U
"Thank you." 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffN7sP9Uuw
I retrieve my travel factory, slinging it over my back, and start back to the guesthouse.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKdOm41gO1
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUgY82WcV0
Someone slams into me, and I stumble backwards, dropping my sovereign. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FBfEHZpGP
"Watch where you're going!" The man shoves me aside.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUaygVl9Bg
I sigh, and look around for the sovereign, but it's nowhere to be seen.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGGHbEYucM
"Great. Now what am I going to do?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuHBendc42
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaxzra9R4Y
I turn to confront the girl I saw in the crowd earlier.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRXf34CZH4
I shrug, letting my shoulders slump.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH8alnh0HB
"I saw what happened." The girl looks livid. "I don't understand why they'd take your money. That seemed completely unnecessary."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuWNXhxwkM
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArAjPJpBDw
She deflates ever so slightly. "That was.. kind."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdpnYd8Ap1
"Did you get to try a Hoverchoc?" I ask hopefully.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXojeSjCqhu
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."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNcN5QVKO3
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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq5HKZLuZO
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvZKnUJrow
"I dropped my sovereign.."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXtwgUFjRa
"Oh no!" She puts a hand to her mouth before lowering it and looking determined.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B0OJJm1Pa
I shrug again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjqTfYvZjw
She puts a hand into a pocket in her dress, pulling out a pouch. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnbGX6Idtf
"What're you doing?" I ask, watching her as she opens the pouch.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki1czY2MJw
"Helping you." She pulls out a few silver sovereigns and replaces the pouch.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeVwIO4ngy
I smile softly. "I can't accept that.."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzK2o42G8F
She grabs one of my hands, shocking me with how cold they are. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6eppzVLXQ
"Your hands are so cold!"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEEh3rCIyQ
"Why thank you," she says dryly, pressing the coins into my hands.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqH4TJcp9g
I try to press them back into her hands, noting how ratty her dress is. "I really can't take these."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAogxaJDlk
"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.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKqfQQn7CP
I can only stare at her as she steps away. 17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW4sqRYukG
"Think of it as an advance payment." She steps back again. "Another time you can give me the chocolate I'm paying you for."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pkF6z4QKi
I open my mouth to argue but- "When will I do that?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgBnJ0OI6c
"The next time you see me, I assume."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUM3IInptx
"When will that be?"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx6HI2ZVDy
She takes another step back. "I don't know."17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMu0II78oK
I bite my lip, watching her turn away. "I don't even know your name!"17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaNrd8TGQC
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.
17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvyaG1F8Gd
I know I spent most of the chapter retelling part of the movie, but I still hope you liked it :D17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRZVscnBXh
I'd love to hear what you think so please comment <3
