"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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23J8Ud4UIP
"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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbgzNXxAHL
"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!" 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGAeL9eIsy
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SGtBTdWLl
"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. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtmfFsipah
"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." 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGvRGM4N1C
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdFm4xFpBi
The chocolate outside opens and closes with soft clicks to the notes of the little flute.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2V54IU776
"In." I close my hand over the Hoverchoc.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWrHpqlBHZ
"A." I close the other hand over the flute.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAnCmyOYP3
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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGNUZPUVX8
Gasps and murmurs filter through the crowd with my magic trick. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0WI5zVHri
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29OVogvnBC
"These microscopic fleas, like chocolate more than leaves."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVo9k4uzuc
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxpsxqshoY
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!'"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh5vG2OpJr
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!'"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPtXb5Ec9D
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-"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQbkaw8V7n
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8MZKLnkZ9
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuOKG8M5u3
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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2zXQGlhvz
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." 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28YVHtN0Dj
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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkGbWgArNe
I grab the jar back from a passerby. "You've never had chocolate like this-"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Y1GCNjYk
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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9TqVtVpQA
The crowd starts cheering and I tip my head to my right, smiling and nodding.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMd4chy7WW
"Well, who wants to try one?" I call.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdonYKY0v6
Hands shoot up all around, but one voice rings out over the others. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqXZdVGDuS
"I do." The crowd parts for a man in a dark, pinstriped suit. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSFr6yuTEh
"Mr. Slugworth, sir." I find myself saying.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7qgY6nj9l
"Excuse me!" calls another man, this one in a green suit, pushing through the crowd.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq6cw0JrpY
"Mr. Ficklegrubber." Yet another famous chocolate maker is coming to meet me.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUONLHzO8Hm
I catch sight of yet another man in a yellow suit pushing through the crowd.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrlLJ9RO9l
"And Mr. Prodnose." I say somewhat softly, in awe of seeing the men I've admired for years.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsbLneg1mt
"What an honor." I say as they all line up in front of me.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSnsLs3ovW
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydfYuSPSRM
"It's a business handshake, Mr. Wonka. Lets people know I mean business." Slugworth smirks ever so slightly.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYIVxViR76
"Ahh..." I massage my hand slightly.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfFAXbvF4F
"Now come along, let's try one of these so-called-Hoverchocs..."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2CsnajKL9
I hold out the jar, watching them each take one and pop it into their mouths. I watch their slightly smug expressions turn shocked.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMBDoiKBg8
"Ooo. There's not just chocolate is there? There's... marshmallow." Slugworth sounds surprised.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdQRD1S4nZ
"That's right," I reply, getting excited. "Harvested from the Mallow Marshes of Peru."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3VPz5a9cZ
"And... caramel.." Mr Ficklegrubber puckers his mouth slightly.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYgvx38EGe
"With the bittersweet tears of the Russian Clown." I turn to Prodnose as he makes his own comment.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsTRWsybno
"And.. is that... surely not... chili?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ItR0sUuQh
"Cherry picked by the cherry pickers of the imperial gardens in Japan." I respond readily.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7wxGGaWEH
"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-"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6SNwA0EXf
I nod, nearly bouncing on my toes at Slugworth's impending praise.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGS5ooNJpm
"- this is without doubt, the absolute, one hundred percent, worst."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFrhhDZV2E
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?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwgzPWrxnC
"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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfkfsR7jto
Ficklegrubber steps forward, coming alongside Slugworth. "And this, with all its bells and whistles... well it's just.."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYQolgSwz5
"Weird," says Mr. Prodnose stepping forward as well.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W4ru59Wlh
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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhldVgRl0E4
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFB6bNlscX
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmEee050ei
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!"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvqeYn0Mq7
"Don't worry! You'll be completely unharmed!" I pick up the wig and toss it into Mr. Prodnose's hands.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamtx8hFavC
"Oh thank you."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3B1wcUL01
"In about twenty minutes, it'll get tired and exit through your rear!"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BpkmrSHeO
I smile as they drift ever higher, nearly reaching the roof of the Gallery Gourmet.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMXfGAmFbq
"You're off your rocker, Wonka!" yells Slugworth. "Who in their right mind wants chocolate that makes them fly?!"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9maoTOASOE
"Let's find out, shall we?" I whisk the lid off the jar. "Who's for a Hoverchoc?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw5ep1eT4v
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZhVuG19SB
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMQdWMgnMu
A whistle pierces the air, and I see policemen pushing past Noodle and into the Gallery.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTbJP1V1WN
"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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1q0NXUhNz
The remaining crowd disperses rapidly.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1LxUMEQM1
"That's the Hoverchoc, sir, that's the point." I glance at the policemen sticking poles up at the flying people.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUiIu21MSN
A second policeman steps up in front of me. "I'm afraid we've had some complaints about you, sir."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8srz3uJ1ny
"Complaints?" I repeat, confused.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkopGD7Bln0
"That you're disrupting the trade of other businesses. And we're regrettably obliged to move you on and.. confiscate your earnings.."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8COHh3tK0y
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?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglUXXGrGwb
"Don't worry," calls the man over his shoulder. "It's going to a good cause. Sick kids or something."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClQpsCArVZ
"Sorry, sir." I look back at the police officer in front of me. "Rules is rules."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzolg6EezKh
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..."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2988lfrbz
He glances around then sighs, sticking his hand into his jacket. "Here." He presses a coin into my hand.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWJmLB78R0
"Thank you." 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWitD2PR38
I retrieve my travel factory, slinging it over my back, and start back to the guesthouse.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjfIPcMvJn
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyg9do83yK
Someone slams into me, and I stumble backwards, dropping my sovereign. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zDuFwrSqk
"Watch where you're going!" The man shoves me aside.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTCv9sGHaD
I sigh, and look around for the sovereign, but it's nowhere to be seen.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1OH534q8j
"Great. Now what am I going to do?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcIVd523Nq
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8gDxVInGn
I turn to confront the girl I saw in the crowd earlier.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MoRVl0Yp4
I shrug, letting my shoulders slump.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkTZ7wPpsM
"I saw what happened." The girl looks livid. "I don't understand why they'd take your money. That seemed completely unnecessary."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKGWSmsjGZ
"The one officer gave me a sovereign to pay for my room."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yWLgUuqRh
She deflates ever so slightly. "That was.. kind."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeCzlostNV
"Did you get to try a Hoverchoc?" I ask hopefully.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8l2vzlULQ
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."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3W0fV0peH
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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyFHWEGSjq
"Why are you stopped in the middle of the path anyway?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7ZKMWngGG
"I dropped my sovereign.."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY0wRquPGC
"Oh no!" She puts a hand to her mouth before lowering it and looking determined.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4evqe5BlA2
I shrug again. "I don't know how I'm going to pay for my room now."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6oWQ7j6jv
She puts a hand into a pocket in her dress, pulling out a pouch. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEyYlUmt3K
"What're you doing?" I ask, watching her as she opens the pouch.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofk3qoQYu0
"Helping you." She pulls out a few silver sovereigns and replaces the pouch.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb5VYCh9hk
I smile softly. "I can't accept that.."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF7w6N7kal
She grabs one of my hands, shocking me with how cold they are. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzvEhJJ0he
"Your hands are so cold!"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxJ1hIaYKU
"Why thank you," she says dryly, pressing the coins into my hands.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzSx8ZWeAl
I try to press them back into her hands, noting how ratty her dress is. "I really can't take these."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHTRJXS2rH
"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.60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqgmU31EXh
I can only stare at her as she steps away. 60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIqzPRu85D
"Think of it as an advance payment." She steps back again. "Another time you can give me the chocolate I'm paying you for."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Fkke5AfD
I open my mouth to argue but- "When will I do that?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCBGi7Nq2M
"The next time you see me, I assume."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkHzfVW80E
"When will that be?"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoFiJiYX6e
She takes another step back. "I don't know."60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIW8JYhg3z
I bite my lip, watching her turn away. "I don't even know your name!"60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdQUeu5sLu
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.
60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyvLE4zFZB
I know I spent most of the chapter retelling part of the movie, but I still hope you liked it :D60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXVmmIZMF1
I'd love to hear what you think so please comment <3
