32"And how was your first day working for Mr. Jopek?"
"Oh, fine I guess. I threw one paper into a lady's yard and accidentally hit her cat." Charlie kicked an empty soup can down the sidewalk. It clunked noisily over the cobblestone street, before rolling into a sewer drain. He pumped his firsts in the air and shouted. "Ten points to Charlie Bucket! He wins the game with only seconds to spare!"
In her best stadium crowd voice, his sister cheered him on. "Whoo! Go Charlie! You're amazing!" The siblings dissolved into uproarious laughter, startling a passing business man. It took a few minutes, but they finally calmed down. "In the future, it would probably be best to look where you're throwing things."
"I know." Jean smiled at her little brother. He had been so excited to go out and get a job as a newspaper boy. Jean worked at a candy shop, and had instructed her brother to wait to go home until her shift was done. She hardly ever heard of any kidnappings on the radio, but she didn't want him walking home alone in the dark. They continued walking, pretending that passing cars were carriages, and that the trees they passed were from an ancient forest. Materially, their family didn't have much, but they more than made up for it in imagination. They slowed their pace as they passed by a large iron gate. They knew this place well.
This was Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
Willy Wonka was only the most famous chocolatier who had ever lived. The candies that he made were beyond imagining. Ask anyone, and they would surely say that their favorite candy was one of Wonka's confections. However, no one knew what he looked like. There were outrageous stories that one could scarcely believe to be true, but the man was so shrouded in mystery, it would be impossible to tell truth from fabrication. The Bucket siblings looked through the gate at the factory. It wasn't an ordinary looking factory. Instead of a grey, dreary façade, the buildings were bright and happy. Just behind the main building, a large castle style turret sprung up, making the scene look like it came from out of a storybook. They had arrived just in time to see the lights turn on for the night. In an instant, the scene changed from eerie and gloomy, to bright and magical. On one smokestack, the word 'WONKA' lit up.
From behind her, Jean heard a rattling sound, and turned around to see the tinker approaching them. He was known to be a little unhinged, and it was probably best to avoid him, especially at night. Jean tore her brother away from the factory and started briskly walking home again. "Nobody ever goes in, and nobody ever goes out!" He shouted after them as they rounded a corner and scampered out of sight. It was best that they hurry home anyways, by the time on the clock on the factory tower, they were late. Their mother and grandparents would be worried. As they continued home, all Jean could think about was the strange chocolate factory, and just who Mr. Wonka might be.
Hello! Quick note. This story can also be found on Quotev! - This story will update on Thursdays.
