Laura Tasis was quite struck by the view provided from the gate of the Wonka Factory. She was not struck in the way that many a passersby often were - dumb with awe and astonishment at the mere size of the plant - instead, she was struck by the frivolity of its construction. Laura shook her head as she took in its flamboyantly arched windows and superfluous smoke stacks from which puffy, pink streams of exhaust chugged.
Even the pollution resembles cotton candy, she thought drily.
She brought her watch before her face for the third time in as many minutes as if hoping to find her client guilty of tardiness. Perhaps, however, she simply wanted to get all of her money out of the $500 watch - one could not blame her for that.
Laura was denied the personal gratification of being able to scold her client for such a crime when a hatted blond head poked through an opened door and wiggled a gloved finger in a "come hither" motion before promptly shutting the door again. The lawyer, already annoyed with the state of the business trip, pulled open the grand iron gate and walked the cobbled driveway toward the wooden door from whence the candymaker had appeared. When the door did not open upon her arrival, she knocked impatiently upon it. It swung open before Laura's fist could thrice strike it, and she wandered in.
Immediately inside the doorway stood the grinning candyman, his hand outstretched.
"Miss Tasis, Miss Tasis! A pleasure, truly. I had hoped for a clever lawyer, you see. I specifically asked for one. I can tell you're to be a good one - one can always tell with these things." All the while, the candyman shook Laura's hand with an ardent vigor - the lawyer could only plead for her humerus to remain en joint. "Please do follow me. We have a lot to talk about - I've gotten myself into quick a sticky mess, I'm afraid. It's gotten so bad that I've quit taffy - one cannot appreciate so much stickiness at a time like this!"
Laura was astounded by the mere velocity and zeal behind Mr. Willy Wonka's gibberish. That was quite exactly as she saw it, mind you: gibberish. She inspected the candymaker's appearance with wonder; his great coat was a violent shade of purple, and though it was well tailored, it was quite ridiculous. His curly, blond hair stuck out from under his hat in every possible direction, bouncing candidly with every bounding step. What a strange man!
"I suppose I should take you for a tour first, yes? It's not every day that I welcome a guest, you see. I'm quite excited to hear your ideas -"
"Mr. Wonka, that won't be necessary," Laura interrupted, causing him to turn around with a surprised frown. "I'm here to clear up your legal complaints, not engage in folly."
"'Not engage in folly'!" He stared at her as if she had just stomped upon one of his Luminous Lollies. "Miss Tasis, I'm having trouble understanding! Do you enjoy your work so little that you are afraid of having fun during it?"
"Of course I enjoy my work," Laura snapped back. "That doesn't mean that I must enjoy yours, however."
Mr. Wonka stared for a moment, his countenance completely bare. Laura stood, slightly uncomfortable under his stare. Instead of shying back, however, she lifted her chin and met his unsettlingly blue eyes defiantly. She was almost beginning to consider turning around and taking her leave when the candymaker's mouth gradually broke into a smile, which then turned into a dazzling grin.
"You are a good one. Awfully clever, awfully clever. Please continue to follow me. We'll skip the tour. Let me know if you change your mind." He then spun around and continued to waltz down the slim corridor, tapping his redundant cane on the walls haphazardly as he went. Laura could swear she heard him giggle.