Disclaimer: I don't own this stuff. Roald Dahl, WB, and Tim Burton do. So don't sue me.

"Charlie! Hurry up sweetheart, or you'll be late for school again!" yelled Mrs. Bucket. She ducked back into the house and finished preparing breakfast.

Moments later, the form of a young boy appeared through the powdered sugar snow. He was running a fast as his little legs could, and nearly barreled over Grandpa Joe as he entered the room.

"Sorry Grandpa Joe. I'm in a hurry!" explained a frantic Charlie. He sped past the bed with the rest of his grandparents in it and climbed the ladder up to his room. Grabbing his books, Charlie raced downstairs to give goodbye kisses to everyone. He was almost out of there when his mother called after him.

"Wait, Charlie. Don't forget your lunch. And your Scarf! Oh, and look both ways before crossing the street!"

"Ok, mum! I'll see you later!" yelled Charlie over his shoulder. He sprinted over the little hill/bridge with the mushrooms and barreled through the door that led to the long hallway. Not bothering to stop, he picked his coat and scarf off the ground while still at a run. He was about to run outside when Willy Wonka himself appeared at the door.

"Oh, little boy—I mean, Charlie! I need your help with the licorice string we were working on. The oompa loompas—"

"I'm sorry Mr. Wonka, but I'll help you when I get back. I'm late for school again." Interrupted Charlie.

"Oh, right. School…" said Willy with a far away look in his eyes.

Charlie recognized that look. It was his I'm-having-a-flashback-look. Shifting impatiently, Charlie looked at his watch. Ten minutes till eight! He didn't have time for another flashback of his! His teacher had made it clear that if he were late one more time, he would be placed on the truancy list.

Giving his watch one more look, Charlie made up his mind. He would stay and help Willy. He owed him that much. He had made him his heir and had taken his family in. He owed everything to the man in front of him. Sighing, he stood and waited for Willy to come out of his trance like state.

w.W.w

It was snowing. Again. Beatrice Hall looked up at the sky and frowned.

She had only been in England for a total of 7 days and she was already sick of the weather. Pulling her coat tighter around her, she trudged through the snow and made her way to the local café.

Once inside, she let the warm atmosphere defrost her body and ordered a cup of coffee. Picking up a newspaper, she sat down and opened up to the job section. Sipping at the scalding liquid, she prepared herself for another hour of 'job hunting'.

w.W.w

And so, the hour came and went, and all Beatrice had found so far was an opening at the local hotel. Apparently they needed a new concierge. Frowning, Beatrice picked up her things and proceeded to go back into the arctic weather.

Ok, so maybe she was exaggerating with the 'arctic' part, but compared to the weather she was used to, this place was like Antarctica.

Shivering almost as soon as she stepped out, Beatrice made up her mind and headed back to her new home.

Having just moved to the UK, Beatrice didn't know that many people or that many places. She knew her landlady, and her next-door neighbors, but that was the extent of her familiarity with the people around there.

Turning the corner, Beatrice expected to see the familiar brown building of new home, but instead, what she saw was a huge factory. In her seven days of living in the area, Beatrice had never once seen this place. How she could have missed those towering smoke stacks was beyond her.

Deciding to take a closer look, she walked over and peered in through the iron gates. Nothing special about this place. It looks so… dull. But I wonder if they're hiring? Deciding that there was nothing more to see, Beatrice doubled back and headed home. Tomorrow she would deliver her resume to the hotel, and maybe she would even send one to the big factory.

Did you read it? Good. Now go review! They authoress loves getting feedback.

Ok, a question for all of you. How was the character portrayal in this chapter? Was it straight on? Or was it so far off that you couldn't even recognize the characters?