Chapter 12
"So much to do, so much to do." Lied Georg through his teeth as Joe and Charlie collected their hats and coats. "Invoices and bills, letters. I must answer that note from the queen."
"Mr Wonka," asked Charlie as George opened the door. "what's going to happen to the other kids? Augustus, Veruca?" "My dear boy." Said George, "I promise you they'll be quite all right. When they leave here they'll be completely restored to their normal, terrible old selves. But maybe they'll be a little bit wiser for the wear. But don't worry about them." "Eh, what do we do now, Mr Wonka?" asked Joe. "Oh, well I hope you enjoyed yourselves. Excuse me for not showing you out. Straight up the stairs, you'll find the way. I'm terribly busy. Whole day wasted. Goodbye to you both. Goodbye."
George closed the door, sat down at his half-chair and cursed himself. What was he thinking? No one could ever replace Fred! Fred was his twin and you couldn't just replace that connection. Ever. George had never hated himself more than he did now. He gazed around his half-office, symbolizing his missing half.
However, his sadness and moment of quiet, his swan song for his partner, didn't last long before Charlie and Joe butted in. At first George ignored them and kept staring at his half-desk until Joe piped up, "Mr Wonka?" "I am extraordinarily busy, sir." Lied George. "I just wanted to ask about the chocolate. The lifetime supply of chocolate. For Charlie. When does he get it?" "He doesn't." said George sadly. He had so much faith in Charlie. But no one could ever replace Fred…
"Why not?" "Because he broke the rules." Normally, George was all for breaking the rules, but not this time around. "What rules? We didn't see any rules, did we, Charlie?" "WRONG, sir! WRONG!" He started talking about the contract, even though it wasn't real, he just didn't want to reveal he was trying to find someone to replace his dead twin. Replace. He internally spat at himself for it.
He was angry with himself and angry with Charlie. "Under Section Thirty-Seven B of the contract signed by him it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if-and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy: 'I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera, fax mentis incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera, memo bis punitor delicatum!'" The Latin was completely meaningless, but even George himself didn't know what he was saying at this point. "It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole Fizzy Lifting Drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get NOTHING! YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY, SIR!"
"You're a crook." Said Joe in disbelief. "You're a cheat and a swindler! That's what you are! How can you do a thing like this!? Build up a little boy's hopes and then smash all his dreams to pieces! YOU'RE AN INHUMAN MONSTER!" "I SAID GOOD DAY!" yelled George. He already hated himself; Joe didn't need to rub it in further.
Charlie and Joe began heading out, but before they did, Charlie said, "Mr Wonka?" and put the gobstopper back on his desk. George stopped. So he wasn't going to give it to Slugworth. George began to think…
The boy had managed to get out of the Fizzy Lifting predicament. His cunning reminded him of Fred. Charlie was the only child who hadn't badgered him, or called him crazy, or crossed his fingers when the children promised to not show the Gobstoppers to anyone. Hed had said it wasn't bad when Veruca had called George bonkers…He definitely couldn't replace Fred, ever, but maybe, just maybe…George's hand closed around the Gobstopper.
"So shines…a good deed…in a weary world."