(Matilda's POV):

After he gets dressed and eats a little, we head up to James's house.

"Why can't you just tell me now?" Charlie asks panting.

"Because this requires teamwork."

We rush to his front door and knock hurriedly. His mother answers and tells us he's in the back. In a flash, we're right beside him. We find him raking some leaves.

"James! You gotta see this," I exclaim.

"What's all the excitement?" he asks as he puts down the rake.

"Listen to this!" I tell them;
"The Second Golden Age. Of Chocolate! Wonka Factory to be Opened to a Lucky Few."

"Wait. People are going to be allowed inside? Keep reading!" James urges.

"Alright. Alright! Calm down, you dork!" I spit.
"Mr. Willy Wonka has decided to allow five lucky children to take a tour of his world-famous factory. Five Golden Tickets have been hidden among fifty million ordinary chocolate bars. The five children who find these tickets will win the tour as well as a lifetime supply of chocolate."

"It's too good to be true!" James exclaims.

"It's a miracle," Charlie gasps.

"And we're going to work together to find one of those blasted things," I add.

"Or perhaps three of them."

"That's impossible," Charlie says suddenly melancholy."I only get one bar a year; for my birthday."

"Don't worry, Charlie," I tell him."I'm sure I have some money in my piggy bank. I'll buy a few bars and we can each open a set amount. But you guys will have to pay for perhaps a few of them."

"Not with the allowance I'm getting," James exclaims."I've been behind on chores and you know what my mom says; no muscle out, no money in."

"Well, here's the solution; do your chores, you dodo!"

"With the amount of homework Mr. Turkentine's been giving? Not a chance."

I sigh. This will be more difficult than I thought.

"Okay then. Here's the plan; I'll deal with our candy finances as well as obtaining a few. All you have to worry about is if any of your bars have a ticket in them."

"Really?"

"On one condition," I add."My birthday is in a few weeks and I'm having a party then. You two are obviously invited. Anyway aside from winning this contest and meeting my inspiration, there's one thing I want more than anything else in the world."

"What is it?" Charlie asks.

"At the shoppe next to the candy store, there's a toy store. In the right window display, there's a kit called Advanced Deluxe Candy Confectionary Chemistry Kit for the Creative Adolescent Genius. It's a bit pricey, but I'm sure you both can scrape up enough to buy it. Basically, get me the kit for my birthday and you won't have to worry about the contest finances. Deal?"

I look to each of them and they're hesitant to nod.

"Fine. I'll start you off with a few dollars each; the kit's about fifty."

"Why don't you just ask your parents to get it for you?" James asks.

"Have you met my mom?" I scoff."We are complete polar opposites. I like to be carefree and read and learn. For her it's all looks, not books. She keeps telling me that I'll never get a suitor if I'm buried in a candy lab and textbooks day and night. She keeps getting me makeup and dresses and makes a big deal if I'm doing anything with any guys. Like, she'll ask me about them and my feelings and stuff. Whenever I feel sick, she'll ask who the guy is. But I've never felt that way at all."

"So your mom would make a fuss if Charlie and I came over?" James asks.

"Exactly. Why do you think I only let you come over when she's out?"

"What about your father?" Charlie asks.

I shake my head.

"I never see him anymore for some reason. He used to love spending time with me. But then he got a job somewhere, went to work one day, and never came back. It's a bit haunting, and disturbing, though I'm trying to hope he's not dead. Anyway that's why I'm relying on you two to buy me the kit. Now do we have a deal or not?"

I look to them one after the other.

"Of course," Charlie says, sounding a bit skeptical yet eager.

"Why not?" James sighs.

"Thanks, guys!" I smile.

"Quick question, though; what about your uncle on your mother's side? Can't he give us the money? He's fairly rich after all."

"Not if my cousin's heard about this contest; then he'll be spending his money to have the bars shipped over seas. He's wrapped around his daughter's finger and will do anything to make her happy."

"Remind me; what business is your uncle is again?"

"He's in the Nut Business."

"What a surprise," James groans sarcastically.