Wow. Just wow. I post what I feel is the weakest writing of my life and I get good reviews. I love you guys. Reading reviews just absolutely makes my day. I get all squealy and excited. Uh. Yes. Well, it's what you've been looking forward to - time for Sydney to start actually WORKING. Sorta. Also, I want to thank my wonderful friend and constant reviewer Wicked Seraphina for all her encouragement. Welp, heeeere we go!

Chapter 5 - Like Clockwork

Sydney shuffled down the street, her jacket wrapped tightly around her. The morning air was cold, and so was she. She did not shuffle quickly, but took her time. After all, it was only 8:15, and she didn't have to be there until 8:30. She lived only a ten minute walk away from Cherry Street, which was quite convenient in her view.

Sydney felt ready, despite the fact that she hadn't a clue as to what she was going to be doing. Wonka said she would be making candy.

"Delightfully vague," she muttered, shivering slightly. She glanced down at her wristwatch. 8:18. Not bad. She paused on the sidewalk and pulled a compact from her bag. Flipping it open, she immediately frowned at the sight of her reflection. Her eyeliner had smudged slightly.

Sydney lifted a hand to take care of the smudge then sighed. She never had this problem with anything.

I'm just trying to look professional, she argued with herself. Yes.Professional. As long as she kept convincing herself that, there would be no problem.

Syd snapped the compact closed and dropped it back into her bag. She glanced at her watch one more time. 8:20. Time to get a move on.

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Willy Wonka's candy store ran like clockwork. Every morning at exactly 8:30, exactly thirty employees would file into the store simply to start the day. Sixteen would be in charge of the back room, where they would sort the candy that was produced by the machines into boxes to be shipped out all over the world or into baskets that would be sold at the store, then oversee the machines in their production. Six would be in customer service, where they would take orders from afar. Another six would work the front lobby, selling candy, stocking the front and directly helping customers.

Finally, a very special pair would work directly with Willy Wonka in the development room. There they would discuss ideas and develop recipes for new types of candy. This particular position was quite prestigious.

Willy Wonka skipped down the steps from his private apartments and inhaled deeply. Though the store always smelled of melting chocolate, the sudden burst when he walked into the main production hall was always a treat. He paused and gazed up at the clock on the wall. 8:27. His employees ought to be arriving shortly. He moseyed towards the swinging doors and through them to the front room, where he flipped on the main lights. The room was almost completely devoid of anything. The day prior was a good business day.

Willy waited for two more minutes, rocking back and forth and humming his song from before. He considered for almost thirty seconds if hiring Sydney for that particular position was a good idea. The chocolatier was almost taken aback. He rarely, if ever, second guessed himself. Why today?

Before he had a chance to ponder this fact further, there was a little click and a twinkle as the door was unlocked and opened. Joe removed his hat as he stepped into the store.

"Good morning, Mr. Wonka," he said politely.

"Good morning, Joe," Willy replied, his mouth widening into a smile. "How is the wife?"

"She's doing well. Working diligently with my daughter about the upcoming wedding," Joe answered with a big grin. "You ought to be getting an invitation soon, sir."

"I will certainly to my best to attend then," Wonka said, inwardly cringing. Weddings were the worst. So many people giving hugs and just being all touchy feely. He would make small-talk, but the moment someone tried to touch him other than a handshake was too much.

Thankfully, before awkwardness set in, employees began to file into the room. Willy always greeted each and every one of them by their first names, but they always called him Mr. Wonka. He didn't mind. He preferred it that way.

"Good morning, Gladys." (Good morning, Mr. Wonka.)

"Good morning, Ben." (Good morning, Mr. Wonka.)

"Good morning, Pietr." (Gut mornink, Meester Vonka.)

And so on.

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Sydney gazed up at the sign in front of the shop and gave a faint smile. The excitement that had eluded her before suddenly began to well up inside of her. She gave a deep breath and pulled the door open, stepping inside.

"Good morning, Miss Philips," the familiar voice greeted her. She stopped in the doorway, gazing around at the thirty people that stood in the front room.

"Um..good morning, everybody," Sydney said with a sheepish grin.

When Sydney's eyes met Willy's, the chocolatier paused everything and held her gaze for merely a fraction of a second. It was nothing that was noticible by anyone except for him.

"Well everyone, hop to. You all have your designations for the day," Willy announced. Simultaneously, the entire population of the room shifted and people left. One employee though, a short, younger looking woman, stood next to Wonka, her hands behind her back.

"Miss Philips, you will be working with Sera and myself in the development room. It will be explained further at a later time. However, you must receive the official tour of the shop," Willy said very quickly, breaking eye contact and nervously glancing towards the floor. Without missing a beat, he whispered something to the woman standing next to him, who nodded and walked into the back room and out of sight. Wonka spun around on his shiny heels and began to walk away.

"Come along, far too much to see!" he called for Sydney to follow.