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7
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As Frank watched the unconscious Wonka, there was a sudden rapping at the front door. Frank's head bolted upwards and he peered around the room, waiting for the little Oompa Loompas to answer it as they usually do. After several moments, however, there was no sign of them. Obviously since Wonka was in no condition to answer the door himself... Frank threw a nervous glance at his helpers who threw him nervous glances of their own in return. "I think you should answer it, master," Magenta told him.
Frank nodded to himself. "Yes, that could work," He said, walking in the direction of the door.
He placed a hand over the door's brass knob and slowly began to pull, backing away from the opening door at the same time. He feasted his eyes upon his guests and let out a horrified shriek.
"Brad! Janet!" Frank cried. Magenta, Riffraff and Columbia had gathered behind him in the open doorway.
"Frank!" Brad cried in return.
"Brad!" Frank cried.
"Frank!" Janet cried.
"Janet!" Frank cried.
"Frank!" Brad and Janet cried together.
"Brad! Janet!" Frank cried.
"Frank!" Brad and Janet cried again.
"Brad! Janet!" The group behind Frank cried.
"Ahhhhhh!" They all cried in unison.
"Holy smokes, Batman! Why are you here?" Brad cried.
"I've become the co-owner of this factory! Why are you here?"
"We're on a tour!" Brad replied, motioning to several people standing behind him who looked very much like tourists, what with the way they were dressed and the cameras hanging from around their necks. They chattered amongst themselves, not noticing the situation at the door.
"Ahhh!" Frank replied, slamming the door in their faces. He opened it seconds later to find the couple and other tourists still standing on Wonka's stoop. "You're still here!"
"It's raining! I'm cold, I'm wet, and I'm just plain scared!" Janet cried.
Frank pouted. "Well... alright." He gave in, moving out of the way from Brad, Janet and the rest to enter into the factory. He watched as the crowd poured in and then closed the door behind them as they made their way inside.
Brad turned to Frank's helpers. "Well, aren't you going to dry us off and take our clothes like last time?" Brad asked, lifting his arms over his head so that one of them could remove his sweater and shirt.
The helpers simply rolled their eyes at him. "We're under new management now," Magenta replied.
Columbia smirked. "Besides, I already know what's under there, boy-o, and let me tell you: it's not something I'm dyin' to see again."
Brad and Janet frowned at the rudeness, Brad lowering his arms back to his sides.
"So, this is Willy Wonka's amazing Chocolate Factory, eh?" Janet asked.
"No, this is Willy Wonka's and Dr. Frank N. Furter's amazing Chocolate Laboratory Invention Factory of Experimentation of Dooooom and Confectionery," Frank replied smugly.
"That's a pretty long name you've got going there."
"Well, I still have to walk it past Wonka himself, but I think it's alright."
"Speaking of Willy Wonka, where is he?" Janet asked curiously.
"He's... well... right there," Frank said, pointing across the hall to a strange red and black lump on the ground.
"What do you mean? What is that? Is that a person? Is it even alive?" Brad questioned.
"Oh, yes. He's alive. He just finished break dancing, though, so he's very tired. I suggest that you don't disturb the poor baby."
Brad cleared his throat. "Ahem. Uh, Frank I see you're still-- how shall I put this-- rooting for both teams?"
Frank offered a small chuckle. "You are correct, Brad Majors. Both teams are still going strong for me. And they always will be," he replied, winking at Brad.
Brad gulped and stepped back nervously, bumping into Janet. "Ow! Watch where you're going, Brad."
"Are you two hitched yet? Last of what I could remember, the both of you were... he he he... engaged. Even though I suppose letting me pleasure you, as well as letting my sweet Rocky pleasure you--" he said, throwing a hateful look towards Janet who began to blush. "didn't really give the impression of so."
"Yeah, we're married now. And no more of your hanky panky. I'm still hurting from that night after all these years."
Janet threw a confused look at Brad, then shook it off.
Several cameras began to emit flashes from behind Brad and Janet.
"Excuse me! Excuse me!" Frank said to the tourists. "I'm sorry, but there will be no flash photography allowed in the factory. From the stories of spies that Wonka himself has told me, I highly doubt that he will allow people to capture the essence of his workshop. I know that I wouldn't."
Tourists sighed and frowned. "That's not fair," one man said, shaking his head.
A few more flashes went off and then there were none.
"Very well, then. You people are on a tour? I'm not sure if Willy normally allows tours, but since I am co-owner now I will allow it. A tour... hmm... well... a tour then is what I will make this! Come along with me," Frank said, walking away. The group of people formed a line behind Frank and followed in his direction, Brad and Janet at the front, behind Frank.
"Hey I've got a question!" A man called from the back. Frank stopped and turned on his heels, looking for the person who had asked the question. A man popped out from behind the others and began to speak. "Who are you and why are you dressed like that?"
"I'm Dr. Frank N. Furter. Like I've said, as of today I have become the co-owner of this factory," he paused to think about the next part, then rolled his eyes. "There's nothing wrong with allowing your true self to show through your choice of apparel. Dressing this way makes me feel comfortable and, sir, if you have some sort of problem with that then I suggest you leave immediately."
"No, I don't have a problem. I was just wondering where I could get an outfit like that for myself."
Several of the tourists in front of the man turned around and gave looks of awe before returning to their normal stance.
Frank cleared his throat. "Oh. I see. Well this outfit is one of a kind. Besides, I really don't think it would suit you. Sorry."
The man frowned and Frank turned back to face forward, continuing his pace. They reached the unconscious Willy Wonka and the tourists all gathered, forming a circle around the laying body.
"What's wrong with him?" A man asked.
"Oh, he's just bumped his head."
"Why is he so pale!" a woman wondered.
"Well that's because-- Hm... well I guess I'm not sure of that one."
"I thought this factory was going to be sold. Isn't it a flop? No one buys candy any more!" A man said.
"If no one buys candy anymore, sir, then why are you here?"
"I thought this tour would be nifty."
"Okay? What is this tour for, anyway? No one has told me the organization which is in charge of this arrangement."
One man stepped forward in front of Brad and Janet and began to explain. "It's with the Denton refresher class. We're learning about confectionery and how to use it to please your lover."
"Hmm... that sounds interesting," Frank pondered. "And who did you say was in charge of this?"
"A Doctor Everett Scott. He's--"
"Doctor Von Scott! I should have know that you two were going to bring him in the picture again to meddle with my affairs! Well, this tour is over! Everyone leave!" Frank yelled as he began pushing the crowd back in the direction of the doorway. The crowd chattered angrily.
"But it hasn't even begun yet!" A woman yelled anxiously to Frank.
Frank stopped pushing. "You're right," he said, his voice taking on a sly tone. The devilish look formed over his face once again as it had before in the computer room.
"Brad, I'm scared," Janet whispered to Brad.
"It's okay, Janet. Everything is going to be alright."
"Come, let's all get into the elevator," he said softly, walking back towards the fallen Wonka.
After Frank's little outburst, the tourists were a bit confused and scared of Frank's intentions. Janet turned to Brad with a nervous look on her face. "What should we do, Brad?"
"Well... I paid for this tour. I say we get our money's worth."
Janet gulped as they walked along to Frank.
"Where's this elevator? I see nothing!" A man shouted.
"Why, it's right here," Frank said, pointing to an empty area above Wonka.
"There' nothing there," a woman replied.
"Oh? Is there?" Frank asked, lifting a hand up. He knocked three times upon the empty area and a sound could be heard as though he were knocking upon a door.
"Wow, that's strange," Brad said, adjusting his glasses and trying to peer more closely at the... er... empty space.
"All aboard!" Frank called, stepping out of the way of the door and motioning for the tourists to enter. They walked in one by one until they had all fit inside. Frank entered after everyone and pushed the button on the wall to shut the door. The door closed with a slight banging noise and Frank pressed several other buttons.
"Hey, maybe you shouldn't have left that Willy Wonka guy lying there like that. He looked pretty ill," a woman spoke, breaking the elevator's silence.
"He'll be okay. From what I've seen so far, he is prone to these kinds of... concussions on a daily basis. Now let's get moving!" He shouted just as the elevator began to take off with a jolt. Everyone was thrown forward, clinging onto eachother and trying to keep their balance as the hellish machine raced through the factory.
"Hey, man. Do you even know where you're going?" A man asked.
Frank chuckled to himself as he stared the man in the eye. An uneasy feeling fell in the tourist's stomachs. Finally after brief pause, Frank replied, "No, not the slightest clue."
The tourists' eyes bulged and they screamed frantically, turning to the walls and clawing, trying to get off of this ride from hell, but Frank kept his calm and only chuckled more, the noise moving into a steady laughter. He pressed several buttons on the wall randomly and the contraption seemed to head out of control. They moved so fast through the rooms that everything was merely a passing blur of color.
"Let us out!" Janet cried, grabbing onto Brad.
"Oh yes, Janet. I like it when you scream. Louder, baby!" Frank encouraged in his sly tone.
"You... you... you shut up! I've had enough of your antics, Mister! It was already enough what you did to us years ago in your castle, but now you're just pushing it! Let us out, you... hot dog!" Brad yelled, grabbing Frank by the shoulder.
Frank moaned delightfully. "Oh, Brad... harder! Harder!" He screamed in reply, getting closer.
Brad immediately let go of the man and stepped backwards, into the tightly packed group. "You make me sick," He said, revolted, and squeezed Janet close.
Several people obviously were not able to handle the rush, because sooner or later the elevator began to reek with the stench of vomit. Many keeled over, clutching the wall so they wouldn't lose balance, and hurled their lunch. Weak groans and pleas to stop could be heard amongst the sound of the regurgitating.
"Let me out!" A man screamed, pounding on the glass.
Frank sighed. "Well, if you simply insist," He said with a bit of disappointment. He leaned over several people and tapped some buttons of the elevator. At once, the elevator's speed decreased, only to begin plummeting downwards at an increased pace. "Whoopsie daisy!" Frank said, pushing another button which turned the jets back on and began to bring the elevator down slowly until it reached its destination.
The elevator touched onto the floor and rested, its doors opening to the enchanted candyland which Wonka had previously shown to Frank. The tourists exited the 'vehicle', clutching their stomachs in pain.
"Hey! Where are we, you idiot? I just want to get out of here," A man spoke.
"Hours ago I was treated by Wonka himself to the pleasures of this beauty. It is only in my most humble nature that I must treat you so kindly as well," Frank explained.
The last person to step from the elevator and onto the grass was a woman. She seemed fine, however as she took her first step onto the grass, she immediately keeled over and let out whatever that had been lying in the pits of her stomach.
Frank made a face as the woman got back to her feet and continued walking. "I don't think Willy is going to appreciate that..." Frank said sadly, shaking his head. He looked at the gathered people and smiled. "Help yourself, my guests, " He said simply, then walked away to find some delicacies of his own to munch on.
The people shrugged and slumped around to various plants and fruits they could find, sampling them merrily after what had just happened to them. It was after ten minutes, however, when Frank called everyone back to return to the elevator, that the candy didn't seem to taste so sweet anymore. The sight of the contraption which had tossed and turned them previously, made their stomachs quiver and shake.
"Now I really don't feel so well," the woman who had puked before when stepping out said, clutching her stomach.
"Oh no," a man said, using the elevator's side as a support for holding and lowering his head to release his ingested material.
"Uh oh," Frank replied in turn, gasping at the mess that everyone was making. This was not good at all. Willy would be furious with him! With nothing else to resort to, Frank's only way he could see the mess being cleaned up was if he called the Oompa Loompas to do it. He knew they were angry at him, though, but he didn't want to risk making Willy Wonka become mad at him as well. He was just to much of a cutie for Frank to hurt.
Frank put his fingers together and brought them to his lips to whistle. "Errr... Oompa Loompas?" He called. He waited but nothing was happening. Why did he always have to have trouble with this? "Oompa Loompas!" He yelled louder again. Some of the tourists looked at Frank with looks of confusion. They didn't understand what he was trying to do.
"Oompa Loompas!" Frank cried now.
A small man poked his head out from behind a nearby tree and gazed at Frank who spotted him and began to smile. The Oompa Loompa was indifferent to this. Several more popped out from behind other trees. And then more... and more... and more... until Frank knew that there were more than enough. The first Oompa Loompa approached Frank and looked up at him for instruction.
"What is that?" Janet asked Brad, pointing at one of the Oompa Loompas behind a tree.
"Well, Janet... It looks to me like a little fellow," he replied, approaching it. He extended his hand. "Hi, little guy! What's your name?" He said in a friendly manner. The Oompa Loompa simply looked Brad up and down. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." Brad said, moving closer.
"I don't think you should be doing that, Brad. They look a little dangerous, if you ask me," Janet said.
Brad turned his back on the Oompa Loompa and looked at Janet. "Oh, hush, Janet. We just went on a ride from hell. I think we deserve to relax a bit now and converse with this little guy. He's just shy, I think." He turned back to the direction of the Oompa Loompa, only to find him gone. Brad scratched his head in confusion. "Hmm... that's odd... I wonder where he could be?" He said, looking all around, not having the slightest idea that the Oompa Loompa had climbed onto one of the tree's branches and was ready to attack from above.
Frank spoke to the Oompa Loompa who stood before him. "Uhh, well there's a big mess that was made just now and I don't want Willy to be mad so I would like for you little er... darlings to clean it up for me?"
The Oompa Loompa stood still, blinked at Frank.
"Do you understand?" Frank asked nervously.
"The Oompa Loompa sighed and walked away, back to the forest.
"I want to get out of here!" A woman screamed.
Frank watched the Oompa Loompa walk away curiously until he was not able to see him anymore. He wondered whether or not he had understood the directions. He hoped that they would look the other way just this once on their anger with him and do it for Willy's sake. Luckily for Frank, that was what they were going to do.
Several Oompa Loompas disappeared for a moment and returned with a few carts filled with cleaning supplies. Frank sighed to himself in relief, watching as the little men got to business before his very own eyes.
Brad looked all around, trying to find where the little man had went. "Where are you, you tiny person?" Brad asked. He looked up and saw the Oompa Loompa above him, ready to strike. However, he had only gazed upon the creature for a second because before he know it, the little man had jumped onto his face.
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Brad screamed, flailing his arms and running around in circles.
"Oh, Brad!" Janet cried. "Stop moving so I can help you take him off!"
"Ahhhhhhhh!" He screamed again and managed to stay put, allowing Janet to remove the little man. She held him out in front of her and inspected him. Brad adjusted his glasses and came to her side to join in with the inspection.
"All aboard!" Frank yelled, motioning for people to re-enter the elevator.
No one moved from their spots, though. "No way! We're not getting back it there!" A man said to Frank. "You're crazy!"
"Am I? Am I really?"
"Yes!"
"Just get back in. You have no other option."
The tourists looked at eachother nervously, then sighed, giving up and getting back into the elevator. Frank smiled to himself, stepping in after everyone and placing his hand over the keypad. As he was about to shut the door, he saw Brad and Janet still outside, running around for some odd reason. Frank stepped out of the elevator and stared ahead, curiously. "What are they doing?" He asked himself, moving towards them.
The Oompa Loompa had squeezed himself out of Janet's grip and had begun chasing the two around. They screamed, not knowing why the little person would be doing this, what his motives were. But they did not want to find out, so they kept running away from the figure, in hopes of tiring him out. They just wanted to be left alone. From over his shoulder, Brad saw Frank approaching. "Hey! What's the big idea, here? Make this thing stop!" He yelled.
Frank frowned. "But why would I want to do that? The little guy seems to be having fun," Frank replied, noting the look of hatred in the Oompa Loompa's eyes, and moving closer until he was a foot away from the fidgeting couple. "The little bloke is harmless," Frank sighed. "He just wants to play a game, is all," he added, now seeing the Oompa Loompa begin to growl in an unholy nature. Frank winced.
"Get him away from us so we can leave!" Janet screamed.
Frank sighed again. "Very well then," he said, approaching the small man with outreached arms. "There's no need to fear, just come this way," he coaxed, the little man forgetting about Brad and Janet and moving towards Frank. "Yes... yes... good little fellow..." Frank continued. The Oompa Loompa was almost there... it let out a loud hiss and began running at Frank.
"Ahhh!" He cried, turning on his heels and running back to the elevator. Brad and Janet followed, screaming as well. They were almost there... just a little bit further... Frank turned around to see if the man was still on his trail. He saw the little beast snapping his jaw towards his own rear. "Ah!" He cried again, increasing his pace. All three of them reached the elevator and jumped in, smashing into the other people who were very angry and began to chatter rudely.
"Quick, Furter! The door!" Brad yelled, seeing the Oompa Loompa only steps from the elevator's opening.
Frank's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. He slid his hand up to the buttons and slammed down on the one that would make the doors close. They began to close very slowly.
"Hurry!" Janet screamed.
The rabid Ooompa Loompa growled and jumped towards the doorway. Frank banged over and over again on the button, the elevator doors finally completely closing. The little man was too late. He hit against the glass and fell down. The tourists watched in horror as the man lay still on the ground.
"Is he going to be alright?" Janet asked.
"Well--" Frank began, but was cut off when he saw the Oompa Loompa regain his stance, brush himself off and act as though nothing had happened. He growled angrily at the elevator's passengers once again.
Frank made a face and pressed some of the elevator's buttons. The craft immediately became set in motion and hovered in the air above the ground. Frank pressed other buttons and the elevator jolted to the right, moving away from the room and back the way which it had taken before. It picked up speed and sailed through the rooms, making everyone nauseous again.
Not before long, the elevator had gotten back to its starting point of where the tourists had boarded-- where the fallen Wonka had been lying unconscious. Frank opened the doors and stepped out, everyone following him until the elevator was empty once again.
"Well folks, that's the end of the tour. How did you like it? What were your favorite parts?" Frank said merrily.
"None of it, you sicko," A man called angrily.
"We're leaving!" A woman spoke.
The crowd rushed past Frank and headed for the doorway.
"But... but... you didn't like my tour?" Frank asked sadly.
"You are despicable," Brad said, took Janet's hand in his and followed the rest. The guests showed themselves out of the factory and Frank was left alone. Alone... why did that feel wrong? There was something just off about this.
"Willy!" Frank said, remembering that Wonka was supposed to be lying around there somewhere. He hoped he hadn't flattened the man with the elevator on its landing! He would never forgive himself if he did... Frank moved around the spot, looking all around for any signs of the man but he had vanished.
"Willy? Where are you?" Frank asked nervously. He inspected the carpet and noticed a small indentation in the shape of Willy's body where he had been lying. "Where did you go?" Frank asked, worried.
"Why, to have a cup of tea, you silly goose," A voice replied from behind Frank. He jumped in shock and turned to see Wonka standing behind him.
"Oh, Willy! Here you are! I was so nervous!" Frank explained.
"That's nice. But we have to have a very long talk, Mr. Furter. I am very angry."
"Why?"
"Well I-- I can't talk standing up like this. I need to sit and finish my tea. Come over to the lounge," Willy instructed, leading Frank to a room that looked like a coffee shop. Willy took a seat in a soft armchair, picked up a cup of tea that was sitting on the table in front of him, and motioned for Frank to sit in the adjacent armchair.
Frank took a seat and Wonka sipped from his tea. He put it back on the table and looked at Frank. "There were unauthorized people in my factory."
"Our factory, Willy," Frank corrected. "I am part owner and I gave my part-guests a part-tour."
"Yeah... but they could've contaminated the candy! Did you make sure that precautions were taken so that no germs could escape into the confectionery? Hm?" Wonka questioned.
Frank pictured the many people hunched over and puking in the candy and made a face. "Uhh... yes?"
Wonka eyed him suspiciously. "Okay. And how do you know that none of them were spies? My secrets might be leaking out everywhere right this minute!"
"I doubt that these people were educated enough to even understand the meaning of the word 'spy.' You've nothing to fret about, my dear Willy."
"Nothing to fret about! Nothing to fret about! You've put the factory in jeopardy!" Wonka yelled.
"There, There Willy. Cool down," Frank said calmly, rising from his seat. He moved around to the back of Wonka's chair and placed his hands upon Wonka's shoulders.
"What are you doing?" Wonka asked, horrified. Are you touching me?"
"Frank will make everything better. Just relax," Frank instructed, massaging Wonka's back and shoulders. "Oh, you are so very tense! Well you won't be anymore after I'm finished with you. I'm going to give a nice back rub. Would you mind removing your coat? And perhaps your shirt as well, Willy?"
Wonka's eyes bulged in their sockets. "Eek!" He squeaked helplessly.