Lottie Morgan decided to visit her Uncle Andrew and his family at Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Little did she know that she was about to enter a magical, delectable world and capture the heart of the sweetest of men.

"All that is gold does not glitter; not all those that wander are lost."

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 1954

Based on the 2005 Tim Burton film, starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.

He suddenly grabbed her by the arm. "Come on, then! There's far too much to see!"

Lottie found herself being dragged toward the exit of the chocolate room by Willy Wonka. "We'll take the Great Glass Elevator, I think!"

"Great Glass Elevator! But…what is that?" asked Lottie.

Willy walked over to the glass structure and pressed a button. He peered over at her. "Come on, Lottie!" he said.

"You want me to come in there? What kind of elevator is this…" she asked, a bit unsure about this mode of transportation. What was this contraption?

"Why, the Great Glass Elevator, of course!" said Willy. "It's by far the most efficient way of getting around the factory."

Lottie stepped into the elevator and stared around in astonishment. The walls were covered all over with small black push buttons. She read some of the buttons aloud: "Literary allusions…Taffy pulling...Magic beans…Polyester candy…Cranberry hats… Blackcurrant events…Stir crazy cookies…Toffee coffee…"

"Yep," said Willy, smiling at her. "This just isn't an ordinary up-and-down elevator, by the way," said Willy. "This elevator can go longways and sideways and slantways and every other way you can think of."

Lottie watched his enthusiasm in amusement. He was like a little boy, she thought.

"The whole elevator is made of thick, clear glass," Willy declared. "Walls, door, ceiling, floor, everything is made of glass so that you can see out. You just press one button, and…you're off!"

Lottie gasped as the elevator suddenly took off suddenly slantways. It was so fast, in fact, that they were at their destination in about thirty seconds. The elevator stopped as suddenly as it started.

"Come on! I want to show you something!" Willy took her hand and bolted off towards the Inventing Room.

"Run mad as often as you choose," cried Lottie, smiling as she was dragged behind him on a wave of confectionary fervor, "but do not faint!"

Walking into the Inventing Room, Lottie gasped. All about her black metal pots were bubbling and boiling on huge stoves, and kettles were hissing and pans were sizzling, and strange iron machines were clanking and spluttering. The whole place was filled with smoke and steam and delicious rich smells.

Willy glanced over at Lottie, his eyes solemn. "So, do you like it?"

Lottie was overwhelmed. "Oh, Mr. Wonka," she replied, "it's beautiful."

Willy beamed with pride, his eyes shining. Today was going pretty well, he thought to himself. Not bad at all.

"Oh!"

Lottie was looking at something on the floor, and Willy wondered what had caught her attention. Suddenly he understood.

"These are Oompa Loompas," said Willy. "Imported….direct from Loompaland. I went to Loompaland looking for exotic new flavors for candy. Instead, I found the Oompa Loompas."

"I know! Aunt Emma told me about them! They're so cute!"

Willy grimaced and said indignantly. "Hey! Oompa Loompas are not 'cute!' They are an important part of my confectionary workforce."

"I'm sorry…that's what I meant," replied Lottie, a bit amused at his discomfort.

"Come here," he said, "I want to show you something."

Willy opened a door. Lottie saw a long table, and on the table there were rows and rows of small, white, square-shaped candies. The candies looked very much like square sugar lumps – except that each of them had a funny little pink face painted on one side.

"There you are," exclaimed Willy, "Square candies that look round!"

"But…they look square!" said Lottie, quizzically looking the candies, "They look completely square!"

"Do not!" said Willy adamantly.

"Do so!" said Lottie.

"Do not!" said Willy.

"Umm…" Lottie was unsure what to do. Weren't they round, after all?

"Wait!" said Willy. "Watch this!" He opened and closed the door to the room again. All the rows and rows of little square candies looked quickly round at him.

Smiling, Lottie peered at the little faces. "They do look 'round!" she exclaimed.

Willy smiled. "Yes," said Willy, "it is truth, but truth is not always appearance."