FOURTEEN

Edward and Willy walked down Monroe Street and turned onto Penbrook Lane. There at the end of the road, was the factory. They approached the giant iron gates that kept out the public. No smoke came from the smoke stacks that were fixed high at the top of the factory. It was truly breathtaking.

Willy and Edward stopped at the gates, Edward still fascinated by the monstrosity of the factory. Willy quickly looked to see if anyone was around. Satisfied they were the only two, Willy lifted a stone from one of the pillars securing the iron gate. He revealed a keypad, punched in the numbers 2255288, and the gates slowly creaked open. Willy replaced the stone and the duo went through to the courtyard.

"What do you think?" Willy asked Edward proudly.

"It's beautiful," Edward said. "I've never seen anything like it in my life."

"would you like to see the show?" Willy asked.

"show?" Edward said confused.

"I'll have to go in the back for the full effect. Wait here," Willy said skipping up the stairs and through a door.

Edward waited patiently, rocking back and forth on his heels. He jumped back a little as the doors before him slid apart, revealing a red curtain which pulled back too, accompanied by very strange music and odd looking plastic puppets.

Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, the amazing chocolateer,

Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, everybody give a cheer.

He's modest, clever and so---

The music suddenly stopped and the puppets started twitching. Edwards knitted his eyebrows in confusion as Willy came running out from the back of the stage. He stopped at the front of the stage facing the puppets. One puppet with a blonde ponytail and holding a red and white striped lollipop was twitching back and forth, apparently stuck like all the other puppets. Willy put his hands on his hips and sighed, Examining the malfunctioning show. He turned to face the girl puppet and stared at it, as if scolding her with his eyes. Willy slowly lifted his leg, and suddenly kicked the puppet. He broke the lollipop out of her hand and continued to kick at her. He picked up his cane and started beating her head, continuing to hit it until went flying over Edward's head.

The show still didn't budge and Willy turned to face Edward, saying, "Well, they're not feeling well enough to perform today I suppose. C'mon Edward, let's boogie."

Edward contained his laughter as he passed the decapitated puppet which was now smoking from the top. He followed Willy through the doors coming into a large foyer. They crossed the giant room until they came to an elevator, or in this case, a Wonkavator. Edward carefully stepped in after Willy and the doors shut. The walls were covered with buttons of every size and shape.

"this will take you anywhere you want to go in the entire factory. Right now however, we must go meet Charlie. He'll be so excited to see you," Willy said smiling.

Willy pushed a button labeled INVENTING ROOM, saying, "Charlie's always in here."

The Wonkavator shot downwards and through a purple and green striped tunnel. The blazing colors alone were enough to make Edward dizzy from looking at them. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

The Wonkavator slid to a stop outside the inventing room, and with a hiss the doors slowly opened. Edward and Willy stepped out and the door to the inventing room opened. Edward followed Willy through the bizarre room, passing a large water tank filled with multicolored balls, bubbling test tubes connected to vials, and at least a dozen oompa loompas. Willy beckoned one of them to him and said, "Will you please go and get Charlie for me?"

"WILLY!" a voice shouted from behind them.

They turned around to see a young boy running towards them. He wore a blue and gray sweater with corduroy pants. He was very thin, but not sickly, with brown hair and the smile on his face was addictive.

"Willy, you're back!" he said wrapping his arms around Willy. Willy hugged him back, glancing at Edward who smiled at his discomfort.

"Hello Charlie! I'd like you to meet my new friend, Edward," Willy said, flicking his hand towards Edward.

Edward outstretched his scissors to shake Charlie's small hand, but remembering he couldn't, pulled back. Charlie grabbed Edward's wrist and moved it up and down, saying, "it's great to meet you Edward."

"Hi Charlie," Edward said sweetly.

"c'mon, I've got loads to show you. The oompa loompas and I have made a breakthrough with the popping scribbles. C'mon!" Charlie said, skipping off down the center of the room.

Willy smiled at Edward and they started after Charlie.

Edward smiled saying, "I think I'm gonna like it here."