A very big thank you to everyone who has reviewed... makes a nervous writer a bit more confident, ha ha ha.
Chapter 11 – Unexpected Spotlight
As Charlie had been led onto the stage and away from Isabelle, he had become extremely nervous. The attendant was efficient and quick, but the journalists with their microphones and vicious looking smiles had scared him a little. The ultra-bright lights and the cameras in his face, combined with all the noise had disorientated him a little, and he hadn't really paid full attention to whatever questions were thrown his way. He hadn't meant to be rude, it was just so overwhelming and he didn't know what to say.
He shyly sat down and endured being the centre of attention until, thankfully, Augustus had stomped in and stolen the limelight.
He didn't know what to make of the others. Violet seemed so different from her tv interview and yet Veruca seemed worse.
Charlie took a moment to appreciate the way Violet's navy coat and bright red accessories made her face look pretty. None of the girls in his school dressed like Violet did. He quickly turned his face away; he really had no business looking at girls. Her mother was horrible and reminded him of his snide and intimidating English teacher. At least the pair weren't wearing identical tracksuits as they had been during their tv interview.
He glanced at the rest of the group.
Augustus was just mean. Mike seemed ok at first, but then made him feel small and uncomfortable, vaguely reminding him of school when he was being made fun of at lunch but never quite understanding why.
Charlie stared out at the crowd, trying to find Isabelle. He eventually saw her waving at him from the stage entrance, until she was pushed away from view. Seeing her again made him smile brightly and his excitement returned.
This was really it. He was going to meet Willy Wonka. He was going inside the factory that made his dad and grandpa Joe so happy when they had both worked there.
He stared at the factory and lost himself in the good memories, managing to tune out everything around him.
Suddenly the bells began ringing and a louder than normal cheer erupted from the heaving crowds. Showtime.
Charlie stood up eagerly with the others as the crowd fell silent and stared in anticipation at the factory.
'Will there be fireworks?' He wondered, 'No, its daytime silly, fireworks only happen at night.' He chided himself mentally and let out a loud shout of joy as Willy Wonka finally appeared. He soon stopped waving and shouting though, as everyone fell quieter and quieter, watching the elusive chocolatier slowly hobble down the path.
Charlie jumped forward the moment Wonka started falling, but soon relaxed and laughed with delight, together with everyone else, as the chocolatier summersaulted, sprang up and bowed for the crowd. He was ok, all was right with the world.
As soon as Wonka looked up at their stage and beckoned them all forward, everyone rushed and bullied their way to the steps leading down towards the factory. Charlie was almost knocked off his feet as everyone madly dashed to be first.
Charlie waited until the path was clear before slowly climbing down and trotting after them, straightening his blue beanie as he went.
He was vaguely aware of people trying to pat his head or shoulder as he passed by. He got the shock of his life and stumbled to the side as he suddenly noticed Slugworth standing at the barriers.
Charlie had forgotten all about him until that moment, and he worriedly stared at the man as he rushed past. He received a big thumbs up as he cautiously went by.
The rest of the group now stood behind each other in a row, impatiently waiting to be invited through the front gates.
Charlie came to a halt behind them and waited.
"Charlie! Charlie! Over Here!"
He looked over and gave an enormous grin as he saw Isabelle, together with Mr. Wilkinson and was that Bill? The singing man from the shop? Charlie ran over and held Izzys hand with joy.
"Have fun in there Charlie!" Bill yelled out with glee.
"I'm so proud of you Charlie!" Isabelle held his hand tight until an attendant arrived and made her let go.
Mr. Wilkinson tipped his bowler hat and looked pleased. That was as animated as Mr. Wilkinson ever got and Charlie was so overjoyed at seeing them that he almost missed his turn.
The attendant nudged his arm and ushered him over to the gates, where Mr. Wonka was patiently waiting, looking at him with a caring smile.
Suddenly overcome with shyness, Charlie reached out his hand to say hello. Mr. Wonkas hand was large and warm as they shook politely.
"Why hello there, may I see your ticket please?" Wonka smilingly held out his other hand and Charlie gave him the ticket.
"And who might you be young sir?" Wonka quickly answered his own question. "I believe you were the lucky lad to find my last ticket, and just in the nick of time too." Wonka looked at him expectantly.
"I'm Charlie Bucket, it's very nice to meet you." Charlie's confidence and happy grin soon returned as Wonka put him at ease.
"Well, well, Charlie Bucket it's lovely to meet you too and congratulations, but I don't see an adult with you, where is your parent?" Wonka made a great show of looking everywhere into the crowd.
Charlie looked embarrassed. "I don't have any parents Mr. Wonka. It's just me."
"Well, I'm sorry Charlie, but you must have adult supervision, isn't there anyone at all that you want to take with you." Wonka looked concerned and the tv cameras caught every moment.
Wonka looked at the journalist at the gate questioningly as his last statement sent them into a frenzy, at this unexpected turn of events. They swung their cameras wildly at the crowd, whilst jabbering excitedly into their microphones, telling the world that a volunteer was needed to escort this poor orphan boy into the factory.
Charlie meanwhile was nodding excitedly and tugged on Mr. Wonka's sleeve. He bent down so he could better hear what Charlie was saying as the noise levels surged around them.
"Izzy's out there. Can she come with me please? She's a responsible adult and my best friend. The others wouldn't let her come with me, but if you say it's ok, they have to allow it. Please?"
Charlie begged excitedly.
"Well then, where is your lady friend Charlie, why don't you encourage her to come out?" Wonka stuck his head outside the gates and looked around. "We are looking for a lady named Izzy." He calmly stated into the cameras.
Charlie ran back up the path towards Izzy with the cameras following his every move.
Isabelle had not been close enough to hear their conversation, so she became worried as Charlie ran back towards her. The crowds that had seen everything on the screens went wild and started chanting 'Izzy, Izzy, Izzy'.
Isabelle didn't know what was happening as Charlie ran back towards her.
Bill and the attendants helped her climb over the barrier and Charlie dragged her back down the path towards the waiting chocolatier.
Dishevelled, breathless and with her brown hair a mess, Isabelle shook hands with Mr. Wonka and didn't know what to say. Her face was bright red with embarrassment, but Charlie hung onto her arm with joy.
Wonka looked at the young lady and smiled kindly.
"The rules of the contest state quite clearly that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult." He addressed the crowd loudly for everyone to hear. He looked at Isabelle intently. "Charlie very much wants you to be that person, do you agree and accept full responsibility for him for the duration of the tour?"
"Yes, I do." Isabelle squeaked. Then cleared her throat. "Of course, I accept full responsibility for whatever Charlie does inside your factory today Mr. Wonka."
"Wonderful to have you join us Ms Isabelle. Welcome to my humble factory."
Willy Wonka enthusiastically shook her hand and ushered both her, and an excited Charlie over to the side towards the others. Charlie was hanging onto her arm and jumping up and down in joy as she joined the small group.
Mr. Wonka turned back to face the crowds and the cameras.
"Thank you all for coming today, it was wonderful to see everybody. Now if you would kindly excuse us…" Wonka held up a hand to pacify the screaming crowds as he deftly closed and locked his little gate.
He took a few steps backwards, removed his hat and bowed flamboyantly for the crowds, before turning sharply on one heel and walking straight through the small group gathered on the red carpet.
They parted quickly as he brushed past them.
"Off we go then, this way everybody."
Wonka expertly collected his cane without missing a stride as he led everyone up the stairs. He stood to the side as they wandered inside, then waved on last time at the crowd before disappearing inside as well.
The crowd cheered until the doors closed softly behind them.