As the doors swung open, Rowena Chantilly saw before her a real life Candy Land. No, it was far better than any land of candy she'd ever dreamed of. The astounding colors were dazzling, the scintillating scents sweet and powerful, and the amazing size of the world before her was enough to send her head spinning.
And oh, did it ever.
"I can't believe it," she whispered, dark eyes wide with wonder. "I'd heard rumors, but I never…"
Her initial shock was wearing off as Mr. Wonka moved to stand beside her. "What to you think?" he asked excitedly, anticipation filling his voice.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, dazzled by the stunning colors and strange shapes of the delicious meadow which lay before her.
"I'm glad you think so. This way." He led her silently through the vibrantly green grass, guiding across a bridge that arched above a dark, creamy river. Even before he explained, she had some idea of what the liquid was.
"Every drop of the river is hot, melted chocolate of the finest quality," he told her with great pride, pausing at the edge of the bridge where they had a spectacular view of a great frothing waterfall.
"The waterfall is most important," he continued, pointing straight at it with his cane. "It mixes the chocolate, churns it up. Makes it light and frothy." He paused to let her absorb the fact, pleased by her look of genuine interest.
"No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall, my dear Miss Rowena Chantilly. And you can take that to the bank."
The blonde nodded slowly, observing the chocolate river for a moment with unveiled delight. To Willy's dismay, however, her delight soon disappeared, replaced with a look that clearly meant she was determined to get to business. Setting her briefcase on the soft and crunchy grass, she pulled out her stenopad.
"Excuse me," he interjected before her pen met with the paper. "Uh, what are you doing?"
"I told you that I need to keep notes on you and your factory. It's standard procedure."
"Standard procedure doesn't always apply in my factory."
Rowena's hand froze, her eyes rising to meet Mr. Wonka's. Was she hearing things, or had his voice changed when he'd said that? He'd sounded so serious, even vaguely prophetic. Determined not to be distracted, she bowed her head once more and began to write.
River and waterfall of chocolate possible liability. Mr. Wonka suggests they are necessary in the production of chocolate. Only factory in the world that employs such means.
"I'm afraid I have no choice but to follow my standards of procedure, Mr. Wonka," Rowena told him flippantly as she shut the notepad, sliding it back into her briefcase.
"Well, whatever you say." He turned away with a scowl on his face, and Rowena couldn't help but roll her eyes. They were only notes.
He sauntered along through the meadow, glancing over his shoulder as she hurried to catch up with him. He was back to his old self it seemed, or at least acting the way she assumed was his usual behavior. With a wide grin, he gestured with both arms. "Why don't you try something?"
She whirled to face him, tilting her head quizzically. "Try something?" she repeated dumbly.
"Of course, try something! Everything in here is so delicious, so delightful, you won't believe it!"
"Everything?"
"Everything."
"Oh, no, thank you. I couldn't."
Mimicking her stance, he leaned forward so their eyes were level. "Yes, you could," he told her sternly.
"No, I couldn't," she returned, panic tracing her voice.
"You can't or you won't?" he pressed on, watching her carefully as her eyes darted across the tempting objects of his meadow.
"Both. I haven't eaten sweets in a very long time."
"No time like the present!"
"No, thank you."
Annoyance written clearly on his face, Mr. Wonka raised a finger, ready to make a point, when the voice of a boy sounded from across the river.
"Willy!"
The pair turned in the direction of the voice. Standing on the opposite bank, a boy that appeared to be no more than ten or eleven was waving wildly, a happy smile on his face. He ran along the bank and over the bridge, bounding up beside them. "Willy, there you are!"
"Well hello, Charlie!" Mr. Wonka smiled, planting his cane in the grass and settling his hands on top of it. "Miss Rowena Chantilly, I'd like you to meet my partner, Charlie."
"You're Charlie?" She asked in utter disbelief, glancing several times from the boy to Mr. Wonka.
"It's nice to meet you," he said sincerely, reaching out to take her hand and shaking it vigorously.
"Likewise," she muttered, unable for the moment to say anything else.
"I didn't know she was here already!" Charlie said to Willy.
"Yep, she came right on time. Where have you been?"
"Mum made me clean my room."
Mr. Wonka nodded sympathetically, patting the boy's back.
In unison, Mr. Wonka and Charlie returned their attention back to the woman. "You should come and meet my family, Miss Chantilly!" Charlie suggested excitedly.
"Do they live here?" Rowena asked, avoiding Mr. Wonka's penetrating gaze.
"Just on the other side of the river, around the corner!" Taking her by the hand, Charlie began to drag her along, leading her back over the bridge and through the other side of the meadow. Helpless to do anything but follow along, Rowena stumbled behind him, wishing she'd thought to have exchanged her black pumps for something more comfortable before leaving for the factory.
Mr. Wonka must have been right behind them, for when Charlie and Rowena halted before a brown, crooked cottage, he was suddenly at her side again.
"You live in the meadow. That must be utterly delightful." Her words surprised the other two, for she'd had little to say since Charlie's introduction.
"Yeah, it's great!" Charlie whole-heartedly agreed, leading them along the jagged path to the front door. "Our house used to be outside of the factory, but Willy thought it would be a good idea for my family and me to move into the factory. Mum and dad were attached to the place, though, so the Oompa-Loompas brought the whole house here."
Before she could ask questions, Rowena was ushered through the door by Charlie, Mr. Wonka bringing up the rear.