The gates opening! Everyone is so excited that it feels like the crowd wants to tear you up! Charlie and grandpa Joe rushed to the entrance with others like mad. The little boy even fell into the snow while running, and he had a terrible thought that now the gate would be closed forever and he would never see the wonders of the chocolate land… but everything went well, and he soon was walking to the front door with everyone else.
"Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, the amazing chocolateer…"- the dolls sang cheerfully. They actually looked rather weird. Charlie gave a glance at Veruca Salt. It seemed to him that she was terrified. Mr. Teavee looked nervous, buttoning and unbuttoning his coat. Only courageous grandpa Joe was watching the show with curiosity.
The fireworks exploded. Charlie heard Mike mumbling perhaps to himself: "No wonder everything blew up. Does this idiot even know the simple physical laws?"
They all watched as the dolls were burning, when all of a sudden a lively man jumped out of… the corner? It was like from nowhere. What a strange man! A fantastic haircut, a large top hat, and dark glasses. Who wants to wear those in winter? "Only someone who doesn't want people to see his eyes."- Charlie thought.
- Ha ha ha, wasn't that just magnificent? I thought it was getting a little dodgy in the middle part, but that finale... Wow!
Even Mr. Salt looked as if he ate a lemon. He positively had no idea how to communicate with that kind of person.
-Who are you? – Violet asked with a rather contemptible tone.
Grandpa Joe recognized Willy Wonka. Charlie was glad he had someone who knew about the behavior of the factory owner. It didn't seem that Willy Wonka was glad to see him, but… who knows? Maybe he's just shy to show his feelings?
-Leave your clothes anywhere you want. – Mr. Wonka told them as they entered a large hall.
Charlie took off his coat. Augustus had problems with getting out of his outdoor clothing. Mrs. Gloop was unhappy to find out that her son had become one size larger than he had been a couple of days ago.
-Maybe you should take some exercises, honey. - she complained calmly.
-How am I going to eat chocolate then, mother?
Charlie gave a grin to his grandpa. The old man asked:
-Still don't believe you're here, friend?
-Yes, I suppose. – the little Bucket answered, watching as Mike Teavee was putting his jacket on the floor gently. The computer kid lifted up his head and stared at Charlie for a few seconds, and then looked distracted to the floor. That seemed mysterious.
-I'm unconfident about this prize, grandpa. What if it all ends a disaster?
-Listen to me, Charlie. I've seen many people. And the only person whom I trust is you. Look at that television kid.
The old Bucket slightly pointed to Mr. Teavee's son.
-He's uncertain. He pretends to be you-know-all, but now he's totally confused about himself and tries to hide his true feelings under a mask of showing off. And you're not, Charlie. That's why everything will be all right.
Then something really unexpected happened.
Violet ran fast to Mr. Wonka and… gave him a hug! Charlie had never seen someone so disgusted in his life! It was obvious that this man would be happier if he saw a ghost.
-Mr. Wonka, I'm Violet Beauregarde.
-Oh. I don't care.
Charlie could swear he saw Veruca Salt trying to control herself and not to burst out laughing. It was pretty funny as the "winning" girl continued chewing her gum and speaking with Willy Wonka.
- Well, you should care because I'm the girl who's gonna win the special prize at the end.
Suddenly Charlie felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Mike standing behind him.
-Yeah, right, if a bed in a psychiatric clinic is the special prize. – he whispered to Charlie. The thin boy giggled, looking at Wonka's reaction.
-Well, you do seem confident and confidence is key. – Mr. Wonka said with a polite voice.
Violet looked at the kids as if she already won the whole world and went back to her Mom.
Veruca didn't want to waste her time and stood in front of poor Willy Wonka, who obviously wanted to get rid of everyone who disturbed him.
-I'm Veruca Salt. It's very nice to meet you, sir.
Charlie hadn't seen little girls doing a curtsy before, but in Veruca's case it was pretty nice. If only she had a more lively smile, not that unnatural and scary one.
-I always thought a verruca was a type of wart you got on the bottom of your foot. Ha.
"Hey, this guy has a great sense of humor!"-Charlie thought. "Though he uses it only to humiliate people. Well, she deserves it, I guess."
When Augustus stepped in front of Veruca, Charlie thought the little girl could certainly hide behind the tubby. Young Gloop was as large as a mountain.
- I'm Augustus Gloop. I love your chocolate.
Wow. Germans are rather impatient. And impolite. Veruca is a spoiled girl, but she still can be called a lady.
- I can see that. So do I. I never expected to have so much in common…
Mrs. Beauregarde put her hands on the mouth in order not to give a loud laugh. This Willy Wonka sure was a humorous man.
They took a few quick steps forward, and then the chocolateer stopped and turned around. He looked at Mike strictly.
-You, you're Mike Teavee. You're the little devil who cracked the system.
Mike didn't say a word. But his cheeks turned a little pink, which meant he was proud of cracking the system. He even looked quickly at Charlie and, as usual turned his sight away.
Charlie smiled, remembering Grandpa's explanation.
-And you, you're just lucky to be here, aren't you? – Wonka said friendly. Charlie couldn't help but smile. No laughing at him and his grandpa, it was just great. Now he wasn't afraid of anything.