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Chapter 10: The oompa-loompa village

The boys have come to the exit of the vineyard. It seemed like forever for them to cross this room, especially with those strange apes moving around. Mike and Charlie were all wet, but at least they weren't covered in all this chocolate from the chocolate-mixing room. But they were tired, especially Charlie. He didn't like the short kid commanding him like that. Who says he knows where to go? Of course Mike's smart, but it seemed to Charlie that in the chocolate factory even the wisest old man can't be sure about his safety.

-Mike.

Silence.

-Mike!

Silence, only the raindrops tapping on the ground.

-Mike!

-What?

-Finally. Stop ignoring me like that.

-I'm just leading us to the exit, duh!

-I know you like being the leader of our tourist group, but this isn't a hike and we're not heading for a tea party.

-Is that so? What about all the sweets Mr. Wonka promised to show us? Or will he be making sweets out of us, just like he did with the Gloop kid?

-Stop being sarcastic. Let me try to find the way to the elevator, will you?

-Oh, all right. Lead the way, Colombo.

Mike wasn't too pleased about it, but he decided to let Charlie find a way. Maybe he would be more successful. Charlie opened the exit gate, and they found themselves in another iron corridor. With lots of turns. Charlie hesitated for a moment, and they turned left. Then right. Then left. Then again right. Then left.

-Hey Charles, you have any system of turning? – Mike said, quite amused by their turning left and right.

-Sure, Michael. My system is based on spontaneity and… let's say, my own tastes. I hope it sounds scientific enough for you, my friend. – Charlie answered, in a very proud tone.

-Oh, that makes me feel safe and secure. Thank you, Charles! – Mike was almost laughing.

-You're welcome, Michael! – Charlie said loudly, - I'm glad you feel better, Mike. – he added a bit quieter.

Finally, they came to a small wooden door. It was so small that an adult couldn't squeeze inside the room. At least if he wasn't able to change size, Mike thought. Mr. Wonka was sure a weird man, and besides a genius. Maybe he could decrease by eating something, just like Alice from Wonderland, an old story which he read in the first grade. Mr. Wonka himself looked much like a Mad Hatman. To Mike, he was mad already.

-Shall we open the door, Mike? – Charlie asked. His voice didn't sound too thrilled.

-We have no choice. How else are we going to find the elevator?

-You're right. Let's do it.

Charlie pushed the door, and it opened with a terrible scratch.

What they saw was truly amazing. It was a village with little houses on small hills, all neat and cute. Each house had its own unique design, and the variety made the village look even cuter. It was like they entered another fairyland. Little oompa-loompa women were outside, playing with their tiny toylike children. Oompa kids played microscopic oompa-loompa dolls, which were like Barbies to human girls.

-It's an oompa-loompa village! –Charlie exclaimed. – Mike, these folks will help us to find the elevator!

-Maybe they'll prefer to toast us and eat with vegetables. – Mike smirked.

-Come on, weren't you listening to Willy Wonka? They love cacao beans, they're not cannibals!

Mike suddenly became serious.

-Charlie, you shouldn't believe what everyone's saying. It's just not right and… immature. It's like with Santa: the adults tell you that he exists, you write letters to him, and then one day you find out that they buy you presents and put them under the Christmas tree! And your heart is broken. – he finished sadly.

-They never gave you what you wanted, did they? – Charlie guessed, looking at Mike with pity.

-They never bothered to ask what I want, Charles. That's worse. Well, never mind about it.

Charlie decided to tell something pleasant to his companion.

-You know, Mike, if we ever celebrate Christmas together, I promise that I will give you what you really want.

-How nice of you! – Mike answered, amused. – What if I ask you for the head of the German president?

-Oh, you won't. I'm such a softie that I just won't be able to resist! – Charlie laughed, and they both smiled.

Suddenly a little creature touched Charlie's knee. It was one of the oompa-loompas who gathered in front of the boys. He wanted to tell something to them, but he didn't know English or any other human language.

-Hello, little fellows. – Charlie said, trying to sound calm and not too loud. – We're trying to find something here. It's a glass elevator.

The oompa-loompas listened to him, but they couldn't understand what the boy wanted.

-That…thing… - Charlie tried to help himself with the gestures, but he couldn't figure out how to show an elevator. He moved his hands, forming a square in the air, but the oompas still looked puzzled. Charlie looked down: the ground was all covered in sand. He could use it to his advantage. The boy quickly found a stick (which made some of the little oompas terrified) and drew something on the sand. Charlie loved drawing, maybe that's why he didn't have too many problems with drawing an elevator.

One of the oompa-loompas came closer and shouted something cheerfully. His friends repeated after him. They sounded excited.

-Do you know where to find it? – Charlie asked nervously.

The midgets shouted joyfully, they knew where to go. They all crossed their hands in agreement.

-Mike, they know where to go! Now we'll get back to Mr. Wonka and all others! Mike?

But Mike was nowhere around. He disappeared. Charlie got so distracted by explaining the small creatures what he wanted that he completely forgot about Mike. The kid must have got bored and went to explore the village. Charlie had a really bad feeling about it. And he was right.

-Heeeeeeelp!

The scream was terrible. Mike Teavee got himself into trouble again. Just at the moment when everything was so good… Charlie felt extremely guilty about it. He was a little bit responsible for the little genius; something terrible could happen to him.

Finally, Charlie saw the kid. Mike was running from a huge plenty of bees, who were chasing him to kill him. Where the hell did he find the bees!

-What should I do, what should I do? – Charlie repeated, terrified. He remembered that the bees disliked water. Idea! He saw a little pond right behind the third oompa-loompa house to the left. Mike should hide there.

-Ouch! That hurts, you stupid bee! – Mike yelled, and some more bees hurt him.

Charlie quickly ran and pulled Mike in the direction of the pond. Mike was too shocked to move by himself. At last, they have both dived into the water.

Only after a few minutes, when the bees decided to return to their home, Charlie got out of the pond. Mike still sat there.

-Come on, man, get out of there! The bees are gone already. – Charlie said.

-Charlie, help me please. Something's definitely wrong with me. – Mike whispered, closing his eyes.

Charlie quickly pulled the boy out of the pond and lay him on the grass. Mike, with his eyes closed, was breathing heavily.

Meanwhile, Violet didn't feel too good either. Her body was now like a huge balloon. But how could she resist chewing gum? It was like a magnet to her. She just reached out and took it. Just like Mr. Wonka expected. He didn't feel sad about it. Neither did anyone else, except Violet's mother. People are quite cruel when it comes to frightening moments of their life, aren't they?