Disclaimer: I do not own Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Later that night, I tossed and turned in my sleep, contemplating my situation. My two jobs were leaving me absolutely exhausted, but for some reason I couldn't sleep that night. My job at the florist was much more pleasant than the warehouse job, but the owner was retiring and her son was taking over the business. The entire reason I had a job there was because the owner was getting too old to take care of things. When her son takes over, I would probably not be needed anymore.

Sighing, I sat up from my mattress, swinging my legs over the side. I glanced across the room to where my mother was sleeping soundly. Hearing low voices from the main room, I grabbed a robe and shrugged it on, carefully making my way out of the room.

"Couldn't sleep?" Grandpa Joe whispered as I settled into a chair beside Charlie.

I shook my head. "What are you guys talking about?"

In a hushed voice, Charlie told us about the tinker he saw outside of Wonka's factory. "Just before he left, he said, 'Nobody ever goes in, and nobody ever comes out.'"

"And he was right, Charlie," Grandpa Joe said. "Not since the tragic day that Willy Wonka locked it."

Grandpa Joe had told me this story before, but I was content to sit back and listen to it again as he explained it all to my younger brother. My mind wandered to the chocolate factory and everything that awaited inside. What was Mr. Wonka like? What exactly happened? Wonka bars were my absolute favorite candy, but I rarely had them because we couldn't afford them. I knew that Charlie loved them as well. He also loved hearing about the chocolate maker through any story that our grandparents could tell him. Hmm, I thought. His birthday is coming up soon. I think I know exactly what to get him.

I tuned into the conversation again in time to hear Charlie ask about the workers. "But who? Who are they?"

Grandpa Joe shook his head. "That," he said softly, "is the biggest mystery of them all."

"Can you imagine?" I asked in disbelief, listening to the newsman recount the story of Willy Wonka and the five golden tickets.

"They're all crazy!" Grandpa Josephine muttered.

"Shh!" Grandpa Joe said. "The man's a genuis! He'll sell a million bars."

The newsman continued, but Charlie turned to look at our grandfather. "Grandpa, do you think I've got a chance to find one?"

"One? I'm counting on you to find all five!" Grandpa Joe replied.

"One's enough for me," Charlie said, grinning in response before turning back to the television. My mind began scrambling, thinking this over. What if... Just what if Charlie found a golden ticket? I began to imagine all the things that he would see inside the chocolate factory. Chocolate upon chocolate, sweets everywhere! It would be heaven on earth for both of us.

I glanced up at the clock and jumped to my feet. "I have to go to work," I said, quickly throwing on my coat and dashing to kiss my mother on the cheek and hugging my younger brother. "I'll see you all later!" I called over my shoulder to the grandparents. I had enough time to hear them call a goodbye back before I was out the door and down the road, hurrying in my step towards the florist.

My pace slowed as I walked by the chocolate factory, taking in all its silent, impsing glory. Five golden tickets, I thought, stopping by the gates and resting my hand on one of the iron poles. I know that Charlie looks up to this factory as much as I do, maybe even more. He needs something in this world to hope for.

I hope he finds one.

I took one last look at the silent, unmoving factory before hurrying on my way down the centre of town. The florist shop was just across from the candy shop, where I could see all kinds of delicious Wonka bars advertised in the shop. Shaking my head to get rid of my craving for chocolate, I hurried towards the door of the florist shop and opened it.

The bell tinkled as I stepped into the shop, my senses immediately filled with the aromas of dozens of flowers. "Mrs. Brown?" I called, not seeing her in her regular rocking chair behind the counter.

A figure came out of the back room, but it wasn't who I expected. "You must be Amie Bucket," a young man said. He shared similarities with my boss, and I immediately guessed who it was. "I'm Sam Brown. My grandmother retired yesterday, and she turned the owner rights of the shop over to me."

I could see where this conversation was going, and dread began to pool inside me. Sam continued on, looking at me with discomfort. "I'm sorry, but this is a family establishment, and I'm afraid that we no longer need your services."

My hands began to shake as he went on, telling me that they would give me one last paycheck, and other things. Sam seemed to notice that I was in shock, and a look of sympathy crossed his face, and he abandoned his detached, professional tone. "I'm really sorry that I have to do this. We just can't afford the hired help right now. I wish you luck."

I quietly said a goodbye and left the shop, heading towards home.

I slowed my pace outside Wonka's factory. When I walked by here no less than a half an hour ago, my thoughts were full of the golden tickets that Wonka released. Now, all I could think of was how I was supposed to help care for my family. I usually handled the rent and health needs, while my mother covered all the rest of the expenses. This would cut into a huge part of our budget, and I had no idea where to go from here.

Perhaps I could get another job? I thought dubiously. I'll start looking around immediately, but I don't know where I could find one. I swallowed. I feel like I've let my family down. It's not my fault, but I still feel like it.

I was home before I knew it, and my mother looked up in alarm as I walked through the door. "Amie! What is it? Why aren't you at work?"

I shook my head mutely, feeling the eyes of my brother and grandparents on me. I took off my coat slowly and put it on its peg, wishing that everyone would stop staring.

"Well," my mother said. "We'll manage."

For some reason, I wanted to burst into tears.

A/N

Hello, and welcome back to the second chapter! Thank you to my two reviewers, Dresupi and suburbantimewaster. I'm glad to see that you like it so far! Also, thank you to everyone that favorited/followed my story.

College workload is starting to get a bit crazier, so I'll try to put the next chapter up as soon as I can.

Until next time!

~SirAvery