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SWEET CONFECTIONS Author: Arr Ose Disclaimer: I don’t own anything related to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, never have and never will. Summary: You are the proud owner of “Sweet Confections”, a candy store that has lost it’s popularity due to the arrival of Mr. Wonka and his own prized candies. Desperate to regain control of everyone’s cravings, you have plotted the perfect plan to take out Wonka and his blasted factory. Pre-golden tickets. Author's Note: I have based Mr. Wonka’s personality on what I have seen from the trailer. This might be completely wrong, yet I couldn’t control myself from creating this story. I would also like to add that it would be best if you imagined Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and not Gene Wilder. :D * * * * * CHAPTER 1 - Everything Is So Sour Sweet Confections was the charming candy store on the corner. It was small but quaint with its warm and inviting décor. People on their way home would stop by and look into the glass window, where your recent concoctions were displayed. But everything had changed since then. Business had become slow and the competition was fierce. It seemed as if every other candy store was making buckets of cash while your own store was lagging in profits. Sure there were the occasional regulars who would stop by every week or so, but the results weren’t quite the same as your competitors. No longer was there a crowd packed inside this small shop screaming out the orders of their favorite delectable. There were no more eager children drooling over your wondrous concoctions. Yes, Wonka Bars had taken everything. Of course it was a silly thought blaming all of your suffering on a candy bar, but it seemed like the logical answer. Ever since that diabolical man Willy Wonka, had built his infamous Chocolate Factory, his trademark goodies had became the craving of everyone’s tooth. His arrival brought uproar to the local candy store managers, each killing one another so that they could carry Wonka products in their own shop. You decided against begging and your rare customers would say you were paying the price of not doing so. Were you foolish not to hold the products? Perhaps, yet you were determined to make it on your own in the business world, without Wonka’s help. “Are you still feeling sorry for yourself?” Your friend and co-workers voice shouted from the back of the store, waking you from your depressed trance. “I swear Devon, that’s all you do these days! Sitting there with your head in your hands…” Sure enough, Sarah had been correct. You often sat by the cash register, tapping random beats on the counter, and watching pedestrians walk by with a Wonka bar in their hands. It seemed as if half of your work hours were spent doing this. “I can’t help it!” You moaned as you slid off of your chair, heading to where Sarah was located. “I miss the chaotic ness around here.” You arrived in the kitchen and noticed Sarah’s chubby form jetting around the room. You smiled sweetly and headed to the center counter where the fresh blend of chocolate and caramel she had made was waiting to be shaped into delicious candies. “Let me help you with this.” You stated as you began pouring the mix into the pastry bag, soon delicately squeezing the filled bag and placing the dribbles onto the metal sheet. Sarah smiled graciously as she grabbed her own pastry bag and followed suit. Sarah had been with you from day one. She was a loyal friend and employee, though she often liked to give you unwanted advice on how to handle the recent Wonka situation. As you assumed she would in a manner of seconds. “Have you even tried one?” “Tried what?” “Devon you know what I’m talking about, a Wonka Bar! Or some of those Everlasting Gobstoppers?” “No. And I don’t plan to.” You replied sharply, picking up your filled tray and moving it into the refrigerator. You could hear Sarah groan loudly and probably purposely just to get on your nerves. “We’ve been through this before and I’m not, I repeat, not, carrying those tacky products. End of discussion.” “What are you planning on doing then? Are you going to let this guy take the whole town? You’ve got to do something to regain Sweet Confections popularity! Maybe hold a contest of some sort? Oh! How about we stick slips of different colored paper into your own candy bars and whoever finds them wins a prize?” Your turned to stare at her blankly pondering what she had just said. “Sarah… that’s just about the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard.” She shrugged, chuckling “It was worth a try.” You smiled and looked up at the clock. “It’s close to closing time. We’ll let these refrigerate over night.” Referring to the covered trays, you quickly placed the last of them into the fridge. Sarah tugged off her stained apron as she replaced it with the faux fur coat that you thought looked terrible on her. She handed you your own coat as the both of you made your way to the front, shutting the lights off as you did so. “You’re right though.” You blurted as you pulled the stores keys from your pocket. “Right about what?” “I should do something. I can’t let Wonka take control. Perhaps we should collaborate ideas on how to get him out of the business?” Sarah shook her head, “I’ll do nothing of that sort. That’s cruel.” Your expression soured. “Please? You can become a partner in crime! Isn’t that a great title? We can say his chocolates food poisoned one of us!” She rolled her eyes and opened the front door, sending a blast of cool air throughout the room. Luckily it wasn’t snowing as it had been hours before or the walk home would be treacherous. “I’m sure you’ll think of something smart tonight. Good night Devon.” Sarah waved behind her as she started to trudge her way home. “I’ll think of something alright. Mark my words Wonka!” You shouted dramatically inside the empty store before locking and leaving Sweet Confections. * * * * * It was like the plague that never seemed to find a vaccine. No matter how hard you would try to ignore it, it would somehow find it’s way underneath your skin. The day had already become disastrous for you with two outbreaks that you had desperately tried to avoid. First of which was when you had begun eating breakfast and had obviously noticed the backside of the newspaper sitting innocently on the table. No matter how dull the news was going to be, you had decided to occupy your time with some reading. Flipping the thin stack over you are immediately greeted with bold letters printed largely across the top, reading, ‘Boxes of Wonka Bars Stolen’. The pit of your stomach became sick and you could not help but scan the article loosely. “Rubbish.” Was all you managed to mumble before returning to nibble on your burnt slice of toast and cup of coffee. Not long afterward, you had begun your walk to Sweet Confections with optimistic thoughts of the day ahead of you. The town was calm and usually didn’t pick up movement until later in the morning. The buildings were covered with shadows in effect of the cloudy sky and stood not much taller than two or three stories. Snow was falling in flurries and would soon add to the inch layer of snow that already covered the ground. All was quiet besides one or two loose cars driving home from a late night, their bright headlights shining in your eyes in the slight darkness. Also the sound of crunching snow met your ears as your boot covered feet plowed through. It would be three blocks until you would reach Sweet Confections so there was much time to be spent on thinking about the events that are presently etching themselves into your life. With your head bent and looking at the ground ahead of you, it was only by chance that your eyes happened to catch the flashes existing inside the display case of Timmy’s Televisions. Your feet slowed down and soon stopped near the glass window, causing your eyes to stare at the many sized televisions. The commercial came through beautifully on all sets and did a wonderful job of selling the product. Yes. Wonka’s stupid, bloody products had followed you. In slight awe you watched helplessly as the commercial showed grinning children pawing at the candy in which their parents handed to them as a reward for eating their dinner, or something like that. Even after the minute-or-so commercial was done airing, it had left you standing with your mouth open and flurries of snow landing on your jealous face. That was the second outbreak and you were currently trying to avoid anymore while on your last block. You saw the corner ahead and a sigh of relief began swelling in your stomach. It was clueless to you what would happen in one block, but you were nonetheless glad not to encounter some other news or commercial containing the Wonka name. Turning the corner greeted you with something unexpected, a stranger seemed to be frozen in a crouch, staring straight into the display window of Sweet Confections. It shocked you because not everyone took much notice to them anymore and seeing a possible customer brought butterflies to your stomach. It didn’t take long before your pace had significantly changed to a power walk and your face had brightened considerably. “May I help you sir?” You said eagerly, only assuming he was a male by his reflection in the window. Luckily you noticed such a thing because you would have easily mistaken him as a woman by his short bobbed hair and pale skin. Unfortunately he was wearing large dark sunglasses that took up the rest of his face, so not much else could be noticed about his features. Seconds were passing and the man appeared to take no acknowledgement to your presence. His head seemed like stone for it hadn’t moved an inch since you came into distance. Not knowing the slightest idea what to do, you leaned over and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Hopefully by now he would show some sign he was living. Surprisingly, it worked and gave you quite the jolt. “Oh! Dear me!” The stranger sprung upwards suddenly, and the quick motion certainly had it’s affect for you found yourself dancing on an unseen patch of ice, and slipping not soon after on the hard surface. You moaned, bringing a hand to your bum and rubbing it soothingly all the while feeling your cheeks growing red with embarrassment. “I apologize, I must’ve frightened you!” The man moved forward, with a rubbery purple gloved hands grabbing your arm gently, and helping you up from the wet sidewalk. It took a few moments to gather yourself completely, all the while brushing your backside numerous times and still feeling a large circular damp spot. You muttered your thanks and stepped around him, trying to find the stores keys which you insist you fell on as well. “Are you the owner of this candy shop?” The man asked jovially, following you to the door. “Yes, but I’m afraid we don’t sell Wonka products so for those you’ll have to find another store who was successfully suckered into buying them.” You jammed the found keys into the door’s keyhole and heard a familiar unlocking sound. Turning around with the door held open by your shivering hand, you met with the Cheshire like grin of the man. ‘Why is he smiling? He should be throwing a fit after hearing that!’ You wondered. “Would you like to come in? It’s frigid out here and I could make us a cup of cocoa.” Of course you thought it was frigid, but taking a good look at the man he seemed to be toasty by boasting a black coat that looked extremely comfortable. The man's wardrobe made him appear to be a rich fellow and you wanted him all the more to walk into Sweet Confections and buy some cocoa! “No, no, my dear. I really must be going.” “I insist!” You said a little too desperately with the fleeting feeling inside that all hope was being lost. “I’m terribly sorry. It’s a bit too late in the day.” The man shook his head slowly before spinning on his heal and walking away from you and Sweet Confections. You stood at the door, watching sadly as another customer was biting the dust with his billowing coat and thin figure escaping your grasp. * * * “Late in the day?!” You yelled throwing an apron on and tossing your shed coat on the ground. Your feet slammed the floor as you stormed your way behind the counter and began throwing your own fit with kicking legs and arms. “It’s morning for Pete’s sake!” “Are you okay Devon?” Your movements ceased as you heard Sarah’s familiar voice enter the room. “Do I look okay?! I just watched a customer walk away from me! I was this close!” Making a point you pinched your fingers so only little light could be seen from the space. Sarah stared at you with her calm eyes, giving you a weak smile. Silence grew between you, with only the quiet pants you exhaled being heard. “Think of a plan?” She asked softly. “Tonight, you and I are going to storm the castle itself! We’ll throw Wonka off his throne!” You grinned at her, only adding that her part involved was optionally after her disapproving look was thrown at you. “What the heck? I’ll do it. I’m in need of an adventure.” Sarah sighed as you ran over to her, gripping her with the strongest hug you could muster. “Do you have any pantyhose?” * * * * * The town was as deserted as a ghost town, shops were closed, and the residents were more or less at home, snoozing away until morning in their comfy beds. The moon was waning among the stars as both cast eerie glows against the buildings while the street lights appeared dim and lit the surrounding area. 2:00 was now a perfect time to go sneak and creep about the streets like a raccoon. Currently, the mission was an easy one. The two raccoons needed to locate the giant factory that stood monstrously among the small town. It wasn’t too hard to spot, seeing as how the tall spires stuck out from the other buildings like a weed amidst grass. Sweet Confections had been declared the starting point and a last minute decision was made to drive yourself there, pick up Sarah, then drive only minutes around the streets until you came upon the infamous mansion like factory. You winced slightly as a loud clank erupted from your old car. Already it was huffing and puffing towards your shop and making quite the noise of doing so. It really wasn’t the cars fault though, considering how much you did use your legs to get to from place to place. The car was indeed old, and it could be strongly inferred from the slight rust that grew on the side due to a paint job that was always put on hold. The inside was more or less in the same condition, the car seats where torn and stuffing was already finding its way out. What could you say? There was never a need to buy a new one to matter how junky it was. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, and slowly pushing your petal on the gas, you were driving your way to Sweet Confections. From your eyes, a dark figure was standing against the building but gaining a stance once the noise of the car could be heard. Your assumption was correct as Sarah sprinted quietly over to you and Ol’ Rusty. “What do you think you’re doing driving around out here?! I thought we were walking!” Sarah lashed out while the passenger side window was making its way down. A response was on the rise, but a laugh had beat it out of your mouth. An uncontainable laughter hurled itself out and couldn’t be controlled. “Oh ‘ha ha’ I know what you’re laughing at and it wasn’t my idea in the first place. Plus it was your ridiculous idea in the first place.” With a stick out of the tongue as best as you could see, Sarah flung open the car door and sat herself down. In the process, swearing that a ‘Ew, now my tongue tastes funny’ was muttered. “Honestly Devon, do you really think these things are required?” Sarah huffed as she searched around for the seat belt. “Why do you have the lights off anyways? I’m telling you, you’re making this seem like a criminal act… and we’re the criminals.” Shifting the car into ‘drive’ once again, you flashed a grin to yourself knowing full well she was oblivious to your plan, as well as your crazed smile. After all, the both of you were trying the new nighttime fashion statement of pantyhose strangling and sticking tightly to your head. It was a thin cloth but the darkness of it all kept you from seeing very much of what was in front of you or the car at least. A hopeful thought loomed in your head to drive slow enough as to not hit anyone who might be lurking in the shadows. From the sounds of things, Sarah wasn’t taking nicely to the new head piece and was heard breathing deeply and shifting uncomfortably around in the seat. You were also sure that she was sweating like a pig since this was most likely her first time of staying out late and doing a naughty deed. Another emotion that was surly upon her covered face was worry, after all this was about the first time she’s ever seen you as driven and determined to get a job done as you were tonight. Sarah wasn’t the only one sweating, your palms were slick with perspiration as they clung against the wheel, occasionally slipping when a turn was being made. “Devon, do you even know where you’re going?” Sarah asked, slouching down in a final move to make herself secure and comfy. “Um, not exactly, I’ve never really driven by it seeing as how I loathe the building and all of its contents.” You forced a cough, “I was just going to drive around in the direction where it seems to be standing, that is, unless you know the street?” “No, I don’t. I guess your idea will work though, doesn’t look to hard to find.” Sarah muttered, now directing her attention out the window. For a few minutes, nothing but silence filled the car with a sporadic intrusion of clangs and squeaks caused by Ol’ Rusty. Unfortunately, you were also greeted with a loud growl from your stomach. “Sarah,” Your friend turned her head around and stared at you intently, “Do you think it was stupid of me to not eat anything? I’m incredibly hungry and could eat like, a horse, or anything for that matter.” You let out an innocent laugh and focused back to the road. “Anything? You just have to promise to not get mad…” Came the reply. Sarah was now fidgeting slightly in her seat, bringing a hand around to grope within her coat pocket, and soon surfaced with some rectangular object in her hand. Eagerly, you bobbed your head up and down, reaching across to grab the item from Sarah’s loose grip and bringing it close enough to your view to see what you would be ingesting. As your eyes adjusted to the object you had become increasingly repulsed and let leak a shrill scream that consumed the small space the two of you occupied. Your reaction was as if you were bitten by a poisonous bug, throwing the item against the dashboard and gladly watching it snap in half from the impact. Sarah on the other hand was remaining calm, with stifled laughter and a shrug, she reached over to grab the broken bar from the dashboard, replacing it back into her pocket for safe keeping and well away from anymore mutilation. “Sarah.” “Devon.” She meekly replied. “Why is there a Wonka bar in the car?” “I told you not to get mad, but your reaction was priceless. I really wish I could have seen your face. Just think of it as payback for making me wear this garment.” She said with a giggle. “Hardy har har.” Wanting to forget about the incident, you strained yourself to get a better look ahead of you. Yes, the factory was getting closer with every street you drove through and already the large iron gates leading to the building itself were in view. Anticipation was growing deeply within your stomach as you could feel the butterflies flying themselves violently within you. “Oh my god.” Sarah was in shock, the factory was nothing in comparison to any picture. The size was enormous and could probably have created its own small town dedicated to Wonka himself. Her mouth was beginning to gape, making itself as wide as a hippopotamus’s yawn. “Please, it’s not that magnificent.” The jealousy that laid internally spoke harshly, now comparing Sweet Confections to this mansion of candy making. Your little shop was nothing and would easily fill Wonka’s factory by the hundreds. “Well, I think we should stop here and walk the rest of the way. Good thing the car is pretty close incase we need a quick getaway.” “I don’t like the sound of this.” Sarah murmured, unlatching her seatbelt in tune with the cars sudden screech to a halt. Undoing your own belt, you pulled the keys from the ignition, and shoved the car door open. A breath of fresh air greeted the two of you and it was a definite change from the stuffy inside of a car. Sarah had already escaped from the confinements of Ol’ Rusty and was now taking her first steps towards the gigantic factory, of which hold her in utter awe and amazement. Rolling your eyes, you quickly locked the car doors manually before slightly shoving her in hopes to get her feet to begin walking. From where you had parked the car it was a small secluded area that could more or less be called an ally. Hopefully the car was well hidden enough from any passers to not be so suspicious looking. The spot was also located fine enough to accommodate short walking since only down the street was were you needed to go before reaching the gates. “Hurry, hurry!” You mumbled to yourself with nervous anticipation. Your huddled form was moving rapidly across the sidewalk, leaving Sarah befuddled and lagging behind. “Devon, there’s no need to be in such a rush.” Sarah called back, quickening her own footsteps to match your own. Yes there is! Yes there is! We’re almost there! We’re almost there! You were screaming at yourself. This was absolutely exhilarating! Soon the plan would be put to action within a few more minutes. There it was. The factory had finally been reached. The both of you stood silently at the gates, gazing into what they so strongly blocked from being entered. Your hand was beginning to shake and it throbbed violently as you grabbed one of the iron bars. Cool to the touch, it sent shivers down your spine and throughout your body. The moment was here and suddenly everything impacted you all at once. Were you going crazy? Are you so envious of this man to climb these gates with all of your will to try and ruin everything he created? So entirely jealous of his success and popularity that anything with the word Wonka made you grit your teeth? “Are you okay Devon?” A concerned friend said from behind you. You had made it this far, what was holding you back? “You still in to do this thing?” “Yes. I’m ready.” You flew a look over to Sarah who returned a small comforting smile from what it appeared. With pantyhose on your heads it appeared that you were both ready to begin Wonka’s so called demise. * * * * * I’m sorry for the long delay! I tend to make promises I end up not making. Well this next promise will be fulfilled before July 15th, guarantee. You and Sarah will be finding your way into the factory and getting yourselves into trouble… * * * * * CHAPTER 4 - An Overuse of White Your fingers were quickly becoming numb with the continued contact of the gate, sooner or later the feeling would be completely lost within them. It had been a few minutes since your last agreement to get started with everything, and Sarah was still being a very patient person standing with arms crossed with her teeth chattering every so often. Eyes glazed partially over, you were still having an internal debate with yourself as to continue with this scheme, though in the back of your mind the decision was already made. You two would both be climbing over this silly gate whether the angel on your shoulder wanted to partake in the moment or not. Your almost frozen hand glided smoothly down the bar, releasing itself from the long union. Now replacing the slight frown and ‘deep in thought’ look with a more suitable curious smile, you stared at the towering gate above with an unseen glint in your eyes. Sarah, finally seeing your movements did the same gesture as to look overhead. “How do you suppose we go about doing all of this?” She asked wearily. The gate was many a feet taller than the two of you, boasting two wide doors, and painted a smooth and clean white that would seem to never chip or rust. If ever there was a question to ask Wonka, it was as to where you could purchase the brand paint and how to get it so glossy. The very top of the gate was a wavy shape and took the look of a camels hump. Not too far lower was a horizontal bar which was where the vertical bars ran through. Perhaps if one of you climbed upon the other… “Do you think one of us should get on the others shoulders?” There! That would rid you of the shoulder angel, having Sarah step on it would hopefully exterminate it. Though most likely it would be you who was doing the shoulder crushing. “It could work, all one of us would have to do is grab that bit,” She motioned to the horizontal bar, “And then just drop down on the other side. The only problem is how the other person will get to the other side, and I’m assuming that person would be me.” Yes, that did propose a problem. You were most certainly not going into the factory and getting lost all by yourself. Your eyes wandered over to the center, where the doors greeted each other, and started searching for a locking mechanism of some sort. “Well, if there’s a button to press then maybe they’ll open mechanically or I could just try pulling them open. Something’s got to work! Would you be game into trying it?” You asked, doing a slight jump to face her properly. “Sure, I’m just sorry if we can’t figure anything else out that can get me over there…” “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re getting over here.” You said, being quite sure of yourself. Taking an equal amount of steps to the gate, Sarah bent down and waited for your feet to meet her shoulders and muck up her coat. You hastily hopped over to her hunched position and lifted your right foot to match with her right shoulder. Snatching one last glare at the goal, you lightly placed your foot down all the while hearing Sarah mutter a profanity or two. “Holy hell Devon! We’re going to be lucky ducks if I can even stand up with your weight on me! This is insane… you’re insane!” Most likely Sarah was wincing as your other foot set itself on her free shoulder. Sarah made an immediate point to grasp your ankles tightly while you already began shifting around in the air. Now that the balancing act was on, Sarah was being prompted to wobble around on your account and your job of standing on her feather-downed padded shoulders was a complicated feat of your own. Luckily it was only a minute or so before Sarah huffed out that she was in a comfortable position for the time being, this resulted only after many rotations of cursing. “You’re simply amazing! I’m truly honored to have you as a friend.” You called down to her, quickly placing your hands on the thin snow sheeted top of the wall, and getting ready for the precise moment as when to jump and rid Sarah of your weight. “I bet you’re more honored to have me as a sidekick… I feel like a villains lackey.” “Hey!” Yelling down at her you could see that the comment she made was resulting in her own chuckling. This was not a good thing seeing as how her shoulders were bobbing up and down with each snort and created a problematic situation to your support. Wide eyed, you clawed helplessly at anything that might reinforce your confidence of not falling and hurting yourself drastically. “You’re giving me a heart attack up here!” “Sorry.” Came the now quieter voice. “Forget it, but brace yourself, I’m going to try jumping from your shoulders and swing myself to straddle the top of the wall. Can you dig it?” Grinning, you looked back down at your companion although it was unbeknownst to her, Sarah was rather staring at her sneaker clad feet instead of returning the stare which was undoubtedly better than gazing into the smashed pantyhose face of her friend. “Yes, yes, I can dig it.” This was all you needed to hear before redirecting your attention to the wall and replacing your sweaty cold hands upon the wide cemented top. While focusing your strength on pushing your body up, you readied a foot to swing over the wall. After a vague count to 3, you jumped as Sarah let go of your ankles, and threw a leg across the top so that you currently straddled the wall. Sitting flatly down on the wall, you could feel the snow begin to seep into your pants and linger on your bottom with a chilled touch. Casting your eyes towards the other side, its own ground identical in that of a layer of snow, you studied and calculated how this leap should be executed. Sarah fixated her eyes on you as she waited to hear you fall to the ground and perhaps a few bones crack in the process. Carefully, you did the best you could to lower your body with what arm strength you had left, before letting go and dropping rapidly to the floor. The landing wasn’t an easy one, since you collapsed in a heap with your head directly laying into the snow. Moaning, you tried to pick yourself up with the noise of Sarah sniggering at your landing, which she unmistakably heard. “Alright there Batman?” She hollered, making her way over to the gates doors so that you could now see her and that she, thankfully, could see you upright and not in the previous position. “Oh hardy har har.” You replied, patting yourself down and dusting off anything that had stuck to you or your clothes. “I apologize, your pain shouldn’t be a joke. Let me try this again.” Sarah coughed. “Argh, do ye be alright there Miss Pirate? Have ye lost a leg like Long John Silver?” “Cut it out! There wasn’t much of a landing pad anyways. Besides, I doubt you could have done much better.” Snapping back, you walked over to the doors and faced her through the bars. “How do you suppose we get this ridiculous thing open? It appears that there’s no lock, or anything for that matter, to get this to work!” “Darn, and I was really wishing it would magically spring to life and open so that I could partake in whatever you had planned.” Sarcastically, Sarah snapped her fingers and mocked a crestfallen expression. You rolled your eyes. “Open sesame!” You now grumbled while shaking the gate and giving it a kick or two. Though it was useless to try anything, the door was merely to large to be handled with and obviously only opened mechanically. The whole idea of you know on your own scared you beyond belief and it was just occurring that you now had no way of getting back over the wall, with your help standing on the other side. “You’re getting over here whether I die trying to find this button, or whatever it is I’m going to search for.” “Devon--” “Nope, don’t try to get out of this.” “Don’t be stupid! I wouldn’t leave you in this by yourself, that would be foolish and the worst thing I could ever do. I was merely going to say that I think you should try getting inside the factory to see if a controller to the gate was inside and possibly nearby the front door.” It was an idea and seemed very likely to where anything to controlling the gate would be, yet it involved you to be inside the monstrous factory all by yourself for a while and if nothing was found to maneuver the doors, you’d be stuck and lost to boot for who knew how long. Sarah’s view on it was really the only way of going about things. From looking around, nothing could be seen that would even be remotely related to opening such a gate or something that would help bring your friend over to where you stood. Hesitantly you opened your mouth, “Okay. I’ll do it. And if the gate doesn’t open in an hour, then you can picture the worst and… I give all ownership of Sweet Confections to you.” Reaching into your pocket, you withdrew your car keys and tossed them through the gate, watching them land in front of Sarah. “You can wait in the car if you’d like. I wouldn’t want to come out of the factory in handcuffs and see your body laying lifeless because of the cold.” She smiled graciously and picked them up. “Be careful… not too reckless!” “Don’t worry, this is me you’re talking about!” “Exactly. That’s why I do worry and sound like a panicked parent sending her child off to kindergarten for a first time.” “Lovely similarity.” You waved to her, before turning around and walking up to the front door. You could hear her own footsteps move away from the gate and start towards the car. You were now betting that Wonka was sitting in a throne-like chair with a mirthful and amused visage, completely happy that his stupid gate ruined any chance of two people finding their way into his factory. Although it was highly doubtful he had a clue of any sort, which someone, on this night, was planning to do something to his candy. This was a good thing. Reaching the front door, and without delay, you clutched the door handle and speedily plunged into jiggling it several times, each of which had the same result of the door staying shut. “Fan-flipping-tastic! This doors locked as well!” Grimacing, you resumed looking around you and so far no windows were in view that you could reach by yourself. Something that did look like a possible answer were the long conveyor belts that jutted from the wall to your right. The belts stretched from the wall and ended where a sizeable and empty red trucks (decorated with a fancy ‘Wonka’ and other designs’) sat, expectedly waiting for the morning load. Interesting enough was the fact that no door was shutting you out, only brown flaps the hung down and resembled the similar curtain like strips that you’d find at a car wash. Nearly sprinting to them, you climbed upon the closest belt with ease, and slowly crept through the flaps into just about the largest room you had ever seen. Still crouching on the rubber belt you cautiously began stepping forward with your eyes glued to the sight around you. After taking a quick glance as to what lay beneath you, this seemed to be an immediate reaction when involved in heights of any sort, you gulped a fair amount of saliva and gripped the edges of the belt like it was a matter of life or death. For what was beyond the complete darkness that was beneath you, was a mystery and would remain a mystery. Forcing your sight to something less worrisome, you drew your attention back to the conveyor belt and more or less on how it reached a certain slide like state a few feet before you. Spaced evenly from one another, the belts stretched from one end of the room to the other, occasionally reaching a small hill-like form at times. Gritting your teeth in preparation for the hike up the belts current slope, you stationed your hands and feet for a short moment before starting the progress on the incline. With each sticking step, you were already gathering a noticeably different view of the room. The chrome machinery stuck out like a sore thumb as they lined up throughout the manufacturing line, each having their own amazing and specialized use. Being overly big and remarkably unique, they beat out any old fashioned or current model by miles, even you were growing jealous of such devices and greedily wanted them for Sweet Confections. The silence of the mechanical beasts would surly last for a while longer until they start their duties of candy making whatnot. After staring down the machines with a glint of the green-eyed-monster in your eye, the climb up the belt had ended shortly and you were once again able to resume stepping on a flat surface. Now it was a matter of getting across this seemingly endless rode of conveyer belt. Your pace was quickened as you stepped carefully to what was in front of you, still holding on to the sides of the belt in case any slip or misstep took place. Progress was being made with your haste and only occasional time was spent ducking or shifting around a bulky machine that stood in the way. As your eyes had adjusted to the darkness, you could clearly see the belt taking another drastic hill very soon and it seemingly led into another eerily dark room. Lucky for you, a floor had also come into view from where the conveyor belt started to take height. This was where you hopped off gleefully, and twisted your back around so that a crack or two had been delivered. Being in such a position for so long always did create stiffness in your back… Now attentive to the newer surroundings, it was hard not to take attention to the overly clean floors, which were gleaming as if they were stars, the running theme of ‘chrome’ levers and buttons that were plastered all over the walls, and the whitest white door you had ever seen standing out from the darkness around you. Only staring at the door, you happily walked over and instantly plunged into the action of jiggling the handle. Preparing for a locked door, it came as another rarity that the door opened without hesitation. The hallway that presently expanded itself was not like the previous room you had just been in, this one lacked the originality you were expecting and it became an eyesore from the boring white that was painted throughout. What was the only captivating part of the hall was the line up of doors that were evenly distributed among the side walls, all having their own glass window positioned in the top center that would give away the idea as to what lay behind them. Taking a turn to peek in each window, nothing too exciting was found. The doors had more or less led to another part of the candy assembling or creating process rooms and wasn’t much of a help to you and your ideal want. “What’s this?” You inquired, spotting another door that appeared to be different from the others. It laid on neither of the side walls, but in the back being almost invisible with its blending white color. Interestingly enough, it resembled an elevator door that even had its own personal button located to the side. Intrigued by such a thing, you started to curiously wonder over, only to nearly wet your pants from the sound the elevator made. It’s odd how a single “ding” will make ones body rigid and a face contort of fear, causing the body to freeze as if a blizzard had just suddenly hit. You couldn’t do much but stare at the elevator, watching helplessly as the doors opened up, completely revealing a single persons backside and incoherent mutterings from within the elevator. * * * * AN: Well, here's where the chapter ends. Yes, it wasn't all the trouble I said... that comes later, and nor did it have the 15th deadline I promised. But be sure, Sarah's getting cold waiting for that gate to open and that you need to think of something, quickly. TBC... |