Willy's Girl

Charlie Bucket

¤Finley¤

   Charlie woke me up early to take him to see the factory, so here we are standing at the gates. Two men walk past us with their dogs, "Did you see that some kid in Russia found the last Golden Ticket?" One of them asks, "Yes, it was in the paper this morning. Good boy. Come on, George. Good boy." The other replies, when their gone Charlie sighs sadly. I frown, he deserves so much more than what we have.

   Walking away from the factory, Charlie suddenly stops, I turn to see a 10 dollar bill in his hands. "Where did you get that?" I question, he just stares at it and points to a pile of snow. I smile when he asks of we can go get a Wonka bar, nodding we head over. We get in and Charlie walks up to the counter, "One Wonka Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight, please." He says and I giggle at the title a bit, he worker chuckled and says, "Okay. Here you go."

   As Charlie opens his candy I notice the newspaper front: "RUSSIAN TICKET A FAKE" I frown as someone says, "The nerve of some people." The worker chuckled, "I know. Forging a ticket. Come on." I start to get a little excited, Charlie might have another chance. Turning to tell him, I notice a flash of gold in his hands, he holds it up and I see what it is.

   The last Golden Ticket.

   "It's a Golden Ticket." The work says in awe, "You found Wonka's last Golden Ticket. In my shop too!" Oh, I guess he is the owner. Before I can say anything a man puts his hands on Charlie's shoulders, leaning down he says, "Listen. I'll buy it from you. I'll give you $50 and a new bicycle." I start to talk when a woman interrupts, "Are you crazy? I'd give him $500 for that ticket. You wanna sell me that ticket for $500, young man?"

   "Oi! Leave my brother alone!" I snap and the owner tells Charlie, "Listen. Don't let anyone have it. Take it straight home, you understand?" Charlie nods, smile on his face, saying thank you as we run out the door. While we're running I shout, "CONGRATS, CHARLIE!" We are almost to the house when he starts yelling, "Mom! Dad! I found it! The last Golden Ticket! It's mine!" We stop in front of Grandpa Joe and Charlie hands it to him, slowly he lifts it to his face and we all stand wide eyed as he swings out of bed and starts tap dancing. When he's finished he holds it out to my parents, saying, "Here." My parents drop what their holding and dad grabs it as Grandpa continues, "Read it aloud. Let's hear exactly what it says."

   Dad immediately starts to read, "Greetings to you, the luck finder of this golden ticket, from Mr. Willy Wonka. I shake you warmly by the hand. For now, I do invite you to my factory and be my guest for one whole day. I, Willy Wonka, will conduct you around the factory myself showing you everything there is to see. Afterwards, when it is time to leave you will be escorted home by a procession of large trucks each one filled with all the chocolate you could ever eat. And remember, one of you lucky five children will receive an extra prize beyond your wildest imagination. Now, here are your instructions. On the 1st of February, you must come to the factory gates at 10 a.m. sharp. You're allowed to bring one member of your family to look after you. Until then, Willy Wonka."

   One member? "The 1st of February. But that's tomorrow." Mom exclaims, Grandpa Joe quickly turns to Charlie, "Then there's not a moment to loose. Wash your face, comb your hair, scrub your hands, brush your teeth, blow your nose-" "And get that mud off your pants." Grandpa George adds. Befor Charlie can get a word in mom starts, "We must all try and keep very calm. First thing we have to decide is this: Who is going with Charlie to the factory?" "Finley will take him." Grandpa Joe says.

   Mom nods and we all look at Charlie, he looks at us a moment before saying, "No. We're not going. A woman offered me $500 for the ticket. I bet someone else would pay more. We need the money more than we need the chocolate." Everyone deflates a bit after this. "Young man, come here." Grandpa George says, Charlie goes over and he continues, "There's plenty of money out there. They print more every day. But this ticket there's only five of them in the whole world and that's all there's ever going to be. Only a dummy would give this up for something a common as money. Are you a dummy?" Grandpa finishes is oddly motivational speech.

   Charlie shakes his head, "No, sir." Grandpa nods, "Then get that mud off your pants. You've got a factory to go to."