Starshine | Willy Wonka

vi

Mrs. Gloop was escorted away by an Oompa-Loompa to the fudge room. They all watched as the large woman was tugged by the skirt of her dress, "Mr. Wonka, why would Augustus's name already be in the Oompa-Loompa song unless they...?" Charlie didn't get a chance to finish his thought as he was interrupted.

"Improvisation is a parlor trick. Anyone can do it," The man smiled before turning to look at Violet, "You, little girl, say something."

The little blonde still chomping away on the same piece of gum, unsurprisingly she immediately blurted out the word chewing gum. How anyone could simply keep a straight face through any of this, Thalia wouldn't know as she rested her hand on Charlie's shoulder. The other over her mouth as she waited to hear what was next.

"Chewing gum is really gross; chewing gum I hate the most," Mr. Wonka sang, looking back down at Charlie, "See? Exactly the same."

Thalia wouldn't lie, it wasn't entirely the same as the Oompa-Loompas song, but she enjoyed none the less.

"No, it isn't," Mike argued, the little hacker seemingly unamused by Mr. Wonka's efforts to entertain them.

"Uh, you really shouldn't mumble, because I can't understand a word you're saying." The candy maker stated, causing Thalia to really try to keep herself from laughing. Charlie was as well stuck in a similar state. Once again it was being brought to light that someone should have been there to watch the young woman as well.

"Now on with the tour." The man stated, adjusting his hold on his cane before walking forward back on the small trail. The rest of the group pushed forward, meaning Thalia and Charlie had to wait for them to keep themselves from being pushed over.

"Are the Oompa-Loompas really joking, Leah?" Charlie asked, sparing a glance at his sister as he walked.

"Of course their joking, there's no way they could have known." Thalia smiled, as she ushered Charlie forward. It seemed they were under threat of being left behind by the rest of the group, making them speed up their walking. 

Soon they had reached the edge of the chocolate river, where the sound of beating drums echoed throughout the room. Thalia gaped as a pinkish colored boat, with the head of what appeared to be a seahorse floated in front of them. The Oompa-Loompas rowing the boat begin to laugh at the group before them. The act was a bit unnerving to her.

"What's so funny?" Violey inquired, she wasn't the only one wanting to know.

"I think it's from all those doggone cocoa beans," Mr Wonka stated before his face brightened up as if he had just remembered something, "Hey, by the way, did you guys know that chocolate contains a property that triggers the release of endorphins? Gives one the feeling of being in love." He explained, as the kids simply stared at him, obviously having no idea what the word endorphins meant or was. Though Violet's mother was taking the nice fact in an entirely different direction.

"You don't say," The older version of Violet smiled flirtatiously making Mr Wonka's face instantly turn into one of regret.

"All aboard." He quickly began ushering everyone onto the boat. Thalia was careful as she stepped aboard, holding onto Charlie's hand to help him get on. She sat down in the last row with Charlie, and she didn't entirely know why out of all the other seats Mr Wonka chose to join them.

Soon the boat began moving down the river, and the ominous drums began once again, Thalia was still latched onto Charlie's hand.

"Here try this, it'll do you some good." Thalia was taken by surprise as a large ladle was held in front of her face, but not wanting to be rude she took it, taking a sip of the melted chocolate. The taste was wonderful, flowing smoothly as she drank.