Flash Fiction (Random Prompt) - Charlie and the Edible Room (Willy Wonka)

 

"That?  Oh. That's the 'Edible Room'."

"What's that?!"

Wonka's lips curved, turning from a neutral line to a childlike mischievous grin, "Everything is edible inside. Hence? The sign." He pointed with his eyes and eyebrows as everyone's heads turned. 

Speaking as one, much like students in a classroom, the group spoke aloud, "Do. Not. Enter. All. Things. Edible. In. The. Edible. Room."

"Like what?  The walls?" Mike Teavee asked, brow scrunched in confusion beneath the cowboy hat perched upon his head.

Wonka nodded, a twinkle in his eye. 

"What about chairs?!" Violet asked, chewing her gum at a fevered pace

"A table?!" Augustus Gloop shouted in rapt attention.

"The lights?" Charlie asked, his eyes looking upward. 

The questions fell rapidly. Pattering like rain upon the factory roof as Wonka continued looking, ignoring questions as he searched the walls within the hallway with no other doors. 

"Hmm. I vould swear there was another door here. Somewhere" he continued pressing, sometimes knocking as if confused, "That room? Is not part of the tour. Ah. This way please." 

Another doorway, a hidden one, yawned open as light spilled inward.

"NO!" Veruca shouted, stomping a foot like a stubborn bull, "I WANT TO GO INTO THAT ONE! I want to. I want go in NOW, DADDY!"

Mr. Salt pushed his way past Charlie and toward the front importantly as he cleared his throat. His voice was a rooty grumble. "Now see here Wonka! This is a business and businesses must realize the CUSTOMER is always right. We want to see what's in the room, and I'll accept NO other substitutes!" There was a rumble as several others murmured their agreement.

Wonka, his head cocked slightly to the side, had a curiously analytical look as his eyes glittered with a gleeful mirth.

"Oh. I see good sir, and thank you for reminding me." He said. With a turn, the door opened with a soft click. Well oiled, maintained and suitable for the purpose. 

Charlie was startled as Wonka twirled around with a sudden spin, but Grandpa Joe simply smiled down at him reassuringly as he patted his hand in comfort. 

Locking eyes with everyone in turn before speaking, Wonka lifted a single finger, like an exclaimation point to enunciate his meaning.

"Everyone? Now, I must warn you this room was never meant to be on the tour. As I need to make clear, our esteemed Mr. Salt..." he paused as Mr. Salt preened and swelled with self-important pride, "Has reminded me I should always take a customer's wishes into consideration in matters of choice."

He stopped, scanning the eager faces of the crowded hallway again before continuing. "A warning. A single warning. If you enter this room, regardless of the sign? Avoiding the warning written in plain letters upon this door? Everything within the room is deemed edible."

Charlie squeezed Grandpa Joe's hand. He didn't understand why, but he was suddenly very afraid to enter. The doorway was dark. Like a black-framed hole lacking light or good cheer.as Wonka waved an inviting hand forward for whoever might go.

A sweet, delicious smell issued forth from the opening. 

"Uts that," Augustus Gloop said, his nose sniffing the air like a hound, "CHOCOLATE I SMELL?!"

"Out of the way!" The children yelled as they dashed forward. Wonka deftly stepped aside gracefully as the parents raced after. Their forms disappeared from Charlie's view into the darkness beyond. 

Grandpa Joe stepped forward, fully intending to follow when Charlie's hand halted him. Charlie pulled desperately to keep him back, "Grandpa, no! I don't want to go. I don't like this!" 

"Charlie..." Grandpa Joe began before seeing the expression on little Charlie's face. With a frown Grandpa Joe nodded, only once issuing a heavy sigh of defeat as Wonka softly closed the door and turned to face them. 

With a playfully neutral tone he spoke, "Mind the gap."

The room, once silent was now filled with the curdled screams and gurgling cries of the occupents who had charged inside.

Charlie fell backward in horror, his hands desperately covering his ears to stop the noise as the sounds of chewing began. 

There was a dull thud as Grandpa Joe clutched his chest, a sharp pain causing his arm to go numb with shock as he slid down the wall and onto the floor. His eyes were glassy and dazed.

Wonka sighed once. A tiny, regretful thing. 

"I did warn them."

(Procrastination, thy name be my muse. Mobile. Thy existance a blight.)