This is the first story to include Charlie, but he'll probabaly turn up again depending on what the subject of the story is.
The day dawned crisp and clear, and the morning's rays filtered through the high windows of the Chocolate Room, illuminating the valley of mint grass below. Two figures stood on the banks of the chocolate river that wound it's way through the room, waiting patiently for their transportation to arrive.
Charlie was particularly excited today, because they were heading to one of his very favorite rooms, the Inventing Room. He and Willy had spent the entire week brainstorming on new ideas for candies, and today they would finally begin to test them out. They waited as usual for the huge pink ship to slowly emerge from around the corner, but if there was one thing Charlie learned while in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, it was that things rarely happened "as usual."
They heard a commotion a short distance away that grew louder and louder as the boat grew ever closer. When it finally came around the corner into view, Charlie saw just what all the noise had been about. Instead of the ship gliding towards them with the dozens of Oompa Loompas manning the oars in an organized fashion, the ship was in complete disarray. It appeared that the red-suited Oompa Loompas who tended the Chocolate Room had ambushed the blue-clad rower Oompa Loompas, and the two groups were engaged it a battle reminiscent of something right out of the 17th century Spanish Main.
Charlie watched all this in absolute shock for a few moments before looking up at the face of the chocolatier to gauge his reaction. To his surprise, Willy Wonka looked perfectly serene, as if nothing was happening. He looked over the scene with the same placid smile on his face that he usually wore, although Charlie thought he caught a twinkle in his eye, perhaps at seeing his beloved workers having such a rousing good time.
Wonka finally looked down at Charlie and said simply, "My money's on the red ones."
Charlie looked up at him in confusion. "What?"
"I betcha two Everlasting Gobstoppers, a sugar-coated pencil, and a strawberry-juice water pistol that the red ones win. See, the blue ones are organized, but the red ones had the element of surprise. They're awfully scrappy. I think they can take 'em!" he finished with a grin, looking over the fight that was slowly approaching them on the chocolate river's current.
Charlie looked back at the Oompa Loompas, several of whom had grabbed the passing pink candy cane reeds, and were currently fencing with them.
"You mean this has happened before?"
"Oh, this is nothing! You should have seen the last time I mixed up their regular wages with coffee beans!"
Thanks to everyone who's reading, and please leave a review if you'd like to see more. One-hundred sixty-three hits and only 7 reviews can be a bit worrying, so please let me know if you're enjoying it!