Mrs. Bucket Lines

CHARLIE: And then you add sugar! And raisins! And marshmallows! And…

Evening all. Have you two been playing Willy Wonka again?

GRANDPA JOE: I was sharing with Charlie the benefit of my extensive expertise.

I wouldn’t believe one word your Grandpa says Charlie. He makes it all up.

GRANDPA JOE: All my stories are true.

True?

GRANDPA JOE: Every one of them would stand up in court.

You couldn’t stand up anywhere Joe. You’ve been stuck up in that bed for forty years.

GRANDPA JOE: I’m not stuck. I’m merely awaiting my call to arms.

Well, at least your arms work, I suppose. So you can use them to peel the rotten leaves off of that cabbage for me. Charlie, wake up the others. It’s time to eat.

JOSEPHINE: What is for dinner tonight, my dear?

Cabbage surprise.

JOSEPHINE: Didn’t we have that last night?

That’s the surprise.

GEORGE: Somebody kill me.

Pass the soup Charlie.

JOSEPHINE: Winter’s coming.

I’ll light the stove.

GEORGE: There’s no wood.

I found an old chair leg on the garbage dump.

GRANDPA JOE: A chair leg. See, we’ll be warm as toast.

For tonight at least. Oh Charlie—look what else I found when I was down at the dump—

CHARLIE: A new notebook!

Some water damage, but look, all blank bages.

CHARLIE: Perfect for inventing chocolate!!

Perfect for homework.

CHARLIE: Aww.

Inventing candy’s fun, Charlie, but you need to earn a living. A person can’t eat daydreams, you know.

CHARLIE: I know

I’ll check your answers when you’re done.

THAT’S MY CHARLIE THAT’S MY KID

Charlie…?

CHARLIE: Mm?

I’m off to do the night shift. Will you look after these reprobates for me?

CHARLIE: I will

Night Charlie.

SIGNED CHARLIE BUCKET, INVENTOR

Morning all!

GRANDPARENTS: Morning dear.

Look what I found at the bus stop!

JOSEPHINE: A times!

Somebody must have left it behind.

CHARLIE: Morning mom.

Morning Charlie, ready for school? Homework done?

CHARLIE: Mostly.

Off you go then.

CHARLIE: Oh! Oh! Wait! Ma! Wha!

Charlie? what is it?

GEORGINA: That factory’s been closed for years.

Read what it says, Joe!

CHARLIE/GRANDPA JOE: Imagine!

No! No imagining. That’s enough daydreaming, you two. It’s time for Charlie to get off to school.

CHARLIE: Aww, mom!

We can’t afford any kind of chocolate right now, Charlie, Never mind Wonka bars. It’s no good dreaming about something when it can’t possibly come true.

GRANDPARENTS: It is! It is!

Not this year, Charlie.

CHARLIE: What?

Last night Mrs. Walinsky cut my shifts at the laundry. She’s gone and bought a machine. She only needs me for delicates now. I’ll find more work. But, in the meantime, we just have to tighten our belts. We haven’t a cent to spare. I’m sorry Charlie.

CHARLIE: That’s all right mom.

Come on. You don’t want to be late for school.

GRANDPA JOE: Now look here! I know times are hard, but a birthday’s a birthday, and a kid oughtah have a present on his birthday, outn’t he? ‘Specially if that kid’s Charlie.

Joe!

GRANDPA JOE: He was killed by a Rhino. But that’s not the point. the point is Charlie—stand your ground. If there’s a golden ticket out there with your name on it, it’ll find you.

It’s a chance in a million, Charlie.

WILLY WONKA: Bucket…Tell you what…when you’re right, you’re right.

Oh, there you are Charlie. I knew you’d be hanging around that darn candy store. Here, give me a hand with this laundry? And later I’m going to need you to go to the dump and fetch a piece of tin or something — there’s a hole in the roof and a pigeon’s been pooping on Grandma Josephine’s head…Charlie? Charlie?

CHARLIE: Mm?

You’re thinking about those Golden Tickets again aren’t you?

CHARLIE: I can’t help it, mom. I just want to see inside that factory.

Oh Charlie. There must be a million kids out there just like you.

CHARLIE: Nobody could want a ticket more than me.

I know. But there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to cross your fingers and hope.

start of scene six

Surprise! Happy birthday Charlie!

CHARLIE: Yes.

Well, aren’t you going to open it?

GRANDPARENTS: Well?

Is there a ticket Charlie?

CHARLIE: Thanks mom.

Happy birthday.

CHARLIE: I know. I’ll eat it slowly. Last year I managed to make my birthday bar last for six months. Maybe I can make this one last a whole year.

I lit the candle. Don’t you want to blow it out?

CHARLIE: You blow it out mom.

Don’t you want to make a wish?

GRANDPA JOE: It’s all my fault.

It’s not your fault Joe. Poor Charlie never stood a chance.

GEORGINA: Speak to him dear.

Mama, I don’t know what to say.

GEORGINA: You’ll think of something.

Oh Charlie. You can’t help dreaming. It’s in the Bucket blood. Start song

end song

Well, if you won’t make a wish Charlie, I’ll make one for you.

CHARLIE: Grandpa Joe — we won!

Joe, are you alright?

GEORGINA: He’s white as a sheet.

He can’t speak.

CHARLIE YOU AND I

Wait a minute Joe. this ticket says to go on the tour Charlie has to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

GRANDPA JOE: So?

Well I can’t go with him. If I don’t turn up for work Mrs. Walinsky’s sure to fire me and I can’t afford to lose my job.

GRANDPA JOE: I’ll take him.

But Joe, you can’t walk.

WE’VE GOT A GOLDEN CHANCE TO MAKE OUR WAY

Good luck!