Ariel, the Photographer

Ariel is a 31 year old woman and independent photographer. Born and raised here, Ariel inherited the house from her parents and lives in her hometown alone. Not having many worries in life, or bills, Ariel turned her favorite hobby into her job, as she is occasionally hired by the local people as a photographer. She has also attempted many competitions to see if her pictures could win some extra cash prize money. She took many pictures of the factory during its development and completion. While she possessed many pictures of the factory in its landscape, she had hoped that she could get some pictures inside of the behemoth building. In fact, no one does. No pictures of the interior of the factory were ever taken. Almost no one knows what the interior looks like, or how it operates. With a camera in hand, she wishes that she could be the first to document this famous factory from the inside. When she checked her mail that day, she realized that her wish may come true. Among the bills and advertisements, she saw a golden envelope with the Candy Maker’s seal on the front of it. She slid her finger under the tab and pulled out the letter inside, a sweet sugary fragrance coming from the paper.

"Esteemed Recipient,

You are cordially invited to a guided tour of the Candy Factory. This exclusive opportunity allows you to witness firsthand the processes and innovations behind our confectionery creations.

The tour will provide insights into our operations, including the production line and the experimental development areas. You will have the chance to observe our advanced machinery and the meticulous crafting of our diverse range of candies.

We believe this experience will be both informative and engaging. Please wait at the gates tomorrow morning by 8am.

We anticipate your presence and look forward to welcoming you to the Candy Factory.

Sincerely,

The Candy Maker.

Generated by the Automated Invitation System"

“AI…”

She checks the envelope for anything else and finds a single wrapped piece of chocolate. She pulls it out and unravels the rich confection before tossing it into her mouth. The chocolate is a perfect balance of sweetness and flavor as it melts in her mouth. She turns her attention back to the letter again. Her eyes scan the letter for the vital information.

At the factory gates by 8am.

Finally she thought, an opportunity to get inside and take pictures. Surely the inside must be magnificent by how large the factory is and how long it took to construct. She quickly heads over to her photography equipment and starts to prepare for tomorrow. She recharges batteries, clears space on memory cards, loads up her bags and cleans her lenses of all sizes and dimensions. Ariel calls her contact at the local newspaper.

“YOU GOT A LETTER?!”

“YES! I’M STILL BAFFLED TOO!”

“I heard about another person getting the letter too.”

“Who?”

“One of the rich families that lives out at the edge of town.”

“Booooo.”

“Right? So…you going?”

“Of course!”

“Bringing your camera?”

“OF COURSE!”

“Can you even take pictures?”

“OF…umm.”

Ariel pauses her sentence. She didn’t even think about that: not being allowed to take pictures. Perhaps that is why there are no pictures of the factory’s interior, because it is forbidden to do so. She grabs the letter and rereads it.

“Ummm, I don’t know. The letter doesn’t say if I can or can’t.”

“Well, regardless if you can or can’t, any pictures you do get, I will buy.”

“How much?”

“However much you want. You’ll be the only one in the whole world with pictures inside that famous place.”

“Perfect. Well, I gotta continue setting up my cameras. I’ll call you when the tour is over.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Ariel hangs up as she sees that most of her batteries have finished charging. She double checks all of her cameras before going to sleep. She stirs in her bed, excited and anxious about tomorrow.

Free candy. Meeting the candy maker. Being some of the first people to see inside the factory. And capturing it all on camera.

Ariel's thoughts wander from topic to topic until she finally falls asleep.

A loud alarm wakes her from her candy filled dreams. Groggily, she turns off the alarm and remembers what today is. She immediately perks up. Pulls the sheets off and runs to her closet to change. Adjusting her outfit, she grabs her backpack filled with camera equipment and heads out the door. She checks her phone: 7:45am. It is only a 10 minute walk from her house to the factory. She locks her front door and starts her journey to the factory. Excited for this special tour, she arrives at the factory gates and sees 5 other groups there, each with a golden envelope.

She sees an older gentleman with a young woman. Both of them dressed fancier than the other groups. They stand further away from the others, their eyes glued to their phones.

Those must be the rich people.

A larger man with a large gut and big beard dressed quite casually. He appears to be the tallest and heaviest out of everyone here this morning. He stands closest to the gate, busy eating a breakfast he quickly grabbed.

Trucker, probably.

A man and woman possibly in their thirties. Ariel recognized them as a few members on the city council. Those that work with the mayor and proceed to do nothing about the problems that have developed.

Council members, urgh.

Another couple, but much younger: a girl dressed quite revealingly to show off her figure and a tall buff guy, dressed in very simple clothes. She saw her take a selfie earlier and pictures of the factory. A young guy with her as well seems annoyed, as if he doesn’t want to be here.

Urgh, influencers.

Who else is here, those couples and…the mayor?

“Mayor Hubbard?”

The man turns around, and smiles.

“Ah! Ariel.”

He comes up and gives her a hug.

“What are you doing here?”

Ariel holds up her golden envelope. The mayor reaches inside of his coat pocket and also pulls out an identical golden envelope. They both nod in understanding before resuming their conversation.

“Mr. Hubbard, who are these people?” She whispers to him.

“Ah, those two.” He points to the first group.

“Mr. O'Neal and his daughter, Elisha. They live over on the edge of town.”

“Oh, the rich fuckers.”

“Well, I…ummmm.” Unsure on what to say to that, the mayor moves on to the next group.

“Zane…I don’t remember his last name. Anyway, he’s a trucker for the factory.”

“Them?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Abbott. Recently a married couple moved here only a couple of months ago. They’re the newest members on the city council.”

“They moved here?”

“Yes…don’t ask me why.”

“And finally...ummmm...I don’t know those two.” He comments looking at the two influencers.

“They’re not from here?”

“I’m don't think so. I don’t recognize them.”

“Maybe out of town?”

“How did they get the letter then?”

Ariel looks as sees the golden envelope peeking out of the girl's back pant pocket.

“I thought it was sent only to local residents?”

“That’s what I figured also.”

The mayor adjusts his outfit before walking forward to talk to them, before some horns blare out. Everyone stops what they were doing and looks up towards the factory. A short fanfare song is played before the gates slowly open for them. An automated voice speaks out, “Please enter the factory grounds.”

There is some murmuring among the groups but everyone follows the instruction and enters the premise. Once clear, the gate closes behind them, locking them in.

“Approach the front doors and wait behind the pink line.”

Everyone walks towards the front of the factory.

“What’s he like?” Ariel asks the mayor.

“What? The Candy Maker?”

Ariel nods.

“I’m not entirely sure. I’ve never met them.”

Everyone stands before the front doors, but behind the pink line on the ground. Another round of fanfare is played over the speakers before the front doors are opened. Before them stands a woman dressed in a purple suit. A cane in hand with a flamboyant masquerade mask obscuring the majority of her face, only her mouth can be seen. A smile slowly creeps from behind the mask as she smiles at the group.

“Welcome friends, to my candy factory. I am the Candy Maker." She bows to the group.

“Who is ready for the tour of a lifetime?!”