Michael Albert

Answer: The narrator tells us that Charlie accepted Wonka's offer to take over the factory "on one condition." We then see Charlie come home to his family's house - a place of warmth and love - with WIllie Wonka in tow to share dinner. Then the camera pans out to show that the house is, indeed, inside the factory, with giant salt shaker-like machines providing the snow. Then we see an Oompa-Loompa, who has apparently been our narrator throughout, tell us the ending of the story. Charlie won a factory. But more important, "Willie Wonka got something even better - a family." So, what was Charlie's "one condition?" Recall that in the scene before, Charlie watched intently as Wonka reconnected with his dentist father after years of estrangement. The "one condition" probably wasn't to have the house moved into the factory. Rather, it was probably his condition that Wonka become an adopted member of the Bucket family. By moving the house into the factory, everyone's happy ending could be met. Perhaps moving the house was more Wonka's idea than Charlie's. Plus, it just makes for a hell of a cute ending, with those fun little nested surprises throughout.

Michael Albert