Chapter 7

"Violet Beauregard, the Third Candidate"

Arriving in the city of Miles City, Montana, I was met at the hotel by another of our Oompa Loompa associates who briefed me on the latest candidate for an heir to the Wonka empire.

"Apparently, she is the daughter of a local politician," explained the Oompa Loompa as we sat in the hotel lobby. "Who also happens to own a local car dealership in town."

"Just what we need, the daughter of a politician running the factory," I sighed, lowering my head in disgust. "Bet Mr. Wonka is going to like that. Have you found out anything more about her?"

"Well, she seems pretty normal."

"That's not good enough of an explanation. Anything else? Who is she? What is her name?"

"Beauregard, Violet Beauregard. Although, I must warn you, Mr. Wilkinson that she is a big time gum lover."

A lover of gum? That to me was a sign that she was also not the best fit for a possible successor. Still, I had a job to do and time was running out. After refreshing myself, I took a taxi to the location of Beauregard's car dealership where the local news station was already on the scene standing next to a smartly dressed man in front of the camera.

"And it can happen right here, too," said the interviewer as I arrived on the scene. "Unbelievable as it sounds, right here in America, where even in the smallest town, the happiest of dreams can come true. Because folks, here she is, Miss Violet Beauregard, finder of Wonka's Golden Ticket #3! From Miles City, Montana and with her proud parents, Mr. Beauregard, a prominent local politician, a great civic leader…"

"Hi friends, Sam Beauregard here, 'Square Deal Sam' to you with all of today's great giveaway bargains! The finest values you'll get in the entire country! Now, this little number right here is a four door sedan…"

"Come on, dad, they don't want you!"

A young girl in a red outfit then had the attention of the camera focused on her. This was Violet Beauregard and all I could do was wonder what she was and what she was made of.

"Violet, would you care to say a few words to the nation?" the interviewer asked.

"Sure I will," she replied, waving the golden ticket in the air. "Here it is: golden ticket number 3 and its all mine!"

"How did this all happen, Violet?"

"Well, I'm a gum chewer, normally," Violet answered into the camera. "But, when I heard about these ticket things of Wonka's, I laid off the gum and switched to candy bars, instead. Now, of course, I'm right back on gum. Except at meal times when I stick it behind my ear.

"Violet!" cried her mother.

"Cool it, mother!"

I recoiled in horror at this girl, not because of how defiant she was of her mother, but because of her habits. Chewing gum is one of the most repulsive habits anyone could ever have.

"Now, this little piece of gum here is one I have been chewing on for three months straight and that's a world record," continued Violet, holding out a piece of gum that had seen better days. "It's beaten the record held by my best friend, Miss Cornelia Prince Medal and was she mad."

Listening to this latest candidate gave me a hunch that she was not going to be the right fit either. What she just said about gloating to her best friend was alarming and gave me a hunch that someone who gloats would not be the best fit. Still, while her father once again attracted the attention of the cameraman, I went in and whispered my instructions to Violet.

…

"Yes, Mr. Wonka," I said on the phone to Wonka later that day in my hotel room. "It is just as we feared, we are dealing with the daughter of an American politician, a gum chewer and a gloater."

"That is something we can't have running the business, Arthur. I don't want gloaters leading Wonka."

It was then that Wonka got himself an idea.

"By the way, Arthur," he said. "How has that three course dinner gum been coming along?"

"It hasn't been tested yet, sir."

"All right, I'd like to test the gum out on an Oompa Loompa before the candidates arrive. The Oompa Loompa who chews the gum and undergoes the test gets an extra pay in his weekly paycheck."

"If you say so, sir."

As Wonka spoke, I couldn't help but notice a sense of melancholy in his voice. However, I had a good guess why he had the melancholy.

"Um, Mr. Wonka," I asked. "Is everything all right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, you just seem so…so forlorn. You went to visit your mother and wife, didn't you?"

"How do you know?"

"I'm you second in command, Mr. Wonka. I know you very well and I know you want to do this for them, right?"

"You are quite the guesser, Arthur," Wonka chuckled on the other line.

…

Just then, there was a knock at the door and I got up to answer it where the Oompa Loompa had another message for me written in a small envelope.

"The fourth ticket has been found," he whispered. "In Arizona."

Thanking the Oompa Loompa, I returned to the phone and resumed my talk with Wonka.

"Sir, I have some news for you," I remarked. "The fourth ticket has been found."

"Where?"

"In Arizona, sir. I haven't been told the name of the town, but all I know is that it is in Arizona."

All Wonka could say about was a deep, frustrated sigh.

"Another American candidate, Arthur? What kind of children are we considering for this position? Make sure he is a good one."

"Well, let's hope for the best, sir."

Hanging up the phone, I went to sleep, hoping that this next American candidate would be the kind that Wonka was really looking for.

But, only time would tell…