Chapter 9

"A False Golden Ticket"

The fury that Wonka was imposing had made it very clear that a flaw had been made in the system. A fake Golden Ticket, a plagiarized Golden Ticket, had been created for the purpose of making a profit on our endeavor to find a successor to the Wonka empire. About an hour after Wonka angrily adjourned our meeting, he was back in the Chocolate room, wondering how and why something like this would happen.

"Mr. Wonka?" I asked, approaching him at the edge of the chocolate river. "Look, I…I don't know what to say except I'm sorry. We weren't expected to face…"

"I know we weren't Arthur," Wonka interrupted turning his attention away from the river and towards me. "But, we are facing it. Why is it that in the entire world that people have to take advantage of something we are trying to do? Its like when your former boss would sneak spies in here to steal my formulas. Why else do you think I shut down this factory for three years? Hmm?"

The pain in Wonka's face made it evident that he was taking this quite personally.

"You know I can't stand false people places and things, Arthur. Authenticity is critical in our society. You can't have some random idiot go about and passing off your ideas as their own."

"Look, maybe the Oompa Loompa we sent to South America was just as tricked about this as we were," I remarked, trying to not have Wonka spread blame on the innocent. "How else would we come to know that he was going to see a fake Golden Ticket under his nose?"

But Wonka didn't know how to respond. He just sat down on the ground and sipped from the delicate golden flower.

"Sir, I…I understand how you feel," I continued, sitting down next to him. "You can stand plagiarists as much as I do. I mean…part of the reason why I left Slugworth to begin with was because…"

"…he is a liar and a cheat and a fraud? Yes, I've heard that before. You know, Arthur. I built this company from the ground up and the last thing I want is to see some loose cannon run this company into the ground. I mean, why else do you think that I object to the four candidates already selected to come here? None of them at this point are qualified for the long run Arthur. There needs to be something, a miracle of some sorts to come out of the darkness that we find ourselves in."

It was then that I got myself an idea, an idea that would involve a higher power.

"Well, there is a way, Mr. Wonka."

"What way?"

"Why don't you go down to the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and ask for a miracle there? If you talk, he will listen."

Wonka thought about what I said for a moment and then he rose to his feet and walked away silently. He didn't say anything, but I could tell that he was taking my advice to heart.

…

Leaving the factory, Wonka walked the three blocks down towards the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Opening the door, he went inside the magnificent cathedral and walked down towards the very first rows of pews.

"Lord, I don't know if you can hear me," Wonka whispered, kneeling with his hands clasped together. "But, I need your help. A sinner has created a false Golden Ticket and I fear that everything I have ever worked for is at risk again."

Just then, a voice that only Wonka seemed to hear spoke in his ear.

"I hear you, William," the voice said. "And I understand your plight. What is this about a Golden Ticket?"

"It's a plan I have come up with to try and find an heir to my empire. Lord, ever since you called my wife home to your kingdom, I've been wondering about my mortality. I can't go on forever, I need to look after my own health and well being. Who would take care of the Oompa Loompas, people that I have saved from oppression, when I am no longer there for them? Not a grown up, because a grown up would do anything his own way."

"William, I commend you for what you are trying to do," the voice replied. "After all, my son was already teaching my way of life when he was a young earthly man. But, I can see that you…"

"Yes, I understand what you are saying, Lord. You are probably thinking that the child I select as my heir should have be born to be a candy man like me? Lord, I…I don't know how to say this, but…I'm not looking for a child to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths."

"And yet," the voice remarked. "You have already selected one. Veruca Salt is her name."

"I hope I can change her ways, Lord. Even though it may seem like it won't happen."

"There is a silver lining," the voice said. "I can see in your future, William, that there is an heir who is not far from where you are."

Wonka's eyes widened upon hearing this, trying to process what had just been said to him.

"What are you talking about, Lord?" he asked, slightly confused.

"I am not going to tell you, William. This is something you are going to have to find out for yourself."

"What do you mean? Lord, wait! Don't leave yet!"

But the voice fell silent and Wonka was left alone in the church.

…

When I saw him return to the factory an hour later, he still had the distressed look on his face although it wasn't as bad as it was earlier.

"What did the Lord tell you, Mr. Wonka?" I asked as he walked into my office. "Did he provide you with advice?"

"He did, Arthur. But not in the clearest way possible."

"What do you mean?"

"He told me that there is an heir not far from where I am."

"Are you sure that's what he said?"

Just then, we heard the sounds of running footfalls coming towards my office and Millicent raced into the office.

"Millicent, slow down!" Wonka cried. "What is it?"

"They just exposed the false Golden Ticket," she panted, much to our relief. "And…the last Golden Ticket has been found."

Wonka's eyes widened upon hearing this.

"Where?" he asked Millicent, looking right at her.

"Right here…in Munich, sir. By a boy named Charlie."

"Charlie who?"

"I…I don't know sir."

He then turned towards me with a look of determination

"Arthur, get on it," he ordered and soon enough, I was on my way to find this Charlie boy…