Art walked out of the restroom, feeling quite relieved. When he saw that no one was waiting for him out in the hall, however, he began to grow worried...until Mr. Wonka appeared, smiling. "Ah, Mr. Art. Feeling better?"
"Yes, sir...I am. But, uh...where is Bill?"
"He needed to go," Wonka said with a shrug. "I let him out the front door."
"I see." The salesman regarded his hands for a moment. "And what of the others?"
"Don't worry about them," Wonka said. "My Oompa-loompas tell me that Mr. Shoeman was recovered and revived, and Mr. Blackwell is in pain, but he will survive. They will be transported to the hospital shortly."
Art sighed, relieved. "That's good." The two men stood, silence stretching awkwardly until Wonka finally spoke. "I have a proposition for you, Art. Suppose you come work for me? I could always use another man skilled at technological innovation."
Art coughed in embarrassment. "I'm not really that good, Mr. Wonka."
"Come now," Willy said. "Surely you wouldn't have come if you hadn't had a good innovation to sell. That bag there, for example...what's in it?" he pointed to the bag that Art had been towing around the whole time.
"It's, um...an automated shoe shiner, Mr. Wonka."
The candymaker beamed. "I could definitely use one." he made a point of looking down at his shoes, which had become scuffed from all the walking he had done today.
"But to be one of your workers..." Art protested, "I'm not good enough!"
Wonka laid a hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Wilkinson, no one is good enough until they decide they are. Whether you are or not, I want you to work for me." He glanced over his shoulder, to see several Oompa-loompas watching him. "I've been the only giant here for too long." He extended his hand. Art grabbed it in a firm handshake. "It will be an honor to join you, sir."
Willy Wonka smiled. "The honor is all mine."