Noodle knew her dad had a plan even before the tour began, but she had to admit that she didn't expect it to be as crazy as this. It was insane even coming from him. Still, she wasn't worried. She trusted him, and the whole golden ticket thing had been her idea after all. It had all started several months ago, on an afternoon that seemed like any other, at least until Willy called her into his half-office in a serious, somber voice that was uncommon to him. He had told her that they needed to talk.
"I've been thinking of retiring soon," said the chocolatier after a few moments of tense silence. "It's time for you to take care of all this," he made a gesture around-I know you're ready, Noelia.
Noodle stared at him stunned for a couple of seconds. Her father only called her by her real name in very serious moments, however, she had to restrain herself from laughing when she heard this. Had he forgotten that he would be here a lot longer than she would? But she soon realized that it wasn't a joke, and she had to remember that even his kind could get tired over the years. Still, running the factory was a big responsibility, and considering what had happened ten years ago, it was scary. The thought of potentially ending like him, shutting herself inside out of fear of betrayal…But that wouldn't happen again, right? Not after so many years.
-"Alright-"She said finally-"I just have one condition…"
It took a while to convince the paranoid candy maker of the idea of letting people in the factory again, but he finally agreed when she told him they'd all be children. Willy praised Noodle on the idea of tickets hidden inside their chocolate bars, and when the announcement was posted in the newspapers, they both knew the whole world would go crazy. However, as time went on, they found their troubles hadn't ended yet…
-Wow, would you look at this-Willy commented, newspaper in hand-That boy has a serious eating problem. He's going to make himself sick, and his mother isn't worried? More of him to love, she says… Fifty chocolate bars for breakfast? Not even I would recommend that, and that's saying something.
He had similar comments about the rest of the kids, like the girl who for some reason demanded to buy North Korea (What on Earth did that even mean?) and a boy who stole a German tank and spent his days watching TV. He had almost lost all hope 'till he read about the last winner, the only one who left a good impression on him. The boy's story was heartbreaking, and it was truly admirable how the family hadn't lost hope in such dark times. It was a vaguely familiar story…Tattered clothes, no money in his pocket…Memories of his past came flooding back. Though he certainly had never been as poor as the Buckets, the feeling of helplessness that came with the absence of coin was something he knew.
"And yet," he thought "They all have the same chance".
Just then, an idea popped into his mind, one so brilliant he felt like he had eaten a dozen silver lightnings: Matching the rooms with the kids' obsessions. Would they prioritize good behavior over bad habits? They'd have to wait and see.
As for the last winner, he had a different plan.