Scarlett looked from the gum down to her daughter, an act of desperation to calm her last minute doubts over what she would do. The aspiring hope in her daughter's eyes mirrored the pride she had for her family. To not follow the morals she had taught Violet, would bring shame and embarrassment to herself and Violet would most likely never respect her again. Losing that respect was something Scarlett refused to live with. Reassuring Violet with her arrogant grin, Scarlett returned to Wonka and said, "I'm a Beauregarde and we don't back down from challenges." With one last glance, Scarlett threw caution to the wind and popped the gum into her mouth, her jaw muscles reflexing to the stimulus as they mindlessly began to chew.
No one spoke as the foolish woman began to work the gum in her mouth, her cocky stare directed towards Wonka as she mocked his pathetic attempt to scare her. She couldn't believe she had nearly chickened out, or even worse, believed his ridiculous tale of transformation into a fruit. As she continued to enjoy the gum, she looked on to the crowd who stared at her waiting for something to happen. Some of them had looks of terror on their face, their bodies still as they held their breath at the punishment to supposedly befall her. Others looked at her with wonder, perhaps even fascination as she chewed, almost as if they wanted ill-fortune to fall on her; how sick their minds must have been.
"How is it Mom?" asked Violet, the curiosity in her voice revealing what she thought was her daughter's biggest weakness. The saying curiosity killed the cat, described her Violet well, her innate nature of wanting to know about everything had led to the few failures in her young daughter's life. Scarlett tried to forget Violet's past losses by focusing on the present, which at the moment was chewing gum.
"Well to tell you the truth it's rather bland, and kind of tasteless," she responded as her jaws continued to work against the stubborn candy. The ignorant mother just looked back at Wonka, her eyes going from smug enjoyment to smug confusion. "What gives Wonka? Was this just an attempt to test your contestant's courage, or were you trying to cover up the scam of this tasteless gum?"
"Neither I believe, as I don't usually have this type of humor, but maybe. I wonder what's different about that piece?" He grabbed a card and began to look over the information for the particular batch, trying to point out any differences from the prescribed formula. His eyebrows curled in confusion at the lack of answers and he looked back up at the scornful woman.
"Maybe it's just a bad piece," suggest Charlie.
"Or perhaps it just takes a while to work up its flavor," said Mr. Teevee.
"If anything the old girl's taste buds have probably been destroyed from all the jobs she's given her husband," said Mr. Salt with a laugh.
That answer got a hate filled look from Scarlett, her eyes shooting invisible daggers towards the pompous English man. He buttoned up, knowing not to unleash the wrath of a woman's scorn. Despite her Jersey Girl chewing style, Mrs. Beauregarde's look was enough to make Mr. Salt sweat, forcing him to loosen his collar to vent the heat from beneath.
Seeing him sweat forced a wicked smile on her face and she continued to stare at him to drive the fear of her power into his mind.
"See, Mr. Wonka, I knew you were full of crock with that story. Just admit it, you were only lying about the wonderful miracle gum."
"I did not lie, but fortunately for you the prototype's failure was in your favor."
"Yeah sure," Scarlett scoffed as she flashed her confident smile at the tour once more, the toothy grin constantly interrupted with her chewing.
Wonka looked back with one last look of uncertainty before he walked towards the exit. "Should we get on with the tour then?" he asked with a slight whimper in his voice, obviously frustrated with Scarlett's smug victory.
"Sounds like a good idea sir," replied Charlie.
"Where you go, I will follow you always sir," replied Grandpa Joe.
"Yeah whatever," said Mike.
"A Beauregarde is ready for any challenge," Violet screamed out eagerly. "Especially when it comes to gum! Right mom?"
"That's right honey, particularly gum that tastes..." she paused, something was happening, something she didn't expect.
"That tastes like what mom... bland?" Violet asked trying to finish the sentence.
"No, no it's not bland anymore," Scarlett said as her chewing slightly picked up pace, trying to determine what the change was. This taste was familiar, the texture rich and creamy, yet like liquid as it rushed over her tongue, something that also tasted...warm? "Unbelievable," she screamed with now wide eyes, the cockiness essentially gone when seconds ago she was beaming with overconfidence and arrogance. Now though, it was wonder and excitement, as she realized the taste...TOMATO SOUP just like her mother used to make when she was sick.
"What's unbelievable?" asked Veruca, the brat obviously jealous from the amazing taste sensation going on in her mouth.
"Mr. Wonka, this doesn't taste like blueberries, but like tomato soup. This is incredible, it's like I'm actually eating it," she was now close to shouting, her amazement getting the best of her as her smile started to evolve from smug to one of sheer enjoyment. "It feels hot and creamy, and almost like it is running down my throat."
No one spoke, their eyes darting from Wonka to Scarlett, as they were unsure what to do.
"I told you it was amazing, didn't I, DIDN'T I?" he said with excitement as his volume increased. Someone finally recognized his true genius, a real adult who could look past his odd visions and see the treasure beneath. He brought out a notebook from his pocket and started to scribble some notes about his observations, eagerly awaiting to hear more.
"Mr. Wonka, how did you do this, it tastes so good!" she cried
"A magician never reveals his secrets, and so too does this magician.
"I thought you were an inventor?" asked Mike.
"Same thing in my mind little mumbling man."
Scarlett said nothing, she was too captivated by the tomato soup flavor, which now seemed to be fading, as if she was finishing the meal. "Hey it's going away! What's happening to the tomato soup Mr. Wonka?"
"You're finishing the first course. It is a three course meal Mrs. Beauregarde. One course finishes and another begins, otherwise it would only be a one course meal and that would just be weird. Though if I were you Ms. Beauregarde, I would really stop chewing and spit the gum out."
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