Good-bye Violet

           ’Thisgum,’MrWonkawenton,’ismylatest,mygreatest,mymostfascinatinginvention! It’sachewing-gummeal! It’s...it’s...it’s...Thattinylittlestripofgumlyingthereisawholethree-coursedinnerallbyitself!’ 

           ’Whatsortofnonsenseisthis? ’saidoneofthefathers. 

           ’Mydearsir!’criedMrWonka,’whenIstartsellingthisgumintheshopsitwillchangeeverything! Itwillbetheendofallkitchensandallcooking! Therewillbenomoreshoppingtodo!Nomorebuyingofmeatandgroceries! There’llbenoknivesandforksatmealtimes! Noplates! Nowashingup!Norubbish!Nomess! JustalittlestripofWonka’smagicchewing-gum—andthat’sallyou’lleverneedatbreakfast,lunch,andsupper! ThispieceofgumI’vejustmadehappenstobetomatosoup,roastbeef,andblueberrypie,butyoucanhavealmostanythingyouwant!’ 

           ’Whatdoyoumean,it’stomatosoup,roastbeef,andblueberrypie? ’saidVioletBeauregarde. 

           ’Ifyouweretostartchewingit,’saidMrWonka,’thenthatisexactlywhatyouwouldgetonthemenu. It’sabsolutelyamazing!Youcanactuallyfeelthefoodgoingdownyourthroatandintoyourtummy!Andyoucantasteitperfectly!Anditfillsyouup!Itsatisfiesyou! It’sterrific!’ 

           ’It’sutterlyimpossible,’saidVerucaSalt. 

           ’Justsolongasit’sgum,’shoutedVioletBeauregarde,’justsolongasit’sapieceofgumandIcanchewit,thenthat’sforme! ’Andquicklyshetookherownworld-recordpieceofchewing-gumoutofhermouthandstuckitbehindherleftear.