<Though I admit it's possible the chewing gum isn't doing all the clever work there. Well, where does a robin get his songs? And where do your best ideas come from, anyways?>

<Hmm. Good question. From the things around me, I guess. I look at a thing and see what things can be done with it, or look at two things and see what you get if you combine them. I guess being around candy all the time probably helps with inventing more candy, then, huh?> He attempts to grind his teeth thoughtfully and compromises the structural integrity of his lollipop. "Oopsh."

"Not to worry!" laughs Mr. Wonka from across the room. "There will be plenty of—"

A curly-haired Oompa-Loompa discreetly lets herself in a side door and hurries over to Mr. Wonka. In her hands is an ornate glass jewelry box. She whispers urgently in Mr. Wonka's ear.

"Oh dear, the whole batch? You may be right; perhaps we are heating it too quickly. Mmm. What's the salt source this round? The sea breeze at dawn, mm-hmm, yes. Which batch number? Really? Why didn't you get here sooner? Oh, for heaven's sake; I didn't realise. I'll repair it this week if it's such a priority. No, of course. Thank you."

He opens the glittery glass case and eyes its contents morosely.