Squirrelberry: Life After The Chocolate Factory

Chapter 3: Guest of (Dis)honor

(Post tour, 6 years later. One week before Veruca's birthday.)

After the factory tour, Violet's life was never the same again. She and her mother had a much more strained relationship than what it was 6 years prior. Scarlet avoided the press as much as possible when they came to interview Violet for questions about the tour, or just her competitive life in general. Which was also something she was forced to give up following her return, mostly because Scarlet was worried about her self image if Violet was out in public. Scarlet did everything to keep her daughter out of the public eye, from forcing her to give up competitions to homeschooling. She was so caught up in worrying about other people's opinions, she practically cast Violet to the wayside. 

When Violet turned 16, her mother found a job offering for someone to perform in a local freakshow and forced Violet to go for an interview. Violet reluctantly went, only to find out the freakshow was owned by none other than Henry Salt, Veruca's father. Violet didn't know his relations to Veruca at the time and just brushed it off as a funny coincidence. She showed her long history of physical activity and was hired on the spot as an acrobatic. The job paid well surprisingly, giving off the impression that Henry actually cared about his employees. When in reality, he just enjoyed throwing money around just to make himself look good. Violet, as you'd expect, actually enjoyed her job. She didn't care about the weird looks she got from viewers, she was doing what she loved. Or at least... What she was TRAINED to love. She adored performing for an audience and getting to show off all her talents. Did she care that it made her look like an egomaniac? No, not really. But she had one fan who cheered her on the most. That being her own mother. Scarlet pushed for her daughter to be the best, which gave Violet the confidence (and an ego) to believe that she WAS the best. ...The sad part is, this freakshow was the first time in a LONG time she got the validation she so desperately wanted from her mother since the tour. Ever since that day, Scarlet couldn't look at her own daughter the same anymore. And it made Violet really depressed for a while. But through online counseling, she managed to get herself back on her feet. 

One evening, all the acts were to stay behind after hours for a "meeting" of sorts. Violet just assumed it was to get her weekly paycheck and call it a night. But when she came out of the changing rooms after a long day's work, there he was. Henry Salt, the man who currently owned the show. The first thing that came to mind was... He looked oddly familiar. But she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The manager saw Violet and gestured her to come over. She nodded and walked by. "And this here, Sir, is our finest act yet. Miss Violet Beauregarde." The manager said, introducing Violet as she approached the two of them. Henry took a good look at Violet, eying her blue body up and down. "It's a pleasure to meet you Si-" Violet was about to extend her hand, only to be cut off by Henry suddenly meeting eyes with her. "Aren't you the girl from the tour my daughter went on all those years ago?" He asked sternly. "....Come again, Sir?" Violet questioned. "My daughter and I won a silly sweepstakes many years ago." Henry lamented. "We were given an exclusive tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, along with 4 other pesky brats. Unfortunately, we did not win the grand prize." Violet raised an eyebrow at the story, some of the pieces faintly starting to click. "There was a girl named Violet who had this disgusting gum chewing record. The sound of her gum smacking was absolutely repulsive. But luckily she got her... Let's just say... Just desserts." Henry said with a chuckle at the end of his sentence. Violet bowed her head for a moment, before looking back up as she continued to hear Henry retell the events of her demise. "...Serves her right though." Henry sighed, before taking notice of Violet again and clearing his throat. "My apologies..." Violet shrugged it off. "It's fine." She responded dryly. "I mean it should be pretty obvious that it's me, right?" She questioned. Henry couldn't believe his eyes. The same little girl he and Veruca met at the factory was in his own business. But then again, he wasn't surprised. "Well... In that case, it's good to see you again, Miss Beauregarde." He nodded. "Likewise." Violet responded. Henry turned to the manager and instructed him to get a hold of the other performers, as he had something to discuss with them. 

Once all the performers gathered around. Henry began to speak. "My lovely daughter is turning 16 this weekend, and her mother gave me permission to attend the party." He began. "So I am extending an olive branch for you lot to attend her party. It is not mandatory, but I would recommend attending." The other performers looked at each other confused. But one of them stepped forward. "And what's in it for us?" The performer asked. Her name was Lola, she was a tall, curvy girl who was about a year older than Violet and Veruca. Lola had been mistreated all her life and mocked for her looks, so she taught herself to feel more confident in how she looked and who she was as a person overall. She only really got the job at Henry's show because the last 2 jobs she had weren't exactly that great of an experience. Violet envied her in a way because contrary to popular belief, she wasn't as confident as people saw her as. In fact, she was quite insecure of her appearance since the tour. "God, you and your petty demands, Miss Cortez." Henry sighed, rubbing his temple. "I will give all of you a 20% raise if you attend my daughter's party." He confessed. All of the performers gasped with excitement, even Violet. "The party is this Saturday. If you want to come, please RSVP at this number." Henry said, handing each of the performers an invitation with a phone number attached to it before escorting himself out. Violet KNEW she had to go. If this really was the person she thought it was who was celebrating her birthday, she had to see for herself. The weird stares and awkward feelings from her mother didn't matter. She had to find out and left the show, happy as a clam.