On Tuesday a Quinnipiac University student reportedly found Willy Wonka’s last Golden Ticket, earning the final spot in Willy Wonka’s exclusive factory tour. That student, identified as junior Markus Finn, opted to immediately take to the Class of 2017’s Facebook page in order to sell it.
The five Golden Tickets for a tour of the inside of Willy Wonka’s infamous factory are given out in the company’s annual contest, which has been going strong since the 2005 adaptation of the film. The Golden Tickets required to win the tour are placed within random Wonka Bars that are sold to the public.
As to why Finn has opted to sell his ticket rather than attend the tour, he stated, “I’ve been in the ticket trading business for years now. Hockey tickets? Flipped them. QU-Yale tickets? Marked them up 200% at one point.”
This past success does not mean business is booming, however, as recent issues with the school’s ticket-selling system have made it difficult for Finn to maintain his status quo.
“Now that tickets are being sold out in, like, half a minute, it’s impossible for me to keep my business afloat. A guy’s gotta earn a living, you know?” Finn said.
Critics of his decision have been quick to point out that his father, who owns a manufacturing company outside of Boston, is covering the entirety of Finn’s college expenses.
Among the hopeful winners of the last Golden Ticket was Francine Smith, who had been hoping to give the ticket to her younger brother should she have won. “He’s been trying to get the thing for three years now,” said Smith. “And it would have meant the world to me if I had gotten the chance to bring him such joy. But I guess Finn getting all this money is pretty cool too.”
The QU community by and large has shunned Finn for his decision, a movement to which he responded, “If you all want the ticket so bad, then pay the money for it. It’s only fair.”
As of midnight, the highest offer on Finn’s ticket is $30,000. Willy Wonka declined to comment on the matter.