The game is on to see who will be the winner of the $1.4 billion expected Powerball jackpot.

I’ll admit it. I’ve been tempted a few times to buy a ticket, but so far I’ve just been entertained writing and reading more about the mania that has come with the contest.

The Powerball started in November and the jackpot is the largest ever on record.

All this talk about the Powerball tomorrow has reminded me of a classic movie and book titled “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The book was written by Roald Dahl in 1964, and the original movie titled “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” came out in the 1970s.

In case you haven’t heard or seen it in a while, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” is a book about Willy Wonka, the owner of Wonka chocolate factory, who decides to open the doors of his factory to five children and their parents.

To choose who gets to go inside, Wonka hides five golden tickets in candy bars.

There is chaos as ticket after ticket is found — until only one ticket remains.

A poor boy named Charlie, who lives with his parents and grandparents in a tiny house, is ultimately the winner of the fifth golden ticket.

Charlie and his grandfather go to the factory with the four other children and their parents, and one by one the children fall victim to temptations of self-control until only Charlie remains.

In the end, Charlie finds out he will be Wonka’s successor.

Why does this story remind me of the Powerball?

Right now we’re in the stage similar to in the book and movie where they’re trying to find the golden tickets.

People are buying these Powerball tickets at astronomic rates and according to lottery officials, 75 percent of all of the 292.2 million number combinations were purchased ahead of this past Saturday’s drawing.

The real question will come after a winner is chosen? How will the winner spend the money? Will the winner be like Charlie or one of the other four children?

Needless to say, it has been just fascinating for me to watch as this unfolds.

Good luck to everyone.

 

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.