Immediately, a host of three small robots appeared from a small hole in the wall, like Chihuahuas entering through a doggie door. They extended arms to spray and clean the walls. The green goo disappeared in a flash.

Zago-as-robot didn't seem surprised. "Please," he told us, "take a closer look."

After the explosion I wasn't certain I wanted to get any nearer to potential food bombs.

Harold, however, eagerly stepped forward. Without asking, he dipped a finger into a tube of bright yellow stuff and stuck it in his mouth.

I waited for a reprimand or at least an alarm to go off.

"Tastes just like bananas--not that fake banana flavor, but the real thing." Harold scooped up some more of the substance and stuck his meaty finger in my face. "Try it."

"No thanks."

Harold shrugged and licked up the rest.

Mr. Zago said nothing.

My fellow salesman, spurred on by the lack of reaction to Harold's unseemly behavior, poked and prodded substances and sampled candies in piles at the end of each table. Unwrapped, unlabeled. Who knew if they were even ready for human consumption? Devon loaded up his jumpsuit pockets with handfuls of gums, mints, and other treats. Jacqueline picked up each one, sniffing it, before setting it back on the pile. Agnes ate a few samples. Her eyes lit up with pleasure after she tried a pink-and-white striped blob.

Although the room smelled appealing, I'd never had a thing for sugar candies or gum. Chocolate was my weakness. I tinkered with a few beakers, but since Mr. Zago failed to give us any more information on what was being developed here, I didn't see the point.

"Come, we've spent enough time in this room." Mr. Zago rolled through a different door than we'd entered.

Harold reluctantly ended his tasting session. A few candies fell out of Devon's pockets, leaving a brightly colored trail on the pristine white floors. The women followed closely behind. A robot arm attached to a wall handed us gift bags stuffed with every chocolate item Zago Chocolates had on the shelf and more.

In the whole of the factory we saw not a single worker. Everything appeared to be automated. I'd wondered about that. Zago Chocolates' operations were a heavily guarded secret. Although Zago Chocolates had control of 60% of the market, competitors were always looking to steal ideas, get to the stores with the next big chocolate treat, suck away some of that market share. Zago managed to outmaneuver the competition and lead the way when it came to the latest and greatest in chocolate products. With no workers in the factory and only automated production, it likely was easier to tamp down any leaks.

We'd reached the far end of the factory.

Double doors stood behind the Zago-as-robot. "Guests, I hope you enjoyed your tour. Beyond these doors we have a very special presentation for you. A look at the future of Zago Chocolates. A new market initiative that I think you will find very interesting. Much different than what you are used to. I'm looking for the best salesperson to take lead on this exciting product. Please, find yourself a seat." The doors automatically opened, and we entered the next room.

Harold glanced over his shoulder at me and raised a brow.

I knew what he was thinking: new market? What new market? Everyone ate chocolate. We'd seen the latest developments in gums and mints. We had our sales channels down. I couldn't imagine what Mr. Zago meant. Maybe some new, low-cost formula to bring chocolate to third world nations who couldn't afford our products? A chocolate bar that didn't melt? What could this new product be? As a successful sales person the idea of new opportunities excited me.