Dead Heads Are Dead

It’s October, and my favourite time of year is clawing at the front door. As you may or may not know, I am a freak for Halloween. Reading Patti-Cake’s post about Lewis Barrett Lehrman got me even more excited and I remembered it was almost time for my most prestigious Halloween Candy Oscars event.

Let’s face it. Candy is one of the most important parts of Halloween, and ‘ween is the only time of year when taking candy from strangers is acceptable.

Whilst candy-shopping I was very upset that, for the 2nd year in a row, I was unable to find Charms Dead Heads. Remember Dead Heads, the skull-shaped sucker? The one that turned your tongue blood-red? The one that made you strangle your little sister for her last one?

Yes, you’d do just about anything, however unsavoury, for a Dead Head.

If you were lucky enough to have experienced THE best lollipop in all the land, you’ll be upset to learn the upsetting news I have discovered from Tootsie Roll Industries, Charms’ parent-company.

From: martini
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:31 PM
To: info@tootsie.com
Subject: Request for info from tootsie.com

Bonjour, For years I have been unable to find Dead Heads in stores, which is extremely upsetting, considering they are one of the absolute best Halloween candies around, and THE best lollipop ever made. Could you tell me where they're distributed, and when they might be on store shelves?
Thanks so much,
Martini

A few short hours later came the blunt reply.

From: Andrews, Susan [mailto:sandrews@tootsie-roll.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 5:12 PM
To: Mr. Martini
Subject: RE: Request for info from tootsie.com

Sorry to disappoint you, Martini, but Dead Head Pops were discontinued two years ago.

I wrote back once more, proddifying Susan for more information about the skullicious pops:

From: martini
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 5:23 PM
To: Andrews, Susan
Subject: RE: Request for info from tootsie.com

Konichiwa Susan,
Thanks for the quick reply. This is sad news. Is there a possibility of a replacement (or better yet, a revival) sometime in the future?

When I read Susan’s reply, a tear rolled down my cheek.

From: Andrews, Susan [mailto:sandrews@tootsie-roll.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 11:46 AM
To: Mr. Martini
Cc: Balow, Robert
Subject: RE: Request for info from tootsie.com

Martini, thanks for the follow-up. No plans for either replacement or revival. Sorry.

I noticed she cc’d a fellow named Robert Balow. I hope ol’ Rob is a not a hit man out to silence me as a I spread the dire news of Dead Heads demise to the ‘ween-loving populace, but rather, a wise decision-maker who could bring back our beloved, bloody skeletal lollipops.

Halloween just doesn’t feel the same without them. Voice your opinion on this radical Dead Heads poll!