The Wonka/Sandbox

A genius nut who can't be fired because they run the show

In every society, things are done in certain ways. There are social conventions that have to be followed, logic patterns that always get applied, and priorities that are shared. Just don't expect a Wonka to take any notice. By extension, don't expect their employees to notice either because they're too used to their boss' eccentricity. They may or may not be normal in themselves but their boss will appear to be out of their mind.

Appear to be out of their mind. "There's a fine line between genius and insanity" and Wonkas clog dance on it. He makes perfect sense to himself (and it is usually male, although female examples do exist), but utterly confuses those around him to the point of them wondering whether or not he really is all there. The Naive Newcomer will think he's genuinely nuts until he does something amazing that proves he's merely using a different brand of logic. Long term employees will either groan at the craziness, become like him, or be so desentitize they'll regard it as mundane and pay no attention.

These sort of characters are usually Freakish Loners, but if they do have friends, they will be close ones. Genius qualities do not a Wonka make, but they must show some sort of prowess in at least one area in order to confirm that they are in fact not mad, but merely "differently sane". Other common traits include irreverence, lack of social skill or any sense of danger and doing bizarre things that, nevertheless, make perfect sense if you take a step back and think outside the box, because that's where Wonkas live.

Different from a Cloudcuckoolander in that Wonkas have their heads in Loonyland and their feet on earth, whereas Cloudcuckoolanders are completely in orbit. Also, Wonkas tend to be more extroverted and energetic than drifty, dreamy Cloudcuckoolanders, and they use more logic. For example, a Cloudcuckoolander may carry a gas mask around once to scare away evil spirits, but a Wonka will carry a gas mask around everywhere "in case there's a gas leak. Duh," and then act as though you're the odd one because you don't.

Also different from Bunny Ears Lawyer in that the lawyer is a brilliant employee who isn't fired because they are so good at their job. Tolerating their weird mannerisms and unusual quirks is worth it for the work they do. They win a cost/benefit analysis. The Wonka is a brilliant employer and can't be fired because they own the company. Also the Wonka's unusual brand of sanity is likely the reason for their success while success and quriks are unrelated in the Bunny Ears Lawyer.

If the roles are reversed such that The Wonka is the one who's the normal one and it's everyone else who's crazy, you've got the Only Sane Man.

Compare with Inexplicably Awesome and Eccentric Mentor. Contrast with Genius Ditz and Obfuscating Insanity. (Wonkas don't have an act to drop)