Don't you think it's weird that the Lorax is annoying you more lately? Feels like somethings up. Maybe him saying something bad is gonna happen is a threat?
âŚÂ I didnât think about that.
ButâŚÂ Why would he threaten me? He says weâre friends.Â
AlthoughâŚhe has been pretty against my business since the beginningâŚ
He says he wants the best for me, soâŚwhy would he try and stop my progress? UnlessâŚhe wants me to failâŚ?
Thereâs quiet in the Once-lerâs office, save for the faint sound of machinery coming from outside of his open doors. Â The Loraxâs footsteps are too soft to be heard as he approaches.
âHey, Beanpole, can I talk to ya for a minute?â
Thereâs a pause as the man in the chair takes a drag from his cigar before he blows out the smoke.
âTalk about what? Â How youâre trying to tear my plans apart and ruin my business like youâve always wanted?â
The Lorax hesitates. Â âWhat...?â
âDonât play dumb. Â Youâve been against me from the beginning, havenât you? Â Iâll bet youâve come to talk me out of all this again, right?â
A furry, orange foot steps forward. Â âLook, I know thatâs not what ya wanna hear, but I need ya to understand the gravity of the situation. Â The valley isââ
The Once-ler stands from his chair and turns to face the other. Â A cold glare rests on his face. Â âHere we go again with the valley. Â I know how much you love your trees, but I need them for my business to work! Â So what if a few animals have to move? Â Thatâs just a sacrifice that has to be made to make way for the bigger picture.â
The Lorax takes another step, his hands held out pleadingly. Â âCâmon, listen to yourself! Â You know this isnât right! Â This isnât you!â
âWhat do you know about me? Â You never really cared about my happiness, did you? Â You were always too worried about your precious trees to ever think about what I wanted, what I needed to be successful in life. Â Well, now Iâve found success, without you, and Iâm not going to let you ruin it.â Â The darkly-clothed man turns away after a moment, holding a hand up to his head as if he suddenly has a headache. Â He closes his eyes. Â âIâm done talking with you. Â Get out, before I call security to throw you out instead.â
Silence falls over the room as the two stand there, not speaking anymore. Â Soon enough, the Lorax lets his hands down to his sides and lowers his gaze to the floor, defeated for now. Â He disappears out the door, leaving the Once-ler alone once again.