The Once-ler trudged down the halls of his factory, production running as smoothly as ever. He walked tall and proud, despite the troubles he hid from his employees. He took long strides, arms stiff at his sides as he moved across the entrance hall. His footsteps echoed through the empty area, usually filled with numerous workers. The Once-ler had, however, fired over half of them for their lack of competence. They didn't seem to understand that getting the factory back into the proper functions was the up most priority. With a heavy sigh, he tugged the watch out from his pocket. There was really no point in telling time by just looking outside, it was always dark.
He never seemed bothered by it, though. The pollution, the smoke, the schlop- nothing seemed to bother him except the decline in his factory sales. Since the fired employees left, Once-ler had hired more and offered double pay if they could make double the Thneeds. Why not, he had the money. It wasn't so much that the machines weren't doing their jobs, it was that packing needed to be done by caring hands. Or, in this case, fast moving hands. Besides, it looked great for publicity to hire the needy, right? Once-ler scoffed, making his way to his office. They weren't doing any better and so, with another heavy sigh, he had fired the new workers on the spot. It was better to leave this job to the machines.
He was growing restless and stressed, gloved fingers rubbing tired eyes. He made his way into his office, doors slamming shut behind him. In the safety of his own room, he let his shoulders slouch, fingers plucking the glasses from his face. He tossed them on his desk and took a seat, staring at the model he had worked so hard to create. This was all worth it, wasn't it? A small twinge of doubt crept into his thoughts, his heart thudding a bit harder as he realized it. No, it wasn't possible. He wasn't doing anything wrong. Besides, he was rich- money was everything. Money made the world spin and grow. He shrugged off the feeling and lifted his index finger. He poked the model with an admiring smile.
"I am so proud of me..."