Visions of Greed

Chapter 15: Opportunity Cost

Recommended Songs: Something Of Value- Yellowcard, Adrenaline- You Me At Six, Mind Games- Lolita Ritmanis, Alchemy- Starset

"I can't believe this..." Once-lerstated in shock as he sat down on his couch.

"I know!" Isabella exclaimedexcitedly as she sat down next to him. "I can't believe it either!This is incredible!"

Once-ler wanted to share his mother'senthusiasm, but whenever he said 'I can't believe this', he reallymeant it. Once-ler was still confused about what was actuallyhappening. Despite the seemingly good news, he still had troublebelieving that his mother would act like this after everything thathappened the day before. There were certain details that just didn'tadd up.

"How did you find out about this?"Once-ler asked cautiously.

"The sales manager called and told methe news." Isabella explained. "She told me she tried to get intouch with you first, but that you didn't answer the phone. So Itried calling you again, and you still didn't pick up. At that point,I started getting worried, so I came over to check on you and tellyou myself and when I went past the thneed counter on the way to thepenthouse I saw it there too. Half a million thneeds and stillgoing!" she smiled.

Once-ler became startled when he heardhis mother speak that last sentence. If the events of yesterday hadactually occurred and the power had really gone out, the thneedcounter shouldn't have been working. Once-ler became more afraid ashe tried to make sense of it all. Had the events of yesterday been anightmare? Or was what he was experiencing right now anotherillusion?

Isabella noticed her son's distress andconfusion. "Oh, you don't know about that either," she remarked."The power came back on around half an hour ago. The electriccompany tried to call you and let you know, but you didn't answerthem either."

Once-ler's eyes widened inastonishment. Things were finally starting to make sense, but hestill had questions. "How did they fix it so quickly?" he asked

"Well, the electric company knew thatit was important to get Thneed inc. back up and running as soon aspossible. It is one of Greenville's most profitable companies, afterall." Isabella explained with a hint of pride in her voice. "Sothey brought several extra workers over here and had them workovernight to replace the electrical panel and get the power back on."Her tone then changed to one of annoyance as she continued toexplain. "Unfortunately, they still couldn't restore theelectricity until well into the afternoon, so we couldn't startproduction back up today, but we'll be able to resume operationstomorrow. I already called the chief operating officer and the headof manufacturing. They're downstairs making sure that everything isset up and ready to go."

"Really? That's amazing!" Once-lerexclaimed in surprise and relief.

"Yes son, You were very lucky thatthis time the problem was resolved relatively quickly..." Isabellatold her son with a stern glare as her tone turned colder "...butwe have to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again."

"Yes Mom I know, and I'm reallysorry." Once-ler apologized as he shrunk under her gaze.