Visions of Greed

Chapter 19: Masquerade Metamorphosis Part 2

Just a quick bit of trivia from the special before we begin (I assume you all have seen the movie, but maybe not the special or the book, so I am just explaining those elements real quick). It is only implied in the movie (via the model Once-ler is looking at) but directly shown in the special that the Once-ler appeared to have branched out into other industries, including real estate (building houses and apartments) and the restaurant business (Once-ler burgers and Once-ler scoops). He also had a blimp in his heyday in the special. There are references to these things in this chapter, along with references to things that were exclusive to the movie. Let's just say this night is really going to start setting things into motion for Once-ler. Once again, thank you as always for reading and I hope you enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget to read Part 1 before you read part 2!

TW: Minor potential content warning for "death" of insect.

Recommended Songs: Turn Off The Lights- Panic At The Disco, Let's Kill Tonight- Panic At The Disco, Perfect Machine- Starset, Red Moon- Dance With The Dead, Late Night- Lolita Ritmanis

Once-ler stared at the reflection for only another brief moment, until he snapped himself back to reality and quickly went over to the dining room. Where he took his designated place at the end of the table. Most of the guests were already seated, and glasses of champagne had already been poured. Isabella, who sat to his right, gave Once-ler a side glance at he sat down for being somewhat late, but otherwise said nothing.

Once-ler averted his mother's gaze by looking down at the table, when his eyes fell on his name placard. When Once-ler read the words that appeared on the paper, his eyes widened in shock. Printed on the card in fancy letters were the words 'The Once-ler "The Greed-ler" President of Thneed Inc'. As Once-ler continued to stare down at his name placard, he slowly realized that the choice of names printed on the card had been his own doing. Back when his mother had asked him to look over the guest list and make corrections, Once-ler had made a note that he had wanted his name, or rather names, to specifically be written that way. It had been yet another thing Once-ler had done while under the influence of Greed-ler.

Once-ler's mother noticed her son staring down at the names on the card "So...you've finally decided to go on ahead and embrace it, huh?" Isabella whispered to him.

"W-what?" Once-ler, stammered back, startled and confused by her question.

"The nickname, the Greed-ler, didn't the Lorax call you that to try and scare you?" she asked further.

"Um...sort of." Once-ler answered. His mother's theory was only partially true. Once-ler himself had been the one to dub his alter-ego the Greed-ler, recognizing the dark desires within himself for what they were. The Lorax had simply picked up on it, and began using the name to intimidate Once-ler.

"Right, so, instead of letting him discourage you with the nickname, you decided to just embrace it, to own it, to show that darn Lorax that you aren't going to back down. That you are going to keep biggering your business, no matter what he says." Isabella continued with a sly smile.

Once-ler wanted to protest, but he found himself unable to say a word.

"Adopting the nickname could also be a good way to intimidating the competition." His mother further explained. "To show them all that you are determined to do whatever it takes to get what you want."

Once-ler's shoulders stiffened at his mother's words, but he was quickly pulled from his thoughts when servers came over to take dinner orders from the guests. Afterwards, Once-ler's chief operating officer, who sat to the left of his boss, gently tapped his fork to his champagne glass to get all of the guests' attention. When the room finally became silent, the chief operating officer began to speak.