He is somber. Day after day he would make the same trip to town. It was to a point where he had memorized the placement of those accursed trees on the way. In fact, he was growing quite discontent with the scenery. It was a constant reminder that he was a failure.

He always knew he was a failure. She would never allow him to think otherwise.

It was another day. Another day doing the same as the day before. A man could only repeat the same day over and over before he grew nauseated with it. And so, he decided to take a different route. Perhaps it would help to clear his head, he wagered. Maybe he could think of some better sales tactics. Or maybe something awful would happen to him.

Something in his stomach churned; he almost wished that was the outcome. Paradoxically the morbid thought had given him the motivation to try even harder than before on this day. Maybe, he thought, it would help to watch other salespeople beforehand. There was no time now, however. The sun was risen and he had to make his move before it was far too late.

"Melvin," the Once-ler addressed his waiting mule. The creature looked tired; even he was growing tired of the redundant events in town square. "We're taking a different route today. And if I don't sell this damn thing by the afternoon...well, I guess it's back home for me."

He winced, for it shook him to admit this aloud. Those solemn words were just another reminder that if he accepted defeat, he would be tortured more than just by his own ruthless subconscious. She would punish him more than he would punish himself.

The animal grunted, obviously annoyed with its tall, lanky owner. The Once-ler's deep cobalt eyes found the grass immediately. Even his best friend was growing short with him. Could he not do anything right?

It was with a heavy heart that his long, slender body took its rightful place at the reigns of the wagon. He directed the cart - and, in essence, himself as well as the mule - in a new direction. It may have taken longer to reach their destination this way, but he was looking forward to the trip nonetheless.

A few minutes in, the Once-ler had already dug out his guitar and began to practice his sales pitch. Though beforehand he had been adherent to keep it all the same, this time he experimented with other methods. A new tempo, melody. Altered lyrics.

It seemed as though he were on a roll, and his negative attitude had melted off his body quickly enough. However, as they treaded closer to their goal, he noticed something was off about one of the Truffula trees in the distance; its trunk had either been discolored and misshapen, or...there was someone leaned against it. He grew quiet, as he found it quite peculiar to see any other human in the forest besides himself. Perhaps this enigmatic individual - if it even was an individual at all - was dangerous. Would he be prepared for any sort of attack? Queries like these ran through his head at a mile a minute. He was so overwhelmed with his own worries that when they had finally gotten close enough for him to distinguish reality from fiction, he had hardly noticed that the mar was in fact a man, and he was being waved to.

Initially the Once-ler had thought he went completely off the deep end. This enigmatic stranger was practically a mirror image of himself, save the eccentric clothing. His legs were impossibly long and skinny, the same with his arms. His hair had even been the same shade and fell onto his face exactly as his would. However, there was one distinctive difference; razor sharp teeth. The Once-ler winced at the sight of his grin, inverting himself and possibly scooting away from him even further. If it were not for those menacing teeth, his smile may have been charming. But no, this was deranged, aberrant and frightening. The nameless figure tipped his short top-hat at a thoroughly shaken Once-ler and, as he had a cigar in his grip, blew a puff of smoke in the shape of a heart in the salesman's general direction. Once-ler's dark brows laced together, and he snarled at the sight of it, omitting a posh, "tch". The interloper simply grinned wider - successfully sending a shudder through the entrepreneur's spine - and pulled down the frames of his large and flashy blue shades.

His eyes were a shocking, brilliant shade of green. The Once-ler was thankful for this other physical difference between them, and egged Melvin onward.

"Fucking freak..." he murmured, relieved that the mischievous individual was behind him then.

Watch for him.