Author's Note: Wow! Look at all the faves and alerts and this hasn't been up a whole week! AnimeOtakuBara, and 913 thanks for the alert! RobinMakesMeHappy and gemstone108 thanks for the fave and alert! Cindy, thank you for your review! Reviews make me smile. I hope I got the dialouge right for this chapter!
((The Lorax and The Once-ler or anything from Dr. Seuss books do not belong to me. They're Dr. Seuss' and Illumination Entertainment's. Same goes for his family and songs/sayings shown in the film/book/old cartoon. Only Marie is mine!) Updated as of 12/06/2012.
Chapter 3
The Most Beautiful Place
Three days. They had been traveling for three days. They left on the 25th of June and now it was the 28th. After crossing plains, a desert of sand, fields, mountains, and meadows there was nothing too new. It had been pure traveling madness. There was still nothing that could be made into a Thneed.
After a long night of not stopping to rest a new morning rose. Sunrise peeked out over the mountains showing three tired beings. One was a mule plodding with his head down. The other was a lady burrowed under the blanket on a mattress. The third was a man with his feet perched up, guitar in lap, and fedora tilted down.
It might've been another boring day of traveling madness had the mule not had spotted something. Something he had never seen before! He gave a neigh to awaken his owner. Nothing but a snore for an answer reached his long ears. Frustrated, Melvin kicked the wagon. The jolt woke Once-ler up with a shout!
"We're gonna be there soon," he said annoyed and tilted his fedora up. "I'm sure it's like-" He pushed the hat's brim further up in awe seeing what his mule had kicked him for. "Whoa!" he said in amazement at the sight.
Spreading far beyond was pure beauty! Mountains of deep green, a river running gracefully, unique trees with colored tufts and striped trunks covered the land. It must've been thousands of acres! The trees tufts were in colors of pink, yellow, purple, red and orange with their trunks incredibly skinny. Palmer seemed dull in comparison! There was only one place that grew such trees according to the books he had brought; it was Truffula Valley. Once-ler climbed off his seat and clasped his guitar close. He smiled and trembled in awe. His words got choked up.
"This is…the most beautiful place…mmkay I have ever seen." Once-ler caught his breath and found himself walking out to the gorgeous piece of nature. He stepped back hearing a high pitch sound, melodiously humming. He looked down to see three orange-yellow fish with pale bellies striking a pose and began humming a chorus.
"Ta-da!" they crooned and then hopped off into the valley.
"Whoa," Once-ler smiled.
Three days of travel had been worth it! The three sets of animals mentioned in the pamphlet were before him; Humming-Fish, Bar-ba-loots and Swomee-Swans! They were all there and real! Amazing! He felt a great leap of joy in his heart! By that time, the critters came close in curiosity and confusion. It was extremely rare to see humans in their area.
"This is it!" shouted Once-ler and played a Blue's riff in glee.
Marie didn't stir. She shrugged under the warm cover, a little too warm as how summer's temperature was only getting higher. She rolled over and stretched her achey legs that had been tucked up close to her chest. The wagon's jostling all through the night had been extra rough on her. She was half asleep as Melvin trotted down into the valley. She didn't move her head yet. Marie wondered if she was dreaming, because she thought she heard Once-ler, not too close yet not too far, singing and yodeling. He stopped and said something she couldn't understand with her senses still awakening. Marie heard growling and Once-ler cry "What?" She turned over and bit her lips.
Once-ler's scream made her bolt right up and she looked ahead to see he was not in the driver's seat. Panic hit and she kicked the cover off and crawled to the front. All she saw was Melvin. She crawled for the back pushing objects out of her way. Marie poked her head out. What a surprise met her eyes!
It looked like something out of a dream. There were marshmallows all over the ground and there were animals jumping, rolling and eating them. They all made happy growls and chirps. Once-ler stood there, hands on his hips with a pleased smile. A bag of marshmallows with a hole was discarded on the grass.
"Once?" asked Marie breaking his daze. Once-ler watched her sling her legs over the wagon's backside. "What just happened?"
"This is the place Baby," he said. "We're staying here!" He wrapped his arms around her knees and she gripped his shoulders. He placed her down with a kiss on her cheek. "Sleep well?"
"Mostly," said Marie feeling solid ground under her feet. She stayed in Once-ler's arms and gave him a deep kiss. The animals stopped and looked. They hadn't seen kissing before. The two humans didn't notice the naïve eyes watching them. Marie loved seeing Once-ler happy. It made her smile and he deserved it. She was just a part of it.
She looked up to see the trees; Truffula Trees around her. Mile after mile they went far beyond her blue eyes. They were so…unreal! The whole place was! So soft and innocent looking. Like something a child would make-believe for comfort when they shivered in the dark to sleep. She could see herself and Once-ler living here. There didn't seem to be other people around. It was perfect! Peace and quiet! She was there with her husband (the word made her heart feel like it had wings) and they had a new life.
"So what exactly will you use for your Thneed?" asked Marie.
"The Truffula Trees," Once-ler simply said. "They're the perfect material!"
"The tufts," said Marie thoughtfully. She read about them on the trip. They were said to be softer than silk and smelled like butterfly milk. Why the pamphlet had to rhyme, she didn't know. And if butterflies had milk it was news to her. There was a delightful smell on the fresh morning breeze and Marie realized it was the trees. It was like a blend of vanilla, baby powder, and lavender. All light and soft.
"It's beautiful here," said Marie and then she noticed the tools scattered on the ground. She smirked and quirked an eyebrow seeing a hammer pounded on the toothpaste and a pair of boxers. "You pack like a man, and you unpack like a man."
"Very funny," smirked Once-ler. "Come on Marie. We have a home to set up."
Eager to help, Marie helped guide Melvin to a nice area near the river that had a clearing. Once-ler unhitched the mule for him to graze while Marie gathered the things tossed around. The tent came specially bought with countless pieces which took half of the day to put together. Marie looked forward to filling it with their belongings. Interior decorating was more fun. The outer setting up was sweaty for her. Animals watched them with an adorableness that she couldn't resist. A particularly tiny Bar-ba-loot kept getting closest to Once-ler for some reason. Marie was in disgust to see Once-ler pull out a plastic flamingo and jab it in the ground.
"What do we need that for?" she asked. She hated plastic lawn ornaments.
"Just cause," said Once-ler. Marie didn't want to have a petty argument over a plastic bird and let it go.
"Whatever," she mumbled.
After some time of setting up, in and out, Once-ler got his old gardening gloves which Marie liked. However, chopping trees wasn't her thing, Once-ler had agreed, so she would explore their new home while he made a Thneed. Marie hadn't gone too far when she heard the faint sound of an ax chopping a tree. She thought she heard birds squawking too. She knew Onc-ler was hacking away.
Marie went up a little hill where the trees were thickest. The shade was so cool and refreshing! She kept going upwards, wanting to see the top. She had gone farther and could see a short distance, but the trees partially blocked her view. She saw the tuft of one tree in pink fall down. Once-ler dragged it off with ease and confidence. He was proud of himself already.
Only seconds later, the animals came out from hiding. They hid in fright seeing a tree being chopped. It was all new to them. They got near the stump which they hadn't seen before either.
Then it happened.
At that point Once-ler had gone back in the tent for a burlap sack, humming and whistling to himself. Marie had stopped again after another quick hike to see the view. Then suddenly, it felt dark. The sky seemed to grow grey and clouds circled around menacingly.
"What?" said Marie in disbelief. "It can't be rain now!" The clouds somehow looked different compared to the usual rain storm.
It wasn't rain! The stormy clouds shook with thunder. Down below the animals rushed for cover. Swomee-Swans flew, hid or stuck their heads in the ground. Humming-Fish hurried for the water. Bar-ba-loots climb up trees or ducked behind rocks and bushes. Marie gripped onto a tree trunk and shielded her eyes. It became bitterly cold as if a blizzard was forming. Marie hoped Once-ler had gone back inside if a storm was brewing. So much for exploring! The smell of wet earth became strong.
Lightning cracked ear splittingly loud. For a first day in their new home, nature wasn't giving them a warm welcome! Then Marie's eyes went as big as dinner plates when she saw a beam of blue light shoot up. The tree trunks covered where it came from. A gush of wind blew out causing a stronger impact making small creatures fly and bigger ones try to steady themselves. Marie almost lost her grip and clung both arms around the trunk for dear life. Her hair whipped behind her and her dress flew around her legs. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and opened them again to see lightning, sparkling and blue, but terrible, sizzle and crack.
Marie cried and snapped her eyes shut again! Irrationality took its course as she braced herself. The worst fear that she thought of was her dying. Poor Once-ler all alone and a widower! No! Once-ler dying in a storm or any bad thing would be even worse! If she survived the catastrophe, what would she do without him?
Then as abruptly as the storm had come, it was over! The sky was shiny with the sun again, the weather was warm and the air was sweet. Marie heard stillness. It was as if nothing happened!
"What just-" she muttered. She felt dizzy from the shock and looked around. Nothing seemed different. Marie looked up at the sun rays that pierced through the open spaces between the tufts. "What made that happen?"
Well, every location has its positives and negatives. She didn't let go of the tree yet, just in case another freak storm started. After a minute, Marie let go. It looked like it wouldn't happen again.
"Once!" she gasped and rushed her way down.
She expected to see Melvin's coat tousled, but still eating, a tent on its side, and an upset spouse. Once-ler didn't like it when things he made got ruined somehow. After running for what seemed too long, Marie could see a tree stump and knew what had happened to it. She noticed it had stones and rocks of different sizes circling it. She slowed down her pace. That hadn't been there before to what she knew.
"Did Once-ler do that?" she thought. "Hmmm. Maybe it's a décor thing he wanted to do."
"Whoa!" she heard Once-ler shout and a creaking sound of something heavy. It must've been the front door. She heard more words, but didn't pay attention to them. "Hey wait-what are you? Mustache! Will you stop that! What's your deal man?!"
Marie wandered to the direction she started with. She could see the tent was still up. A tree was lying down with a sack of its tufts nearby. Melvin was standing still while chewing and staring cynically. Typical of him.
Then Marie saw the most peculiar sight ever! Once-ler (he seemed physically fine) was kneeling down and pounding one of the pegs back in the ground. He jumped back up and ran behind. A strand of rope that held the tent went flying up from the other end!
"Time for you to go Beanpole!" yelled a sharp voice.
Around the corner came a bigger shock! An orange, furry creäture with a large mustache raced around, pulled another peg out and flung it up in the air. It raced on to the next one with arms extended out.
"Pull them right out! I'm just gonna run right back in! We could do this all day!" Once-ler hammered the next one down on his knees. He jumped up again to fix the next one. It was a bit comical. The scene made Marie's jaw drop and her eyes as big as dinner plates once again.
After a few more rounds of pulling out and pounding back in, it all stopped when Once-ler accidentally grabbed hold of the tiny Bar-ba-loot thinking it was a peg. Once-ler didn't do it on purpose, Marie could see that. Of course, the orange creäture halted the game of "Ring around the Tent" to scold. And of course, Once-ler threatened out of anger after saying he would never hit the little guy.
"You on the other hand, I would gladly pound you and your mustache into the ground!" Once-ler shook the hammer before him.
"Behold!" the creäture said loudly. "The intruder and his violent ways! Shame on you! For shame!"
Once-ler had dropped the hammer and scooted it behind him. The animals Marie saw earlier had gathered around and were nodding agreement. Marie suddenly felt puzzlement. They responded better than animals she knew before. What if Melvin and Edwin were capable of responding too, but chose not too? Perhaps it was just something about Truffula Valley. Once-ler seemed in disbelief as Marie was, but he recovered.
"Alright! You know what? That's it!" Marie watched as he stalked low in front of the orange fuzz ball with a jabbing finger. "You listen to me you furry meatloaf! I'm gonna cut down as many trees as I need. Newsflash! Not going anywhere!" He stormed back for the house.
Marie slapped a hand over her face. Once-ler didn't handle every situation as well as he should or could. With a last retort and stuck out tongue, Once-ler slammed the door. Marie looked from between her fingers. The orange fluffy thing was gone. She realized that Once-ler hadn't noticed her due to the fact that she had been behind another bunch of trees. The animals quietly left looking solemn. The tiny Bar-ba-loot stepped near Marie and then waddled back. She smiled shyly at him. She assumed it was a him. The door opened again.
"Yeah okay," Once-ler said sarcastically.
"You have been warned!" said the creäture who stepped back out and the door closed. Marie didn't know what it was, but having a war on moving day was the last thing she wanted. Twiddling her fingers she took a step to which the creäture saw her and frowned.
"Ah great! Another one!" he stormed up to her. Marie didn't know whether to feel terror or laugh at the small thing. "Go on! Shoo! Leave!"
"I can't leave I live here," said Marie holding her hands up in defense and stepped back. "Now who are you?"
"I am The Lorax," said The Lorax. "I speak for the trees! Didn't you see me appear out of that stump?" He pointed in direction to the decorated stump. "There was lightning and thunder! Don't tell me you didn't see it too!"
"Ohhh," said Marie understandingly. "I did see that! Although, I didn't see you come out of a stump. I guess I was too far away. Why were you in a stump?"
"That's how I was brought out," said The Lorax. He was a gruff fellow! "The tree was cut down, so I came! Turns out it's that beanpole's fault!"
"Bean…pole?" said Marie feeling offended and amused. She had to admit, even if it was meant as an insult, it sort of fitted him.
"If that Beanpole knows what's good for him he'll leave before sunset or the forces of nature will curse him until the end of his days. That'll teach him for chopping a tree!"
Marie couldn't lie that what he said was scary, but he could've been exaggerating. She sighed. She'd have to be the level headed one. All the fuss over a tree? Nobody acted like that in Palmer.
"Listen. I'm sorry my husband chopped down the tree, but it's because he-"
"Husband?" said The Lorax. He looked astonished, then aggravated. "Husband eh? So you're his mate."
Mate sounded too animalism for Marie until The Lorax said it. She nodded and smiled.
"Great," grumbled The Lorax. "There's two!"
"I don't chop trees," said Marie quickly. "I don't have that upper arm strength. So you don't need to bother me about it." She paused in thought. There had to be a reasonable way to work everything out. She clicked her tongue and grinned. "So you're upset that Once-ler cut down a tree?"
"Yeah that's right." The Lorax crossed his arms. His dark green eyes glared back.
"Okay. If he didn't cut down another would that make you feel better?"
"Mmmhmm…" was all that came out of him. Marie waited for a decent answer. She rolled her eyes. She felt like she was trying to reason with a stubborn child, but patience didn't lose its virtue. "Maybe."
"Alright then. I'll talk to Once-ler about this. I think your approach made him mad. He'll listen better to me. I'll tell him to get the tufts, which was why he did the chopping in the first place, in another way. He needs them for -"
"I don't care what he needs them for," said The Lorax. "Just don't let him do it again. Everyone here needs the trees!"
"I'm sure we can work this out," said Marie keeping her cool. "I'll talk to him and it'll be fine. You'll see. Nice to meet you um, Mr. Lorax." Marie walked past him to go inside.
"Mr.?" she heard him say. When Marie was inside he went off to find the animals. "They better leave if they know what's good for them."