Chapter Seven: Valley Of Lost Dreams
-Once-ler POV-
The night in which I last saw Marilyn was the first night, since The Lorax left, that I was able to sleep in peace. Usually all my nights were plagued by nightmares, but that night brought me the best dream I have had in years. My dream went like this:
I was at the Truffula Valley, back when the trees were still there. I was with all the forest's animals and Melvin and we were having a wonderful pancake picnic. The air smelled sweet and all the colors were vibrant and bright.
I stood up from the floor and walked towards the river. I stood there looking at the horizon, the only thing stopping me from running towards it was the sparkling blue river. Suddenly two warmed hands covered my eyes. I turned around and saw Marilyn, sweet Marilyn. I grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up to the sky. The sun rays reflecting through her golden locks.
"I have something for you" she said sweetly. She led me to the pile of rocks where the word 'Unless' was carved. And then there he was, The Lorax. I ran towards him and embraced him, Marilyn soon followed. We all went back to the picnic and we all sung to my favorite tunes while I played the guitar.
It was just what I needed. What I've been praying for. Peace and happiness. I woke up with a great mood. In my head I was still living in the dream, imagining myself with all the people, and animals, I loved. Roaming the beautiful hills of the Truffula Valley.
That dream kept me happy for the whole week. I would've been happier but for the whole week I didn't see what my heart longed for. I kept walking around the valley hoping I'll see Marilyn around but I never found her. Soon I realized that if I stayed confined by my mansion and the valley, I will never find her. So I decided to do what I haven't done for months. I put on my old grey stripped pants, grey vest and grey fedora. I also wrapped my Thneed around my neck and face. I was unrecognizable. Then, I walked my way to Thneedville.
Chapter Seven (1/2): To Thneedville With Love
The Once-ler made his way through the town's people looking for Marilyn. Everywhere he looked he saw Thneeds hanging from people's necks. He didn't need to wear a Thneed to breathe because he was used to the polluted air more than anyone, that was his curse, but if he wasn't he certainly would've drawn attention to himself and that would be catastrophic. Despite not being as popular as before he still was the owner of the town and that story, well, you already know.
During his "Golden Years" he only visited town a couple of times for important matters only. He never really had time to explore and see all the new additions he made to the town, but now, he had time to marvel at his creations. He stood there admiring every building. The Thneedville Theater, The Thneedville Museum, The Thneedville Mall, etc. All works of art.
At that moment, for the first time in months, he felt good about what he did. He no longer felt guilty or ashamed. Where would this town be without him? Don't get him wrong, he still missed the valley and the animals and The Lorax but, was it really his fault? Could he blame himself only?
All this walking made The Once-ler hungry. He went to a nearby cafe called Café Papillon Lait, fancy heh? Well it may sound fancy but it was only your typical diner and bar. There was teenagers, biker guys, old ladies and men looking for some fun. He was looking over the menu when a waitress asked him to take his order. He looked up and was surprised.
"Marilyn?" he said.
"Um, yess" Marilyn answered "have we met?" The Once-ler took off his Thneed revealing his more than happy face.
"Mr. Once-" he pulled her quickly to the seat next to him.
"Shhhhh..." he put his hand over her mouth and readjusted his Thneed over his face.
"Is there something wrong?" Marilyn said ducking her head cautiously.
"No nothing, is just, I would really appreciate if you didn't said my name in public" Marilyn understood quickly, everyone in the diner and Thneedville will go crazy if they knew The Once-ler was here.
"What should I call you then?" she asked, not knowing why? He surely will be on his way soon to do whatever he was doing.
"Theodor" he said almost reluctant.
"Theodor?" Marilyn said, wondering why the reluctance.
"It was supposed to be my name but my mother fainted after writing The and never bothered to fix it." he said looking down at his hands.
"Oh..." Was all Marilyn managed to say.
"Do you work here?" Once-ler asked.
"Oh, yeah. My father, he was having trouble finding work so I decided that I should also start working for a while and here I am." she said as she cocked her head at, who Once-ler assumed, was her boss. He glared at them angrily so Marilyn decided she should probably go back to work.
"So ummm, want anything?" she asked Theodor as she got up and got her notepad and pencil out of her pocket.
"Huh? Oh um, some pancakes would be nice."
"At 4 o'clock?" Marilyn looked at him weird.
"Oh right, um they are my favorites" Once-ler said quite nervously.
"Anything else?" Marilyn asked.
"No thanks". Marilyn nodded and walked away.
She thought over the conversation as she gave the cook Once-ler's order. The Once-ler wasn't who she thought he would be. He seemed like just a regular guy now not a multi-million dollar ex industrialist. And she was also surprised at how confident she was when talking to him now. This job really helped her become more social. The cook handed Marilyn a stack of pancakes and she made her way to Once-ler's table.
Marilyn passed by a group of men looked her over and whistled at her as she walked. Of course Marilyn didn't like it but she just ignored them, it wasn't the first time it happened in her new job. Although Marilyn payed no mind to the situation, Once-ler was furious. He gave the men an angry stare. And the men responded by staring back. They didn't look half as manly as they sound with their pink Thneeds. Marilyn finally arrived at Once-ler's table with his order and the men soon began to make their way towards them.
"Here you go -"
"Mr. Once-ler" Marilyn was interrupted. The men quickly scrambled, their jaws dropped and their eyes widened in shock. Marilyn was confused. Didn't he not wanted to be recognized? In no less than a minute word spread throughout the small business. The pack of men left running and a crowed soon formed.
"Oh my God, is the Once-ler!" a teenage girl shouted.
"He is here, he is here!" An old lady jumped in excitement.
"I'm totally going to get a fedora!" a biker guy told his friends. Wait what?
"Ich kann es nicht glauben , ist er!" German tourist cried in excitement. Yes, there just happened to be German tourists there.
The whole place broke into a commotion. Marilyn was lost into a giant crowd and felt a hand pull her out and, in no time, was at the back exit. When she finally had the chance to see who was it that pulled her it was The Once-ler. He kept hold of her hand and guided her away.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"I have no idea." was all Once-ler responded.
They were running around the busy streets of Thneedville. They felt the crowds amassing in the background. It all felt like an adventure. Despite The Once-ler worrying to death, Marilyn was having the time of her life.
"Woo-hooooo!" Marilyn yelled and it brought a smile to Once-ler's face. He was sure she was smiling at the moment. As much as he wanted to turn around and see her, he couldn't. A few turns here and there and they finally lost the crowds.
They were exhausted. The Once-ler droped on the floor and Marilyn sat in a wooden crate. They were in a dark lonely alley safe from view. Sweaty and tired, the pair looked at eachother and laughed.
"Wow..." Marilyn quietly exhaled. "So this is why you didn't want me to say your name?" Marilyn straightened herself.
"Yeah" Once-ler answered trying to catch his breath. "So why did you do it? Why did you say your name?" Marilyn asked.
The Once-ler told her everything. About how angry he got at the group of men and how a fight could've started, he even admitted to her about his fame and status in town, although she already knew that. Marilyn was touched.
"Thank you Mr. Once-ler but I don't think you should use your fame to get away with things" Marilyn said. She got up and extended her hand to Once-ler.
"Please, just call me Once-ler" he accepted her help and got up.
"How about Once" she told him.
"Sure" he said. The two held hands for a moment and stared into each other's eyes. Suddenly Marilyn shyness came back. The talking of the crowds and the confidence she built up no longer protected her. She broke off the moment by pulling away her hand.
"Is time I should get home" she said.
"Aren't you going back to the diner?" Once-ler asked.
"No is too late, I think I'm already fired anyway" she shrugged. The Once-ler felt bad. He didn't had to pull her away when he escaped. It was his fault. He had to make it up to her.
"Do you want me to come with you?" The Once-ler offered his arm to her and Marilyn accepted.
They made it to Adam and Norma's house with no trouble. The crowds were probably looking for Once-ler at the Town Hall or something and not at a small neighborhood.
"Good bye" Marilyn said, letting go of Once-ler's hand.
"See you later, Marilyn" her name melted like chocolate in his mouth.
"See you later, Once" then she closed the door behind her.
"Was that him?" Norma greeted Marilyn in the stairs. "Yes" Marilyn blushed.
"Well what are you waiting for? Tell me all about it!" Marilyn told Norma her adventure as she watched The Once-ler getting picked up by his personal chauffer and drive away into the night.
This, dear reader, is were the romance begins.
"New and a bit alarming
Who'd have ever thought that this could be?
True that he's no Prince Charming
But there's something in him that I simply didn't see"
-Something There, Beauty And The Beast
I hope The Once-ler doesn't seem too ridiculously in love. I hate using a quote from the same source (Beauty and the Beast) but I loved this one and thought it fitted wonderfully :) Don't feel bad for Marilyn, this will help the plot move along into the good stuff.