After the ordeal, Alice and George needed a drink, so they retired to their favourite pub to discuss how the meeting had gone. To be honest, they were both relieved to still have a job. In fact, they’d been surprised at how amenable Dragon had seemed. He’d actually been a teddy bear!
Yet, after a couple of weeks, nothing much seemed to have changed. George was ordering the same amount of coal for Dragon, and Alice had seen no improvement in the air quality.
“Perhaps Dragon doesn’t realise how urgent this is?” mused George.
Alice was less generous, especially when she thought of her children, and she knew in her heart that they would need to confront Dragon again.
So, the next day, the two friends trudged back up the hill.
“You two again!” said Dragon with mock exasperation. “What can I do for you this time?”
“We were hoping you’d had a chance to consider our proposition,” said Alice forcibly.
“Because we’ve not seen much improvement,” added George.
“That’s strange,” replied Dragon, “I’ve altered my diet, and I’ve been exercising because I’m told this will help offset my effluence.”
“Wow!” George whispered to Alice.
“Guess we’ll just have to take his word for it.” She whispered back.
Dragon bid them farewell, adding, “I trust you’re enjoying your new electric cars. So much better for the environment.”
“Oh yes sir, thank-you very much,” replied George, a little too grovelling for Alice’s liking.
