(Johnathan's POV)

It was a dark morning when Johnathan came out of the alley. He looked down the streets and saw no lights and hidden shadows. It looked like a cold place to him but he had other matters to attend to. Johnathan dusted off his old raggedy blue suit, tightened his yellow tie that his matched his vest. He looked at the devious pie shop that had faded words, "Mrs. Lovett's Pie Shop." He saw a dark haired girl with a white bolt bang inside making pies and decided to introduce himself.

(Alexxa's POV)

Alexxa's day did not start off well. When she first bought the pie shop she saw dust, mold and old flour. The basement still needed to be looked at to see what would be down there but now it was just sealed shut. The wallpaper looked a little old but Alexxa didn't have the money to change it. The parlor seemed alright and Alexxa brought a bed upstairs because she didn't like the looks of the bedroom. Jackson, a neighbor's kid was working for a penny, he would sweep, help with the pies and go shopping with her once in a while.

"Excuse me mum," said Jackson.

"Yes?" asked Alexxa.

"I heard an awful strange rumor and was wonderin' if you could clear it up," Jackson came over, he looked a little nervous.

"What's wrong?" Alexxa asked, curious why he was nervous.

"I heard my mum talking about how she didn't want me to work here any more mornings," said Jackson, "And it was a strange reason."

"What is it?" Alexxa put her hands on her hips.

Jackson bit his lip, "She said a murderer used to live here."

Alexxa scoffed and put down a cloth, she sat down in the booth and said, "Come here."

Jackson came over, Alexxa put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Its true. But he was caught and he died."

Alexxa took a brown penny out of her purse and handed it to Jackson, "Now run along. You'll be late."

Jackson took the penny and ran past Johnathan.

Alexxa stood up, "May I help you sir?"

"I heard you have a room upstairs available," said Johnathan, "I'm a barber and looking for work."

"Sit down sir," said Alexxa, "I'll get you a top of gin and we'll talk business."

Johnathan sat down, Alexxa went over to the counter, grabbed a full bottle of gin and a glass from behind the counter.

"That's very generous. Thank you Miss..." Johnathan trailed off.

"Miss Todd," said Alexxa.

Alexxa came over, she put the glass on her table, wiped her hand on her dress and held it out.

Johnathan shook her hand, she was very cold, "You may call me Johnathan."

Alexxa poured a glass of gin, gave it to Johnathan and went to the oven. She took out a tray of lightly brown buns, she took a breath and wrinkled her nose.

"I have a room upstairs that you can use as a shop," said Alexxa, "Its old and bit dusty but I hope that it will do."

"Anything will do," Johnathan said while starring at the glass, "Have you worked here long?"

She looked at him uneasily and then looked back at her work, "I moved in a week ago and have been getting ready. This place needs work."

Johnathan finished and stood up, "May I see the room?"

Alexxa nodded, grabbed an old heavy iron key from a hook on the wall and went to the door, "Come along."

Johnathan and Alexxa walked upstairs while she explained things, "Rent is 5 pounds, food is free, extras like shaving cream etc. is used by your own money. Got it?"

"Yes mum," said Johnathan.

Alexxa opened the door of the barber shop. It looked the same just with more dust, the black oven was there, the mirror was never replaced and the barber chair was old, ripped and had a layer of dust on it.

"So?" asked Alexxa.

Johnathan looked around, he went over the the chair and wiped a finger of dust off.

"It'll do," said Johnathan, he turned around and said, "I do have a question."

Alexxa gave her head a small nod.

"Is Sweeney Todd your father?"

Alexxa looked at him wide eyed, "He...is my grandfather. I found out a few years ago. I don't usually tell people about him. He's the...black sheep of the family."

"And I thought this place would have been closed down," said Johnathan.

Alexxa walked over to the chair and sat down, strumming her fingers on the arms.

"It took them some getting used to but they still dislike me," said Alexxa, "Excuse me. I have some more pies to make.

Alexxa went up to the door handle and stopped when she heard Johnathan say, "Thank you."

She looked at him, smiled and left.