Chapter 1: A different ending
Sweeney entered the basement to see why Mrs. Lovett had screamed. On seeing him she jumped and tried to figure out what to say. See, she had recognized the beggar woman and things could get complicated.
"He was alive. He grabbed my dress. But don't worry love I finished him off."
"At last I had my revenge. C'mon Mrs. Lovett. What are you looking at? Help me move these bodies to the oven."
"What did you say love?"
"Help me with the bodies."
"Oh, Right."
Mrs. Lovett knew she had to come up with an Idea and fast. If Mr. Todd recognized his Lucy she would have a lot to explain and would probably feel his "friends" cutting her throat. His Lucy was dead now. He had killed her a few minutes ago. Mr. T should never find out. He should never find out the poison hadn't killed his Lucy, only made her lose her mind. She was in bed for months and then she left. Not knowing who she was she became a beggar. A desperate woman asking for alms. But she was dead now and practical Mrs. Lovett came up with an idea.
"What was that love?" she asked.
"What was what? I didn't hear anything."
"I thought I heard something from the sewer. It probably is Toby."
"Do you really think he'd return?"
"I don't know. Will you check it?"
Sweeney looked at her and then got in the sewer. Mrs. Lovett sighed. Quickly she pulled Lucy's body and threw it in the oven. Adrenaline made her stronger that moment.
"City on fire, that's what you kept singing. You're the one who's on fire now, you miserable woman."
Mrs. Lovett pulled the judge's body to the oven and just when she was about to lift him…
"Hold it! I want to see him burn."
Mrs. Lovett turned.
"Mr. T!"
"You were right. He was about to come out."
Toby was fighting to break free from Sweeney's grasp.
"Let me go!" he yelled.
"Poor thing" said Mrs. Lovett.
She went closer to them.
"Noone's gonna harm you, not while I'm around" she sang.
"Human meatpies, Mrs. Lovett's meatpies, can't believe I was fooled by you" Toby sang back.
"I leave him to you Mrs. Lovett. I have a judge to cook" said Sweeney.
Mrs. Lovett held Toby.
"Let's sit down, love."
"Why? Why are you doing this? Did he make you cover his crimes?"
"Look, love, these are difficult times. Even worse than the worst pies in London, the pies I used to make. Meat is hard to find, its price is unreachable. And there are no more pussies in the neighborhood."
Toby had a frightened expression.
"But the law…" he said.
"The law is well done" yelled Sweeney laughing "Come and see!"
Toby didn't move. Sweeney pulled out his razor and moved towards Toby. He tried to run but Mrs. Lovett was holding him tight. She looked away and closed her eyes as Sweeney sliced his throat with a quick move. Blood came out and splattered around.
"Oh, dear!" she said "Now I have to get all this blood off my dress."
"I told you we should have gotten rid of him from the beginning."
Mrs. Lovett looked at Toby's body.
"He was a good help around the shop" she said. "Now I have to do everything by myself."
"No, Mrs. Lovett. You have me. I can help you."
"Don't be silly love. You have your shop. Besides you have to keep the meat coming in" she said while they were climbing the stairs to her room.
They got inside her room.
"Turn around love" she told him.
Sweeney turned and faced the mirror as Mrs. Lovett started removing her clothes. His first thought was to tell her he could see her through the mirror. His second thought was to remain silent and watch. That's what he did. She removed her clothes slowly, almost torturing. She was so pale…
"Are you listening love?" she asked. Apparently she had been speaking to him but he hadn't heard a word.
"What? I wasn't paying attention."
"I said, now you had your revenge you'll be able to be with Johanna again."
"Johanna!" he yelled. "I had completely forgotten about that. Anthony will have brought her by now."
Sweeney rushed out of the room and up to his shop. He expected to see his daughter waiting. Would she be beautiful and pale like her mother? However the room was empty. On the chair he found a piece of paper.
Mr. Todd
Thank you for all you've done for us. Me and Johanna are leaving far away. Johanna saw someone murder Judge Turpin, so be careful. He may still be there. He almost killed her too, you know. Anyway, we have to get going. Our carriage is waiting. You would have loved Johanna if you met her. I wish I had the chance to say goodbye in person. We'll be forever grateful for your help. Farewell Mr. Todd.
Anthony
Sweeney dropped the letter. It couldn't be! The young boy was his daughter. Anthony must have dressed her like that. Johanna saw him! She saw a monster, a cold blood murderer. He couldn't believe he'd almost killed his own daughter. Sweeney fell on his knees as Mrs. Lovett entered his shop and saw him.
"What is it love?"
He didn't answer. She picked up the letter and read it.
"I see, love" she said and kneeled beside him. She held him in her arms.
"She was right here. I could have killed her. And now she's gone forever and I'll never see her again. I don't even know where she is."
"Hush, love. It's ok. I'm sure Anthony will take good care of her. He seemed such a nice boy and he loves her."
"He is but…"
Mrs. Lovett put her fingers on his lips.
"Mr. T, look at the bright side of it. All the remains of Barker are gone. Lucy, Johanna, Judge Turpin, the beadle. That chapter is now closed."