I remember it so very clearly. That white stripe across his otherwise jet black hair. Those glowering stares in every direction as if the whole world had caused him harm. No room for compassion. None at all. And his story was just as strange.
Our ship was docked in a small town in Australia, unloading tea in exchange for pelts and some rare herb. Notice had come our way about an escaped prisoner. Barker his name was. He'd been transported for life from London. It was more than obvious that there was an extreme need to find this man.
Apparently his cell had not been opened for many a year because not one guard could provide a clear description of this Barker character. Our Captain wouldn't allow us to ask further questions, instead he told us it wasn't our place. He told the guard that we did not export prisoners and to shove off. As we were about to.
I don't think we sailed three days before we come upon a small dingy. It had obviously braved the storm the night before. Inside it was a man. Mr. Todd, he called himself as we hauled him aboard. Luckily his destination was London, our next port.
He didn't say much, as I recall. On second thought, the only time he did speak was as we reached the harbor, just outside of the city. It seemed a right side of unnatural that he should be coming to London. What with that criminal being escaped and all.
Fleet Street. He said. If I wanted to find him, that is where I should look. He mentioned having been in the city before. But not that he resided here. Though there was that story he told vaguely. Never mentioned names or relations... Not that he ever mentioned much. Still. His familiarity startled me.
Searching for him is how I met her. Johanna. She sat in that window like so many a beautiful bird upon the statues of kings. Her golden hair...porcelain skin...eyes of the bluest sea. One look upon her countanace and one could not help but fall in love. But. She was his.
That horrible Judge Turpin. And the Beadle. Tossing me out on my face. Threats and all from gazing. I'll have her. Mark my words.
I found him though. Right on cue. Judge Turpin was in the chair and I burst in exclaiming my plan to elope with the beautiful Johanna. She was sent away and Mr. Todd cast me out with disgust.
However I had not known that Johanna was his daughter. Until the night Toby, Aldolfo's adopted son of sorts, slit Mr. Todd's throat. It was terrible.
I slipped into the prison under the pressumption that I required a wig of blonde hair. I picked her as the donor, then pulled a gun on the guard. We fled. She was supposed to hide in the apartment above the pie shop, disguised as a young boy.
After doing in Judge Turpin. He caught her in the trunk and almost "polished her off". Because of Mrs. Lovett she got away but I have no idea what happened to the Lovett lady. Or the Beadle, Adolfo Pirelli, or many of the other neighbors for that matter.