Author's Note: As I watched Sweeney Todd for the millionth time, I've realized that he can act like a helpless child. And Mrs. Lovett always helps him. So this is from Nellie's point of view on when Mr. Todd acts like a child. Read and review. Enjoy!
No matter how beautiful or silent he was, Mr. Todd could act like a child sometimes. He would just stop talking and stare into bloody space. Right in the middle of a damned sentence. Oh, how it could annoy her. But some of the times she did like it. She would be able to touch him, hold his arm, without him snapping. Without him taking his damned razor out and pressing it against her throat in a matter of life and death. And that soothed her. She could hold him close to her, she could bury her head in his chest, and he wouldn't flinch. Mr. Todd wouldn't do anything. Nellie Lovett could do what she wanted when his secret identity emerged. Sweeney Todd was a completely different person.
And even though he was helpless he was so cute. When he looked at her he looked like a sad puppy. His black irises would widen and he would stare up at her, begging for help. When she saw that look her heart skipped a few beats. Very seldom did he need help. But when Sweeney Todd did need help, Mrs. Lovett embraced the opportunity to give him the help he needed. To help him, Mrs. Lovett soothed him. She held Sweeney close to her and whispered comforts to him. Nellie told him that everything would be alright, that he'd get his revenge soon. All he had to do was wait. Patience was a virtue. He revenge couldn't be taken in haste. She knew he was malevolent. She knew he was violent. But when he was acting like a child all that disappeared.
One particular day Mrs. Lovett was down in her shop with Toby eating breakfast. Her son was finished off the third bottle of gin this week. And it was only Tuesday. Mrs. Lovett was walking over to the booth when she heard him. Nellie glanced at the ceiling, as did Toby, when there was loud banging. Mrs. Lovett hurried to the booth and set her son's meat pie down on the table. Then Nellie said, "I'll be back in a tic, love. Jus' gonna check on Mr. Todd." Then without waiting for Toby to reply, she left.
Nellie Lovett barged into Sweeney Todd's Tonsorial Parlour without knocking. She glanced around the room nervously, expecting Sweeney to be holding one of his precious friends in his hand and be staring out the window. But that was not the case. Instead, what Mrs. Lovett saw was quite the contrary.
Sweeney Todd was on the hard, cold, wood floor, rocking himself back and forth. He was staring down at the picture of his virtuous Lucy and his turtledove Johanna. Even though Mr. Todd was staring at the picture he was staring at it lackadaisically.
Mrs. Lovett looked around the rest of the shop and noticed the razors scattered around the room. Tha' was wot the bangin' was from. He threw 'is damn razors, she thought with a groan. Nellie walked over to where he was sitting and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Todd? Mr. Todd, love, are ya okay?" she asked. Of course he didn't answer. He never answered. Mrs. Lovett moaned and bent down. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him up. "C'mon, love. 'Tis alright. Everything'll be fine, dearie. Let's go downstairs an' get ya a large glass o' gin. Savvy?" Nellie asked, putting his arm around her neck. Then she slipped her arm around his waist and helped him downstairs.
Once again, Nellie Lovett was doing what she loved. She was helping the child version of Sweeney Todd. She was helping Mr. Todd's secret identity.