One normal day she was helping her mother cook, or more literally, picking the burnt bits out of the oven. She was just getting to the bit in the back of the third oven when the door opened. She glanced up, but her mother hadn't heard it. She looked over to the door and saw the man. Pale as herself, with jet black hair with a ecletric white streak. "Mother..."
Mrs. Lovett looked up with a jolt.
Mrs. Lovett: A customer!
Wait!
What's your rush? What's your hurry?
You gave me such a -
Fright, I thought you was a ghost!
Half a minute, can'tcher sit!
Sit you down, sit!
All I meant is that I haven't seen a customer for weeks!
Did you come here for a pie, sir?
Charlotte: What else would he come here for?
You'd think a bloody king came through the door!
But I tell ya, times it hard sir
Mrs. Lovett:Do forgive me if me head's a little vague -
Ugh! What is that?
But you think we had the plague!
From the way that people Keep avoiding -
No you don't!
Heaven knows I try, sir!
Ick!
But there's no one comes in even to inhale!
Right you are, sir, would you like a drop of ale?
Charlotte: Looks like he could do with a little more than that.
But you know, might make him buy something in fact.
He'd be the first in ages these are probebly the worst pies in london!
I know why nobody cares to take them,
I should know,
I make them,
But good? No!
The worst pies in London,
Even that's polite!
The worst pies in London,
If you doubt it, take a bite!
Is that just disgusting?
You have to concede it!
It's nothing but crusting!
Here, drink this, you'll need it!
The worst pies in London...
Charlotte: Maybe if you'd buy something that actually taste nice instead of all this shit that's on half price.
This stuff taste like it's made of mouses
Mrs. Lovett:And no wonder with the price of meat What it is When you get it Never Thought I'd live to see the day Men'd think it was a treat Findin' poor Animals Wot are dyin' in the street!
Mrs. Mooney has a pie shop!
Does a business but I notice something weird.
Lately all her neighbors' cats have disappeared!
Have to hand it to her -
Wot I calls Enterprise Poppin' pussies into pies!
Charlotte: She's right you don't know Decided to bring Fluffy 'round 'bout a month ago Haven't seen the kitty since it
Mrs. Lovett:Wouldn't do in my shop!
Just the thought of it's enough to make you sick!
And I'm tellin' you, them pussycats is quick!
No denying times is hard, sir Even harder than the worst pies in London!
Only lard and nothing more -
Is that just revolting,
All greasy and gritty?
It looks like it's molting,
And tastes like,
Well, pity A woman alone,
With limited wind,
And the worst pies in London!
Ah, sir, times is hard,
Times is hard!
The man simply swallowed the ale they offered him and looked back into his plate. Charlotte smiled softly and picked it up, knowing he was as disgusted with it as she usually was. He nodded stiffly as the brought it into the washroom behind the shop. She heard her mother offer him some gin and returned just as they were entering the parlor. She sat down on the couch just as the man was,blushing slightly. "If times are so hard, Mrs. Lovett, why don't you rent the room out above the shop?" he asked.
"Something happened up there, something not very nice." Mrs. Lovett said, setting the gin down before the man.
"People reckon it's haunted, Mister. Wot after Turpin stoled the darling.." Charlotte began.
"What?" the man asked, turning his head severely to her, his eyes urgent.
"You don' know?" Mrs. Lovett began,
" There was this barber and his wife And he was beautiful A proper artist with a knife But they transported him for life And he was beautiful!
Charlotte:Barker, his name was. Benjamin Barker.
Todd: Transported... what was his crime?
Mrs Lovett: Foolishness He had this wife, y'see Pretty little thing Silly little nit Had her chance for the moon on a string Poor thing! Poor thing! There was this judge you see wanted her like mad every day he'd send her a flower but did she come down from her tower?
Nope, sat up there and sobbed by the hour Too bad, pure thing!
Charlotte:So they merely shipped the poor blighter off south, they did Leaving her with nothing 'cept grief and a year-old kid! Did she use her head even then? Oh, no! God forbid! Poor fool! Ah, but there was worse yet to come, poor thing... Johanna. That was the baby's name. Pretty, little Johanna.
Lovett:Well, Beadle calls on her all polite Poor thing, poor thing The judge, he tells her is all contrite He blames himself for her dreadful plight She must come straight to his house tonight Poor thing, poor thing!
Of course when she goes there, Poor thing, poor thing, They're 'aving this ball all in masks.
There's no one she knows there, Poor dear, poor thing.
She wanders tormented and drinks, poor thing! The judge has repented, she thinks, poor thing! "Oh where is Judge Turpin?" she asks... He was there alright Only not so contrite!
She wasn't no match for such craft, y'see, And everyone thought it so droll.
They figured she had to be daft, y'see, So all of them stood there and laughed, y'see! Poor soul! Poor thing!
To their suprise the man jolted up and yelled "NO! Would nobody have mercy on her?" Mrs. Lovett looked at him for a moment and then said:
"So it is you?"
"Benjamin Barker?" and at this moment a burning smell came from the kitchen, the oven was on fire again. "Damn.." Mrs. Lovett said, rushing out to it. Benjamin Barker looked at Charlotte pitifully. "Where's Lucy? Where's my wife and child?"
"Missus Barker posioned herself, Mister. Arscenic...from the apothecry 'round the corner there. Mother tried to stop her, but she'nt listen. We tried too save little Johanna too, but he's got her." She said, looking into his hurt eyes. Was this really him?
"He? Judge Turpin?"
"Adopted 'er as his own. Sickening it is." He stood quickly, slamming his hands on the table. "Fifteen years, suffering in a living hell on a false charge, fifteen years dreaming, hoping I might see Johanna and Lucy again."
Charlotte frowned. "I can't say the years have been particularry kind to you, Mister Barker."
He gave a venomous look at nowhere in particular. "No, not Barker. That man died long ago. It's Todd now, Sweeney Todd. And he will have his revenge."