Disclaimer: I do not own Sweeney Todd, but couldn't you have figured that out yourself?

Signor Adolfo Pirelli wore a corset. It was rather obvious. Most men didn't have chests that were that puffed out. The effect was rather rooster like and made him even less attractive than he already was. Still, it wasn't so bad; he could look like Beadle Bamford and have the perverted streak to match.

"Oh, look at it now," I said, gazing at the young boy who was his assistant. "You wouldn't mind if I gave him a nice, juicy meat pie, would you?"

"Si, si, si, whatever you want," he replied, waving the child and I away.

"Your teeth are strong, I hope. Close the door."

He obeyed and sat down at one of the booths near the window.

"Here: eat up," I said, placing the treat in front of him.

So, it really wasn't a treat. So, it really didn't taste good. Sometimes a girl needs to use her imagination. I certainly did or I would have ended up in Bedlam years ago.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said as he devoured it.

He must never be fed, he ate that pie with such vigour. I've never seen someone put away one of my pies so quickly and willingly. Well, not since Albert died, when I could actually get "normal" meat. I wouldn't have been surprised to hear that Pirelli never gave the boy food. He mistreated him so badly anyway, that it wouldn't be a far stretch.

"What's your name, deary?" I asked him.

"Toby, ma'am."

"You've got quite an appetite. Reminds me of my dear Albert," I mused, turning to the portrait of my late husband by the door. "Used to gorge himself to bloatation, he did. Mind you, he didn't have your nice head of hair."

It was true-he was bald as a baby. Even more so, perhaps. And he was fat. Really it was a wonder I could cook enough food to feed him, never mind myself. Much as he was unattractive and I didn't love him, I still cried for him at his funeral. He was a good man, took care of me besides. And I was glad to have a protector, though I may have preferred to have Benjamin Barker.

"To tell the truth, it gets awful hot," the boy said, pulling off the long blonde hair to reveal that it was a wig.

Well, that certainly explained a lot about Pirelli's Miracle Elixir. But, I couldn't just sit there talking to the child. I had work to do, whether it brought in much money or not. I was at my counter rolling out dough when there was a loud, violent noise from upstairs. Toby looked to the ceiling. Clearly, he'd heard it and was curious. I switched from rolling to pounding immediately. I even clattered my bowl and utensils around to make more of a commotion. The boy gave me an odd look.

"Always something to do. Spick and span, that's my motto," I spun as fast as I could.

He just looked at a pocket watch and his eyes widened.

"Oh, no! He's got an appointment with his tailor. It'll be my fault if he's late!" he exclaimed, rushing out of the door and up the stairs to Mr Todd's shop.

By the time I said, "Wait!" he was out of sight.

I sighed, rather apprehensive. I didn't know what had happened up there, but it couldn't be good. After a few minutes, however, Toby came back down and told me that Pirelli had gone and Mr Todd had said to give him some gin. Gin? For a child? Well, there were worse things I could give him. I went to my cupboard and came back to the booth with a glass and bottle. The instant I finished pouring the drink he'd downed it and was asking for a second serving. I obliged, but hoped he wouldn't ask for a third. He did. I gave it to him.

"You should slow down there, love. It'll go straight to your head," I commented.

What had happened up there? Surely, Pirelli wasn't the sort of man to just leave his property. After all, that's what Toby was, unfortunately. And the other barber was greedy. There was no way that he had just left without his apprentice. What had he wanted in the first place, besides? I became vaguely aware that the boy had stopped talking.

"That's nice, dear," I mumbled. "I'm going to go check on Mr Todd."

When I got up to the second floor. I was all set to scold Mr T for telling the boy he could have alcohol. He was standing by the trunk to the left of the door, his back to me.

"Oh, that boy is drinking me out of house and home," I complained. "How long till Pirelli gets back?"

"He won't be back."

Mr Todd had turned about so that he was facing me. Though his reply initially confused me I knew exactly what he meant by a red stain on his sleeve.

"Mr T! You didn't!" I gasped.

He nodded his head to to trunk. He hadn't. He couldn't have! I cautiously lifted the the lid of the box, but dropped it at the sight of a bloodied cravat.

"You're barking mad!" I whispered.

"He tried to blackmail me. Half my earnings," Mr T said, easily.

He didn't seem to care at all that there was a bloody carcass sitting, rotting away in the very room he stood. But, I could see his side of things.

"Oh...well, that's a different matter, then. For a moment there, I though you'd lost your marbles," I sighed, relief overtaking me.

I opened the lid again, able to stomach the sight knowing that it was a just crime.

"All that blood," I muttered.

Then I noticed something. A certain cord. I was coming out of his jacket at the chest. I grasped the end of the cord and pulled out a coin purse. Sliding it open, I discovered a significant amount of money in it. And it wasn't as if he would ever be able to use it now.

"Waste not, want not."

That was my real motto. After all, why, if it was sitting right in front of you with no owner but a dead one, would you not take money. It could help me get by, seeing as business wasn't exactly booming. Tucking the object into my bodice, a though crossed my mind.

Closing the lid and leaning on it, I said, "What about the boy?"

There was a pause before Mr Todd answered, "Send him up."

He was looking at his razor maliciously. There was only on thing on his mind at the moment and that was bloodlust. I wasn't about to let that sweet little Toby be killed over nothing. He was just a child and not a bright one at that. He wouldn't be a problem.

"No, we don't need to. He's a simple thing."

"Send him up," he repeated with more force.

"Now, Mr T, don't you think one's enough for today?" I said trying to calm him down. "Besides, I was thinking of hiring a lad to help around the shop. My poor knees ain't what they used to be."

So, it was a lie. Anybody could tell you that I never needed any help, because I never had any customers. I couldn't even afford to pay him. He seemed to like the pies well enough, though, so I would give him those in exchange. Mr Todd simply nodded his agreement.