The streets of London were damp and dark on that afternoon, the sky was dismal as it peered down at the young Irene. Fresh off the boat she was looking for a place to get her footing here in London. Many dark stories have been told of the city, Irene knew all of them well. As she walked the streets she looked for help needed signs but she found none until she turned onto Fleet Street. The story of the barber crossed her mind but could it be real? Could so many unfortunate things happen to one man?
She walked past a closed up shop with a red sign posted on the corner of the building that read "Assistant Needed Inquire Upstairs" in white lettering. Irene looked around the corner to see a set of stairs leading up to a door. She shrugged and head toward the steps, as she climbed upward she noticed a barber pole swirling just next to the door.
"I wonder…" She said out loud but despite all she's heard about London she was fearless and willing to do anything to forward herself.
The door swung open rather easily, she walked into a simple room with a rather nice barber chair. A man with shoulder length black hair stood in front of the window, his back to her. Irene closed the door and he turned around, no emotion graced his face.
"I'm here about being an assistant." Irene said confidently.
The man came toward here with stony eyes, she noticed a large white streak in his hair. "Good, I wanted a woman to help me." He said looking her over. "The name's Todd, Sweeney Todd."
"My name is Irene Hollow, I can do household tasks, upkeep and anything you're willing to teach me." She stated nervously as he paced around her. Was this the demon barber?
"You'll do fine. The downstairs is an old pie shop, I live down there and there is another room for you if you wish. You can live here for free." Mr. Todd stopped his pacing and looked Irene in the eyes.
"Thank you sir. I can start right now." Irene smiled at the man.
He gave her an odd look like he was happy inside but was not showing it. "I'll show you your room, you can put your things there then we have some things to discuss."
Irene followed him down the stairs, through the storefront and into the living portion of the building. It was most beautifully decorated with the most fashionable furniture, he leaded her down a small hallway and opened the first door they came across.
"My room is at the end of the hall, do not disturb me under any circumstance." He said firmly.
"I'll be sure not to bother you Mr. Todd, you are a most generous man." She stepped into the room. There was a queen size four post bed, loveseat, desk, armoire and some empty shelves.
"Decorate as you like, the bathroom is the middle hall door." Mr. Todd drew the curtains and let in the light.
Irene placed the bag she was carrying on the bed and peered out the window, a small garden was visible. "This room is very nice, thank you very much."
"You're welcome my dear." He seemed a tiny bit happier now. "Come, let's go into the sitting room and discuss some things."
They went and sat down, Mr. Todd lit the fireplace and brought out a bottle of gin with two glasses. Irene looked at the rather odd artwork that graced the walls, she recognized them as reproductions of Greek scenes of violence.
"What would you like me to do first Mr. Todd?" She directed her attention to her new employer.
"Clean up the outside, make it look presentable again. That's what you're doing first." He poured some gin and handed her a glass. "Can you cook?"
"Yes, sir." She nodded.
"Good, clean up the kitchen in the storefront and use it. Consider cooking for me to be payment for your room." His faced winced as the gin went down his throat.
Irene drank hers quickly. "I can do that for you sir."
"Good. I am looking forward to our relationship Ms. Hollow, I hope it'll be a long one." He smiled at he poured out more gin, showing the thin gap between his slightly stained teeth.