My third story published. Can you believe it! Well enough about that.
Disclaimer: as much as I really love the movie, I don't own it.
This'll be completely based on the movie. So yes, there will be singing.
Read and review. Or don't. I don't care-.-
Anastasia Evercraft was walking to Mrs. Lovetts pie shop to get away from a certain judge. She had started to regret being his maid, but her family needed the money so they could keep the cafe that they owned in Fleet Street. Ever since her father died when she was six, her brothers took the liberty of taking great care of both her and the cafe, but their debts had started getting higher. So Anastasia took it upon herself to ask Judge Turpin to work as his maid. Surprisingly, he agreed and said that Johanna needed female company anyway.
Johanna and Anastasia had been like sisters since she had started working as his maid, and had always been by eachothers side. Whenever Anastasia would snap at Turpin, he would beat her continuously until she looked weak enough to stop. He had also once cut her arms and shoulder blades to teach her and even more crueler lesson, but she was too tough to keep her mouth shut. Johanna had been there to give her comfort as Anastasia did her, and helps her runaway when it came to these situations.
The judge said that she could use a break for a little bit so she could visit Mrs. Lovett, which was a bit of a surprise for her. He had never allowed her to have a break before, but she had never asked for any breaks either. Turpin was impressed that the girl could work without the need of rest until he said that she could go home to her brothers and aunt, but she mostly stayed at the house since she is his maid. Turpin said that she could use some rest from the chores she had been assigned to do, and that a young lady such as herself needs her beauty sleep. As much as what he said disgusted her, she gladly took the offer and left the dreadful hellhouse that belonged to the devil himself.
As Anastasia neared the shop, a tall boy whose clothing was covered in soot and had a cap over his brown hair, walked in front of the raven haired girl.
"'Ello, Annie," he said with a smile.
Anastasia sighed. "Hello, Jacob."
"Where ye off to?"
"If it was any of your concern, I would tell you." She walked away as she said this. "But sadly, or rather greatfully, it isn't. So, if you'll excuse me..."
Jacob watched her leave with a stunned look and followed her. "Ye know, ye don't have to be so cold. Everyone hates the way the the judge-"
"Judge Turpin didn't hurt me," she interupted. "Not this time, anyway."
Jacob looked at her, surprised. "Then why aren't ye at the hellhouse doing the assignments made from the devil himself?"
"Surprsingly, he said I could rest a little bit to visit some friends."
Jacob became even more surprised as she said this. "Wow! 'E never gave you a break before, did 'e?"
"No, never. I never asked for it either. Still, I'm glad that I could rest from being the devils slave for a day."
Yes, she was very glad indeed. She practicly worked none-stop trying to get on his good side, but whenever it came to the insults of others she just couldn't sit back and listen to every horrid word he said.
"Think 'e'll let ye and Johanna stay at your home again?"
"If I don't get on his bad side, maybe."
Anastasia had been Judge Turpins maid for six years, and she was so obedient that he allowed Johanna to go around London with her and her family for one month as a reward, she even got to stay at their home. He allowed this for one month for every year. Johanna didn't mind, she was just glad to be away from his home and experience the outside world rather than watch from her window.
He had isolated them both within his home, and he only let Anastasia leave for either errands or so she could go home, but she also had a room in his house so she mostly stayed within his residence.
"So, who ye visitin'?" Jacob asked.
"If you want to know that badly, it's Mrs. Lovett," Anastasia answered, getting quite tired of his company.
"Mrs. Lovett, eh? The woman who owns that pie shop, right?"
"Lots of people own pie shops, Jacob. Her pie shop's just a little low on buisness."
"Ah."
Anastasia and Jacob had finally arrived at Mrs. Lovetts meat pie shop. As she was about to go to the door, she saw Mrs. Lovett talking to a man with black hair with a strip of white. Anastasia stared at the man and saw that he had a cold look in his eyes. She couldn't help but wonder what had made those eyes so cold and full of darkness.
"'Oi, Annie," Jacob called, snapping her out of her gaze. She looked up at him, confused. "Ye alright?"
Anastasia blinked a few times and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine." Deciding not to bother them, she goes up into the old barber shop that was once owned by Benjamen Barker, a barber who was sent into exile by Judge Turpin so he could have his wife, Lucy, for himself. Benjamen had been a good friend of her mother and father, and were enraged to find out that Judge Turpin had exiled him so he could have his wife. They even saved her at the masquerade ball when Turpin had been raping Lucy, threatening that if he ever came near her again that they won't hesitate to kill him.
It saddened Anastasia to think about the man, who never committed a crime in his life, having to be exiled and his wife being raped by the horrid judge. Lucy even tried to poison herself with arsenic, but surprisingly survived. Then she had gone completely insane and had forgotten what she held dear. Now she lives as a beggar surviving on alms. Anastasia had helped the old woman from time to time, by giving her alms and food. Lucy loved her so, and calls her an angel sent from God to help the helpless.
Anastasia opened the door and walked in with a panicked Jacob following behind.
"Annie, what are ye doin'? We can't be in 'ere!"
"Oh, hush! You know as well as I do that there is no ghost."
"Lots a people think it's haunted! Ye can ask anybody if this ole place is haunted!"
"Listen to yourself, Jacob. You're supposed to be a man and instead you're acting like a child believing in fairytales." Anastasia looked around and held a saddened look. Benjamen's old shop was where her father, Andrew Evercraft, and her mother, Evangeline, let their eldest son, Peter, play with Johanna when Benjamen and Lucy were still together. Anastasia was surprised that Peter still remembered the barber even after he was exiled for fifteen years.
She walked over to an old cradle where Johanna's old doll was left behind. She picked up the doll and stroked its dirty hair. It pained her so to learn that this man might not ever return, and if he had she doubts that he'll ever get Johanna back from Turpin.
Anastasia put the doll back and walked around the shop a little more.
"Please, Annie," Jacob pleaded desperately. "It doesn't matter if there is a ghost, but what if we get caught in 'ere!"
"Oh for God's sakes, Jacob! Will you-" as she was about continue her scolding, she steps on a board that made a creak sound. They both looked down in confusion and she pressed her shoe covered toes on the board, making it creak once more. Anastasia knelt down on her knees and opened the floor which contained a small black box.
Entranced by the box, she doesn't notice Mrs. Lovett open the door with the strange man with her. Once she saw Anastasia, she smiled.
"'Ello, Annie dear," she greeted. "What brings you here?"
Jacob begins to panick while Anastasia picks up the box from its hiding place. "Eh! Sorry, Mrs. Lovett! We didn't mean to intrude the ole shop! I told Annie not to come in 'ere! She wouldn't listen to me!"
"Calm down, Jake," Mrs. Lovett assured. "There's nothing wrong with her bein' here. This is Mr. Sweeney Todd, he'll be workin' in the ole shop from now on."
The man named Sweeney Todd watched the girls actions with interest.
"Mr. T, this is Jacob Boredon and the young lady here is Anastasia Evercraft." Mr. Todd looked at Anastasia as she stroked the box and walked over to the raven haired girl, who didn't notice him walking toward her as she opened the box that was filled with knives.
Anastasia stared at them. "Wow," she whispered. These knives were absolutely gorgeous. Mr. Todd knelt down by her side and presented his knives with pride as she picked one of them up.
These are my friends
See how they glisten
As he sang this, Anastasia slowly opened the knife and stared at its blade.
See this one shine...
How he smiles in the light
Anastasia handed him his knife carefully as he had his hand on hers.
My friend
My faithful friend...
As he sang he stood and Anastasia watched.
Speak to me friend
Whisper...
I'll listen
I know, I know
You've been locked out of sight
All these years
Like me my friend...
Anastasia's eyes widened once he sung that last part. The man that was standing right before her was Benjamen Barker, the barber who had been exiled. These knives were his. Mr. Todd smiles a devilish smile, frightening Anastasia further.
Well I've come home
To find you waiting
Anastasia motioned for Jacob to leave the shop, and so he did once he saw the feared look in her eyes. The raven haired girl stood slowly and moved quietly toward the door.
Home
And we're together
And we'll do wonders
Won't we?
He noticed Anastasia moving slowly toward the door and stopped her by placing another knife at her throat. Anastasia had been startled by this sudden action.
You there my friend
Todd pulls the startled girl in front of him and slightly embraces her, while Mrs. Lovett places a hand on his shoulder and sings with him.
(I'm your friend too, Mr. Todd) Come let me hold you
(If you only knew, Mr. Todd) Now
(Ooh, Mr. Todd) With a sigh
You grow warm in my hand (You're warm in my hand)
My Friend (You've come home)
My clever friend... (Always had a fondness for you, I did)
He released the girl, put the knife that held her throat back into his pocket, and knelt down away from her. Anastasia was too stunned to move any further toward the door.
Rest now, my friends (Never you fear, Mr. Todd)
Soon I'll unfold you (You can move in here, Mr. Todd)
Soon you'll know (Splendors you never have dreamed)
Splendors you never have dreamed all your days (All your days)
(Will be yours)
My lucky friends (I'm your friend)
(And now you're mine) 'Til now you'll shine (Don't they shine beautiful)
Anastasia finally came to her senses and walked toward the door.
Was merely silver
(Silver's good enough for me, Mr. T) Friends, you shall drip rubies.
The girl stopped in the middle of walking out the door and listened.
You'll soon drip precious
Rubies
Once that was said (or sang) and done, Anastasia ran down the stairs and away from the pie shop. She did not know where she was going, nor did she care.
Mr. Todd watched her leave through the reflection of the knife, then noticed Mrs. Lovett.
"Leave me," he demanded. She seemed saddened by this, but did as he wished and left him alone.
He stood up and held his knife at arms length.
"At last! My arm is complete again."
