Seymour Krelbourn: The Early Years

by Harley Quinn of Horror

Little Shop of Horrors Seymour's life before the musical takes place: his time in the Skid Row Home for Boys, his early days in Mushnik's shop, and his first impressions of Audrey.

1. In The Group Home

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The characters of Seymour, Mr. Mushnik, and Audrey, as well as any other "Little Shop of Horrors" locations or characters that may be mentioned in this story belong to Roger Corman, Howard Ashman, and Alan Menken, not me.

"Krelbourn, when I say stay in bed, I mean stay in bed!" shouted Mr. Harrison, the director of Skid Row Home for Boys. One of the most active boys there, ten year old Seymour Krelbourn, had been bouncing on top of his bed, which was strictly forbidden at the group home. Mr. Harrison grabbed Seymour's arm and yanked him down to a sitting position.

"If I have to tell you one more time, no breakfast for a week! Do you understand!" he shouted.

"Yes, sir." Seymour answered meekly. Grumbling. Mr. Harrison let go of Seymour's arm and glared at him as he slammed the bedroom door shut. Seymour's roommate, Jerry, snickered at him for he had been watching the whole thing from his bed.

"Ha ha, Harrison yelled at you again." he said, pointing and laughing at Seymour.

"Oh, shut up." Seymour said and flung his pillow at Jerry's head, which he promptly picked up and flung back at Seymour. Seymour wrapped his arms around the pillow and started sucking on his thumb, it was the closest thing he had to comfort in this horrible place he called home. How he longed to get out of here, to be with someone who cared for him, to have a place to actually call home.

"Hey Seymour, you okay?" Jerry asked, noticing Seymour staring off into space.

"No, I want out of this dump." Seymour said, still sucking on his thumb. Jerry could certainly sympathize, he too wanted out of the group home and to be with a real loving family just as much as Seymour did. Every night, both boys would dream of the families they would become a part of once they left the Skid Row Home for Boys.

"I want out of here too, and I think I speak for everyone else who lives in this place." Jerry said, pulling his blanket up to his chin. He slowly drifted off to sleep, while Seymour still cradled his pillow in his arms, hoping and praying for the day he would finally leave the home and be with a real family.