Chapter 2: The "Weary People's" Inn
Disclaimer: I do not own Sweeney Todd and other related characters. No copyright infringement intended.
The "Weary People's" Inn
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Johanna leaned on Anthony's shoulders for hours and hours. They seemed to be wandering around London, looking for a decent place away from the horrible past that both of them witnessed. From the very depths of her heart, she cared about nothing else, but to live a quiet life and remain with Anthony forever.
ANTHONY…was it love that she felt towards him, or was it just thankfulness or fondness? She was swept into a daze but was abruptly disturbed when the coach halted.
"Johanna, here is a place where we can stay for awhile," Anthony said. An average building stood in front of her but it looked more like it was falling apart before her very eyes. It surely was not inviting bearing in mind that it was called "Weary People's Inn". Johanna seriously doubted that travelers would actually consider settling down this pathetic excuse for a hotel but it appeared that Anthony did not take heed. As he led his companion to the stained mahogany door of the inn, he dragged their things which consisted of a duffel bag and luggage. He paid the driver of the coach and quickly went back to Johanna's side. It seemed that he didn't want her to leave his watch.
Before Anthony's fist touched the door, it opened automatically as a boy of about twelve –years stood gawking at them.
"Good evening Madam, Sir. Come in, come in!" he welcomed the two visitors. "I am completely delighted when I saw your coach stop in front of our humble tavern. It has been histories long since we last had a guest!" the young boy helped Anthony bring their baggage into the other side of the door.
"Pardon me sir, madam, but I have to excuse myself. I need to fetch my father from the bar just across from here. He would attend to your needs in a moment." His politeness surprised Johanna. It wouldn't be hard to mistake him for a common street rat with the scraps of cloth that he probably thought was clothes.
The couple was startled from their silence by a loud smashing noise across the street. A second later, a penetrating scream of a woman was heard.
"I HOPE YOU DROWN IN TOXIC DRINK, YOU SORE LOSER! DO NOT SHOW YOUR FACE TO ME EVER!!"
"WELL I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR FACE! IT LOOKS JUST LIKE YOUR ARSEHOLE!!"
"Please hush down, you old man. Our guests may hear you," the boy demanded as he held a half empty bottle of gin in one hand and the weight of a half dead drunken man on the other.
The drowsy man, presumably the boy's father, gained a hint of consciousness. "GUESTS you say?!"
"Yes father. Now if you don't want them to leave soon, I demand that you pull yourself together!"
"HAHAHA!" He harshly hit the boy causing the arm that held the gin bottle to flail around and finally turning the glass into thousands of shards on the ground.
"YOU WRETCH! You dropped my bottle! You dare to order me around and then break my precious gin bottle! You SON OF A BITCH!"
Anthony expected the inevitable blow that the man had coming and managed to push the boy out of the way. The old man, having no power to carry his own weight, smacked the ground with his face the moment he punched nothingness. The boy poked the man's shoulders and realized that he was already lost in sleep. He let out a heavy sigh.
"Are you alright?" Johanna asked the boy, bending down to help the boy up.
"I am. Thank you."
"Is your father always a terrible drunkard?" inquired Anthony as he deserted the unconscious body out in the street.
"Yes, he is. Unfortunately for me, he is always drunk. That is why our customers never enjoy their stay in our place." The boy had downcast eyes and Johanna couldn't help but feel sorry for his horrible state. She looked at Anthony and he communicated that he felt the same way.
"Do not worry boy. My companion and I will be staying here for awhile. My name is Anthony by the way, and this is Miss Johanna," Anthony said while tapping the boy's shoulder in a comforting manner.
"Thank you so much sir and madam. I, Phillip, will always be ready to suffice your needs as much as I can," the boy called Phillip replied.
"I am honored, Phillip," Johanna said with a smile. A tinge of red surfaced on the boy's cheek from the warm aura given off the maiden before him.
"How much would it cost us for a room then, Phillip?" asked Anthony, interrupting the boy from his reverie.
"Oh that would be ten pounds for a week. That includes the breakfast meal but mind you, we don't really eat that much."
Anthony and Johanna exchanged weird looks.
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Anthony had never felt the pangs of happiness up until he first laid eyes on Johanna. The moment that he laid down beside her in their dark gloomy room, he couldn't wait but to carry out his fantasies. He silently inhaled the scent of Johanna's golden locks. Oh, it was the sweetest fragrance he ever encountered. As his nostrils engaged on the enticing smell, he laid an arm over Johanna who was now softly snoring beside him. He never wanted to close his eyes. This night was too beautiful for him to waste on sleeping. He stared at Johanna intently for hours. Sleep and exhaustion finally defeated Anthony, and after a quick peck on Johanna's cheeks, he fell into deep and peaceful slumber.
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Johanna was awakened by terrible shrieking and loud banging from below their room. It startled her but she was relaxed once again Anthony's face rested beside hers. She got up and went to look out the single window in the room.
"Eerie Street…" As her thoughts trailed off, Johanna caught herself staring at Anthony. He was still fast asleep. Not having the power to disturb his peaceful dreams, she decided to check out the noise by herself. As she began walking along the narrow corridor, the loud noises from downstairs became more and more deafening.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH! You can not stop me from doing what I want"
"Damn you father! We finally have guests and you are ruining it all by being a stinking drunkard-"Phillip's words were cut as his father aimed to hit him with a new bottle of gin on his hands. He distinguished the bottle in his hands and regarded it for a few seconds.
"You insolent bastard! Look what you could have made me do! I almost wasted a fresh new bottle of my precious gin on your little cursed head!" The man swayed aimlessly until he landed on a chair that broke apart the minute he put his weight on it. He fell on the ground and was almost losing it but managed to mutter a few more curses.
"You are just as disgusting as your shitload of a mother! Do not dare cross me again boy or I will – "
Johanna finally reached the bottom of the staircase and is now watching the squabble between the father and son. She realized that both of them stopped at the sight of her.
"Miss Johanna!" began Phillip.
"Who's the wench?" came the blunt reaction of Phillip's father.
"I see you must be awakened by our incident here. Forgive us," begged Phillip.
"WHAT'S WITH THE SUDDEN POLITENESS?" bellowed the man while still collapsed on the floor. It was his skill not to let a single drop of gin spill even though the rest of his body was immobile. Johanna and Phillip simply eyed the man quietly.
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! My name is Mr. Albert Dashvit." The bearded man began wiping his chin with a random tatter her picked from the ground and pretended to be sober in front of the young lady. It was a lame attempt for he couldn't even look her in the eye.
"P-Pleased to meet you Mr. Dashvit and t-thank you for a-accepting us as your tenants", stuttered Johanna. Phillip then excused himself, striking murderous glances at his father.
"Care for some, girlie?" Mr. Dashvit said while offering Johanna a drink.
"Pardon me, Sir, but I do not drink."
"Suit yourself. I thought you wouldn't mind a shot since a fragile little lady like you is capable of fending off without any men!" he cracked himself up and his laughter hurt Johanna's ear as much as his bad breath hurt her lungs.
"Actually, Mr. Dashvit, I have a companion by the name of Anthony but he is still asleep." Deep in her thoughts, Johanna knew that this man was probably not conscious enough to remember Anthony's name but she said it anyhow.
"I see…" for the first time, Mr. Dashvit lifted his heavy lidded eyes and looked at Johanna. He kept staring at her as if he was boring his eyes to her very depths, beneath her dress. It sent shivers to Johanna's spine. She saw him smirk for a second and expected him to faint but he didn't. He pulled himself up and swayed for a bit. He returned his focus on Johanna.
"Andrea?"
"Pardon me Mr. Dashvit, but I didn't quite catch that." The wasted man slowly walked to her direction. With each step, crackles of shattered glass from nights before collided with the man's boots.
"Mr. Dashvit, LET GO!" Johanna struggled but the man put his weight on her as his arms snaked their way around her petite waist.
"Andrea, you disgusting whore…"
"Please, Mr. Dashvit!"
"What? You want me to kiss you? Oh Andrea you are so sly"
Johanna felt panic rush within her the moment her back hit the wall. "My name is not Andrea!"
Just as she felt his stinking breath hovering before her lips –
"LET GO OF HER!" the broken chair made contact with the man's body making him fall down on his back insensible. Phillip then rushed to Johanna's side.
"Oh Lord! Forgive my father's insane action, Miss Johanna." Phillip said while panting. He escorted the panic-stricken lady back to their room.
Anthony stirred when he heard the door creaking. He saw Johanna who was as pale as a ghost and recognized that something bad happened.
"Johanna!"
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Note: This chapter has also been re-edited. Please note that there may be inconsistencies in my story against actual historical facts so please bear with it. I am not entirely sure about the real way of life in London at that time and research could only do little to help me as to actually living there.
I know that there are only few Anthony-Johanna centric stories out there, but please give the story a chance…and please give me a REVIEW…thanks!!