"I- I-"
"Don't waste your breath." Mr. Todd then turns to Ella, eyes of the blackest black and filled with hate. His sallow face may be facing the young girl, but his voice is directed toward the baker. "Weren't you listening to anything I was saying before this girl came? Did you not consider the consequences if something should happen? The boy, as well!"
"He's knocked out on gin. When he wakes up, I'll fob him off with some story," Mrs. Lovett replies nonchalantly.
"I will have my revenge, Mrs. Lovett. Do you wish for their innocent minds to be tainted with death?" Mr. Todd asks, nearing Ella with every step he takes.
"No one said you had to do it right in front of- Now, you back off this instant!" she shouts when she sees Sweeney Todd directly in front of Isabella, the silver razor at her neck. He has Ella trapped between him and the wall, his razor at her neck.
He ignores Nellie Lovett's indignant outburst and merely answers by asking in a trance of sorts, "What should we do with them?" He runs the blade up and down Ella's neck, sending her into shock. Out of pure terror, she cannot move, she cannot breathe.
"Now, love, as I said before, surely one is enough for today?"
"We'll see." Sweeney Todd removes the blade from the girl's neck and grabs her upper arm. He drags her upstairs, Mrs. Lovett following close behind. Once in the barber shoppe, Todd closes all the doors and windows and turns to Ella. "Now, girl, you have a choice before you. I'm going to show you something-" Mrs. Lovett opens her mouth to protest, but a single glare from the barber silences her. "If you wish to live, you will stay, do what I say, and tell no one of what you see. If you wish to die, by all means, try to run to the law, but remember this, my dear: If I were to think you tipped off the police, believe me you. I will end your life so fast, you wouldn't know until you'd be burning in hell."
"What a way to frighten the poor thing," Mrs. Lovett scolds.
"Do you understand me?" Todd demands, ignoring Mrs. Lovett, yet again. Ella nods her head. He motions for the girl to turn to the chest. He opens it to reveal the bloody body of a colorfully-clothed being. Ella's mouth opens in recognition, but no sound escapes her full lips.
After a moment of silence, she speaks. "It's Signor Pirelli. I used to be his apprentice." Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett exchange a worried glance. Ella then turns to the two adults, composed and ready to give them her decision. She speaks clearly and truthfully.
"Count me in."