Well, howdy-doo to you. Once again, thanks for all the reviews. Props to whoever can guess the two songs used in this chapter. If you do you will receive a free Goodie of the Day, which happens to be funnel cake.

"Walking up the hill tonight," Mattie sang to herself as she tapped away on the piano in the living room, passing away her lonely time to herself. Jack was almost completely detached from her. There was no hope left for Mattie, yet she knew that deep in heart, she would think of him until the day she died. She would wait for him, wait to love, wait to see, wait for a hope which would never come. She continued to compose the simple melody as her head sank past her shoulders. "and you have closed your eyes, I wish I didn't have to make all those mistakes and be wise. Please try to be patient and know that I'm still learning. I'm sorry that you have to see the strength inside me burning. Where are you my angel now? Don't you see me crying? I know that you can do it all but you can't say I'm not trying. I'm on my knees in front of him but he doesn't seem to see me. With all his troubles on his mind, he's looking right through me. And I'm letting myself down by satisfying you. And I wish that you could see I have my troubles, too. Looking at you sleeping, another man I love. I'm sitting here weeping while the hours pass so slow. I know that in the morning, I have to let you go. And you'll be just a man like the one I used to know. Before these past days someone I don't recognize. This isn't all my fault. When will you realize? Looking at you leaving, I'm looking for a sign." Her freely moving fingers slowed down. The song changed, its sound becoming quieted and dreamy.


"I thought we had it all. I thought we'd go unscathed. I thought our love would border on infinity. I thought that we were free, that the world would disappear, leave ourselves wide open but we'd have no fear. But forever came and went, forever stumbled threw, forever had poor sense of time and made a mess of me and you. Forever had us fooled, we fell for it again, and now time is standing still forever. Lying next to you, but you're already gone, and too much has been said, and it can't be undone. It's so had to comprehend when ashes fade to dust. A touch of water and the iron turns to rust. And forever came and went. Forever stumbled through. Forever had poor sense of time and made a mess of me and you. Forever had us fooled, we fell for it again, and now time is standing still forever," she stopped playing abruptly as a tear streamed down her delicate cheek, grazing her skin and staining it with a never-ending sadness. She stumbled away from the piano, the only sound that accompanied her in the empty house.

"Don't be so down on yourself, love," Mrs. Lovett said from behind her, causing Mattie to jump with fright. No matter how many times Mrs. Lovett appeared to her, the abruptness of her visits always caught Mattie off guard. "I felt lonely too, wha' wit Mr. T always up there by 'imself," she said quietly.

"But Jack's never here, 'n I have no one besides Ethan," Mattie said hoarsely.

"I keep tellin' you, leave the selfish bastard, 'e is no good to you," said Mrs. Lovett in a scolding manner.

"Well, wha' am I suppose to do then?" she cried, placing her hands into her face. "I feel so completely alone."

"You've go' me, don't cha? Ain't I sumthin'?"

"Well, yes, but, I need...sumone I can touch, 'n kiss 'n hold 'n love," she sobbed. "Wha' the 'ell am I suppos' 't do?"

"I don't know love. If only you had sum other company. I always had my Toby, he'd always listin' to me."

"Who's Toby?" Mattie asked, wiping her tear stained hand on her dress, calming down some.

"Me little 'elper. Always a good worker 'round the shop, that Tobias Ragg," she said reminiscing. Mattie turned to her with a realization that slapped her in the face. Of course, Tobias! He was Mrs. Lovett's waiter! She never would have guessed it, but she realized the reason why he cursed the place, and visited them as soon as he saw them moving in. He knew these people, their strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps...he knew how to end this! Yes, yes, all of this suffering was because of them! she thought. And Tobias, he knew them, maybe, just maybe, he knew how to send them away. It was a long shot, but she felt so hopeless that she was willing to try anything. But where was he? She didn't know where he lived, if he even had a home. From their first encounter, she suspected him to be mentally insane, and those who were weak in the head usually had no home to go to. She ran over to retrieve her coat and ran towards the door.

"Oi, wherere you goin'?" Mrs. Lovett asked, slightly annoyed by Mattie's rude behavior.

"Sorry, Mrs. Lovett, but I have to go, it's important," Mattie said in a single breath and without another word, jogged through the streets of London, guided only by her blind faith and dumb luck.


Jack had just finished washing his hands clean and dosed the patient lying on the table with a shot of opium. The effect was immediate; the man lying there fluttered his eyes, and looked extremely pleased. He used to resent the idea of using opium, but he had no problem with it now, for he was beginning to tire of the screams of his patients. Still, he wanted them to feel pain, if only just a little. He wiped clean the scalpel with the fresh white cloth that hung over his chair, and raised it above the man's exposed flesh. Removing a tumor was tricky business, but he was always annoyed with the tiny scalpel, which made the initial cut and all ones after that slow to make, causing these useless surgeries to be prolonged. He was just about to place the tiny metal blade against the mans chest when he suddenly felt a small leap from his belt. The holster which held the largest of Sweeneys old razors seemed to make a small cry, making it known to Jack. It seemed to call to him, iUse me/i. It wanted to feel blood once more, even in an innocent way like surgery. Its tongue licked, craving the crimson taste. Jack slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver blade, ready for the task at hand. It looked especially shiny today, glistening in the candlelight. He smiled, looking at its reflection. He reached over and wiped it clean with the white cloth and place the scalpel back on the tools table. Yes, its large blade would make this much faster. He wouldn't kill the man, oh no, he would only perform his civic duties with it. He placed the blade against the mans warm flesh, and cut into it. The patient didn't feel anything throughout the whole surgery; he was too busy giggling and looking at the ceiling above him changing from tangerine to purple to green.


Mattie felt exhausted. She'd been walking the streets of London for what seemed like hours now, and she was hopelessly and completely lost. She'd had asked countless people if they had ever heard or seen the likes of Tobias Ragg, but most people ignored her. She had received many scoffs from the passerby. She couldn't blame them: she must have appeared insane asking random strangers about a man that they'd never heard of. She wondered if she was actually insane, after all of the haunting and torment that she has received if her mind has been as decimated as her spirit. She continued to wander in a daze, thinking about her state of sanity, endlessly scanning the horizon for a face that she was beginning to lose hope in seeing.

She shrugged and turned down another street. She needed to find her bearings, which had become so upturned since she began her search. Once she crossed this dirty alley however, she immediately recognized a familiar boulevard: it was the one that lead directly to Jack's hospital. And lo and behold, there it was, as dismal and grey as the surrounding establishments, only much larger and upscale in appearance. She was about to turn around and head back home in the familiar route, but realized that Jack could perhaps help with her search. She turned back around and trotted off as quickly as she could to the hospital. She had been lead by Jack to the hospital a few occasions in case she ever needed him in an emergency, but she had never stepped foot inside of it. From her first appearances, it looked bleak and awfully pessimistic: apart from its dim lighting by scattered lanterns, the conditions didn't seem as clean as they could or should be. The reputation of the place suited it quite well, though not in a positive way. She approached the front desk and asked for Jack. The woman pointed down the hall to room 115, and she glided to it, where inside she found Jack, going over paperwork in his office. He looked at her in surprise, not expecting to ever see her there.

"What are you doing her, Mattie?" he asked, slightly surprised by her unexpected visit.

"I have to ask you a favor, Jack. Have you eva' spotted Tobias Ragg on your way home from work?" she inquired.

"Only once, why?"

"Well, if you eva' see him again, tell 'im to come to our house the next day six o' clock. It's urgent, so persistently tell 'im to come as long as it takes," she said quickly but clearly. She saw Jack look down for a second, thinking deeply, but Mattie wasn't quite sure what it was that was going through his mind. She then saw a sly, dark grin etch into his features, his eyes squinting with shadows covering them, giving him a look that was quite sinister. She was apprehensive, but she wasn't sure why he was feeling so devious.

"Of course, love, if I do ever see him, I'll invite him over and let you know of his visitation that very night. I guarantee it," he said stoically. Mattie scrunched her eyebrows in suspension, but nevertheless was satisfied that he would help her in her quest. She considered telling Jack that she hoped Tobias would answer her questions about the personal lives of Sweeney and Nellie, hoping that she would be able to receive insight on how to rid of them.

"Thanks dear. Well, I won't keep you from your work. I'll see you at evening." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and left the office and down the dim halls, passing another doctor and patient with a horribly broken leg. When she left the main lobby, she realized just how stuffy and musky the hospital was upon meeting her nostrils and the outside fresh air. She decided that it was not best to wander and become lost once again, so she simply commuted to the familiar route home, still keeping her eye keen for any sight of Mr. Ragg.

Jack finished packing his briefcase, aware of all of the details of his world as his plan and purpose became so clear. Inviting Tobias over would put everything in action. It would be the perfect opportunity to carry out Sweeney's mission that he could no longer accomplish. He grinned to his reflection in the mirror, hoping to see a look of genius and mastermind of thought, but instead a smile of sadness and disappointment. It was as if the two sides to him were fighting over control. Was it even himself? Had Sweeney completely possessed his heart and his mind, or was he still fighting the man Jack once was? He thought to himself, is this what I really want, or just what Sweeney wants? How would this affect my soul and my spirit? Jack told himself that asking Tobias questions might rid him of Sweeney's authoritative grip, but the Sweeney side of him said that this would be the perfect opportunity to extract his revenge. Was it Jack's revenge? Certainly not, but half of him felt like it was. He locked up his office and told himself that if he did come across Tobias, if ever, he would invite him over, and see which side of him was more powerful.

He exited the disparaging building with great enthusiasm and set off down the streets of London. The once familiar city seemed to grow in shadows as the days passed by him as his perception of the world, of humanity grew ever drearier. The more he saw the scum that inhabited this small hole in the earth, the more he was driven to horrid thoughts. Insanity was taking its grip, distorting his images of the once happy and opportunity filled world that Jack Driskall once knew. The sun ceased to shine, driven away by thick fog and threatening clouds that loomed overhead, glaring at this hell on earth. Jarring, high pitched violins screeched in his head in a strange key, accompanied by frantic piano, pounding away in hysteria. His footsteps provided a basic beat, washing out the sounds of the other men and women occupying the streets. Many took heedful glances at Jack, noticing the sinister look upon his face, fearing of horrid intentions inside of his heart. He shook his head, relaxing his face but not his heart, which pounded at the excited thoughts that raced in his head.

It was nearing dusk, and the faded light of the streetlamps were being ignited by torch-bearers. More and more prostitutes began to dot the streets, raising their skirts or pulling down the shoulders of their dresses. Some even reached out to touch his arm, asking "How'd you like a little jig, dear?" He simply scorned at them and pushed them aside, trying to make it out of this crowd of the wicked who came out in the safety of the night. He knew it was unsafe to be out here by himself at this time, where he was more susceptible to muggers and killers of the shadows. He quickened his pace, scanning the darkening streets for any street beggar that might resemble Tobias.

"Sir, look out!" Jack felt a feeble hand pull him back just as Jack realized he almost stepped in front of a speeding carriage, black as night and pulled by great thoroughbreds. He turned to thank his savior, when in sheer lucky coincidence; he saw that it was none other than Tobias Ragg. The stooped man looked surprised to see that it was Jack, if only he could see the hideous grin on Jack's face, which was covered by the darkness and Tobias' poor eyesight.

"Why, Mr. Driskall, intrestin' time to see you this evenin'," he said politely.

"The pleasure is all mine," he said calmly. "Sorry, but I don't know how I can possibly thank you," Jack said.

"There's no need to, Mr. Driskall," said Tobias.

"No, I insist. Why don't you come over for dinner at six 'o clock tomorrow evening. I'm sure you could use a nice juicy piece of meat." The words sounded polite enough, but his tone of voice was most unpleasant. However, at hearing the words "dinner" and "meat", Tobias, in all of his hunger, seemed to have let these details aside.

"Sure, sir. Be delighted. I know where you live."

"But before so, I have a favor to ask you."

"'Nythin' for you, sir," said Tobias.

"I have some questions...about the past that, I was hoping, you could help me answer," Jack said in a slight begging voice.

"I don't like talkin' bout such things," Tobias stammered.

"Trust me sir, I won't take long. Just meet me upstairs before dinner, and everything will fall in place for me." Tobias opened his mouth in a panicked protest, but Jack was faster and quickly cut him off. "I'll put in two quid for you if you do this favor for me," he added, silencing Tobias, who as the sound of money immediately forgot his concern.

"'Course Mr. Driskall, 'course. I'll be sure to meet you upstairs at when did you say?"

"Six o' clock, and not a minute later."

"I'll be there sir," and with that he scurried off into the shadows. The star's fortunes could not have been better for Jack that evening. He smiled to himself contently, and jogged back home, where the lights were bright and the fire was burning, a beacon of hope and light upon which he gladly entered. He informed Mattie about Tobias arriving the very next day, and quickly retreated into the barbers chair, where he sat, too excited to sleep, and waited for twenty-four hours to tick by.