This story is dedicated to all those who know what it feels like to be alive and love to play dangerous games. Long live the fur coat!

"Jekyll and Hyde--the Musical" is property of Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse. Based on characters created by Robert Louis Stevenson in "The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." I'm not making any money off of these--these guys beat me to it.
--ACJ


"A Toast to the Night"



Lust. Thirst.

Blood. Power.

Fire. Drive.

They course through me, supressing all goodness and allowing pure evil to thrive. The scent of the air, of the East End of London, intoxicates me. In the darkness, dark as my soul, I see my people. Prostitutes, toughs and "honorable" men indulging behind their masks--they all surround me, fill me, become me.

In the dark recesses of our mind, Dr. Jekyll stands horrified at the thing he's created, or pounds at the bars of the prison that he himself kept me in for so long.

But he's entranced now. Oh yes...he likes it.

Mist curls around me like Satan's army, heralding my approach and sent with His blessing. People turn to look at me as I pass, men with fear, women with wanting. A million emotions flood through me--ah, it is so good to be alive!

There--there she stands, darker than the moonless night around us. Standing in front of a fire barrel, hands outstretched, grabbing the flames with pain-numbed fingers. Glack hair clouds around her face like gleaming ebony. The light of hellfire caresses her every curvature...oh, yes. Yes, Dr. Jekyll knows this little pretty. They've met before. His memory offers her no name, he never discovered it.

She raises her eyes and sees me standing in the street, watching her. She frowns...do you see, Doctor? The recognition is mutual.

She backs from the barrel, surrounding her place to a bony old woman. Closer, closer she comes. I can smell her.

"I know you, don't I?"

Not yet...

"After tonight, you will never forget me." I hiss, like a song. "I am destined to be your guardian angel, your guide to salvation in this world of madness.

She looks away...a tiny smile lifts the corner of red lips. Her eyes shift shyly as she edges closer. "So, what's your name then, sweet'eart?"

Oh, the name comes easily: "Hyde. Edward Hyde."