That night was fraught with a violent brand of passion, the barber was most forceful in his actions. Irene didn't speak a word the whole time, she only looked at the obscene artwork that hung on the walls. Nude women gazed at them throughout the night. The décor was much like her own room but the window was smaller and only one lamp was visible to her. The bed on the other hand was much more extravagant with dark blue sheets and canopy.
Mr. Todd sweated and yelled through the whole ordeal. When he was satisfied he simply rolled to one side. "Get out." He commanded.
Irene quickly gathered her clothes and left the most uncomfortable room. "Goodnight Mr. Todd." She said before gently closing the door behind her. Thoughts ran through her mind, she could turn him into the law but what would that do? If she said anything she would also condemn herself. Perhaps they were both meant to be together, this was her place now.
She went and boiled some water to wash herself with. All was quiet, it must've been three or four in the morning. After she washed herself she found herself slowly creeping back into Mr. Todd's room. He was still turned over but he had fallen asleep and was snoring softly. She looked about the room, clothes were thrown about and papers were strewn around. Other than the disorder, there was really nothing to the room. Irene went to the other side of the bed and looked into his sleeping face. There was no anger anymore, he was calm and she found him beautiful again. Her hand lightly brushed his cheek and he mumbled. The moon was starting to disappear from the sky. Irene sat down on the floor and watched him for a little while.
Suddenly his eyes popped open. "I told you to leave." He said in a low voice.
"Your handsome face is much too wonderful to leave." She stroked a lock of his hair.
His eyes followed her hand but the rest of him did not move. "Lay with me then if you find me so desirable." He said in an uncompassionate tone.
She laid at his side with an arm around him stroking his neck and chest. He made a low pleasurable noise and turned over to face her. "What's your game Mr. Todd?"
"If I can't have my old life back, I will make a new one." He answered. "Even if I have to take from every man, woman and child in this city." Irene didn't know what to say, she merely looked into his face. Slowly she kissed his lips and he returned the motions ever so gently. He pulled away and smiled. "Sleep with me a while, my dear."
Soon Mr. Todd woke Irene to start baking, she did so without question. The barber paced about as she made pies and cakes of all kinds. He sampled many of them with approval and his mood was shifted to the kind Mr. Todd that she adored. There was no doubt that madness plagued his mind, his actions were often not his own.
Curious customers came by and many men were brought up to the barber shop by Mr. Todd. Those that waited for their appointment with Mr. Todd sat outside the shop and snacked on the various sweets prepared by Irene. News spread quickly throughout the day and more and more people came. Cautious looks were still directed at the barber but with the presence of Irene their moods softened. Many lovely comments were made about her beauty and her food. She saw little of Mr. Todd during the business hours, occasionally he looked down at her from his shop balcony with a smile of approval. Irene found herself making more cakes and pies throughout the day. People even stayed until the nighttime hours, lanterns were lit and the young nobody couldn't be happier.
When the last customers filtered out Mr. Todd came down and hugged his partner. She gave him the very last strawberry pie to eat and they totaled that day's till. The barber was satisfied with the money they made but looked at Irene with a devious look.
"We made more than money today, my love." He grinned.