Demons'll Charm You

Chapter 2: The Grand Opening

As the months passed, Toby's hopes and dreams for the shop slowly became a reality. He began refurbishing both the pie shop and his rooms. He had a new sign made and soon, Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pie Emporium began attracting the attention of those passing by, curious as to what was being done to the place. Toby simply greeted them through the window if he locked eyes with any of them, and continued working. Interacting with the public was something he was still getting used to, and though he wasn't shy as a child, his time at the asylum had made him wary of people in general.

Once the work on the building was complete, he began purchasing fresh ingredients and venturing into the bakehouse to begin his trial-and-error of making the perfect meat pie. He labored day and night in the humid bakehouse, occupying his mind with anything and everything, except what had happened there ten years ago. The first time he entered the notorious bakehouse, he ran out immediately and felt as though he couldn't breathe. He kept fearing that he would find himself locked in accidentally with any corpse that somehow remained, but he reminded himself that all of that was gone. It took him days before he mustered up all the courage that he had within him and returned, hesitantly walking through the bakehouse. The meat grinder and oven were all that remained. Even though the past had been cleaned away, Toby could not help but shiver at the thought of the innocent dead that were in this bakehouse. He wondered if their souls had lingered behind, lost, confused, and angry.

Day after day, Toby returned to the bakehouse trying only to focus on the task at hand. Eventually, he became numb to what had happened down there and worked with a quiet mind, almost forgetting what had happened. He was proud of himself for that. He worked quickly and eventually went in and out of the bakehouse with ease and without fear. There were a few instances, however, where he would damn his mind for playing tricks on him as he would think he could hear footsteps in the bakehouse, or see a shadow in the corner, but after blinking once and looking back, whatever he thought he saw was gone.

After four months of cleaning, preparing, and advertising, Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pie Emporium was ready for its grand re-opening. A mix of nervousness and excitement filled Toby as the hour of the grand re-opening approached. He had dressed not only to work and serve but also to impress. He purchased new clothes for himself and even had his shoes shined. He wanted the customers to see the pride that he took not only in appearance but in his work.

A savory aroma filled the air and began attracting customers, who had begun lining up as the hour drew near. Toby knew that if there was a large gathering, it was mostly because many wanted to see what had become of the old shop where an infamous barber once lived. No one knew of the victims being used for meat pies, though some had their speculation. Society had only been told that the Judge, the Beadle, and Mrs. Lovett had been killed by Sweeney Todd before he eventually killed himself. Stories surrounded the shop and the thought of it being haunted intrigued many people. Its reputation was known all over, but Toby would not be entertaining any questions relating to it. Toby had hoped that his food would be so enjoyed by customers, that they would return only for the food, rather than the stories of the past.

Toby only felt a tad uneasy about being judged by those who knew he had a past at the shop. Toby did not pity, nor did he want to be placed in the same category as the previous inhabitants.

As he waited for the grandfather clock in his sitting room to strike five o'clock, he peered through the window curtains to see the faces of those who were waiting. Many hungry and curious eyes stared at the shop in wonder, and all were excitedly talking amongst each other. Toby gazed with awe as he looked among the line of people. There were men, women, and children of all ages and families, couples, both rich and poor. Mrs. Lovett never had such a crowd as this. Toby wondered if she would have been proud.