Sweeney Todd: Insanity Within

Insanity Within: Part 7

Mrs. Eleanor Lovett returned to her pie emporium but there at the table only sat Lucy. Where the hell did Sweeney Todd disappear to?

She looked to the empty seat then to Lucy, then to the empty seat and back to Lucy. "Where'd he go?"

"... He went down to the cellar," Lucy whispered; feeling ashamed since she didn't stop him.

"God that man's gonna be the death of me," she muttered and quickly fled to the cellar. She pulled open the cellar doors and scurried down the cemented stairs where should could a loud bang and fire crackling. She ran quicker down the stairs and pulled open the metal door.

Todd stood in front of the furnace; blocking the view of the flames. He just stood there; gazing at the sight of Judge Turpin burning. It was a pleasing sight. He had his arms crossed and eyes locked on the fire as the body burned to ashes.

"Mr. T?" She whispered as she walked closer behind Todd. Todd didn't say anything but watched the fire.

Watching the bastard burn was just a beauty to see. The man who caused all the pain. The hurt and agony. The barber wore a slight smile watching the vulture turn to ashes. Mrs. Lovett then stood by his side and watched the fire. It's heating warmth hitting the two. Mrs. Lovett turned her head to see the barber, but his head didn't move from the fire. She could see the flames' reflection in his somber eyes.

"He's dead," Todd mumbled. His voice blended in with the crackling of fire.

Mrs. Lovett didn't say anything in return but looked back at the fire. The body was all black now and fire just consumed it no like no tomorrow.

"He took everything away from me," the barber continued. He didn't move at all except for mouth. "...I often wonder where I'd be in life if he never came along. I would be able to watch Johanna grow up; be the father she deserves; and be the husband Lucy deserves. Deep down... she must hate me."

Mrs. Lovett turned her head back to look at Todd; his eyes still locked on the fire. He held his same unforgiving look. She was about to speak until Todd opened his mouth to say more.

"I can't imagine finding one I love who turned homicidal. And back at the asylum..." He nearly choked on his own words. "I almost killed her. Her throat was in my hands. I could have killed her." His was soft and sounded terrified. The barber couldn't imagine killing his Lucy, just the thought of it wanted to make him cry.

"Mr. Todd?" Mrs. Lovett whispered; her voice could barley be heard over the fire.

He atlas turned his head and faced her.

"She doesn't hate you. It's been almost sixteen years and you haven't forgotten about her, I'm sure she loves that," she explained. "And you can't blame yourself for everything. Over the years you both changed. Pain makes people change, dear."

Todd nodded to her assertion. "I can't argue with that logic. But Lucy's mind didn't snap, twist, and break like mine. She actually knows how to keep at least some of herself contained." He then looked back to the fire where the body was almost gone.

"Now, Mr. T, don't be so hard on yourself. Believe it or not I find it good that ya changed. Let's face it, you and me both know Benjamin Barker would get trampled in this world. But you, you wouldn't." She forced a smile. She wanted him to realize she accepts the way he is and loves everything about him. He's a man of taking charge and wouldn't be pushed down no matter what, it was a trait the baker just adored.

"You know," Todd started. "You remind me of a guy I met in the asylum. I'm not saying you're insane, because he wasn't either... unlike me. He always did his best to make me smile and never gave up on me, which is funny cause everyone he knew gave up on him."