NIGHTMARE ON FLEET STREET: THE STORY OF SWEENEY TODD

BACK FOR REVENGE

Dawn broke in London. Katie, also known as Jillian to many Londoners, was on her way back to the pie shop with some more dough and crusting for the pies, when she spotted a 6 year old girl giving an apple and a handkerchief to a haggard woman who was a regular begging on the streets of London. The little girl had blonde hair to the middle of her back and blue eyes, and she instantly recognized her.

Lizzie! She thought.

She gave all of her leftover money away to the beggar woman, and gently ushered her cousin into the shop. And introduced her to Mrs. Lovett.

Just across the street from the pie shop a few minutes later, Sweeney Todd had arrived with Kristina behind him.

"If you don't mind, I'd prefer to do this alone." Sweeney said to the girl.

"And I would prefer not to get lost, kidnapped or worse, killed, Mr. Todd. It's rude to leave a young lady who's unfamiliar with London's streets to thieves and murderers." Kris shot back in irritation.

Todd sighed resignedly.

"Just stay close and do as I say," he said sternly.

"Yes, sir," Kris muttered. They moved towards the shop.

Jillian was putting more crusting in the pantry while Mrs. Lovett was chopping the dough, when they heard the sound of the door opening and the bell ringing. Jillian looked up from where she was at and stared at a pale and odd looking man with wild black wavy hair, save for a white streak on the right side of his head. He was wearing usual Victorian era clothes with a leather jacket.

Behind the man was a caramel brown skinned, dark eyed, dark haired young woman who was wearing the same dress she was, but it was black. She instantly recognized her.

Kris! Katie thought.

"Uh, Mrs. Lovett, Ma'am?" Jillian got her attention.

"Customers!!" The woman gasped, and instantly got them both to sit down, right next to Lizzie, who scooted over. She continued with her work while chatting.

Wait!
What's your rush? What's your hurry?
You gave me such a --
Fright, I thought you was a ghost!
Half a minute, can'tcher sit!
Sit you down, sit!
All I meant is that I haven't seen a customer for weeks!
Did you come here for a pie, sir?
Do forgive me if me head's a little vague --
Ugh! What is that?
But you think we had the plague!
From the way that people
Keep avoiding --
No you don't!
Heaven knows I try, sir!
Ick!
But there's no one comes in even to inhale!
Right you are, sir, would you like a drop of ale?
Mind you, I can't hardly blame them!
These are probably the worst pies in London!
I know why nobody cares to take them,
I should know,
I make them,
But good? No!
The worst pies in London,
Even that's polite!
The worst pies in London,
If you doubt it, take a bite!

The man and Kris both took a bite and then spat it out with disgust and chagrin. Lizzie looked at the pie and made a face as a fly came out of the crusting.

Is that just disgusting?
You have to concede it!
It's nothing but crusting!
Here, drink this, you'll need it!
The worst pies in London...
And no wonder with the price of meat
What it is
When you get it
Never
Thought I'd live to see the day
Men'd think it was a treat
Findin' poor
Animals
Wot are dyin' in the street!
Mrs. Mooney has a pie shop!
Does a business but I notice something weird.
Lately all her neighbors' cats have disappeared!
Have to hand it to her --
Wot I calls
Enterprise
Poppin' pussies into pies!