Authors Note: Hey guys, I really hope you like this story. It's been in my head for a while and I only just started writing it. Based on the movie, I didn't really differ for that story line. Told in the voice of my OC Emily. Don't ask me how she got to be with Sweeney, because I haven't figured that out yet; so for the moment, the story begins here. Enjoy!

--

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Chapter 1

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please?"

His voice rings out amongst the large crowd of people. He sings with enthusiasm, but his face shows everything but; he's done this millions of times before.

"Do you wake every morning in shame and despair to discover your pillow is covered with hair? What ought not to be there?"

I shiver in the morning cold and stand as close as I dare to Mr. Todd. I can only wonder what he's planning.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, from now on you can waken at ease! You need never again have a worry or care I will show you a miracle marvelous rare!"

A miracle marvel eh? This is going to be interesting.

The boy continues his song for a few moments, throwing bottles of his product into the crowd. A man beside us catches one and passes it to Mrs. Lovette; she and Mr. Todd examine it for a second, before they yell out:

"Pardon me ma'am what's what awful stench?"

"Are we standing near an open trench?"

"Must be standing near and open trench!"

I chuckle as I see the boy's face, a mixture of contorted anger and fear. He quickly continues his song, trying to ignore the two beside me.

"Buy Pirelli's Miracle Elixir, Anything wot's slick sir, Soon sprouts curls; try Pirelli's, when they see how thick sir, You can have your pick sir, of the Girls!" "Wanna buy a bottle Mrs.-?"

The kid is again cut short by my older companions:

"What is this?"

"What is this?"

"Smells like piss."

"Smells like- phew! Wouldn't touch it if I was you dear."

"This is piss, piss with ink."

I try very hard not to burst out laughing, the boy looks murderous now. Mr. Todd appears to be enjoying himself-that's a rare marvel in itself.

"Let Pirelli's activate your roots sir!-"

"Keep it off your boots sir, eats right through!"

"Yes, get Pirelli's! Use a bottle of it; Ladies seem to love it!-"

"Flies do too!"

I begin to laugh, until the curtains behind the boy move, and a very flamboyant-looking man steps out; Pirelli I presume-I hate him already.

"I am Adolfo Pirelli, The King of the Barbers, The Barber of Kings, E buon giorno, good day; I blow you a kiss!"

"And I, the so famous Pirelli, I wish-a to know, who has-a the nerve to say: My Elixir is piss!" "Who says this?"

Everyone is silent for a moment, before Mr. Todd speaks up.

"I do."

Various people in the crowd gasp and awe, and Pirelli glares at Mr. Todd.

Mr. Todd begins walking to the front of the crowd, towards the stage; I stay at his side, Mrs. Lovette behind me.

"I am Mr. Sweeney Todd of Fleet Street. I have opened a bottle of Pirelli's elixir, and I say to you that it is nothing but an errant fraud, concocted from piss and ink."

So this is his plan. Not as violent as I had presumed.

"And furthermore - "Signor" – I have serviced no kings, yet I wager I can shave a cheek with ten times more dexterity then any street mountebank."

The crowd "Oohs" again and I smirk up at Pirelli, he notices me for the first time and glares back.

"You see these razors?"

Mr. Todd holds his silver razors up for everyone to see.

"The finest in England." I add. Again, Pirelli does nothing but glare.

"I lay them against five pounds, that you are no match sir. Either except my challenge, or reveal yourself a sham."

Pirelli leans down and stares at the razor; a grin spreads across his face.

"You hear this foolish man? Now, please, you will see how he will regret his folly!"

"Toby!"

Ah, so this is the boy's name. I notice for the first time that Toby has been standing beside me this whole time. He hurries up the stairs of the stage and begins readying it for the contest.

"Who's for a free shave?"

Men in the crowd raise their hands and call out; two are chosen, and make their way toward the stage.

Mr. Todd hands Mrs. Lovette his coat, and nudges me onto the stage; I have to take part in this contest as his assistant.

"Will Beadle Bamford be the judge?"

Oh, I see what he's doing. Genius, he is.

I hear the Beadle drawl. His voice makes me cringe.

"Glad as always, to oblige my friends and neighbors."

Mr. Todd smirks and walks over to collect his razors.

"The fastest, smoothest shave, is the winner!"

Cloths fall over our "customers'", and the Beadle blows his whistle. The contest begins.

I hold the strop for Mr. Todd as he slowly runs one of his beautiful razors along it. My back is to Pirelli.

I take a quick glance behind me, Pirelli is panicked; I can see it in his eyes. He finishes stropping, and begins to mix the lather:

"Now, Signorini, signori, we mix-a da lather, But first-a you gather around, signorini, signori, You looking a man who has had da glory to shave-a da pope!

I try to ignore this increasingly annoying song (if you could call it that!), and watch as Mr. Todd begins to slowly apply the lather to our customer.

"Mr. Sweeney whoever- I beg-a your pardon – 'll probably say it was only a cardinal –Nope! I was-a da Pope!"

I grind my teeth together, this man is beginning to get on my nerves.

"To shave-a da face, to cut-a da hair, Require da grace, Require da flair, for if-a you slip, you nick-a da skin, You rip-a da lip a bit, Beyond-a repair!

Mr. Todd still doesn't show any sign of beginning the shave, he's taking his time; I wish I had his patience.

"…To shave-a da face, To trim-a da beard, to make-a da bristle, clean like a whistle, this is from early infancy, the talent give to me, By God!"

Mr. Todd fiddles with his razor a bit more, and stares over at Pirelli; he's waiting for something.

"It take-a da skill! It take-a da brains! It take-a da will, to take-a da pains! It take-a da pace, It take-a da Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace!

His shrill high note hits my ears, and I watch Mr. Todd quickly shave his customer, leaving not a hair behind.

I hear the Beadle yell out.

"The winner is Todd!"

I smugly wipe the remaining cream from our customers face, before turning to face Pirelli, who is walking towards us.

My eyes are locked on the boy cowering behind him, staring at me. He looks at me with fear, but I smile as sweetly as I can. He smiles weakly back at me, and gives a sort of half wave with his hand.

"I bow to a skill far greater than my own." Pirelli half growls.

Mr. Todd refuses to face him.

"The five pounds."

"May the Good Lord smile on you; Until we meet again sir." Pirelli bows deeply, before backing up.

"Come Boy!" He yells, smacking Toby against the face, and kicking him into the wagon.

He turns to the crowd one last time, smiles, and disappears behind the curtains. I can hear him still yelling.

I have a sudden feeling of pity in my stomach for the boy; no one deserves that fate. I stand right where I am for a moment, before Mr. Todd yanks on my arm. I hop off the stage and return to his side.

Mrs. Lovette speaks after a moment.

"I suppose it's just me gentle heart, but I do hate to see a boy treated like that…"

I murmur softly "Poor Thing…"; Mr. Todd doesn't notice, but Mrs. Lovette simply grins.