To go in or to not go in?

[Beadle Bamford]

OOC-This is just to get things started. I haven't ever started a thread so...Here I go!

The beadle strode down Fleet Street heading towards the barber shop/Mrs. Lovett's meat pie shop. Even though he wanted to find out what was going on in that shop, he needed a shave. He had seen Sweeney on the street and knew of his excellence in the barber industry. The beadle was normally happy as long as things in the town were going alright and Turpin was happy. Well, things were going good in the town and Turpin was away, so, no reason to not be happy. He started to enter the metal gates and looked at the approaching black, metal staircase. Leading up to the barber shop. He got a strange feeling but decided not to turn around yet.

[Sweeney Todd]

Sweeney Todd busied himself, cleaning and sharpening his razors in preparation for the next customer that could walk in at any moment. Mr. Todd keeps to himself, quietly shaving customers one by one in his shop. He is very efficient and methodical with the way he carries out his trade, carefully repeating the same steps for each shave. Once he had his customer comfortably in the chair, he proceeded to apply the lather, strop his razor, carefully inspect it, and then shave his customer. With just a few passes of his razor he effectively removed every bit of hair on the customer's face, giving the closest and smoothest shave they've ever known.
Sweeney finishes with his razors and carefully sets them aside, he walks to the door of his barber shop with the intention of checking up on Mrs. Lovett down stairs. As he begins to make his way down the stairs he notices Beadle Bamford, right at the bottom. He stops, and smiles slyly:

"Hello, What may I do for you today sir?"

[Beadle Bamford]

The Beadle wasn't quite sure how to answer Sweeney's question. He did indeed need a shave but, something wasn't right about him. The Beadle had always had his suspicions. Just...Just....Sweeney's face reminded him of something...someone...from years ago.

Finally, the Beadle finally decided not to tell him he wanted a shave right away. "Yes, I would like to look around your establisment if you don't mind. Just to make sure everything is...you know, running smoothly." He said, he didn't think he wanted to trust that smile that lie upon Sweeney's face.

[Sweeney Todd]

Sweeney clearly saw how uncomfortable the Beadle was. He continued to go down the stairs, to meet the Beadle.

"You look a bit uneasy, sir, is everything alright? A shave might help. After, you are more than welcome to inspect my premises. I assure you that you will find everything to be in perfect order."

With that, Sweeney leads the Beadle upstairs to his shop. Upon entering the shop, he offers to take the Beadle's hat and cane, and urges him to sit in the barber's chair.

[Beadle Bamford]

"Uhm, I think I will accept your offer but first sir, I would love too look around the establishment, if you don't mind" He said, without a second thought. Sure, he needed a shave but, something was wrong.

He let Sweeney take his hat but, not his cane. He had to look around. Then he could take his cane. The Beadle mumbled at Sweeney saying that everything would be in perfect order, he had his doubts about that one.

He chuckled to him self, maybe Mrs. Lovett would come upstairs. That would sure be a treat. Both of them, Together, In one room. Something would surely go wrong.

[Sweeney Todd]

"Of course sir, take your time."


Sweeney stood to the side and observed as the Beadle looked around his shop. He kept his razors in hand, in case the Beadle tried anything.

"See, just as I said, everything in perfect order. I am afraid though, that you may have to come back later if you would like to look around the bakehouse. Mrs. Lovett is out, and does not like visitors unless she is present."

He walked over to the barber shop door and stood in front of it, to assure that the Beadle would not venture down stairs.

[Beadle Bamford]

Unfortunately the Beadle found nothing wrong in the shop. Not even a spec of dust. He saw the trunk that sat right behind the door if it were to be open and took a look inside. Then, Oh yes, that's when he started to get suspicious. There was blood inside of the trunk, lot's of it actually.

He looked over at the barber. "Mr. Todd" He paused. "Can you explain all this blood?" He said, pointing in the trunk. "There is an awful lot of it."

Continuting to scan the place more carefully he noticed the broken mirror. "As well as this broken mirror Mr. Todd?" He thought for a moment. "This could be hazardous, you do know that right?"

Hearing that Mrs. Lovett was not in at the moment, he became suspicious to where she was. He thought she would surly be in making pies becuase it is close to the dinner hour. "She's out? This close to supper?" He said, curiosity filling in him with every word he spoke.

[Sweeney Todd]

Looking over at the chest, Sweeney walked over and joined the Beadle. He was puzzled by the Beadle's question.

"That? Oh, that has been there for a while, I am not exactly sure what it is from. Mrs. Lovett comes up here occasionally and I guess she stores things in there." He explained calmly. He was not the least bit worried about the Beadle's investigation. Sweeney walked over to his chair and sat down as the Beadle continued to walk around his shop.

"And that mirror... broken by Tobias when he was drunk. He fell backwards and into the mirror, I hadn't gotten around to cleaning it or replacing it yet. I am a very busy barber, as you can imagine." He smiled politely at the Beadle and began to give the illusion of being busy by cleaning his razor. After a few moments, he looked back up at the Beadle and addressed the issue of the baker downstairs "As for Mrs. Lovett, well she always goes out around this hour. She likes to get fresh ingredients right before dinner time, she is known for having the best and freshest ingredients in her pies. It helps keep her business prospering. Which benefits both her and I. I expect she will be back soon though sir, but please, while you wait, how about a shave? I would hate to have you walk downstairs and then have to come back up for a shave. It would be too much of a bother, don't you think?"
He got up from the chair and walked over to the Beadle.
"If you please, sit sir, sit. " He looked straight into the Beadles eyes and urged him to sit down.

[Beadle Bamford]

OOC-Gosh, I thought I had you (Also, how old IS Toby? The same age as in the movie?)

The beadle looked at Sweeney with a look mistrust. Seeing how Sweeney was giving him confusion. The story didn't line up on how that he doesn't know on how all that blood got there and Mrs. Lovett put things in there? He would definitely be asking her about that one. " He saw Sweeney sitting in his barber chair. He seemed pretty calm about this whole investigation. If there was something to be suspected then, he sure was hiding it well.

He heard him say that Toby was drunk and he broke the mirror. That confused him. Toby is just a kid. Why was he getting drunk enough to break a mirror. "Yes, sir, I understand that you are busy but, meanwhile, you might want to take care of it. Like...throw it away. I am sure you have enough spare time do just do that. Right Mr. Todd?"

About Mrs. Lovett, that was another topic he had to get to the bottom of. "Ah, I see sir." Apprehensively, he agreed to have a shave. "Well, if you do insist..." He rubbed his chin, it was a little stubbly. "I guess I haven't been keeping up on it." He said, setting his cane down next to where the barber put his hat.

Hesitantly he started sitting down in the chair. Still, he wasn't sure about this whole situation.

[Sweeney Todd]

OOC- Nope. Plus that would be all too easy for you and would make it difficult to continue the RP. And that is a very good question. You will have to ask the moderators on here, as I am not exactly sure which age range they want to use. I feel like if he is between 10-14 that is a good range. And are we supposed to call him Toby or Tobias? I prefer Tobias, but maybe that is because I have been watching the 1936 version lately.

He continued to inspect and clean his razor. His patience was wearing thin. 'The Beadle is now just wasting my time, he won't find anything here, I want him in my chair or out of my shop!' he thought to himself. With that, Sweeney looked up at the Beadle:

"Well? Are you done yet? You've certainly been taking your precious time with the inspection of my establishment. Might I ask, who sent you on this errand?"

He continued to look at the Beadle, as he still looked a bit confused. Perhaps it was what he said about Tobias.

"That young lad downstairs is never sober. From what I understand he has had a bit of a rough past. Or at least that is what Mrs. Lovett is always telling me. Although I think it is just her excuse to have taken him in and to keep me from putting him out on the streets again." He laughed a bit, amused with his comment.
From the moment Mrs. Lovett introduced Tobias to him, he did not like that boy at all. He was just a bother to keep around, just another person to watch over and feed, it was not worth his time to keep the boy around, after all the boy was not much of a help around the shop anyways. His drinking left him incompetent beyond belief. Perhaps he could find some use for the little boy, at least he could try to get Tobias to do some simple cleaning around the establishment.

"I will have Toby clean up the mirror for me. It will be gone the next time you come to visit, I assure you." He looked over at the mirror, recalling the time where his dear wife would stand in front of it and make herself ready for the evening's events. He remembers how he used to stand from behind and watch, admiring her gentle facial expressions and the confidence with which she held herself. As these thoughts flooded his head, he became silent and looked down at his razors, looking at his reflection, trying to re collect his thoughts. Perhaps getting rid of the mirror would help to rid him of these haunting memories...

He quickly re gathered his thoughts and proceeded to prepare to shave the Beadle.

"Excellent my friend, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed with my work. I can guarantee to give you the smoothest shave, you've ever known. No barber in London can compare. " He smiled slightly and walked behind the chair to prepare to shave. He quickly reached for the nearest smock and draped it over the Beadle. Sweeney then began to slowly strop his razor...

[Beadle Bamford]

OOC-Yeah yeah yeah, I like it easy on my part though.
As for the ending the RP quickly, I totally understand.
I posted a thread in the OOC discussion for the Admins all our questions about Toby. We should know soon

The beadle started to notice that Sweeney was getting angry. Oh well, he had a right to inspect the shop and he still was on edge about this whole getting a shave thing. "Yes sir, I am quite finished now. Thank you. I was not sent on this errand, I have just been looking around the local shops." He said, his voice questioning why he asked that.

"Ah I see. I am sorry to hear about your troubles Mr. Todd. I really have no say in the whole situation. That's yours and Mrs. Lovett's problem" He said with a chuckle.

"Good, I think that and the trunk was the major problems. I hope you see my reasoning with the mirror" He saw Sweeney looking intently at the mirror. It seemed out of the ordinary. Did he have some sort of connection with that mirror? He couldn't have. He hadn't been there that long. The beadle was starting to get suspicious again. "Mr. Todd, is everything alright?" He said, walking towards him.

"Why thank you. I will surly see for my self once you are finished. He looked at the smock and saw it was quite dirty. "You keep busy Mr. Todd? Haven't seen a barber around these places for a while. It must have been about 15 years ago there was a excellent barber and his wife but, as most people who remember, that is something to forget about." He said, while being shaved with the cold, silver blade.

[Sweeney Todd]

OOC- Yea, I can understand that. I like it fairly easy too, but I haven't found much to be challenging lately. I have gotten to know Sweeney pretty well, I almost have taken on his persona in real life so, that definitely helps.
OK, sounds great, I shall be keeping an eye on that thread as well to see what they say

He continued to watch the Beadle, but was relieved that he was finished.

"Very well, sir. I understand. Gotta keep an eye on all the Londoners, eh? They aren't very trust worthy I guess. Not all of them can maintain their establishments as well as me and Mrs. Lovett huh?." He smiled and looked towards the Beadle, in hopes that he would agree.

"Yes, I guess so. Well I plan on taking more advantage of the little boy's presence, maybe then I won't see him as so much of a bother." He shrugged and dismissed the subject.

"Well I will sort out the trunk problem upon your latter return as well, sir. And of course I understand, wouldn't want a customer to cut themselves on the broken pieces I guess. The doctors around here aren't exactly known for keeping people alive." He diverted his attention from the mirror and moved towards the window. He looked out the window and onto the pedestrians down below. "I am quite alright sir, thanks for asking. Just been thinking, and observing potential customers down below. You know, surveying the locals.".
He moved away from the window and back towards the barber's chair where he continued to strop his razor. He then carefully set the razor aside and grabbed the mug of warm lather that he had prepared. With a few quick strokes of the brush he effectively covered the Beadle's face with the white foam. He wiped off his razor before beginning to shave.

"Yes, I do keep myself quite busy, I have quite a list of clientele." He then proceeded to shave the Beadle. Taking care to allow his razor to pass smoothly upon the man's cheek. He took long, even, gentle strokes with his razor, allowing it to glide smoothly across the natural form of the Beadle's face. Sweeney kept his concentration as he continued the conversation:

"Oh? Well I have been here in London for quite some time. I just recently re located to this establishment. I was off on Drury Lane, near the Somerset House for a couple of years, but never got as much business as I do right here on Fleet Street. So I am quite happy that I switched locations." After finishing the right side of the Beadle's face, he brought his attention to the other side, and again allowed his razor to travel swiftly across the form of the Beadle's face.

"This barber you speak of, was he a part of this establishment? What happened to him?" Sweeney decided to be careful with the way he phrased his questions, he just wanted to know just what the Beadle may have known about his past.

[Beadle Bamford]

OOC- Hahaha yeah. I haven't found much of a challenge yet either. At least on this site. Also, by taking on his persona I hope you mean the moody and quietness and not slitting throats and making people into meat pies.

"Yes, Indeed sir. I am glad to see that you keep your establishment tidy. I have seen some pretty...disturbing things today. I cannot say yet about Mrs. Lovett sir because she isn't here and I cannot see it apparently." He said. Meanwhile he was thinking that Mrs. Lovett's place should be kept up. Also, he would have to ask her about the trunk and go down in to the bake house of course.

"Hopefuly. And you have to do what you have to do. As long as it's all just. As you know, justice must be served. Right Mr. Todd?" He said, waiting for a reply.

"Yeah, I know what you mean about them doctors. Don't they need to have some sort of...you know, intelligence?" He said with a chuckle and then relizied who he was talking to. He looked up at the man that was now looking out the window. Yes, I know exactly what you mean. People gazing. Not much to do now a days. Espically for someone like me. I mean espically with Turpin out of town. I just have to babysit Johanna"

As soon as those words when through his mind he thought about the girl. Hopefuly she was alright. If anything happened to her Turpin would never forgive him. "You are welcome, sir."

He felt the nice warm lather upon his face. It felt nice yet kept him on edge. The cold, sliver blade felt nice on the warm lather. Maybe this wont be so bad after all, he thought.

"It makes more sense that you would get more business here. I can see why you didn't get much business there. Glad you moved here" The beadle said, turning his face with the razor blade.

"Oh yes, he was a most accomplished barber too. Benjamin Barker his name was if I do remember correctly. He was sent to life in prision. No one has seen him around for years. I don't think he would show his face anyways around here. Why do you ask, Mr. Todd?" He said.

[Sweeney Todd]

OOC- no, not up to slitting throats, yet. Although I have considered it, I am not going to lie.

"I see, well when she does get here, I will be sure to let you know. She might come here within the hour, you might be lucky and run into her after your shave." He said, hoping the Beadle wouldn't give Mrs. Lovett too much trouble, and certainly not inspect her bakehouse as carefully as he did for Sweeney. As Sweeney very well knew that Mrs. Lovett was not as skilled at keeping calm when the law was present as he was.

"Right, sir, very right. Justice definitely, must....be served." He smiled slightly, amused with his comment.

"Well apparently not, the doctors around here seem to be nothing more but mere tradesmen, brought up and taught by their fathers. I generally don't bother with them, they are just a waste of time." He continued to observe the pedestrians down below. "Turpin is out of town?" He turned around and faced the Beadle, somewhat interested with this news. "Why so?" He shrugged, realizing that the reason was not that important. However he saw this as a great opportunity to finally have an honored guest at his establishment "Well, when he returns I guess I will have to treat him to a complimentary shave." He smiled again, pleased with the idea of the Honorable Judge Turpin gracing his barber shop with his presence.

Sweeney finished the left side and proceeded to bring his attention to the Beadle's neck.

"Well thank you sir, I am finding the clientele to be very abundant here, my business is definitely prospering."

The Beadle's answer to his question brought back painful memories. Sweeney became slightly uneasy and his hand began to shake. The second pass of the razor over the Beadle's throat was not as light as the last, and somehow the angle of the razor had not been set as precisely as it was before, causing the razor to scrape the skin on his throat, drawing a bit of blood...

[Beadle Bamford]

“Yes. I will be sure to inspect her shop and bake house when you are done with this shave.” He said, even if she is busy, he will inspect everything today. He had every right to so, why not?
“Ah yes, Indeed Mr. Todd, very true. Justice will be served no matter what the circumstances are.” He looked confused when Sweeney smiled. He didn’t think the man was capable of it. “Is, uh, Everything alright Mr. Todd?
“Yes, I would seem so. He got called away for an out of town trial. He should be back next week.” He said, addressing the Turpin issue and dismissing the doctor issue. “I am sure Turpin would be delighted to have a complimentary shave when he returns”
“Sir, Is everything okay?” He said when he saw Sweeney’s hand shake. “Why does that bother you so much?” Now the Beadle was getting suspicious. “OW!” He said when Sweeney cut him. He Immediately stood up. “Explain this…Mr. Todd”