I Knew You liked Piano (Sweeney Todd)

*Author’s note – I always saw Mrs. Lovett as sort of ADD. She always is moving, talking, and that she can’t hold down a thought. By the Sea, Times is hard, I love Sweeney, By the Sea, Times is hard, I love Sweeney*1

I’ve always wanted to be like you, Mr. T. I know that you’ve been gone for 15 years, and now you’re Sweeney, but I’ve wanted to be like you since I met you. The second time.2

I wanted everything. To be your wife, companion, be your friend. I wanted to be able to hold down a thought. To be able to sit still, to think before I acted. Like you. I wanted to be loved by you.3

So I helped you. I made your pies, cleaned your floors, helped your plan along; I tried so hard to hold thoughts, stay at one task, Make a goal and stick to it. I even tried to be fierce, calm, brooding. Of course, that wasn’t so easy. I did learn to play the piano. Do you like the piano, Mr. T? Toby says I can play very well.4

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t keep up with you. You always walked faster, took bigger steps, left me behind. I needed you, wanted you, loved you. But you ignore me. I’ve decided to move on.5

I remember this one time, last winter, I think, we got into a fight. As per usual. I ran out to the park and It was cold out. I never really felt the cold until I saw a group of beggars huddled around a fire. I felt freezing then. But you brought me my jacket, called be a bloody wonder, and realized you couldn’t find your way back alone. You needed me.6

But don’t you always? You needed help with the customers, help to clean up. You needed me to act strong, to keep yourself from sinking all the way in. I was happy to oblige. You were like a child. A small lost child, trying to find his way home.7

So I helped you. I was a steady, cheerful presence. The kind that doesn’t go away when you open your eyes. It was so strange at first. You ignored me, but you always needed me, wanted me.8

After a while, we both realized that we needed each other. You needed me for work and sanity, I needed you for company and sanity. We were two of a kind Mr. T.9

I made you a promise, Mr. Todd. A promise to take you away after this was all sorted out. I’ll keep my promise; only, I’ll leave you once I’ll take you away. We’ll go to America. They’re really excepting over there. I’m sure you can find somebody to love you like I did.10

Like I do. 11

If you ask me too, I suppose I’d stay with you. I’d live with you forever. Keep you sane. Love you forever and ever. But only if you ask me to. I’m getting tired of waiting, Mr. T.12

I could be so valuable to you. I work hard, I’m loyal. You know I could help; I do it all the time. What difference would it make if I do the same work somewhere else?13

I’m so lonely, Mr. T. I’ve no company, but Toby, and Toby’s growing up, he’s quite the lady’s man. 14

I want company, Mr. T, Friends. Of course, you won’t let anyone get close enough for that. I could grow to hate you, Mr. Todd.15

I suppose from the outside you can’t tell. I’m always happy, always busy doing this and that, always working and looking satisfied. But I’m not, Mr. T.16

3 years later17

I didn’t know then that you had thought past killing the Judge. You had chosen me and a life by the sea. It was amazing, the feeling I got when you announced that Toby, you and I were moving to the sea. I loved the look of confusion on your face, almost like you weren’t quite sure what you were doing. I love you, Mr. T, and I’m glad you love me, too.18

~Nellie Lovett19

P.S. I knew you liked Piano.20