In a Crowd of Thousands

01

Henry got off the bus and found a taxi. He knocked on the window and asked, "Uh... You take credit cards?"

The taxi driver took the credit card. "Where to, chief?"

AN UPSCALE RESTAURANT

Emma Swan arrived and walked through the restaurant. She came to Ryan's table. He stood and extended his hand.

"Emma," Ryan said.

"Ryan?" Emma guessed. "You look relieved."

"Well, it is the Internet. Pictures can be..."

"Fake. Out-dated. Stolen from the Victoria's Secret catalogue. So..."

"So... tell me something about yourself, Emma."

"Oh... Uh, well, today's my birthday."

"And you're spending it with me? What about your friends?"

"Kind of a loner."

"And... you don't like your family?"

"No family to like."

"Aw. Come on, everyone has family."

"Technically, yeah, but not everyone knows who they are. Ready to run yet?"

"Oh, not a chance. You, Emma, are, by far, the sexiest friendless orphan that I have ever met."

"Okay! Your turn. No, wait, let me guess. Um... you are handsome, charming..."

"Go on."

"The kind of guy who... and now, stop me if I get this wrong, embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your ass in jail."

"What?"

"And the worst part of all this is your wife. Your wife loves you so much that she bailed you out, and how do you repay that loyalty? You're on a date."

"Who are you?"

"The chick who put up the rest of the money.

"The bails bondsman."

"Bail bondsperson." Ryan flipped the table and ran out of the restaurant, out into the street and to his car. Emma walked calmly after him. Ryan got into his car and started it, but it went nowhere. He opened the door to discover that his car had been booted. Emma walked up.

"You don't have to do this, okay? I can pay you, I've got money."

"No you don't. And if you did you should give it to your wife and take care of your family."

"The hell do you know about family, huh?"

She slammed his head against the steering wheel. "Nothing."

EMMA'S APARTMENT

Emma came in with a bag and placed it on the counter. She took a gourmet cupcake out of it and put a candle on it, lighting it before saying, "Another banner year..." She closed her eyes and blew out the candle. The doorbell rang.

She opening the door to find Henry standing in the hallway. "Uh... can I help you?"

"Are you Emma Swan?" Henry questioned.

"Yeah. Who are you?"

"My name's Henry. I'm your son."

Henry pushed past Emma to get inside.

"Whoa!" Emma cried. "Hey, kid! Kid! Kid! I don't have a son! Where are your parents?"

"Ten years ago. Did you give a baby up for adoption? That was me."