Once: Pilot Script

Act 2

ACT TWO

INT. CASTLE - NURSERY - FAIRY TALE LAND

ON a UNICORN. Glass. Exquisitely crafted. On a wire. Twirling. WIDEN TO a DWARF. Simple face. Never speaks. DOPEY. He's on a step ladder, hanging a UNICORN MOBILE in the middle of a beautiful and elaborate NURSERY. The home every child dreams of. At the base of the ladder, holding it steady, is GRUMPY. And he's barking orders at DOPEY.

GRUMPY
To the right! The RIGHT!

Dopey adjusts the MOBILE, moving it to... the left.

GRUMPY
My right. Don't push me, Dopey.

REVEAL at the window a quite distracted SNOW WHITE. Only now with a noticeable baby bump. Yep, she's PREGNANT -- six months in. She holds a small BLUEBIRD in her hand, barely paying attention as she numbly lets the bird FLY AWAY. Another voice pipes in.

CHARMING (O.S.)
Fellows, would you give us a moment, please?

The dwarves quickly exit as Charming enters, joining Snow by the window. He gently puts his hand on hers --

CHARMING
What's wrong?

SNOW
Nothing.

But he knows her far too well to buy THAT.

CHARMING
You're thinking about what the Queen said again, aren't you?
(her silence answers him)
Snow, please... I can't keep having this conversation. You have to let it go. We're about to have a baby.

Snow shakes her head, knows he's right, but is still worried.

12.

SNOW
I haven't had a restful night since the wedding.

CHARMING
That's what she wants. To get in your head. But they were just words. She can't hurt us.

SNOW
She poisoned an apple because she thought I was prettier than her. You have no idea of what she's capable of.

CHARMING
I saw you in that coffin... I've got a pretty good idea.

SNOW
Then maybe we should stop ignoring her.

CHARMING
What can I do to ease your mind?

Snow looks him in the eye. She's been thinking about this.

SNOW
Let me talk to him.

BEAT. The music kicks in... OMINOUS.

CHARMING SNOW
Him. You don't mean -- ? I do.

Yep, they mean the laughing maniac from the dungeon.

CHARMING
No. It's too dangerous.

SNOW
He sees the future.

CHARMING
There's a reason he's locked up

SNOW
Can you promise our child will be safe? Can you guarantee it?
(Charming's eyes drop)
Well he can.

13.

CHARMING
(beat; then --)
Alright. For our child.

OFF CHARMING, considering their CHILD'S FUTURE -- CUT TO --

INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - BOSTON

HENRY saunters by Emma, who stands in the doorway. Absolutely FUCKING STUNNED. As Henry takes in the place --

EMMA
Um -- kid? I don't have a son. Where are your parents?

HENRY
Ten years ago, did you give up a baby for adoption?