Once: Pilot Script

Act 2

HENRY
Uh huh.

16.

EMMA
Well, alrighty. Let's get you back to Storybrooke.

And as Henry SMILES, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, we CUT TO --

OMITTED

EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT

EMMA. Driving a yellow '69 VW Bug. Heading down the highway between Boston and Maine. Her face says it all. She can't believe this is happening as we reveal a fidgety Henry --

HENRY
I'm hungry. Wanna stop somewhere?

EMMA
This isn't a road trip. We're not getting snacks. We're not singing songs and we're not playing I-Spy.

HENRY
Why not?

EMMA
Quit complaining, kid. You know I could've put your butt on a bus... Still could happen.

HENRY
Nah. You'd be too afraid something would happen to me.

EMMA
(mutters to herself)
Don't be so sure, kid.

HENRY
You know I have a name. It's Henry.

Emma nods, just drives in silence. Henry sees he isn't getting a response, so he takes out his BOOK, opens it to a picture of Snow and Charming. Emma notices the OLD TOME.

EMMA
What's that -- ?

HENRY
(looks up; CAUTIOUS --)
If I told you -- you wouldn't believe me.

17.

EMMA
Why not?

HENRY
I'm not sure you're ready.

Emma looks over his shoulder, glimpses SNOW and CHARMING --

EMMA
Ready for some fairy tales?

HENRY
(SERIOUS now --)
They're not fairy tales. They're real. Every story in this book is true. They actually happened.

EMMA
Of course they did.

HENRY
Use your "super power" and see if I'm lying.

Emma looks at him. Shit. He does seem awfully CONVINCED.

EMMA
Just because you believe something don't make it true.

HENRY
That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone.

EMMA
Why's that?

HENRY
Because you're in this book.

EMMA
(shoots him a look --)
Kid, you've got problems.

HENRY
Yup. And you're gonna fix them.

Emma just shakes her head. Turns up the music on the RADIO. Henry shrugs. Returns to his book, which WE PUSH INTO --

18.

INT. DUNGEON - JAILER'S OFFICE - FAIRY TALE LAND

The "office" of the JAILER. The same man we saw in the cell block earlier. He once again wears a hooded robe and looks distressed as he greets Snow and Charming.

JAILER
M'lord, M'lady. In good conscience I must advise against this.

SNOW
Your objection is noted.

Her meaning is clear. Whatever they're here for, they're DOING. He hands over TWO HOODED ROBES.

JAILER
Put these on. We can't have him see your faces.

SNOW
Why not?

JAILER
We must take every precaution. The first line of defense is anonymity.