Once: Pilot Script

Act 2

As they put the ROBES on over their clothes, the jailer pulls up his own hood, obscuring his face, as he explains --

JAILER
When we approach the cell, stay out of the light. And whatever you do, do not let him know your name.
(ominous)
If he knows your name, he will have power over you.

CHARMING
(turns to Snow --)
Why did I let you talk me into this?

SNOW
Because you love me.

CHARMING
My fatal flaw.

19.

JAILER
He is right to be wary. None have been filled with more regret than those who have spoken to Rumplestiltskin.

And now we know who they're going to see... RUMPLESTILTSKIN. Snow is undeterred. She steps forward as we GO TO --

INT. DUNGEON - FAIRY TALE LAND

INKY BLACKNESS. A CLANKING SOUND. Like a MASSIVE LOCK being turned. Ancient wood creaks as moonlight spills in and we see we're back in that dark, dank hallway.

TORCHLIGHTS enter. Illuminating the narrow cobblestone passageway beneath the castle. Charming steps in, Snow at his side. They move through the long hallway, escorted by the jailer.

They reach a JAIL CELL at the end of the hall. Bathed in darkness except for a ribbon of MOON LIGHT that streams in from a lone window. The ribbon of light forms a dividing line outside the cell, where Snow and Charming wait.

JAILER
Rumplestiltskin. I have a question for you.

An eerie, deranged, VOICE speaks out of the darkness.

VOICE (O.S.)
No you don't.

From behind the bar, a FIGURE steps forward into the LIGHT, revealing RUMPLESTILTSKIN. Gnomish, intense, and CRAZY.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
They do. Snow White. Prince Charming. You insult me. Step into the light and take off those ridiculous robes.

Shit. Snow and Charming step forward. Lower their hoods.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
Ah, much better.

CHARMING RUMPLESTILTSKIN
We need to ask you about -- -- Yes, yes, yes. I know why you're here.

20.

Rumple leaps up to his feet with surprising agility. Slinks to the bars. Snow recoils. Charming steps in front of her.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
It's about the Queen's threat. You wish to know if it's empty, yes?

CHARMING
(to Jailer)
Who told him?

JAILER
No one, Your Highness... I swear it.

SNOW
(doesn't care, steps up)
Tell us what you know.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
Aren't we tense? Fear not, for I can ease your mind... But it will cost you something in return.

CHARMING
No. You're never getting out of here.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
Out!?! OUT? It's too late for that. What I want -- what I need -- is something for a rainy day.

CHARMING
This is a waste of time --

But Snow is determined. Stares right at Rumple.

SNOW
What do you want?

Rumple grins -- the bait is taken.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
The name of your unborn child.

CHARMING
Absolutely
(fucking)
not!

SNOW
(not fucking around)
Deal. Now tell us.

21.

Charming shoots her a look as Rumple leans up as close to the bars as he can get. Presses his face between the narrow slit. Bares his blackened, jagged teeth as he speaks --

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
The queen has created a powerful curse. And it's coming. It won't just affect this land. It will touch all the lands... Soon you'll all be in a prison. Just like me. Only worse. Your prison -- all of our prisons -- will be time.

CHARMING
He speaks nonsense.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
If only it were nonsense. Time will stop and we will all be trapped. Suffering for eternity as the Queen celebrates. Victorious at last.
(beat; sinister)
No more happy endings.

SNOW
What... can we do?

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
We can't do anything.

SNOW
Then who can?

Rumple reaches his hand through the bars. His long, dirty, fingernails heading for Snow's STOMACH --

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
That little thing growing inside your belly.

Charming SWATS his hand back with the butt of his sword.

CHARMING
Next time I cut it off.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
Your infant is our only hope. Get the child to safety and...

Rumple CLOSES his EYES. CONCENTRATES HARD. Sweat pouring.

22.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
...and... on its twenty-eighth birthday... the child will return. The child will find you and...

Rumple's eyes FLY OPEN. Bloodshot and insane.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
The final battle will begin.

Let that sink in. Digest it. Believe it. Charming scowls.

CHARMING
I've heard enough, we're leaving.

He pulls Snow away. Rumple starts bouncing up and down.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
Our deal! We had a deal! Her name! I neeeeeeeed her naaaaaaaaaame!

Charming stops short, shakes his head.

CHARMING
Her? It's going to be a boy.

Rumple ignores him, stares at Snow.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN
Missy, you know I'm right. Now tell me. What's her name?

Charming pulls Snow down the hall, but she stops. Holds her belly. And deep down she does know he's right. She stares at Rumple and answers --

SNOW
Emma. Her name is Emma.

Rumple grins. Licks his lips. Malevolence in his eyes. He's got what he wants. And as Snow can't help but feel she's just sold her child's soul to the devil -- SMASH TO --

INT. EMMA'S CAR - HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Emma. Driving down the dark highway. Henry sits with his book. ON a PICTURE of Snow and Rumple.

EMMA
You really dig that book, huh?

He closes the book, looks up out the window, and SMILES.

23.

EMMA
What're you grinning about?

Henry's smile widens even further. As if he alone possesses a secret he is just ITCHING to share. And then, JOYFUL --

HENRY
We're here.

OUTSIDE -- ON THE HIGHWAY. The car WHIZZES by. CAMERA HOLDS ON -- a sign by the edge of the road. Wooden and old:

"Welcome To Storybrooke"

END OF ACT TWO