Once: Pilot Script

Act 5

ACT FIVE

EXT. RENAISSANCE PLAYGROUND - STORYBROOKE - DAY

ON THE SPIRE of a CRAPPY PLASTIC CASTLE. WIDEN TO reveal we're in a shitty renaissance playground. FIND Emma. With the STORY BOOK, shaking her head. Oh. This is what Mary Margaret meant. Emma climbs up the jungle gym stairs to --

THE TOP. HENRY sits alone. Staring out into the town and the CLOCK TOWER. Henry turns to see Emma arrive, then wordlessly turns back to stare at the clock tower. Emma settles down beside him. BEAT. She slides over the book.

EMMA
You "left" this in my car.

Henry takes it, but keeps staring. Emma sees the CLOCK.

EMMA
Still hasn't moved, huh?

HENRY
I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here. That it would move again. That... the final battle would begin.

EMMA
Kid, I'm not fighting any battles.

HENRY
Yes you are. It's your destiny. You're gonna bring back the happy endings.

EMMA
C'mon -- cut it with the book crap. It's enough already.

HENRY
You don't have to be hostile. You like me. I can tell. You're just pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. But it's okay.
(then; sweetly --)
I know why you gave me away.

That stops her. He looks at her now, gently. Forgiving.

50.

HENRY
You wanted to give me my best chance.

Hearing those words AFFECTS Emma. Her tough veneer cracks. Because he's RIGHT. Her eyes WELL UP.

HENRY
Told you everybody cries.

EMMA
How... how do you know that...?

HENRY
Because it's the same reason Snow White gave you away.

And Emma shakes it off. Remembers what she's dealing with.

EMMA
Let me tell you something, kid, I'm not in any book. I'm a real person. And I'm no savior. But you are right about one thing. I wanted you to have your best chance. And it ain't with me. Come on, I gotta get you home.

HENRY
Please don't Just stay here with me. For one week. That's all I ask. You'll see I'm not crazy.

EMMA
I have to bring you back to your mother.

HENRY
You don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks.

EMMA
You wanna know what sucking is? It's being left abandoned on a freeway. My parents didn't even think to drop me at a hospital. Then I found my way into the foster system. I was with a family until I was three. Until they had their own kid. So they sent me back. I bounced around from family to family until I was sixteen and could be on my own.

(MORE)

51.

EMMA
Of course by then I realized I'd always been on my own.
(shakes off the past --)
Look. Your mom's trying her best.

EMMA (cont'd) It's hard. And you may not think she loves you... (beat) But at least she wants you.

Henry absorbs this incredibly heartfelt soul baring. But --

HENRY
Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway. That's just where you came through.

EMMA
...What?

HENRY
The wardrobe. When you went through the wardrobe you appeared in the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse.

And now Emma gives up as she rises. Takes his hand.