𝓞𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓤𝓹𝓸𝓷 𝓐 𝓣𝓲𝓶𝓮

3x22 There's No Place Like Home

SCENE: Past, the year 2001. Land Without Magic. Portland. A deserted amusement park. A young Emma Swan is waiting for someone. After a while, Neal Cassidy approaches her carrying one coffee to go in each hand, and Olivia Cassidy behind him with her own coffee.

Emma: You said you owed me a drink. I thought we'll meet in a place like a bar. A restaurant. Or someplace - you know - with chairs.

Neal: Patience. I've got something better in mind. Here. Hold this. (He hands Emma his coffee. Neal kneels down. Using a wire he opens the locked door. Emma watches him.)

Emma: What the hell are you doing?

Olivia: Tumblers. It's all about the tumblers. (Neal succeeds. He opens the door.) Come on. It's worth it. I promise. (They enter. Neal switches on the carousel's lights.) What did I tell you?

Emma: Yeah, alright. It's pretty cool.

Neal: Come on. Hop on. (Emma sits down. Neal takes a seat in front of her and Olivia sits next to her.)

Emma: So, what's both of your story, Neal and Olivia?

Olivia: That's an interesting choice of words. "Our story" is that we left a screwed-up situation and that kind of screwed us up.

Emma: Crappy home life? I get that.

Neal: Nah, it wasn't always. It- That's the problem. It was really great once.

Emma: So, why don't you go back to try and fix it?

Olivia: We can't really go back. It's our father.

Emma: Bad guy?

Neal: Not at first. But he changed. That's when things got really crazy. But before that? It was home. It was nice. That's how you know you've really got a home: When you leave it, there's that feeling that you can't shake. You just miss it.

SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past. The Evil Queen's palace. The dungeon. A guard pushes Emma roughly into a cell and locks the door behind her. An imprisoned woman speaks up to Emma.

Woman: Are you alright?

Emma: Yeah, I think so. Thanks. I'm Leia.

Woman: I wish I could say, it was nice to meet you.

Emma: Yeah, but under the circumstances, I get it. What's your name?

Woman: I dare not speak in here. The Queen doesn't know who I am. My silence is the only thing keeping my family safe.

Emma: She's pretty ruthless, huh? Here. (Through the bars Emma hands the prisoner a roll.) Are you hungry? I swiped it off a food tray on my way down. (The prisoner stands up and takes the roll. The woman notices Emma's surprised look.)

Woman: What? What is it?

Emma: I saw you in the village. With the Queen. I wanted to help but-

Woman: It's alright. If you had tried to free me you'd just ended up in here a day sooner.

Emma: What did she put you in here for?

Woman: I knew where Snow White and Rafael were hiding. But I refused to tell the Queen.

Emma: You gave up your freedom to ensure Snow White and Rafael's?

Woman: (nods) Yeah. I believe they to be innocent.

Emma: How long are you in for?

Woman: Same as you. Just one more night.

Emma: Really? One night? Why? Is Regina going soft?