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This page is the transcript for "Desperate Souls". Feel free to correct any errors. If you need any help, please see our policies.
SCENE: Enchanted Forest. Past. Rumplestiltskin spinning. Baelfire entering.

Baelfire: Papa, Papa! They've come for Morraine. (Rumplestiltskin grabs his crane and he and Baelfire leave the tent)
Morraine's Father: No! No! Please!
Morraine's Mother: (sobbing) No! No! No!
Morraine's Father: No. No. Please! Please!
Morraine's Mother: No. Don't take her! No. You can't take her. She's my baby. Don't take my baby.
Hordor: Nonsense. She is a fine, strong girl. She'll make a fine soldier.
Morraine's Father: It's a mistake. She's turning fourteen. ONLY FOURTEEN.
Hordor: AT THE ORDERS OF THE DUKE! The Ogre Wars have taken their toll this season. More troops will turn the tie.
Baelfire: They lowered the age again, Papa.
Rumplestiltskin: I know.
Hordor: Take her. She'll ride with me.
Morraine's Mother: No!
Morraine's Father: No, you can't have her.
(Morraine's Mother tries to attack Hordor with a knife. The Dark One strangles her and the father using magic. She is forced to stop.)
Hordor: The Dark One seems to think I can. (He and Morraine leave on horseback)
Baelfire: My birthday is in three days. They'll come for me in three days.
Rumplestiltskin: We'll find a way. We'll find a way. (putting a protective arm around Baelfire)
Morraine's Mother: (whines) No!


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Mr. Gold's shop. Door bell rings. Emma Swan enters.

Emma: Gold? In here?
Mr. Gold: (to himself) Well, it is my shop...
(Emma enters the back of Gold's shop. She smells something unpleasant.).
Emma: Whoa! What is that?
Mr. Gold: Now, this is lanolin used for waterproofing.
Emma: Smells like livestock.
Mr. Gold: Well, it is the reason why sheep's pelt repel water.
Emma: It stinks! Uhm. If there was a reason why you called the Sheriff's department. If you wanna talk about that quickly or... outside.
Mr. Gold: Yes. (stands up, coming around his table) I just wanted to express my condolences, really. The sheriff was a good man. You're still wearing the deputy's badge? (Emma looks down surprised.) Well, he's been gone for two weeks now. And I believe after two weeks of acting as sheriff the job becomes yours. You'll have to wear the real badge.
Emma: Yeah, I guess... I'm just not in a hurry. So, uhm... thank you for the kind words. (prepares to leave the shop.)
Mr. Gold: (following) I have his things.
Emma: (turning around startled) What?
Mr. Gold: The sheriff. He rented an apartment that I own. Another reason for my call really, I wanted to offer you a keepsake.
Emma: I don't need anything.
Mr. Gold: As you wish. I'll give them to Mayor Mills. Seems like she was the closest thing he had to family.
Emma: Not sure about that.
Mr. Gold: No love lost there, I see. Look, I feel that all of this stuff is heading directly for the trash bin. You really should take something. Look! (picks up the Sheriff's jacket) His jacket?
Emma: (shaking her head) No.
Mr. Gold: LOOK. (shuffles through the stuff bringing a radio set to light) Your boy might like these, don't you think? You could play together.
Emma: (shakes her head again) I don't...
Mr. Gold: No, please. They grow up so fast.
Emma: (taking them) Thanks.
Mr. Gold: You enjoy these with your boy. The time together is precious, you know. (Emma looking at him questionably) That's the thing about children: Before you know it, you lose them.


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Henry's Castle. Emma approaching Henry.

Emma: Brought you something. Thought we could use them together for Operation Cobra. (sitting down beside him)
Henry Mills: (upset) Thanks. (Emma nudging Henry with her shoulder.)
Emma: Oh, come on. What's up? You've been ducking me for weeks.
Henry: I think we should stop Cobra stuff for a while. You don't play with the curse. Look what happened to Graham.
Emma: Henry, I told you they did an autopsy. It was totally natural causes.
Henry: Okay, whatever! You don't believe? Good. That should keep you from messing with it. And getting killed.
Emma: You're worried about me?
Henry: She killed Graham because he was good. And you're good.
Emma: Henry.
Henry: Good loses. Good always loses. Because good has to play fair. Evil doesn't. She's evil. This is probably best. I don't wanna upset her any more. (hands back the radio set to Emma and leaves the playground castle.)


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Sheriff Department. Emma is about to attach the sheriff's badge to her jacket. Regina Mills enters the office.

Regina: (standing in the door) Oh, I'm sorry. (with emphasis) That's not for you.
Emma: It's been two weeks. Promotion is automatic.
Regina: Unless the mayor appoints someone else within the time period. Which I'm doing today.
Emma: So who's it gonna be?
Regina: After due reflection: Sidney Glass.
Emma: Sidney from the newspaper? How does that even make sense?
Regina: Well, he's covered the Sheriff's office for as long as anyone can remember.
Emma: And he'll do whatever you want him to. You just cannot stand the fact that things have been getting better around here, can you?
Regina: Better? Are you referring to Graham's death as "better"?
Emma: (in a low voice) No.
Regina: (raises her voice) He was a good man, Miss Swan. He made this town safe. And, forgive me for saying this, you have not earned the right of wearing his badge.
Emma: Graham picked me to be deputy.
Regina: He was wrong.
Emma: No, he knew what he was doing. He freed this office from your leash. You're not getting it back.
Regina: Actually - I just did. Miss Swan, you're fired. (takes the Sheriff's badge and leaves the office.)


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. The Blanchard loft. Loud music playing. There is a bottle of scotch on the kitchen table. Emma tries to repair the broken toaster. Mary Margaret enters, looks at Emma, walks in and switches the music off.

Mary Margaret: Toaster broken?
Emma: It wasn't when I started with it. Pretty sure it is now. I just needed to hit something.
Mary Margaret: What's going on?
Emma: Regina fired me so she can put one of her own puppets in as Sheriff. That's my job!
Mary Margaret: Never heard you so passionate about it before. What happened?
Emma: Oh, I just know I want it back.
Mary Margaret: There must be a reason.
Emma: Maybe... (Knocking on the door.) I just want to beat her. (Emma opens the door, facing Mr. Gold.)
Mr. Gold: Good evening, Miss Swan. Sorry for the intrusion, there's something I'd like to discuss with you.
Mary Margaret: I'll let you two talk. (leaves)
Emma: Come on in.
Mr. Gold: (enters) Thank you. I- I heard about what happened. Such an injustice.
Emma: Yeah. Well, what's done is done.
Mr. Gold: Spoken like a true fighter.
Emma: I know what chance I'll have. She's the mayor and I am - well - me.
Mr. Gold: Miss Swan, two people with a common goal can accomplish many things. Two people with a common enemy can accomplish even more. How would you like a benefactor?
Emma: A benefactor?
Mr. Gold: Do you mind? (sitting down at the kitchen table) You know, it really is quite shocking how few people study the town charter.
Emma: The town charter?
Mr. Gold: It's quite comprehensive on the mayor's authority. Or maybe she is not quite as powerful as she seems. (smiles slightly)


SCENE: Enchanted Forest. Past. Rumplestiltskin's home.

Rumplestiltskin: (approaching his sleeping son and trying to wake him up) Bae. Bae. Wake up, son. Come on. Wake up, son. We're going now. We're going now. Come on. Come on. (Baelfire wakes up and they leave the house)


SCENE: Enchanted Forest. Past. Rumplestiltskin and his son are walking in the woods.

Baelfire: It feels wrong to run away.
Rumplestiltskin: It's worse to die, son. I'm not having you taken away to the Ogre wars.
(They encounter a beggar along the path)
The Beggar: Alms for the poor? Alms for the poor?
Rumplestiltskin: Yes. (gives him a few coins, he and Baelfire move on.)
Baelfire: Are you sure there's no other way?
Rumplestiltskin: Oh, I can't lose you, Bae. You're all I've got left, son. You don't understand what war is like - what they do to you. (The sound of approaching horses becomes audible.) Quick, hide! In the ditch - hide. Go, go! Go!
Hordor: Stop right there! (Hordor and several riders on horseback surround Rumplestiltskin and his son.) What are you doing on the king's road?
Rumplestiltskin: We have some wool to sell at the fair at Longbourne.
Hordor: I know you, don't I?
(Hordor gets off his horse and walks up to Rumplestiltskin.)What was your name? Hm? Spindlehanks? Threadwhistle? Hobblefoot?
Baelfire: His name's Rumplestiltskin.'
Rumplestiltskin: Hush, boy!'
Hordor: Rumple- Ah, the man who ran. Is this your boy? How old is he? What's your name?'
Baelfire: I'm Baelfire and I'm thirteen.'
Hordor: When's your birthday?
Baelfire: In two days time.
Rumplestiltskin: Hush, boy!
Hordor:Did you teach him how to run as well, Rumplestiltskin? Did he tell you? Did he tell you how he ran and the ogres turned the tide of the battle, and all the others were killed, and he returned home to a wife who could not bear the sight of him?
Rumplestiltskin: Please...
Hordor: You see, women do not like to be married to cowards.
Rumplestiltskin: Please don't speak to my boy like that.
Hordor: It's treason to avoid service. Take the boy now.
Rumplestiltskin: No, no, no, no! What do you want?
Hordor: What do I want? You have no money, no influence, no land, no title, no power. The truth is, all you really have is fealty. Kiss my boot.
Rumplestiltskin: I don't understand-
Hordor: You asked my price. Kiss my boot.
Rumplestiltskin: Not in front of my boy.
Hordor: Kiss my boot!
(Rumplestiltskin gets on the ground and kisses Hordor's boot. Hordor, along with the other knights, laugh as he does so. Hordor then kicks Rumplestiltskin in the stomach and he falls to the ground.)
Baelfire: Papa!
(Hordor returns to his horse and the group leaves. Suddenly, someone is heard coming towards Rumplestiltskin and Baelfire. It turns out to be the beggar from earlier.)
Beggar: No, no, no! No! It's okay. Let me help you. Let me help you home.
Baelfire: Thank you, old man.
Rumplestiltskin:(The beggar helps Rumplestiltskin up.) I don't have any money to pay you.
Beggar: I can think of another way. You just leave me whatever you can spare, and I'll find a way to be your benefactor. Come.


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Town Hall. The Mayor's Office. Regina, Sidney Glass and several news reporters are present.

Regina: Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes. That's why Sidney Glass is my choice for post of Sheriff. This man has put the needs of Storybrooke above his own for as long as any of us can remember as chief editor of the Storybrooke Daily Mirror. Please welcome your new Sheriff! (She is about to attach The Sheriff's badge on Sidney's shirt when Emma enters)
Emma: Hang on a second.
Regina: Oh, Miss Swan, this is not appropriate.
Emma: The only thing not appropriate is this ceremony. She does not have the power to appoint him.
Regina: The town charter clearly states the Mayor shall appoint-
Emma: A candidate. You could appoint a candidate. It calls for an election.
Regina: The term "candidate" is applied loosely.
Emma: No, it's not. It requires a vote. And guess what, Madam Mayor? I'm running.
Regina: Fine. So is Sidney.
Sidney: I am? (Regina turns around and gives Sidney a look.) I am.
Regina: With my full support. I guess we'll learn a little something about the will of the people.
Emma: I guess we will.


SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past. Rumplestiltskin and the beggar sitting by the fire share some stew. Baelfire is asleep.

Rumplestiltskin: Another day gone. There'll be no fleeing, now.
Beggar: No. You need to find another way. You need to choose a different path.
Rumplestiltskin: Choose? What choice do I have?
Beggar: Everyone has a choice.
Rumplestiltskin: I'm the town coward. The only choice I have is which corner to hide in. I'm lame, friendless... The only thing I've got is my boy. And they're going to take him away from me. If they take him away, I would truly, truly become dust.
Beggar: Not if you have power.
Rumplestiltskin: You may as well say diamonds.
Beggar: Get a hold of yourself! Think. Why do you think that someone as powerful as the Dark One would work for a useless fool like the Duke of the Frontlands?
Rumplestiltskin: Tell me.
Beggar: The Duke has the Dark One in thrall. He's enslaved him with the power of a mystical dagger and on the blade is written a name – the true name of the Dark One. If you steal the dagger, then you would control the Dark One yourself. And then no one would be able to take your son away from you.
Rumplestiltskin: To keep a man like the Dark One as a slave? No, I... I-I can't. I'd be terrified.
Beggar: Then, perhaps, instead of controlling the power, you need to take it.


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Mr. Gold Pawnbroker and Antiquities Dealer. Sitting behind a desk Mr. Gold watches the flame of a lighter. Regina enters the shop and he puts the flame out.

Mr. Gold: Regina. (smiles. Regina flips the sign on the door to the "Closed" side. Mr. Gold stands up.) Shall I remove some things? Make a bit of space for your rage?
Regina:(walking towards him) You found that loophole in the town charter.
Mr. Gold: (walking over to a cabinet which contains the dagger) Legal documents – contracts, if you like. Always been a fascination of mine.
Regina: Yes, you love to trifle with technicalities.
Mr. Gold: (closing the cabinet's door.) I like small weapons, you see. The needle, the pen, (looking at Regina for a moment) the fine point of a deal. (Mr. Gold turns away again) Subtlety – not your style, I know.
Regina: You're a bastard.
Mr. Gold: (chuckles) I think your grief's getting the better of you, Regina. Shame what happened to Graham.
Regina: Don't you talk about him. You know nothing.
Mr. Gold: What is there to know? He died.
Regina: (facing Mr. Gold, standing at the one side of a cabinet, he's standing on the other side.) Are you really going up against me?
Mr. Gold: Not directly. We are, after all, both invested in the common good. We're just picking different sides.
Regina: Well, I think you picked a really slow horse this time. It's not like you to back a loser.
Mr. Gold: She hasn't lost yet.
Regina: She will.
Mr. Gold: Never underestimate someone who's acting for their child.
Regina: He's not her child. Not legally.
Mr. Gold: Oh, now who's trifling with technicalities?


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Granny's Diner. Henry is sitting in a booth, reading a Storybrooke Daily Mirror. Emma enters and sits next to him.

Emma: (nudges Henry) How was school?
Henry: Okay. (still focusing his attention on the newspaper's article)
Emma: You're reading that paper pretty hard.
Henry: Sidney wrote it. (Henry passes Emma the paper. On the front page, there is an article titled Ex-Jailbird – Emma Swan birthed babe behind bars.) Is it a lie?
Emma: No.
Henry: I was born in jail?
Emma: Yes. These records were supposed to be sealed. Tell me you're not scarred for life.
Henry: I'm not. Well, not by this.
Emma: Good. Then, let's throw this out and we will get our news from something more reliable. Like the internet.
Henry: This is what I've been trying to tell you – good can't be evil, because good doesn't do this kind of thing. My mom plays dirty – that's why you can't beat her. Ever.
Emma: I have a new ally. Mr. Gold said he's going to help.
Henry: Mr. Gold? He's even worse than she is. You already owe him one favor. You don't want to owe him any more. Don't do this.


Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Town Hall. Mayor's Office. Emma enters holding the newspaper in her hand.

Emma: This was a juvie record. This was sealed by court order. I don't know how you got it, but that's abuse of power and illegal.
Regina: (prepares to leave her office) Oh, I'm sorry. You didn't want people to know you cut his cord with a shiv?
Emma: I don't care what people know, but this hurts Henry.
Regina: He would've learned eventually. We all lose our heroes at some point. (Emma and Regina exit the office and walk through the building.)
Emma: He doesn't need to lose anything more. He's depressed, Madam Mayor. He doesn't have any... Any hope. Don't you see that?
Regina: He's fine. (Regina switches off the lights.)
Emma: He's not fine. I mean, think about it. Watching his adoptive mother throw an illegal smear campaign against his birth mother? You don't think that would be upsetting?
Regina: All I did was expose him to the truth. And as for the legality – I did nothing wrong. But you and Sidney will have a chance to get into all that at the debate.
Emma: (surprised ) Debate? (They walk down a staircase leading to the building's front door)
Regina: Yes, Miss Swan, there's a debate. You two can talk about jail time and juvie records and maybe even your new association with Mr. Gold. He's a snake, Miss Swan. You need to be careful who you get into bed with.
Emma: I'm not getting into bed with anyone. I'm just fighting fire with- (Regina opens the door and an explosion is set off, setting the next room on fire. Emma and Regina are thrown back from the blast. Regina's ankle is crushed by a piece of debris and is immobilized. Emma frees Regina.) Alright, come on – let's go! We got to get out of here.
Regina: I can't move! You have to get me out. Help me!


SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past. Baelfire and Rumplestiltskin are outside of their house. Rumplestiltskin winds wool up on short sticks made of wood. Baelfire soaks wool in hot sheep's fat.

Rumplestiltskin: Keep that fire good and stoked, Bae. The sheep's fat needs to be liquid and get that wool good and soaked.
Baelfire: Why are we doing this, Papa? This is good wool. We can spin and sell-
Rumplestiltskin: These are our keys to the castle, son. And once I'm inside there's something I have to take.
Baelfire: What do you need to take?
Rumplestiltskin: That old beggar? He told me a fine tale – about the Duke and his magical dagger.
Baelfire: What does it do?
Rumplestiltskin: If I own that dagger, I control the Dark One. (pantomimes stabbing someone with a dagger) If I kill the Dark One with the dagger, I take his powers.
Baelfire: By god's name.
Rumplestiltskin: (with excitement) Imagine me with those powers. Can you imagine me with those powers, Bae? I could get to redeem myself. I could turn it towards good. I'll save all the children of the Frontlands – not just you, my boy.
Baelfire: I'd love to see that, but if the law says I'm to fight, I... I can fight.
Rumplestiltskin: No, no, no! The law doesn't want you to fight, son. The law wants you to die. That's not battle – that's sacrifice, son. You look at that red in the sky. That's not the... The fires of the battlefields – that's the blood of our people, son. It's the blood of children. The blood of children like you. I mean, what sane person would want to get involved with that?
Baelfire: So, it's true.
Rumplestiltskin: What?
Baelfire: It's true. It's true you ran.
Rumplestiltskin: I had no choice, son.
Baelfire: And Mother? Did she leave you like the knight said? You told me she was dead.
Rumplestiltskin: (in a low voice) She is dead.
Baelfire: So, what do we need to do? (Rumplestiltskin kneels down beside him)
Rumplestiltskin: The Duke's castle is made of stone, but the floors and the rafters are made of wood.
Baelfire: Why does that matter?
Rumplestiltskin: Because wood burns.


SCENE. Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Town Hall. Mayor's Office. Emma and Regina are still in the burning house. Emma prepares to leave but Regina grabs her hand and stops Emma.

Regina: You're going to leave me, aren't you? (Emma doesn't answer Regina, breaks free from her grasps and leaves into the next room. Regina fails to get up on her own. With an fire extinguisher Emma is able to get the fire under control and clears the way to the exit. Emma supports Regina getting out of the house. Outside a reporter takes a picture of them and sirens can be heard.)
Regina: Oh, ow, ow! My ankle! Set me down gently!
Emma: Seriously? You're complaining about how I saved your life?
Regina: (fire engines approach the scene) The firemen are here. It's not like we were really in danger.
Emma: (starts walking away) Fine. Next time I'll just... I'll just... Ah, you know what? (turning to face Regina) Next time, I'll do the same thing. And the time after that because that is what decent human beings do. That's what good people do.
Henry: (talking to a firefighter in some distance) Did Emma really rescue my mom?
Regina: (She is on a stretcher with an oxygen mask, overhears Henry and throws off the mask in anger.) Enough!
Paramedic: Regina.
Regina: I'm fine.
Sidney: (runs up to Regina with a camera and takes a picture.) Nice shot of the victim?
Regina: Sidney? What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to hand this election to her?
Sidney: But it's news.
Regina: She's the competition, you fool.
(Emma and various people from town are talking in a group.)
Mary Margaret: Did you really rescue Regina?
Henry: She did! The fireman said it. They saw it.
Ruby: You are a hero.
Mary Margaret: We should see if they have a picture of the rescue.
Granny: We could make campaign posters.
Archie Hopper: (with excitement) Oh, people would love that! That's a great idea. Wait, so... (The group walks away, leaving Emma and Henry alone.)
Emma: (kneels down beside Henry) This is how good wins. You do something good and people see it, and then they want to help you.
Henry: Maybe you're right.
Emma: You see, Henry? We don't have to fight dirty. (Emma notices a piece of fabric similar to the one Mr. Gold was preparing earlier the day while they had their conversation.)


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Mr. Gold Pawnbroker & Antiquities Dealer. Gold stands in his shop. His hands are blackened with soot. Using a rag he wipes them clean. Emma enters the shop.

Mr. Gold: Loads of visitors today. (Emma slams the door behind her.) Do hope you're not going to break my little bell.
Emma: You set the fire.
Mr. Gold: I've been right here, Miss Swan.
Emma: (approaching him, holding the fabric in her hands) Take a whiff. It smells like your sheep crap oil. Turns out it's flammable.
Mr. Gold: Oh. Are you sure? There's some construction working on at City Hall at the moment. There's loads of flammable solvents used in construction.
Emma: Why did you do it?
Mr. Gold: (stops cleaning his hands and walks around his desk.) If I did it- If I did it that would be because you cannot win without something big. Something like, uh I don't know. Being the hero in a fire?
Emma: How could you even know I'd be there at the right time?
Mr. Gold: Regina's not the only one with eyes and ears in this town. Or maybe... I'm just intuitive where I involved.
Emma: I could've run and left her there.
Mr. Gold: Not the type.
Emma: I can't go along with this.
Mr. Gold: (gives Emma half of a smile) You just did. This is just the price of election, Miss Swan.
Emma: A price I'm not willing to pay. (throws the fabric down at his desk) Find another sucker!
Mr. Gold: Okay. Go ahead, expose me. But if you do (pauses) just think about what you'll be exposing and what you'll be walking away from. (Emma glares at him for a moment. Then she prepares to leave, heading for the door) Oh, yes. And um, who you might be disappointing. (Emma turns around, glares at him and slams the shop's door. After Emma has left the shop the camera still focuses on Gold who smiles.)


SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past. Baelfire and Rumplestiltskin are outside of the duke's castle. Rumplestiltskin lights one of the torches they've made earlier and sets a pile of straw on fire. The fire spreads along the castle's walls. Burning wooden joints and cracks the fire spreads inside the castle and burns ceilings and rafters. Some burning rafters fall to the ground. Rumplestiltskin enters a hall with flags standing along the walls. Rumplestiltskin puts one silver-green banner aside, revealing the hidden dagger behind it. He takes the dagger. Briefly the name Zoso written on the blade can be seen. Then Rumplestiltskin leaves the castle.


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. The Town Hall. Above the entrance hangs a banner reading "Debate Today - Sheriff's election." Mary Margaret is stapling promotion posters "Swan for Sheriff" on the bulletin board. Going on with her task on the other side of the board she runs into David Nolan.

Mary Margaret: David! Hi.
David: Mary Margaret. Hi.
Mary Margaret: I was just, uh-
David: Yeah. Yeah. Me too.
Mary Margaret: How are things?
David: Okay. I got a job. Yeah, I'm working at the animal shelter.
Mary Margaret: (pleased) Really?
David: Yeah.
Mary Margaret: (noticing the poster David fixes to the wall.) So, Sidney?
David: My wife is friends with Regina. So-
Mary Margaret: Oh, right. How is Kathryn?
David: Good. She's meeting me here, later.
Mary Margaret: That's wonderful. (stapling the posters with more force than necessary to the wall) Well, I'm all out of posters. I'm going to go. Get some more. (quickly leaves)


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Inside the Town Hall. Sidney is getting ready for the debate. Dr. Archie Hopper practices his opening speech.

Dr. Hopper: Citizens of Storybrooke. Uh- We welcome you to-. Uh-. Welcome citizens of Storybrooke. Uh- Uh, we welcome you citizens of Storybrooke. Welcome-
(Emma is sitting at the podium. Drawing back the curtains she notices Henry sitting in the audience who smiles at her. Mary Margaret approaches her, handing Emma some papers. As she takes them, Mary Margaret hands her a bottle of water.) Emma: I'm not going to win.
Mary Margaret: What are you talking about? Everyone's talking about what you did in the fire.
Emma: No, Henry's right. I can't beat Regina at this. Not the way she fights. Watch and see.
Mary Margaret: Is this really about beating Regina.
Emma (draws back the curtains again to get another look at Henry.) It's just-
Mary Margaret: Henry.
Emma: I wanna show him that good can actually win.
Mary Margaret: That's why you want to win it for him. But why do you want to win the election for yourself?
Emma: That is why. I wanna show him that a hero can win. And if I'm not- If I'm not a hero and I'm not a savior - then what part do I have in his life? Okay, there it is.
Mary Margaret: There it is. (Emma draws back the curtains a third time. She notices Mr. Gold entering the Town Hall.)


Scene: The Enchanted Forest. Past. Baelfire is waiting in the woods for Rumplestiltskin return. After a while, Rumplestiltskin joins him in the woods.

Baelfire: Papa!
Rumplestiltskin: Oh, Bae.
Baelfire: I was so worried for you. Are... Are you burned? The castle-
Rumplestiltskin: I'm fine, son. I'm fine. I need you to go home and wait for me there.
Baelfire: Come with me – please. I have a bad feeling.
Rumplestiltskin: Bae, this is something I have to do on my own. Go home, son! (Baelfire hesitates to leave) Go home and wait for me, Bae. I'll be back. You go. (Baelfire turns around and leaves, looking back at his father for a moment. As soon as Baelfire has left the scene Rumplestiltskin takes out The Dark One's Dagger. He holds it up in the air, so he can read the name written on the blade by the light of the torch.) Zoso! Zoso! I summon thee- (At first sight nothing happened. Rumplestiltskin lows the dagger and turns around. Standing behind him the Dark One frightens Rumplestiltskin. Rumplestiltskin quickly takes a few steps backwards. The torch falls to the ground.)
Zoso: You were asking for me? (Wearing a hood his face is in the shades)
Rumplestiltskin: (In order to keep Zoso at a distance, Rumplestiltskin advances the dagger) Submit, oh Dark One! I control you.
Zoso: Yes, you do. Wield the power wisely. You can wield it anytime now. It's almost dawn. That means it's your son's birthday. I bet Hordor and his men are already on their way to your house.
Rumplestiltskin: No, they can't take him.
Zoso: You don't control them. You control me. Have you ever wondered was he really your child at all. Unlike you, he's not a coward and yearns to fight and die in glory.
Rumplestiltskin: No...
Zoso: What a poor bargain that would be to lay down your soul to have your bastard son. So, I ask you, what would you have me to do?
Rumplestiltskin: Die! (He stabs Zoso. They fall to the ground. In the torch's light the Dark One's face changes revealing that he was the beggar Rumplestiltskin met earlier this episode. Zoso laughs. Rumplestiltskin recognizes him. He's shocked.) It's you. You are the beggar.
Zoso: (rasping breath is audible)Looks like you made a deal you didn't understand. I don't think you gonna do that again.
Rumplestiltskin: You told me to kill you.
Zoso: My life was such a burden. You'll see. Magic always comes with a price. And now, it's yours to pay.
Rumplestiltskin: Why me? Why me?
Zoso: (rasping breath is audible) I know how to recognize a desperate soul. (Zoso stops breathing. He's dead.)
Rumplestiltskin: No! No! Stay! You have to tell me what to do! Tell me what to do. (Rumplestiltskin's hand which holds the dagger changes to a grey color. Removing the dagger from Zoso's body Rumplestiltskin notices that his name is written on the dagger's blade.)


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Town Hall. Dr. Archie Hopper welcomes the audience. Emma and Sidney have taken seat on either side of him.

Dr. Hopper: Tragedy has brought us here, but we are faced with this decision. And now, we ask only that you listen with an open mind and please vote your conscience. So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the candidates – Sidney Glass (briefly looks at Sidney Glass) and Emma Swan. (briefly looks at Emma) Glass. (making a gesture towards Sidney who's sitting on the right side.) Swan. (making a gesture towards Emma on the left.) Sounds like something that a decorator would make you buy. Wow, crickets. Okay, uh... Uh, Mr. Glass – your opening statement.
Sidney Glass: (walks to the podium) I just wanna say that if elected I wanna serve as a reflection of the best qualities of Storybrooke: Honesty. (The camera focuses on Regina for a moment. Inaudible she repeats Sidney's words simultaneously.) Neighborliness. And strength. Thank you. (Regina cheers him proudly)
Dr. Hopper: And Emma Swan.
Emma: (walks up to the podium) You guys all know I have what they call an uh- troubled past. But, you've been able to overlook it because of the um, hero thing. But here's the thing: The fire was a setup. (The audience begins to murmur, becoming noisy) Mr. Gold agreed to support me in this race, but I didn't know that that meant he was going to set a fire. I don't have definitive evidence but I'm sure. And the worst part of all this was- The worst part of all this is I let you all think it was real. I can't win that way. I'm sorry. (Mr. Gold stands up and leaves the Town Hall.)


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Granny's Dinner. Emma finishes her drink. Ruby stands behind the counter.

Ruby: Another?
Emma: Oh hell, yes. (Henry enters) Hey Henry. (Henry hands Emma a walkie talkie) What's this for?
Henry: You stood up to Mr. Gold. (sits beside Emma) It's pretty amazing.
Emma: Well, he did something illegal.
Henry: That's what heroes do. Expose stuff like that. (Ruby brings Emma another drink and places a glass of milk in front of Henry. Henry leans closer, whispering in Emma's ear) I shouldn't have given up on Operation Cobra.
(Regina Mills and Sidney Glass enter.)
Regina: I thought I might find you here. With a drink. And my son.
Emma: (addressing Sidney) Here to card me, officer?
Sidney: Well, not at all. In fact, I think I will join you.
Emma: Here? I don't know. I think they're setting up a back room for the victory party.
Sidney: Oh, well, you'll have to tell me what that's like.
Regina: (Regina takes the Sheriff's badge out of her pocket.) Congratulations, (Regina places the badge in front of Emma on the table) Sheriff Swan.
Henry: Wait. What?
Regina: There was a very close vote. But people really seem to like the idea of a sheriff brave enough to stand up to Mr. Gold. (Slowly town people enter Granny's Dinner)
Emma: Are you joking?
Sidney: She isn't joking.
Regina: You didn't pick a great friend in Mr. Gold, Miss Swan, but he does make a superlative enemy. Enjoy that. (Regina gives Emma a smile.)


SCENE: The Enchanted Forest. Past. Hordor and a group of his knights are at Rumplestiltskin's house. They take Baelfire with them.

Hordor: Everyone's watching from behind their curtains today. (A soldier holding the reins of Hordor's horse suddenly falls to the ground. Rumplestiltskin stabbed him with the dagger. Hordor kneels) Dark One. (Rumplestiltskin walks towards him.) No... Who are you?
Rumplestiltskin: Have you forgotten me already? What was it you used to call me again? Spindleshanks? (snaps his fingers) Hobblefoot.
Baelfire: Papa?
Hordor: Rumplestiltskin.
Rumplestiltskin: Wonderful. And now, you shall know me as the new Dark One. How about a little fealty? Kiss my boot. (When Hordor bends over, Rumplestiltskin grabs him, and then snaps Hordor's neck.)
Baelfire: No, Papa! (Rumplestiltskin kills the rest of the knights with the dagger.) Papa? What has happened to you?
Rumplestiltskin: You're safe, Bae. Do you feel safe, son? (He approaches Baelfire. Traits of blood are visible on the dagger's blade)
Baelfire: No. I'm frightened.
Rumplestiltskin: I'm not. I protected what belongs to me and I'm not scared of anything.


SCENE: Storybrooke. Present. Storybrooke Sheriff Department. Emma enters and places a folder on her desk. Looking up she notices Sheriff Graham's jacket hanging on the coat rack.

Mr. Gold: (standing in the door) The Sheriff's jacket. I thought you might want it after all.
Emma: (jumps startled) You do know I'm armed, right?
Mr. Gold: (smiles and enters the room) So part of the act, my dear. Political theater in an actual theater. I knew no one was going to vote for you unless we gave you some kind of extraordinary quality. And I'm afraid saving old Regina's ass from the fire just wasn't gonna do now. We had to give you a higher form of bravery. They had to see you defy me. And they did.
Emma: No way. There's no way you planned that.
Mr. Gold: Everyone's afraid of Regina. But they are more afraid of me. By standing up to me, you won them over. It was the only way.
Emma: You knew I'd agree.
Mr. Gold: Oh, yeah. (nods) I know how to recognize a desperate soul. (Both are silent for a moment)
Emma: Why did you do it?
Mr. Gold: We made a deal sometime back, Miss Swan. We established that you owed me a favor. I know that can be a bad feeling - owing someone. Now that you're sheriff, I'm sure we'll find some way for you to pay back what you owe me. (Mr. Gold leaves the Sheriff's office). Congratulations.

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