07x07 - Eloise Gardener

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Once Upon a Time"...

[SIGHS]

Do you remember what I did,

and why you can't ever allow it to be broken?

You will do whatever it takes

to stop true love's kiss from happening.

Tell me about Eloise Gardener.

You need to take a good look.

What pieces do you already have

that you're not paying attention to?

Answer that and you might find yourself

on a very different path...

one that leads to Eloise Gardener.

I've heard of you from that other realm,

the one created by a wish.

Everything is just a twisted version of the truth.

Our stories were the same up to a point.

But in my realm, Regina's curse was never cast,

and that's when our tales parted ways.

[POT RATTLES]

Get up, you filthy bilge rats!

Playtime's over.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

I need the Jolly Roger in ship-shape

before we set sail.

- You have an hour.
- Aye, Capt'n.

But you haven't even told us where we're going yet.

We are going to a land without magic, Mr. Smee.

And once the Evil Queen casts her curse,

I will finally get my revenge on the Dark One.

EVIL QUEEN: Actually, you won't be going anywhere.

And neither will I.

Your Majesty,

shouldn't you be casting your curse?

Well, I would be.

If that insipid Snow White and her Charm-less Prince

hadn't stopped me.

How the bloody hell did they do that?

They stole my magic.

Snow White defeated the Evil Queen?

I did not see that coming.

[GRUNTS]

[WHIMPERS]

That looks frustrating.

Hang on.

If your curse isn't cast...

then my chance at revenge is lost, as well.

Perhaps.

As it happens, I need a ship

to take me away from this wretched land

before they find me.

That's why I brought along this...

Payment for passage on your ship.

It's a map to a tower in a distant realm.

It holds magic strong enough to defeat...

an immortal.

Like your Crocodile.

All magic comes with a price.

So, what is it?

The tower's guarded by an evil witch.

And without my powers, you're on your own.

So... do we have a deal?

If she has what you say she does,

then of course we do.

[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]

[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]

[SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE]

[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING]

[DOOR OPENS]

WEAVER: Oi.

Now, imagine my surprise when I learned that my partner had discovered a dead body without me.

I interviewed him on the Eloise Gardener case.

He was connected somehow.

WEAVER: A shared fondness

for, uh, strange wagon wheel shapes?

And the fact that he was found dead the day after I interviewed him.

I'll take this from here.

WEAVER: Go home. Get some sleep.

You could do with some.

ROGERS: I know what's going on here.

I know what you're doing.

And who you're doing it with.

Careful with the accusations you can't back up, Detective.

This case has clearly affected your judgment.

You've become obsessed.

And an obsession can be a dangerous thing.

I'm gonna find Eloise Gardener.

And I won't let you, Victoria Belfrey,

or anyone else stop me.

HENRY: Hey, Roni.

You okay?

Yeah, it's just... overworked and underpaid.

What can I get you?

Two beers, and make it the good stuff,

because we are celebrating.

Celebrating?

Uh, we got the electrical system running

on the food truck.

Ah. [CHUCKLES]

Well, that is good news.

I just wish I knew

when we were actually gonna make some money.

Until I get a steady paycheck again,

I don't know when I'm gonna be able to get Lucy back.

- Why don't you come work for me?
- What?

Well, I mean, why not? I can use the help.

You know, this place has picked up quite a bit

since I turned your stepmom down.

Finish that drink and grab an apron.

Thank you.

[CHUCKLES]

That's good. Right?

Yeah, no, it's amazing.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Uh, so... I was thinking,

maybe it's time you let me

take you out on that date.

Something like, say...

this?

What... Or who...

Is, um, "S-Spicoli"?

That is the name of my favorite ' s cover band.

- Mm.
- They're playing tonight.

You want to go?

Yes.

Yes, I'd love to.

Great.

They seem happy.

What are you doing here?

Just checking to make sure you're doing your job.

'Cause those two are getting closer every day.

And we can't have that.

If the curse breaks,

the people you love get hurt.

So, I'd say you've got your work cut out for you.

[CHUCKLES]

VICTORIA: Did you really think I wouldn't find out

that you've been sneaking out, running around town?

I didn't care whether you found out or not.

You will care.

Because you can go downstairs to your room.

You're grounded.

[SCOFFS]

Punish me all you want now.

It won't matter.

After my mom and dad break the curse,

we'll be together.

And you... you'll be all alone.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

VICTORIA: Wretched child.

Lucy still stubbornly clinging to her belief?

I'll wear her down.

The sad little thing

actually thinks she can defeat me.

Of course she does.

If there's one thing I learned from you,

it's how to break a heart.

Where did this come from?

What is it?

Dirt.

You must have tracked it in.

Perhaps you should have your Cinderella

come up here and sweep up.

Or perhaps you've had a visitor.

Know this.

If you found someone stupid enough

to help free you from your prison...

I will find them.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

Hey.

Whatcha doing out here?

Some work.

I, uh, had to get out of the, uh, office for a while.

Uh, is this the Eloise Gardener case?

Yeah, it is.

I feel like I'm so close I can almost touch it.

It's just, I can't put the pieces together

to find her.

Have you ever considered it's because she's...

not around to find.

Of course she bloody is.

Okay. Okay.

But how do you know?

Ever since I started looking for this girl,

I felt... I felt a connection.

Like a bond.

Look, if you spend enough time with a person,

or even... or even the idea of a person,

you get to know them.

And, as crazy as it sounds,

I feel like we're... family.

If she were dead, I would know it.

There's someone I have to see.

Well, hey, how about I, uh, tag along with you?

- [SIGHS]
- Come on.

You shouldn't have to do this alone.

Come on.

All right.

SMEE: Uh, getting closer, Captain.

At least, I-I think we are.

I've never been much good at navigating on land.

Navigation skills

are no longer required, Mr. Smee.

Look up.

The Evil Queen was telling the truth.

This is a good day indeed.

Yeah.

Wish me luck, Mr. Smee.

[GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

[POTS CLATTER]

Who's there?

Show your face.

Sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you.

Oh, I assure you, I don't scare easily.

I-I just expected to meet a horrible witch.

And instead, I find a beautiful young woman.

Beautiful?

Well, I see you're bold as well as brave.

I'm Rapunzel.

So, you're not here to rescue me?

Sorry, luv,

I'm here on a mission of revenge.

I've heard that the witch's magic

can help me defeat a foul demon who wronged me.

Although, now that I've met you,

a daring, uh, rescue might be in order.

Once you've handed over the magic.

You're welcome to it,

though it won't do you much good anymore.

The witch grows these Golden Flowers in her secret garden.

But this is the only one that I have,

and she's already used its power to imprison me.

Oh.

See?

Maybe I can use this magic

to imprison my Dark One, as well.

An immortal demon trapped for eternity.

Now that's an even sweeter revenge

than I could have imagined.

If you can find the magic.

I need it, too,

to break the spell and get my freedom.

Well, today's your lucky day, luv.

Just tell me where this witch's garden is,

and I will return with this flower

that we both need.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

How do I know that you won't abandon me

once you have the flower?

You don't.

And since it doesn't seem like anyone else

is climbing your tower,

I'd say you don't have much choice, luv.

Now why don't you do us both a favor...

tell me about that garden.

TILLY: Time's always slipping away, isn't it?

That's why you need a good timepiece

to grab ahold before it's too late.

Speaking of too late...

shop's closed for the day.

[CAR DOOR CLOSES]

[SIGHS]

Hello, Detective.

ROGERS: I need your help.

The advice you gave me yesterday

actually pointed me in the right direction for once.

So, if you can take a look in here

and tell me if anything jumps out at you?

I've never seen any of this before,

but I do know her story.

Bad home life.

Parents who didn't care.

I don't think this girl was taken.

You think she's a runaway.

I went down that road,

talked to the kids in the street.

No one knows her.

Trust me,

people like that

don't talk to people like you.

So, you'll help us then?

Didn't say that.

Oh, she'll help us.

Because the detective would much rather have you help out

than, well, write you up for selling stolen watches.

I do hate paperwork.

[SIGHS HEAVILY]

All right then.

Help is on the way.

Meet me in the park in two hours.

And bring a sandwich.

Marmalade?

Sounds delicious.

I do hope I can find her for you, Detective.

Seems you need this as much as Eloise does.

[SIGHS]

You clever little girl.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

WEAVER: Bad time?

I could come back

if you've got something, uh... bigger on your plate.

No.

I assure you, everything is fine.

Well, that may be a temporary condition.

It seems Detective Rogers

is close to solving the Eloise Gardener case.

And why haven't you stopped him?

He has an emotional attachment to the case

that makes it difficult to break.

If you can't break him of his little obsession,

then I shall find someone who can do it

in a more permanent fashion.

The choice is entirely yours.

SMEE: Ugh!

This isn't exactly what I had in mind

when you mentioned "garden."

It's a witch's garden, Mr. Smee.

And somewhere in here is the Golden Flower we seek.

Find it,

then we hightail it back to the ship,

before we come face-to-face

with something more vicious than this lad.

So, how do we find the flower then?

Well, according to Rapunzel, we, uh...

We sing.

Something to do with the power of music

revealing the heart.

♪ Fifteen men on a dead man's chest ♪

♪ Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum ♪

Doesn't appear to have worked.

Maybe you need some rum first.

[BRANCHES SNAPPING]

Bloody hell.

[GRUNTS]

Might be more fearsome than we thought.

[GNOME GROANS]

It's too big!

We're gonna need magic, Captain!

The song didn't work!

SMEE: Try another one!

Uh...

♪ My young love said to me ♪

♪ "My mother won't mind ♪

♪ And my father won't cite you ♪

♪ For your lack of... ♪

Over There!

It worked!

[PANTING]

What kind of sea shanty was that?

It wasn't a shanty. It was a lullaby.

A lullaby?

But you don't have children...

that... that you know of.

Why do you know a lullaby?

My mother used to sing it to me and my brother.

And then she d*ed, and my father abandoned us,

and I didn't hear anything like it again.

- That's how I know a lullaby.
- Right.

Well, I'll k-keep that between us.

SMEE: So, uh, back to the Jolly Roger then?

Uh, actually, you go on ahead, Mr. Smee.

I have some business to attend to.

You mean you're going back for Rapunzel?

Your troubles and beautiful women

tend to go hand in hand.

And the witch is still around.

I'm Captain Hook.

I can take care of one wily witch.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

Why is women's footwear

the constant bane of my existence?

Don't blame the shoe.

Blame your blind incompetence.

[SHOE CLATTERS]

VICTORIA: [SIGHS]

You acted as though

you were helping me, all this time.

When did you wake her up?

Drizella has always been awake.

Which is more than I can say for you.

Your obsession with Anastasia has blinded you.

What did that needy little thing ask of you?

What does she want now?

Your suffering.

With that green thumb of yours,

you must know the thing about ivy...

In order for it to grow,

it has to cling to something else.

I've long known

she would seek aid and approval.

And now?

I'm going to take away

every little pillar that she clings to.

Beginning...

with you.

[CHAIN RATTLES]

You will never feel the warm light of day...

again.

[SIGHS]

It's nice to see you happy for a change.

It's nice to be happy.

And, uh, tonight, I have a date.

Oh, so, that's what you two were whispering about.

Mm-hmm.

He's so sweet.

I am starting to feel like

I can finally see my life again.

And I was even thinking,

maybe I should try to get Lucy back officially.

- Well, good for you, Jacinda.
- Yeah.

I just hope the timing's right.

What do you mean?

Oh, well, years ago,

I went down the line on adoption.

And I dealt with social workers a lot,

and I can tell you...

Mm-hmm?

They are all about stability.

Exactly.

I mean, with this job and the truck in the works...

No, Jacinda, the only thing they hate more

than a single mother who works in a bar,

is a single mother who works in a bar

with a new, unstable relationship.

Henry is a good guy.

- Henry's a great guy.
- Yeah.

But social services will ask Belfrey about him.

- [SIGHS] - Now, I think it's really cute how you two met,

how Lucy rode off in the middle of the night

to find her f-favorite author.

But, uh...

[SCOFFS]

your stepmother will paint a very different picture.

[SIGHS]

You'd think a girl hocking watches

wouldn't ever be late.

HENRY: You know, I've been thinking about what you said before

about Eloise Gardener.

This connection that you feel with her?

Is this like a cop thing,

or is there something more going on here?

[SIGHS]

It isn't just a cop thing.

The night she vanished, I was drinking.

Instead of patrolling her neighborhood,

I was en route to the bottom of a bottle.

It's my fault she disappeared.

[SIGHS]

Hey!

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

ROGERS: Hey!

- Hey!
- Where's she going?

Hey, we were waiting. Did you find anything?

TILLY: Yeah, I found something.

But you don't want to hear this.

- ROGERS: Of course I do.
- No, I should go.

Hey, stop!

Whatever you've got, just get on with it.

Okay.

[SIGHS]

I spoke to a few of the runaways from the old group home.

There was a guy who used to go out with a girl...

A girl by the name of Rain.

She wrote poetry, loved Salinger.

Was constantly drawing in her notebook.

So, I checked him out, okay?

And...

And, uh, he gave me this.

This... This drawing's from her.

This is from Eloise.

That guy, did he say where she is?

Hey. What?

[SIGHS] She's dead.

How?

Car accident.

There was a stolen car,

and since her real name wasn't Rain...

HENRY: They couldn't identify the body.

Hey, I'm so sorry...

I need to be alone.

[CORK POPS]

[BOTTLE CLATTERS]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]

[BREATHES HEAVILY]

- You came back.
- HOOK: Yep.

And I haven't returned empty handed.

[GASPS]

Your Golden Flower, m'lady, freshly plucked.

You really did it.

I have to admit, a little surprised.

I didn't expect you to return.

Nor did I.

But it turns out,

abandoning people just isn't my thing.

That's lucky for me.

Look, I, um...

I know how one of those petals can help me get my revenge.

But how's it gonna help you get out of this tower?

You don't need to be bothered by the details,

especially after everything that you've already done.

The important thing is,

I will finally be free.

And...

there are many, many things

I have not done in a very long time.

Uh, perhaps we should leave the tower first, luv.

Perhaps not.

[SCOFFS] Eloise Gardener is dead?

Yeah.

Rogers said he wanted to be left alone.

Ah, anyway...

Ahh. So, how is everything going here?

Jacinda's day going okay?

She's... a model employee.

You know, it's pretty amazing

what you're doing for her.

You want everyone to think that you're all tough,

but you should know, I see right through that.

Truth is, you care.

Why don't I give you two a minute,

and let you bitch about your new boss in private.

JACINDA: Please. She's a dream after Louie.

Yeah.

I'm so glad that it's going well for you here.

[CHUCKLES]

I got to say, though, my day sucked.

And I am really looking forward to tonight.

Yeah, about that, I...

I took a double shift.

Someone called in sick,

and I figured if I could make a little extra money,

I... I probably should.

I'm sorry.

Yeah, well, maybe we can hang out next weekend.

Yeah.

Maybe, okay?

I'll call you.

[BANGING ON DOOR]

What do you want?

Heard you were logging evidence.

I came to give you some.

Oh, yeah?

And what's that?

ROGERS: I went to your informant today

looking for help on the Eloise Gardener case.

[DOOR CLOSES]

She found this.

It's from her notebook.

Said she's been dead for a number of years now.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Yeah.

Maybe now you can move on with your life.

Like I said,

obsessions can be dangerous things.

And they can be useful things.

You see, I know that notebook.

I've had it with me

for, well, as long as I can remember.

Even spilled coffee on it once.

You know what happened?

Nothing.

The ink was so old it didn't run.

And yet this page that Tilly gave me,

just one drop...

it came right off.

So what's that supposed to mean?

It means the page is a fake.

And I'm betting you're behind it.

So, you do make a good detective after all.

I never would have guessed that.

You lied!

And you made Tilly lie. Why would you do that?

Get your hands off me.

Was it Belfrey?!

Did she put you up to this?!

Actually, yes, she did.

But...

that's not why I did it.

Then why?

Because you don't know what's going on 'round here.

I know you think you do.

But you don't.

So tell me.

Even if I could, you wouldn't believe.

Not yet.

You just have to trust me when I say,

everything I've done in this case

was for one reason.

To protect you from your bloody self.

No, you don't care about me. You don't care about anyone.

And if you and Belfrey went this far

to convince me that Eloise Gardener was dead,

then that means one thing...

She's alive.

And I'm gonna find her.

Uh, I really wish you wouldn't.

Look...

I know that you feel like you know this girl.

But Eloise Gardener

is not who you're looking for.

[DOOR SLAMS]

Detective Rogers...

And where do you think that you're going?

I need to speak to your mother. It's police business.

Well, she's not in right now.

Well, where is she?

I have no idea.

What is this about?

Your mother is involved in the disappearance of a girl.

Look, I know that my mother's done some bad things,

but a missing girl?

I just... I don't think

she's capable of something like that.

Yes, she is.

And what's more, you know it.

I'm sure you have a tracking system in her car,

and I'm gonna need the access code.

Get me that code.

[SIGHS]

That was a hell of a night, luv.

Yes, it was.

Can't quite remember another like it.

Aye.

[BABY CRIES]

What the hell was that?

That little cry...

[BABY CRIES LOUDER]

is the sound of my freedom.

Where did you get a baby from?

The usual place.

Like you said, it was quite a night.

No, no, no, no, no. That can't be.

It's not possible.

Not if there's magic involved.

You... you're the witch.

I prefer Gothel.

I have to say,

I had no idea getting what I needed

was going to be that enjoyable.

If you're the witch who guards the tower,

then where's Rapunzel?

Oh, that's a tragic tale.

I built the tower to imprison Rapunzel.

But she managed to turn the tables

and trapped me instead.

That's why you needed the flower.

Not the flower, but you.

The flower imprisoned me,

which means it couldn't free me.

The only way I can escape this prison

is by leaving someone in my bloodline

to take my place.

[GASPS]

[EXHALING SHARPLY]

That's where you came in.

The power from the petal just sped up the process.

But don't worry. I left you a petal.

It's small, but there's more than enough magic

for what you need.

Shall we?

So, you're just gonna leave and abandon this baby here?

Oh, don't look at me like that.

You're a pirate on a quest for revenge.

I'm sure more than one innocent person

has paid the price on that little journey.

What do you say I come with you

and help you get your revenge,

and then you come with me and help me get mine?

You got what you needed, and so did I.

Let's leave it at that, shall we?

Suit yourself... luv.

And don't brood for too long.

[WHOOSH]

[BEEPING]

ROGERS: Hey! Where is she?

Tell me... Where is Eloise Gardener?

Why, I have no idea what you're talking about.

And you need a warrant to enter my property.

I'll have your badge for this.

[CELLPHONE CLATTERS]

Now, you're not walking out of here

until I find her.

Your wrist.

WOMAN: Don't hurt me.

I won't. I won't. I won't. Don't worry.

Uh, my name is Detective Rogers.

I'm... I'm here to help.

I've been looking for you

for... for a long, long time, Eloise.

You have?

Yeah.

Yeah, I have.

Come on.

- [GASPS]
- Don't worry.

She can't hurt you anymore, I promise.

Thank you for saving me.

[CHEERING]

Pay up, Your Majesty.

And where the hell is that captain of yours?

Hmm?

I can practically smell

the cloying scent of Snow and Charming

closing in on me.

HOOK: Not to worry, Your Majesty. I'm back.

[SIGHS]

Sorry for the delay.

There was a, uh... tiny complication.

Finally.

This one told me you found the Golden Flower.

So, you can get your revenge after I'm safe.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

You'll be headed to safety before you know it.

But I won't be at the helm.

The Jolly Roger is yours, Captain Smee.

No.

W-What? I... [EXHALES SHARPLY]

I-I'll take good care of her,

but she'll always be yours, Captain.

What the unholy hell is going on?

Apologies, Your Majesty,

but I have something more important

than this mission, or my revenge,

to attend to.

What?!

What is more important than revenge?

♪ She stepped away from me ♪

♪ And she moved through the fair ♪

♪ And fondly, I watched her ♪

Yeah.

♪ And she turned her way homeward ♪

♪ With one star awake ♪

Well, I suppose I, um...

I should... I should call you something.

I've only ever known one person good enough

to pass on their name...

My mother.

Yeah.

She, uh...

She tried to stay with me as long as she could.

And I vow to do the same for you...

Alice.

[SIRENS WAIL, RADIO CHATTER]

What do you want?

To say I'm sorry about the page.

Weaver said it was for the best.

And I can't always figure that out for myself.

Take a look at what he was covering up.

Now you tell me, was that for the best?

You know what?

I understand.

I'm just disappointed.

You're not the person I thought you were.

[ENGINE STARTS]

[SIREN WAILS]

Oh, my God, Mother!

I just heard.

Officers, may I have a minute?

Just to say goodbye.

VICTORIA: Stop pretending.

I know you're awake.

You always did underestimate me.

I knew Detective Rogers

was obsessed with this Eloise Gardener case,

so I poisoned the only person

he knew was connected to it.

Rogers did the rest of the work himself.

Why did you do this, Drizella?

So I could finally be free of you.

[EXHALES SHARPLY]

And now she's free of you, too,

and you're the prisoner.

You stupid child.

You have no idea

what you just let crawl out into this world.

But you will find out.

Yes, you will.

You will find out.

Henry? What is it? Is something wrong?

Uh, Rogers called. He found her.

Eloise Gardener.

Your stepmother's been arrested.

Wait. Belfrey's going to jail?

- Lucy...
- Yeah, I have a feeling

she doesn't get to keep custody of Lucy if she's locked up.

I have to go to her now.

Yeah, yeah! Go.

- Yeah.
- Go, go, go!

Lucy!

LUCY: Mom!

What's going on?

No one's telling me what's going on!

No, it's okay, baby. We're gonna get to go home.

WOMAN: Well...

What?

Jacinda, meet Miss Scarlet with social services.

I have been trying to explain to her

that Lucy should go with you.

I mean, this is outrageous.

It's just procedure.

Custody was given to Ms. Belfrey for a reason.

Until we can review the case,

Lucy needs to come with us.

Into the system?

No.

Come along, Lucy.

Mom! Don't let them take me! I don't want to go!

Hey. Hey, hey, no, it's okay, baby.

[CRYING] Mom.

- Hey, it's gonna be okay.
- Mom!

[CRIES]

JACINDA: I'm gonna get you back.

I promise.