Storybrooke Dock

[Hollywood Heidi]

Storybrooke Dock

[Cora Mercouri]

Living so close to the water had its disadvantages. The weather could be unpredictable, at best, and there was usually a strong smell of fish as the boats came in with the day's catch. But on a day like today, it was the perfect place to be -- sunlight and waves lapping and seagulls squawking. She had the approval of Gold and the mayor, she had a potential caterer for opening night, and her hair had remained relatively calm in the humidity.

Cora sat down on one of the wooden benches, balancing the bakery box on her lap as she opened it. At first, she attempted to carefully unwrap the cupcake and eat it with as little mess as possible. But frankly she was starving and there was no one else around and it did look and smell delicious. So she bit into it, not caring that there might be frosting on the tip of her nose.

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

***Marcus Sadler enters***

Marcus had an inherent talent for being able to move quietly when he wanted. Having dropped by Cora's home and not finding her there, he took a walk by the docks in hopes of seeing her. And there she was. "So graceful," he remarked, walking up behind the bench as she wolfed down a cupcake like she had a wasting disease. "Been a busy bee?"

[Cora Mercouri]

"So graceful ... Been a busy bee?"

The surprise of his voice behind her made her nearly choke, which would have been a terribly embarrassing obituary to read in The Mirror. She gathered her composure and swallowed. "I don't see you, I don't hear you," she proclaimed stubbornly, keeping her attention on the cupcake. "And you being a prat is what made me miss breakfast, so forgive me for being hungry."

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"I'm a charming rake," he insisted with a grin. "Not a..." He imitated her accent briefly, and badly. "'prat'."

Marcus swept around the bench and sat next to her, both arms spread out. "Look, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to get so snappy with Ruby," he said. "C'mon, you know me. I tease rough. I'm a little offensive. I'm Mr Bad Example." He tilted his head downward to try and draw her focus. "You can't be mad at me forever. I'm too handsome."

[Cora Mercouri]

"On the contrary, I can be as mad at you as I like for as long as I like," she countered, regarding him with a frown. "Unlike certain other women in this town, I enjoy a rare immunity to your charms. And this cupcake and I came all the way out here for a little peace and quiet...."

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"All right," he said, clasping his hands together and turning on the bench to face her. "Tell me how can I make it up to you. Buy you dinner? Send you flowers? Braid your hair? Get you photographs of the sheriff in erotic yet tasteful poses? What?"

[Cora Mercouri]

"Mm, tempting as that is, I remain steadfast. You're not going to buy, beg or barter your way out of this one," she declared, pausing to lick the cream cheese frosting from her fingers. "I was reminded of something this morning. Not that you can be colossally insensitive -- I knew that. But do you remember what it was like to be Ruby's age? To want to escape from this backwater, narrowminded town so much you could taste it?"

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

Marcus watched her lick up the frosting with sudden fascination.

"I was reminded of something this morning. Not that you can be colossally insensitive -- I knew that. But do you remember what it was like to be Ruby's age? To want to escape from this backwater, narrowminded town so much you could taste it?"

"My twenties are a little vague, but yeah," he said with a nod of his head. "I was going to get on my bike and ride down the highways with nothing but my leather jacket on my back. I was going to write a book, I was going to be well-known and respected...hell, I got close a couple of times. But it didn't take. Why? Feeling regretful?"

[Cora Mercouri]

"Not exactly regretful. Maybe just...curious," she mused. "I mean, I'm content. Nice home, good job, all that. But I can't remember when I stopped wondering if there was something more. So I think we should encourage people like Ruby. If she can escape, maybe we can, too.

"Anyway, you are well-known and respected, at least within the city limits. And by those who've never actually spoken to you," she smirked.

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"I mean, I'm content. Nice home, good job, all that. But I can't remember when I stopped wondering if there was something more. So I think we should encourage people like Ruby. If she can escape, maybe we can, too."

"You really think the big world out there is so great?" Marcus turned away with a sigh. "It's a world of Reginas, Cora. People are greedy, selfish, petty and cruel. That's just the truth of it."

"Anyway, you are well-known and respected, at least within the city limits. And by those who've never actually spoken to you,"

Marcus raised his eyebrows and returned her smirk. "Ouch. I'm an upstanding pillar of the community."

[Cora Mercouri]

"Of course you are, counselor. And as such, I'm sure I can count on you to buy an ad for the firm in the next show's program," Cora hinted. "I got the nod from Regina this morning, and the new bakery is going to cater opening night. Well, they're thinking about it, but I'm sure they'll agree. Everyone needs good publicity."

She nudged him with an elbow. "You really think so ill of the outside world? Even though nothing here ever changes?"

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"Of course you are, counselor. And as such, I'm sure I can count on you to buy an ad for the firm in the next show's program, I got the nod from Regina this morning, and the new bakery is going to cater opening night. Well, they're thinking about it, but I'm sure they'll agree. Everyone needs good publicity."

"The ad-buy is as good as done," he said. "Congratulations on getting the go-ahead. You must've charmed the pants off Regina, and there's an image I'm saving in my mind..."

"You really think so ill of the outside world? Even though nothing here ever changes?"

Marcus leaned forward. "It's human nature. It's inherent. In the end, all that matters to people...are themselves. It's just the way of things," he explained. "This is a world where the rich stand on the backs of the poor. Where we hear about murders and violence every single day and we shrug it off as something trivial. Where people sell their children."

He was quiet, almost approaching a moment of introspection. "People come, they fight, they destroy, they corrupt. It always ends the same."

[Cora Mercouri]

"True," she agreed after a thoughtful silence. "But that doesn't mean we can't have a helluva good time while it lasts. Besides, lawbreakers keep you in business, and there's cupcakes!" She gathered a dab of frosting from the half-eaten confection and placed it on the end of his nose to illustrate her point, then letting a triumphant smile cross her face.

"Speaking of destruction, it's karaoke tonight at the Rabbit Hole; I'm going on a scouting mission," she informed him. "Are you coming with?"

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"But that doesn't mean we can't have a helluva good time while it lasts. Besides, lawbreakers keep you in business, and there's cupcakes!"

He couldn't help himself. His face broke into a smile much more genuine and friendly than his usual rictus grin. "Now there's a reason to keep hanging on. What a feeling to be so alive!" Marcus reached the tip of his nose with his tongue, and was quietly pleased that he'd managed to do so.

"Speaking of destruction, it's karaoke tonight at the Rabbit Hole; I'm going on a scouting mission,Are you coming with?"

"Hm, depends. Can you give me a job that means I get a lot of the credit and none of the responsibilities? Executive producer, maybe?" he asked. "Also, I want casting couch sessions. And a special chair with my name on it."

[Cora Mercouri]

"Marcus, I don't even have a chair with my name on it," she countered. "Besides, Regina wants me to cut costs wherever I can. I'm surprised she didn't say, 'Does the Von Trapp family really have to have all those children?' "

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"And does she need to be a nanny in a beautiful mansion? What if she's a nanny in, say, a house consisting only of a stage?" he said, staying straight-faced. "So, karaoke? You going to bring the guitar? Hell, you know I play a mean triangle."

[Cora Mercouri]

"Indeed I do, but I think you can leave the triangle at home," she advised, closing the lid back on her dessert. "And yes, we will have to ask alot of our audience when it comes to imagining an Austrian mansion. I'm hoping I can get Michael from the garage to help out again. He did a fine job with all that carpentry back in the spring, and he does have nice hands...."

Coming back to the present, she began to pack up the things. "I've got to get back to the theater and revise my paperwork. But tonight, the Rabbit Hole, and first round's on you," she stated, adding an emphatic finger point to his chest.

[Marcus Sadler/Shadow]

"And yes, we will have to ask alot of our audience when it comes to imagining an Austrian mansion. I'm hoping I can get Michael from the garage to help out again. He did a fine job with all that carpentry back in the spring, and he does have nice hands...."

Marcus resisted the urge to reach over and snap his fingers. "I don't usual do sexual harassment cases, but I'll read up if you want to prepare ahead of time."

"I've got to get back to the theater and revise my paperwork. But tonight, the Rabbit Hole, and first round's on you,"

"I already got you pancakes!" he protested. "At this rate, I'll be paying for your cupcakes."

[Cora Mercouri]

"Aw, diddums," she consoled, tossing him a pout and batted eyelashes over her shoulder as she stood to leave. "You know I always honor my debts. See you tonight!"


***Cora leaves for the theater***

[Deleted]

Maggie Collins walked along the docks with her sundress swaying with the wind. She smiled and twirled once feeling happy. It was the weekend and that meant no waking up early or grading papers. The day before she had stayed late grading papers, just so she could rest and relax during this weekend.

She stopped by a bench and glanced out at the water with a smile still on her face. She watched a few seagulls fly by. She felt a little jealous towards the creatures. She had dreamt of flying high in the sky like a bird. To feel the air blow through her hair.

"I shouldn't be jealous of them" She muttered to herself thinking how childish it was of her to be jealous of an animal.

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

Beau Johnson

*Beau Johnson arrives from The Rabbit Hole*

Beau walked along at a brisk pace as he made his way to the docks on his way home from the bar. As he walked he saw a woman sitting on a bench watching seagulls as he approached her location he heard her matter "I shouldn't be jealous of them"

Beau looked down upon the woman before saying "I agree they are nothing but pests!"

[Deleted]

Maggie Smith

Maggie looked up to the man after hearing him speak. She was slightly startled not realising she was alone. She felt a little embaressed that he had heard her muttering.

"Yes, they are annoying sometimes. I'm Maggie, by the way" She told him.

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

Beau Johnson

"Yes, they are annoying sometimes. I'm Maggie, by the way"

Beau stared at the woman she had given him her name so freely and without being asked to. Beau took a vary bland and to the point business card of his pocket which simply had his name above his professional of a P.I., a phone number and an address. Beau handed the card to the woman along with one word "...Beau..."

[Deleted]

Maggie took the card that Beau had held out to her. He was a P.I. She didn't know that there was a private investigator in Storybrooke, but now she did.

"It's nice to meet you, Beau" She told him with a smile on her face, "I didn't know that there was a P.I in Storybrooke"

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

Beau Johnson

"I didn't know that there was a P.I in Storybrooke"


Beau just looked at her she smiled, his face remained still and emotionless. "Some would say going unnoticed in a town as small as this would be good business regarding my profession, don't you think?" Beau said with a matter of fact tone in his voice.

[Deleted]

Maggie nodded her head in agreement. He wouldn't be a good P.I. if everyone knew who he was. He must be a good P.I. then, she thought to herself.

"Other than being a P.I. what else do you do?" She asked him with her eyes filled with curiosity.

[Hollywood Heidi]

***Gabriella enters from Pet Shelter***

Gabriella walked leisurely down the dock, looking for an available bench that would provide the best view of the water. It was still early so the docks were relatively deserted. She dropped her purse onto a bench and settled next to it, pushing her glasses back into place as she sat back and relaxed, taking in the view.

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

Michael Richards

*Michael enters from his house boat*

Michael made his way down the docks as he popped a peanut in his mouth and chewed it, Michael had on two boots one which didn't have the laces down up and the other had no laces to speak off, his jeans were ripped and faded, he wore an old a seemingly intentional raggedy deep neck shirt and to top the look of he had a bandana tied around his wrist hiding a tattoo from the world. Michael made his way through the docks until he saw a woman parked up on a bench and carelessly next to her was her purse, easy pickings for him, Michael ran his fingers over his facial hair making sure it was all in order before he made his way over to sit next to the woman.

[Hollywood Heidi]

Gabriella stared unseeing out at the water, contemplating her very big problem. What had she done to suddenly flip the switch? Nothing had changed as far as she could tell. For years, she'd kept a steady routine. Taking her meds on time, keeping busy, and avoiding anything that had the potential to go beyond mundane. Her life had been perfectly... boring.

She sighed with frustration. There didn't seem to be a happy-medium for her. It was one extreme or Elle would bring the other. But what triggered it? True, she'd been working herself into exhaustion lately and had been just a little late with taking her meds but that didn't feel as if it was enough of a reason. Something felt different. Not just her, but her surroundings. The town. Something in the air. It was an odd sensation that had begun yesterday. A disturbance in the force. Her lips twitched in amusement.

Someone entered her line of vision, pulling her out of her reverie. As he approached her bench, she looked around her to see who he was meeting but there was no one. She felt the bench move as he sat and she automatically shifted closer to the other end of the bench, hugging her purse to herself as if trying to take up the least amount of space as possible.

Nearly all the other benches were vacant so why did he choose one that was occupied? More importantly, why was she being so paranoid? This bench provided one of the better views with the least amount of docked boats blocking the line of vision. She gave him a hesitant smile and attempted to ease the uncomfortable awkwardness that had overcome her. "Lovely view from here," she offered.