- The following is a transcript of Episode 1: Faith of Telltale Games' The Wolf Among Us.
Prologue
New York
A man discusses the weather alongside shots of New York and Fabletown that are shown.
Radio Voice: (radio crackling)...105 today again if you missed it, a record for the date: hottest ever in June. Uh, 103 now and that humidity looks low, but remember, the hotter the air is, the more moisture it can hold. So 103 with 31% humidity is a lot more humid than say, 73 with 31% humidity, and it is muggy out there.
The radio cuts out.
Sheriff Bigby Wolf is seen in the backseat of a taxi, being driven to a building.
Tenenment Building
Tenement Building
South Bronx
Sometime after midnight...
Bigby steps out of the vehicle and lights up a cigarette before entering a building indicated by a note. Once he enters, he spots a toad standing by the staircase.
Bigby: Mr. Toad...
Toad: Shit...Bigby! (nervously laughs) Listen, mate I-I know I don’t look human. It’s a problem, I get it, I just stepped outside the apartment for just a second to see what kind of damage this drunk shit is doing. Just cut me a break, yeah? I’ll get me glamour first thing in the morning. Cross my heart. No need to kick up a fuss.
Bigby: I’m looking at a 3 foot toad. In a sweater...That’s a problem.
Bigby: Look, no harm done...I’ll give you a pass, but listen...
Bigby: I’ve heard enough of your excuses, Toad. This is unacceptable.
Toad: Come on, Bigby...say something. You’re starting to scare me.
Silence is a valid option.
Bigby: If you can’t afford to look human, you’re going to The Farm. It’s as simple as that.
Toad: You can’t send me up to live with those animals...
Bigby smirks at him, highlighting the irony in that statement.
Toad: You know what I mean.
Bigby: Go see a witch. Get a glamour.
Toad: Bigby, they’re bleedin’ me dry, mate. The quality of the spell goes down, but the rates keep climbing up. Do you have any idea how much it costs to have an entire family in glamour?
A crash is heard from upstairs.
Bigby: I don’t make the rules. Sorry. I can’t give you a free pass on this, Toad. My hands are tied.
Mr. Toad will remember that.
Toad: Right. Right.
Bigby: It’s not my problem. You’re the one risking your entire family getting shipped off. It’s completely irresponsible, Toad.
Mr. Toad will remember that.
Bigby: Then get it fixed. It’s not complicated, Toad.
Mr. Toad noticed your silence.
Bigby: Whatever it costs, it’s worth it. You don’t want me catching you out of glamour again.
Mr. Toad will remember that.
A television crashes through the upstairs window and falls outside, behind Bigby.
Toad: Fuckin’ hell. See? This is what I called you about, Sheriff.
More commotion is heard upstairs.
Toad: You’re just gonna stand there? Do something, Bigby. Before he completely tears up the place.
Bigby: So, what am I walking into exactly?
Toad: The Woodsman's on another bender... He’s been going on like that for hours. Turn this place into dust if you let him. He’s in a fuckin’ rage.
Bigby: You’re the landlord, Toad. This is something you should be doing.
Toad: Oh, yeah, that’d be a fair fight. You’re the Sheriff, Bigby, and the man’s clearly disturbing the peace... or whatever a Mundy cop would call it. Wait, you’re not worried about his axe are you? I know you two have history but—-
Bigby: I’m not worried.
Toad: Right. Of course.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby throws away his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby: So, what set him off?
Toad: Who knows what it was this time. Man’s got a hair trigger. I avoid him as much as possible.
Bigby: When did he start drinking?
Toad: Not sure he ever stopped.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby throws away his cigarette.
Bigby: I should probably go handle this.
Bigby heads up the stairs.
Bigby: And what exactly do you want me to do?
Toad: I want you to throw the fuckin' Woodsman out of here. Drunk shit... He’s been going on like that for hours. Turn this place into dust if you let him. He’s in a fuckin' rage.
Bigby: You’re the landlord, Toad. This is something you should be doing.
Toad: Oh, yeah, that’d be a fair fight. You’re the Sheriff, Bigby, and the man’s clearly disturbing the peace... or whatever a Mundy cop would call it. Wait, you’re not worried about his axe are you? I know you two have history but—-
Bigby: I’m not worried.
Toad: Right. Of course.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby throws away his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby: So, what set him off?
Toad: Who knows what it was this time. Man’s got a hair trigger. I avoid him as much as possible.
Bigby: When did he start drinking?
Toad: Not sure he ever stopped.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby ashes his cigarette onto the ground.
Toad: Oh... Thanks for that, Bigby. You’re a real gentleman.
The Woodsman yells and rubble falls from the ceiling.
Toad: This is the last straw, Bigby. He has to go.
Bigby: You’re the landlord, Toad. This is something you should be doing.
Toad: Oh, yeah, that’d be a fair fight. You’re the Sheriff, Bigby, and the man’s clearly disturbing the peace... or whatever a Mundy cop would call it. Wait, you’re not worried about his axe are you? I know you two have history but—-
Bigby: I’m not worried.
Toad: Right. Of course.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby throws away his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Bigby: So, what set him off?
Toad: Who knows what it was this time. Man’s got a hair trigger. I avoid him as much as possible.
Bigby: When did he start drinking?
Toad: Not sure he ever stopped.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Another crash is heard.
Faith: Fuck you!
Bigby stubs out his cigarette and heads upstairs.
Toad mockingly waves at Bigby, then frowns.
Toad: Furry pricked gobshite... tell me how to spend my money... (spits)
TJ: Dad? The lights are shaking again.
Toad: What’d I say? You want the Big Bad Wolf to take you away?
TJ: No.
Toad: Then get the fuck back inside.
Bigby reaches the hall outside the room with the commotion.
Conversation between the Woodsman and Faith
Woody: ...you’re gonna know who I fuckin’ am. You hear me? Hey! Look at me!
Faith: Just stop, okay? You’re drunk! Let go!
Woody: Take a look! Take a good look! Know who I am now? Hey! Look at me!
Faith: Get off of me!
Woody: Aaaargh!
Bigby approaches the room.
Bigby knocks on the door once, then a second time, but harder. After no response, he opens the door and peaks inside.
Bigby kicks the door in and enters the room.
Woody: Goddamn you!
Woody slaps Faith and Bigby runs up and pins him to the wall.
Bigby: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey! HEY!
Faith: You got something on your face...
Woody: Fuck are you talking about, you stupid cu—Faith spits blood onto Woody's face.
Woody: I'll fuckin' kill you. You fucker!
Bigby: Alright, what's going on here?
Bigby: Alright, why'd you hit her?
Bigby: Alright, everyone just c--
Bigby says nothing.
Woody headbutts Bigby, making him stumble backward.
Woody: What are you gonna fuckin' do? Huh? Get the fuck out of the way before you get the axe again.
Bigby: Woody, this is your last warning. If you keep on like this, I won't have any choice but to put you down.
He's going to remember that.
Woody: Put ME down? You've got a shit fuckin' memory, Wolf. That's not how it went last time.
Bigby: You're drunk, alright? Think this through. If you keep on like this, I won't have any choice but to put you down.
He's going to remember that.
Woody: Put ME down? You've got a shit fuckin' memory, Wolf. That's not how it went last time.
Bigby: Woody, I'm gonna break your fuckin' face.
He's going to remember that.
Woody: Is that a fact?
Bigby: Yeah, that's a fact.
Woody: You've got a shit fuckin' memory, Wolf. That's not how it went last time.
Bigby glares at Woody.
Woody charges at Bigby and raises his fist.
Bigby grabs Woody's arm and twists it behind his back. Woody headbutts him, but Bigby doesn't let go.
Bigby twists Woody's arm.
Bigby: You gonna calm down?
Bigby throws Woody into the couch, making it flip over.
Bigby: Had enough?
Bigby approaches Woody, who kicks the couch forward, slamming into Bigby's stomach. Woody stands up and moves the couch aside.
Woody: At least make this a fuckin' challenge.
Woody picks him up again.
Bigby grabs Woody's face and tilts it backwards, exposing his neck. Bigby punches him in the throat. He twists his arm behind his back.
Woody throws Bigby against the wall.
Bigby throws Woody against the sink. He picks up a razor and turns around.
Woody swings the blade several times, which Bigby dodges.
Bigby kicks Woody into the sink, shattering it.
Bigby: You're a fuckin' glutton for punishment, Woody.
Woody: Fuck you!
Woody shoves Bigby against the desk.
Bigby gets sliced in the face repeatedly if he doesn't dodge at all. Woody throws him against the bookcase.
Bigby smashes the wood against Woody's face twice.
Woody knees Bigby in the face, then picks him up. He picks Bigby up by his shirt collar and tosses him across the room. Bigby collides with the couch, hitting his back. Woody picks him up again.
Bigby grabs Woody's face and tilts it backwards, exposing his neck. Bigby punches him in the throat. He twists his arm behind his back.
Woody throws Bigby against the wall.
Bigby slams Woody into the table.
Bigby slams Woody’s face into the table.
Bigby picks up a nearby bottle.
Bigby shatters the bottle over Woody's head.
Woody: Go fuck yourself.
Woody picks up a toaster and hits Bigby in the face. He raises the toaster again.
Bigby ducks as the toaster sails over his head. Woody picks up a pot.
Bigby charges at Woody and slams him against the wall, knocking the pot out of his hand.
Woody throws a frying pan at Bigby, to which he can dodge and charge at Woody.
TBC
TBC
Woody headbutts Bigby, breaking free. He picks Bigby up and throws him against the sink, shattering it. Woody raises his fist.
Bigby dodges the punch, and Woody slams against the sink. He picks up a razor and turns around.
Woody swings the blade several times, which Bigby dodges.
Bigby kicks Woody into the sink, shattering it.
Bigby: You're a fuckin' glutton for punishment, Woody.
Woody: Fuck you!
TBC
Bigby gets sliced in the face repeatedly if he doesn't dodge at all. Woody throws him against the bookcase.
TBC
Woody knees Bigby in the face, then picks him up. He picks Bigby up by his shirt collar and tosses him across the room. Bigby collides with the couch, hitting his back. Woody picks him up again.
Bigby grabs Woody's face and tilts it backwards, exposing his neck. Bigby punches him in the throat. He twists his arm behind his back.
Woody throws Bigby against the wall.
TBC
Woody punches Bigby in the face. He picks Bigby up by his shirt collar and tosses him across the room. Bigby collides with the couch, hitting his back. Woody picks him up again.
Bigby grabs Woody's face and tilts it backwards, exposing his neck. Bigby punches him in the throat. He twists his arm behind his back.
Woody throws Bigby against the wall.
Bigby turns toward the other side of the room.
Bigby throws Woody onto the bed and puts his knee onto his chest.
Bigby repeatedly punches Woody in the face, then picks him up.
Woody grabs Bigby and slams his head against a wall lamp. He throws him onto the bedsprings and repeatedly punches him.
Bigby throws Woody into the bookshelf, and an assortment of pictures fall off of it.
Faith: Back off, asshole.
Woody grabs a lamp and swings it at Bigby.
Bigby dodges as Woody swings the lamp.
Bigby kicks Woody in the knee.
TBC
TBC
Woody throws Bigby onto the bedsprings. He raises his fist.
Bigby and Woody stand up. Woody picks up the axe leaning against the wall and swings it at Bigby. He dodges and wrestles for the axe against Woody. Bigby hits him in the stomach with the handle, making him release it, then smashes his face with the blunt side of the blade. Woody lies on the floor, groaning in pain. Bigby tosses the axe aside. Faith walks up to him.
Bigby: You...should probably get out of here.
Faith: Look, I'm not leaving until I get what's mine.
Woody: (slurred) You're not getting shit, bitch. I'll fucking put you in the ground. You hear me?
Bigby: Say that word, one more time...
Woody: (slurred) What? Bitch?
Bigby kicks Woody in the face.
Woody: Aaaaaarrgh.
Bigby: WHAT did I say?
Bigby: SHUT UP!
Bigby: Hey! If you can't be nice, I'm gonna make you wait outside.
Bigby glares at Woody.
Woody: (slurred) Fucking...shit. You broke my jaw, you bastard.
Bigby: And still you talk.
Woody: (slurred) Fuck you.
Faith examines examines her bruised face in her pocket mirror.
Faith: Shit...
Bigby: What the hell is going on? What happened?
Faith: A little misunderstanding that turned into a real shit show. Don't worry. You saw all the best bits.
Woody: (slurred) There's more where that come from, girlie.
Bigby: What are you doing here?
Bigby: Alright, you need to go.
Faith: I can't go until this deadbeat pays me.
Woody: (slurred) For what?
Faith: Come on. Let's get this over with.
Faith: Look, this is just the start of a shitty night for me. I just need the money he owes me, then I can go.
(If this option was not already chosen.)
Bigby: What the hell is going on? What happened?
Faith: A little misunderstanding that turned into a real shit show. Don't worry. You saw all the best bits.
Woody: (slurred) There's more where that come from, girlie.
(If this option was not already chosen.)
Bigby: What are you doing here?
(If this option was not already chosen.)
Bigby: Alright, you need to go.
Faith: I can't go until this deadbeat pays me.
Woody: (slurred) For what?
Bigby: Are you alright?
Faith: Come on. Let's get this over with.
Bigby: What's your name?
Faith: Whatever you'd like it to be, handsome.
Bigby: Don't make this more difficult than it has to be.
Faith: Sorry, Sheriff. Wouldn't want to add any difficulty to your night.
Bigby: Seriously. I need to know if you're okay.
Bigby: Why was he hitting you?
Faith: Maybe you should ask him that.
Bigby says nothing.
Faith: He asked me if I recognized him...knew who he was... I said that I didn't. He started beating on me. Then you showed up started beating on him. That about cover it, hon?
Woody: (slurred) I'm the Woodsman, you whore... I saved Little Red Riding Hood from this...monster. I cut this fucker open...and filled his belly full of—Woody pops his dislocated jaw back into place.
Woody: --stones. AND THREW HIM IN THE FUCKING RIVER. That's who the fuck I am, you stupid bitch!
Bigby: HEY! What'd I say about that word?!
Bigby: HEY! What did I say?! I said be nice, or you wait...out...side!
Bigby: Would you excuse me for a moment?
Bigby says nothing.
Woody and Bigby charge at each other and crash through the window. Bigby hits a lamppost, then lands on top of a car, crushing it and shattering the windows. He looks up to see Woody lying unconscious in the street nearby.
Bigby: Aw...shit.
Bigby collapses back on the car. Toad stands nearby with his hands on his hand in distress.
Bigby: Hey, Toad.
Toad: My...car...
Bigby: Yeah. Gimme a second.
Toad: Oh, no. By all means. Take your time. Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything? Pillow, perhaps.
Bigby: Sorry about the car...we ended up going out the window. Couldn't be avoided.
Bigby: Toad...you need to get off the street. You don't have your glamour.
Toad: "Apologies for smashing your car, Toad. I'm gutted for you, mate, it's a real shame." But that's not you, is it? Gotta play the hard man role.
Bigby: So...how good is your insurance?
Bigby says nothing.
Woody approaches the car.
Toad: Well, at least you're not fucking dead.
Woody grabs Bigby's leg and drags him off the car, smashing him against a billboard and strangling him. Bigby grabs Woody's neck with one hand and gouges his eyes with the other.
Woody: Quit fucking around.
Woody bites Bigby's thumb, making him let go.
Woody: I know you're fucking in there. Come on out, you fucking dog.
Bigby starts to weaken and pass out.
Woody: I'll put you out of your misery. You fucking mongrel...you ignorant fuck...
Bigby closes his eyes.
Woody: Come on out, Wolf.
Bigby opens his eyes, which are now yellow, and snarls, revealing he now has fangs. Faith buries the axe in the back of the Woodsman's head, and he collapses. Bigby composes himself, his appearance returning to normal. Faith glances at Woody, who is slowly crawling along the ground. He collapses again, and she starts to search his pockets.
Bigby: What are you doing?
Bigby: You can't be doing that.
Bigby: Thanks.
Bigby says nothing.
Faith: I'm just getting what he owes me. You alright back there? I mean... Your eyes...and the teeth...you're not really supposed to do that, are you?
Bigby: Not if I can avoid it.
Faith finds a handful of coins.
Faith: Great.
Faith throws the coins on the ground and kicks Woody in the ribs.
Bigby: The guy's got an axe in his brain. He's not feeling that.
Faith: It's more for me. He'll be fine.
Woody: (slurred) I'll kill you. You fuckin' bitch.
Faith: Let me help you with that.
Faith steps on the axe, pressing it further into Woody's head.
Bigby: Guy's havin' a bad day.
Faith: That makes two of us. I guess it's a good thing Fables are hard to kill.
Bigby grabs Faith's wrist.
Bigby: He's had enough.
Faith walks over to the building steps and picks up her purse. Bigby pulls the axe out of Woody's head and tosses it on the ground. Faith puts a cigarette in her mouth and struggles to light it.
Faith: Shit...just...come on...
Faith continues trying to use the lighter, with no success.
Bigby takes out his lighter and lights her cigarette.
(If Bigby took the matchbook.)
Bigby: Here...
Bigby hands the matchbook to Faith.
Faith: Thanks...
(If Bigby didn't take the matchbook.)
Bigby: Can I bum one of thoses?
Faith: Sorry. Last one.
Bigby: That's a nasty habit.
Faith: You're joking, right? Good. You're joking.
Faith manages to light her cigarette.
Bigby: Who do you work for, really?
Faith: These lips are sealed...sorry.
Faith pauses for a moment, then gestures to the ribbon around her neck.
Faith: Hey, you like my ribbon?
Bigby: Beautiful...
Faith: Thank you...
Bigby: Stop changing the subject. If you don't answer my questions, I can't help you.
Faith: I'm answering them the best that I can.
Bigby: If you don't answer my questions, I can't help you.
Faith: I'm answering them the best that I can.
You avoided her question.
Bigby: I feel like we've met before...
Faith: We probably have. We all sort of knew each other at one point or another...but things change, I guess.
Bigby: I guess.
Bigby walks back toward the street to see that Woody has disappeared.
Bigby: Shit...
Bigby starts to walk away, but Faith grabs his wrist.
Faith: Stop. We don't have to make any more of a thing out of it than it already is.
Bigby: It's not just about you. I can't have him running around the city in the state he's in.
Faith: Good, 'cause I was just starting to worry it was all about me...
Bigby: He hit you. He needs to pay for that.
Faith: He's got nothin' to give, Sheriff. I checked. Besides, I just swung an axe into the guy's head...I'd say we're even.
Bigby: Maybe I should be arresting you.
Bigby: Are you sure?
Faith: I'm fine. Really. Don't worry about me.
Faith lets go of Bigby and turns away.
Bigby: How much was it he owed ya?
Faith: A hundred...
Bigby: And I'm guessing it'd be bad for you to show up empty-handed.
Faith: I'll be fine.
Bigby: Let's see, I've got, uh...
Bigby takes out some money and counts it.
Bigby: It's twenty, forty...seven—eight. Fifty eight. It's all I got—it'll help, right? (offers money) Take it.
Faith: It's okay. I'll be fine. You've done enough. Really.
Bigby: Just...take the money, okay?
Faith takes the money.
Bigby: I really wish I could help.
Faith: It's okay. I'll be fine. You've done enough. Really.
Faith: You got me out of a bad situation back there...thanks.
Bigby: I'm still gonna need a statement.
Faith: I have to go drop off...what I have.
Bigby: Meet me back at my office, then.
Faith: It's a little late for an office visit, Sheriff. I'll swing by your apartment.
Bigby: How do you know where I...
Faith: You live in the smallest apartment in the Woodlands. Everyone knows that.
Bigby: Good to know.
Faith: You should get cleaned up. You look like shit. And I don't use that term lightly.
Faith touches the wounds on Bigby's face.
Faith: Some of these look pretty bad.
Bigby: That's a little on the harsh side.
Bigby: I clean up okay.
Bigby: Wow...tell me what you really think.
Faith turns Bigby's head to examine his wounds.
Faith: Hey... I need to tell you something.
Bigby: What is it?
Faith puts her hand on Bigby's shoulder and leans in to whisper.
Faith: You're not as bad as everyone says you are.
Faith kisses Bigby on the cheek, then walks away. She waves goodbye with two fingers.
Faith: I'll see you around...Wolf.
Faith disappears from view. Bigby looks out at the city, then puts a cigarette in his mouth and lights it.
The Woodland Luxury Apartments
The Woodland Luxury Apartments
Fabletown
Late...
Bigby is standing on the sidewalk outside of the Woodlands.
The plaque says "The Woodland Luxury Apartments".
Bigby enters the gate, and it closes behind him.
The sign says "STAY OFF THE GRASS!"
Bigby walks toward the entrance door, but stops when he hears rustling in the bushes. He sees someone duck behind a tree.
Bigby: Don't make me come over there. Look, I've got an hour of paperwork ahead of me and I've already had to deal with one asshole tonight, so just--
Bigby: Come on out.
Bigby: There's no walking on the grass. Snow White's orders. She made a sign and everything.
Beauty: You're still standing there, aren't you?
Beauty steps out from behind the tree.
Bigby: Beauty...
Beauty starts to walk out of the bushes.
Beauty: Hello, Bigby.
Beauty walks across the grass and steps onto the path.
Beauty: I...wasn't expecting anyone. I know this looks a little odd, but there's an explanation. I swear.
Bigby: You're out pretty late...
Bigby: Why'd ya hide when I walked up?
Beauty: Well, I didn't know who it was. You can't be too careful these days.
Bigby: So...where you off to?
Beauty: Well, I went for a walk. I don't see what's wrong with that...
Bigby: Didn't say there was.
Beauty: Look, if you don't have anything to say, I'm just gonna...
Beauty checks her watch.
Beauty: Damn it. I'm late.
Beauty walks away, but pauses when she reaches the gate.
Beauty: Please, Bigby...promise me you won't tell Beast you saw me. He worries too much as it is, and... It would just make my life a lot easier. Just, please... Promise me.
Bigby: Sure.
Beauty: You promise?
Bigby: I promise.
Bigby: No. I'm not lying for someone when I don't know the reason. Sorry.
You refused to lie.
Bigby: Look, whatever it is, it's between you and Beast. I'm staying out of it.
Beauty will remember that.
You chose not to respond.
Beauty: I'll explain it all to you later. I will, but I have to go.
Beauty opens the gate and steps outside.
Beauty: It's not what you...might be thinking.
Beauty appreciates your help.
Beauty walks away. Bigby enters the building. The security guard is asleep at his desk.
Bigby: Been a while since I got any mail.
Bigby opens his mailbox and finds it empty.
Bigby looks at Grimble.
Bigby: Hey...you awake? Hm. Probably for the best.
Bigby: Flycatcher needs to dust this guy.
Bigby knocks the armor, producing a clanging noise and sending up a cloud of dust.
Bigby sees that his nametag is not on the directory.
Bigby: You'd think the sheriff would get a permanent listing.
Bigby's nametage ("B. Wolf") is lying on the floor.
Bigby puts his nametag back on the board.
Bigby pushes the elevator button. He steps inside the elevator when it arrives and pushes the button for his floor. Beast goes down the stairs and walks past the elevator, stopping when he sees Bigby.
Beast: Bigby! Hey! Wait up.
Beast catches the closing elevator doors, and they reopen.
Beast: Have you seen my wife? Have you seen Beauty? So, have you?
Bigby: Yeah. I did.
Beast: What? When? Just now? You saw her just now?
Bigby: Just a few seconds ago. She walked past me. You could probably still catch her.
You told Beast the truth about Beauty.
Bigby: Yesterday. Why?
You lied to Beast.
Bigby: She told me not to tell you.
You told Beast the truth about Beauty.
Beast: She did?
Bigby: Yeah. I thought it was weird too.
Bigby says nothing.
Beast: Damn it...something's going on.
Bigby: Nope. Haven't seen her.
You lied to Beast.
Beast: Oh... Okay. Sorry to bother you. Damn it...something's going on.
Bigby: I'm staying out of it.
Beast: Out of what?
Bigby: Whatever "it" is, Beast. I'm not a marriage counselor.
Beast: Damn it...something's going on.
Beast walks away, and the elevator doors close.
Bigby says nothing, and the elevator doors close.
Beast: Motherfucker.
Bigby walks out of the elevator and enters his apartment.
Bigby's Apartment
Bigby's Apartment
Fabletown
Bigby sets down his keys and takes the phone off the receiver. He adjusts his tie uncomfortably.
Bigby: Damn...should've cracked a window.
Bigby opens the window in his kitchen. He turns on the sink and splashes his face with water, then turns it off again.
Bigby: What a night.
Bigby picks up the only thing in his freezer, an empty ice tray.
Bigby opens his fridge, which contains a bottle of ketchup and several cartons of Huff & Puff cigarettes.
Bigby: Bluebeard's file.
Bigby examines the file.
Bigby: Never trusted this guy...Bigby: Don't even remember ordering that... Probably a bad sign.
Bigby: At least this still works.
Bigby turns on the fan.
Bigby: Should help.Bigby: Not again...
Bigby walks into the living room and sees Colin sleeping on his couch. He taps Colin's shoulder, and he wakes up.
Colin: Hey, Bigby. I'm in your chair, huh?
Bigby: Yeah. Get out.
Bigby: I've only got the one. So, yeah.
Bigby: I'm tired, Colin. It's been a long day.
Colin: Alright, alright.
Colin gets off the couch, and Bigby takes the seat. Colin lies down, leaning against a box on the floor. Bigby puts a cigarette in his mouth.
Colin: Got a smoke?
Bigby lights his cigarette, then gives Colin one and lights it as well.
Colin: Thanks. Couple thousand more of these, we'll be even on that house you owe me.
Bigby picks up a nearby bottle, but puts it down when he finds it empty.
Bigby: This has gotta stop. You can't keep sneaking off The Farm like this.
Bigby stands up and walks into the kitchen, followed by Colin. Bigby pours himself a glass of bourbon.
Colin: The fresh air and sunshine pitch they sell you on is bullshit. I didn't escape out of the Homelands to end up in some prison, okay? Don't send me back there, Bigby. You don't know what it's like, okay? You haven't been there.
Bigby: C'mon. That's a little dramatic.
Bigby: Calm down. I'm not sending you back.
Bigby: Don't be a pain in the ass. I'll tell you what I told Toad.
Colin: And what's that?
Bigby: You're putting all of Fabletown at risk.
Bigby: I can't give you a free pass.
Bigby: Get a glamour or get send to the Farm.
Colin will remember that.
Colin took your silence as agreement.
Colin glances at the drink in Bigby's hand.
Colin: That for me?
Bigby: No.
Bigby walks over to his desk and examines a file.
Colin: The house didn't blow itself down, Bigby. That's all I'm sayin'. Do with that what you will. Now I'm not saying it's reason enough for me to have definitely been offered a drink, but, uh...it would have helped ease some of the pain you once caused me, yes? It also would have shown everyone how different you are now.
Bigby: If that was all you were saying, I'd be able to get some rest.
Bigby takes a sip of his drink.
Colin: I take it all back...this is why everyone hates you.
Bigby: So...everyone hates me?
Colin: No. I'm just giving you shit.
Bigby: I'm doing my best here.
Bigby: "It is better to be feared, than loved." You know who said that?
Bigby: It wasn't murder... I was hungry.
Colin: Yeah, well, I'm hungry now. You don't see me tearing the flesh off your bones.
Bigby: But you would, if you could.
Colin: It probably also has something to do with how engaging you are in conversation.
Bigby and Colin walk into the dining room.
Colin: But, uh, no, hate's the wrong word. They fear you more than anything. You ate a lot of people back in your day.
Bigby: I thought we were all supposed to have a fresh start here. I can't change the past.
Colin: Well, you can't change people's memories, either. Look, I'm not saying it's fair...but it's real. People are scared of you. I mean, look at your hands.
Bigby glances at the bruises on his knuckles.
Colin: Who'd you get in a fight with? A Fable, right? I'm sure you're not going around punching Mundies.
Bigby: I was doing my job, believe it or not.
Colin: Your job is to beat the shit out of Fables?
Bigby: Sometimes I take them to The Farm.
Colin will remember that.
Bigby: Wasn't my fault.
Colin is unimpressed.
Bigby: I don't need advice from a pig right now.
Colin will remember that.
Colin: Okay, sure. Silent treatment. I can do the same.
Bigby returns to the living room and sits down on the sofa.
Bigby: You think my job is easy? You try keeping a bunch of Fables from killing each other. How do you think this all works?
Colin lies down on the floor.
Colin: I don't know. How?
Bigby: By being big, and being bad.
Colin: "By being big, and being baaaad." Don't say that shit in front of people, it's embarrassing. That's the attitude that gets you in trouble. I'm sure you were shitty to everyone you came across tonight.
Bigby: Not everyone.
Colin: Name one.
Bigby: I don't actually know her name.
Bigby: Beauty.
Colin: Oh, yeah?
Bigby: Yeah, I told her I'd lie for her.
Bigby: Yeah, I kept her from making a bad situation worse.
Bigby: Toad.
Colin: Mister Toad? You just told me you threatened to send him back to the The Farm!
Colin: Mister Toad? Okay. How're his kids doing?
Bigby: He was yelling at them.
Colin: That's what I thought.
Colin: Life is easier with friends, Bigby, and we live a long fuckin' time. I know you like this whole Lone Wolf thing you got going for yourself, but I've seen the way you look at Snow, okay? You're not foolin' me.
Bigby: Will you shut up?
Colin: Well, maybe if my throat wasn't so parched, I wouldn't have to keep talking.
Bigby: Wait, that doesn't make se--
Colin: Just gimme a drink. Please!
Bigby: Colin. ENOUGH already. I haven't slept in two days. I went out a second-story window. And I want to get in two seconds of shut-eye before I... Look. If I give you this, will you let me sleep?
Colin: Yeah, yeah, alright...probably.
You chose to give him your drink.
Bigby sets the cup down in front of Colin.
Colin: Thanks, Bigby.
Bigby takes a sip of his drink.
Colin will remember that.
Colin: (disapprovingly) Nice. You're fucking with me. Hilarious.
Colin stands up and starts to walk away.
Colin: I hate you.
Bigby closes his eyes and leans back in the sofa, falling asleep. He wakes up a short time later when he hears knocking at the door. If he gave Colin a drink, he finds that Colin left sometime during his nap. Bigby stands up and walks over to the door. He adjusts his tie, then opens the door. He smiles, but his expression chances to surprise when he sees Snow instead of Faith.
Snow: Bigby!
Bigby: Snow?
Snow: Come with me.
Snow walks down the hallway, with Bigby alongside her.
Bigby: Snow. Snow!
Snow: What? Sorry...I'm... What is it?
Bigby: What happened?
Bigby: Where are we going?
Bigby: Just, uh, slow down.
Snow: Just keep up. We can't--
Snow and Bigby stop when Cryer turns the corner.
Cryer: Hi.
Snow: Hello. Good morning. Or...evening.
Cryer: Ha. Yeah.
Snow and Bigby continue walking, reaching the elevator.
Snow: These walls are paper-thin...
Bigby pushes the elevator button.
Snow: We need to be careful. We'll talk outside.
The elevator arrives, and they step inside it. They exit after reaching the lobby. A security jacket can be seen on the steps outside the glass door. Bigby and Snow walk outside.
The Woodlands Entrance
Bigby lifts the jacket to reveal Faith's severed head.
Bigby: No...
Snow: You knew this girl? Is...she's not a Mundy...right? Who was she? I thought I knew everyone in Fabletown. She looks familiar. I can't place her, though.
Bigby: A working girl.
Bigby: Just a girl. We didn't have a whole lot of time to chat.
Bigby: She was a prostitute.
Snow: Really...?
Bigby: I never caught her real name.
Snow: Oh...
Snow: I feel like there's something you're not telling me.
Bigby: The Woodsman. He attacked her, I stepped in. Then he threatened to kill us both.
Snow: No...you don't think he...?
Bigby: I don't think anything yet. Just gimme a second.
Snow: It's just...terrible. It took me a second to realize what I was even looking at.
Bigby: So... Who found her?
Snow: I did. She was just like this. I didn't touch her. I grabbed Grimble's jacket to cover her with...then... I came to get you right away.
Bigby: No one else was with you?
Bigby: So...tell me what happened. Every detail.
Snow: I wish there was more to tell... I left the office...walked past the security desk. Luckily he was asleep.
Bigby: Grimble?
Snow: Yeah. Then I opened the door, and I found her. Like this. I came to get you right away.
Bigby: And that's all?
Bigby: So... Did you see anyone else?
Snow: No. No one.
Bigby: No cabs? No voices? Mundies?
Snow: Maybe. But...no, I don't think so. I would remember.
Snow: In case you're wondering...I found her like this. I can't tell you much else. It's a shock... I know.
Snow: Bigby, did one of us...do this?
Bigby: There hasn't been a murder in Fabletown in...a long time...
Snow: All the more reason we shouldn't start a panic before we know what's going on.
Snow and Bigby see two people walking along the sidewalk across from the gate.
Snow: Have a look around. We don't have much time before people will be coming through here.
Bigby closes Faith's eyes. He examines her neck.
Bigby: Strange cut...what did this to her?
Snow: What could do something like that?
Bigby: Either something very sharp, or something with magic attached to it.
Bigby examines Faith's head.
Bigby: She was placed here with some care.
Snow: What do you mean?
Bigby: You can see that someone didn't just toss her here. She was deliberately placed...for us to find.
Snow: What kind of monster would do this?
Bigby examines Faith's mouth. He sees a piece of fabric between her teeth.
Bigby: What is...?
Bigby removes the fabric from her mouth and discovers that it's the ribbon she wore around her neck, tied to her ring.
Bigby: It's her ribbon. (looking at ring) There's some kind of symbol here.
Snow: Hm. I...I don't recognize it.
Bigby: Neither do I.
Bigby stands up and glances around the area. He sees a trail of blood on the ground.
Snow: Ugh, I...I'm sorry, this is just so surreal.
Bigby sighs in agreement.
Snow: Uh, what, uh, what do you want to do next?
Bigby: We still have some time...I should keep investigating the area.
Snow: Okay. Good idea.
Talk to Snow
Bigby: Hey, Snow. You alright?
Snow: Yes, thanks. But you should hurry. We don't have much time left. We should head back inside soon.
Bigby: Nobody there.
The trail leads to the back gate.
Bigby: Blood. Drops of blood.
Bigby touches the bloodstains.
Bigby: No signs that it's been here long...
Bigby takes the fabric.
Bigby takes out the fabric and compares it to the material of Snow's clothing.
Snow: What are you doing?
Bigby: Better to be thorough.
Bigby takes the lid off the trash can.
Bigby: Just some loose trash.
Bigby: I'm surprised the garbage men can even find their way here.
Bigby: Yup. More blood. Someone might've hopped the fence, got caught, then left the trail I found earlier.
Bigby: (looking at bloodstains) Blood. Still wet. (looking at fence post) Sharp enough.
When Bigby is ready to end the investigation, he chooses to approach the door. (If he did not compare the scrap of fabric to Snow's clothing, which automatically ends the investigation.)
Snow: Where are you going? Are we done?
Bigby: Nothing much else to do.
Snow: We should...move her...before anyone shows up. We'll find out more at the business office. She'll be in the book. I'm sure of it. Bigby... Do you have any idea what's going on? How did this happen? Why her? It's just so...awful.
Bigby: Someone brought her in from the outside.
Snow: That makes sense. There's no signs of a struggle. But how do you know?
(If Bigby examined the blood trail.)
Bigby: I found a trail of blood.
Snow: I saw it, but...
Bigby: What is it?
Snow: It doesn't mean someone definitely brought it from outside, right?
Snow is skeptical of your theory.
(If Bigby examined the fence post.)
Bigby: I found blood on the fence back there. Someone hopped over.
Snow: Okay, good. That's solid. So someone from the outside... Well, at least they didn't come from inside the Woodlands.
Bigby: Trust me.
Snow: I do trust you. But we're going to need more in terms of actual proof.
Snow: Okay... I guess I'll have to trust you on this one.
You left Snow unsure.
Bigby: This is a message.
Snow: A message? I don't know, Bigby. I get complaints at the Office all the time, but... Just what about this makes you think that?
Bigby: Whoever did this isn't exactly hiding it. The placement of the head...it's exact. Purposeful. She was placed here precisely for us to find. All of us.
Snow: Well, yes... I guess you're right. The killer wanted us to know what they had done.
Bigby: The Woodsman threatened to kill her with me in the room... Maybe he wants me to know that he did it.
Snow: I suppose it's possible...
Bigby: The victim... she could be a symbol for something.
Snow: Okay... I guess I'll have to trust you on this one.
Bigby: Sorry Snow, just not ready to say yet.
Snow: Fine. Let’s just get upstairs.
Snow: Okay... I guess I'll have to trust you on this one.
Snow: I'm going to have to tell Crane about this. As long as King Cole is gone, he's acting mayor...he needs to know. And he's going to find out anyway, so we may as well get out in front of it. It'll just be worse if he finds out we held it from him. I know you don't like him, but...he's our boss. This is part of the job.
Bigby: Don't tell him. It'll just complicated things. I've got all the motivation I need to find out who did this.
You asked her not to say anything.
Snow: He's the mayor--
Bigby: Deputy mayor. The position's a joke.
Snow: I'll think about it.
Bigby: I guess it's useless to drag it out.
Snow appreciates your support.
Snow: That's how I feel too. I'm sure he won't be happy, but...it's just part of the process. Hopefully he can be rational about it.
Bigby: I wouldn't hold my breath.
Snow: I'm not.
Bigby: We should wait until we have more to tell him. Right now, all we know is a girl is dead. Telling Crane doesn’t change that. I've got all the motivation I need to find out who did this.
You asked Snow to wait.
Snow: That sounds...reasonable but... I don’t know. I'll think about it.
Snow: It's the right thing to do.
Snow: Crane's not what's important right now. We need to figure out who this girl was, so we can find whoever did this. Take this back to Doctor Swineheart. He can take a look at it. I'll meet you at the Business Office.
Snow walks inside the building. Bigby covers Faith's head with the jacket.
Business Office
Bigby walks past a line of people outside the business office and up to the door.
Gren: What're you—blind? What? You don't see there's a line? I been standing here a half hour already.
Gren angrily walks up to Bigby.
Gren: You get to just walk in? Must be nice, being the sheriff... Do whatever the fuck you like.
Bigby: I don't have time for this.
Gren: Yeah, you and all the rest of 'em in there.
Bigby: I know. I'm taking cuts.
He will remember that.
Bigby: I work here.
Gren: And what great work you do, Sheriff.
Bigby says nothing.
Bigby enters the office.
Gren: Fucker...
Bigby approaches the middle of the room, where Crane and Snow are standing.
Crane: --and now you tell me there's a killer on the loose? ...you two tittering behind my back. --because you are the one bringing this to me, Miss Snow. The one who so simply "stumbled" upon this catastrophe on our very doorstep! The last thing I need with Mayor Cole away is a hysteria. Do you understand me?
Snow: Yes. Of course I do, but--
Crane: Don't interrupt me, Miss Snow!
Snow: You asked me a question!
Crane: Don't change the subject! You are to blame for this unpleasantness, Miss Snow!
Snow: I brought you this news as soon as I could!
Crane: You are trusted to keep things running smoothly around here! This is a disaster! Who else is to blame, if not you?
Bigby: If anyone's to blame, it's me. You don't need to be yelling at her.
You took the blame.
Bigby: Back off, Ichabod! It's not her fault.
You took Snow's side.
Snow: I don't need your help, Bigby.
Bigby: Instead of trying to assign blame, maybe we should figure out how to catch the fucker who did this.
Bigby: It isn't anyone's fault. Instead of trying to assign blame, maybe we should figure out how to catch the fucker who did this.
Crane: Oh? Is that how you see things?
Crane: See? Even Bigby agrees with me...as incompetent as he is.
Crane: Sheriff, you are the one charged with protecting the citizens of Fabletown.
Crane sits down behind his desk.
Crane: Your failure to do so cost someone their life, and the safety of the entire community! Tell me you've been doing something. Are there any leads? Suspects?
Snow sits down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
Crane: Anything? Anything at all? Any shred of evidence you two know what the hell you're doing? Because right now, I have half a mind to fire the both of you.
Bigby: Yeah. Her pimp.
You named the girl's pimp as your suspect.
Crane: Her...was she a...?
Bigby: Yeah. She was worried about a money situation.
Bigby: The Woodsman is a person of interest...from what we've been able to gather, he was last seen with the victim.
You named the Woodsman as a suspect.
Crane: The Woodsman? That drunk wretch was the cause of this?
Bigby: It's a lead. Nothing's certain yet.
Bigby: Bluebeard was mentioned...
You implicated Bluebeard.
Crane: Don't be absurd! Bluebeard is out of the country as we speak, so don't even think about accusing him of such a treacherous affair!
Bigby: The guy has a history of beheading young women. I’d say that’s something worth checking out.
Snow: Bluebeard came to mind. It's his M.O. It's shaky, but--
Snow put forth her own theory.
Crane: You two need to get a handle on this situation quickly, and quietly. The last thing we need is all of Fabletown knowing there's a killer amongst us. Snow.
Snow: Yes...sir?
Crane: Call Vivian right this minute and let her know I'm coming in early for my...massage.
Snow: I will.
Crane: Where is the bottle of wine you were to purchase? Oh, bother. Forget it. Can't do anything right.
Snow and Crane stand up, and the latter walks away.
Crane: Do your job, Sheriff...or we'll find someone who can.
Bigby: You know what?
Bigby: You know what?
Bigby: You know what?
Bigby says nothing.
Crane leaves the office.
Snow: You would've just pissed him off more.
Bigby: Alright.
Snow: Well, that could've gone better.
Snow: Well...maybe we should have "dragged it out".
Bigby: For what it's worth...I still think it was better to tell him.
Bigby: I told you not to tell him.
Snow: Well... I guess I should've listened to you and waited.
Bigby: Wasn't gonna say I told you so.
Bigby puts a cigarette in his mouth.
Snow: Oh—Crane doesn't like people smoking in—never mind. Smoke away.
Bigby lights his cigarette.
Bigby: What an asshole.
Bigby: Who gets a massage this early?
Bigby: Wine to a massage?
Bigby says nothing.
Bufkin peeks out from behind the top of a cabinet.
Bufkin: Is...is he gone?
Snow: Yes. Thankfully.
Bigby flies through the air, carrying the bottle of wine. He lands on the desk and tries to open the bottle with his teeth.
Snow: Bufkin!
Bufkin sets down the bottle and smiles sheepishly.
Bufkin: Hello, Miss Snow.
Snow: Drinking this early? Where did you get that?
Bufkin: It was by Mr. Ichabod's desk.
Snow: Then don't you think it probably belongs to him?
Bufkin: Maybe.
Snow picks up the bottle and walks away.
Bufkin: How are you today, Mr. Bigby?
Bigby: Fine, Bufkin. Thanks for asking.
Bigby: It hasn't been a great morning, Bufkin.
Bufkin: Sorry...
Bigby: Fuck off, Bufkin.
Bufkin: Sorry...
Bufkin will remember that.
Snow: Bufkin...get the books.
Bufkin: Which books?
Snow: The ones with all the Fables in it!
Bigby: I'm not sure that was any more specific.
Snow: Bring the first three.
Bufkin: Be back in a few minutes.
Bufkin flies away.
Snow: He knows the ones I'm talking about. There's bound to be information on her here...somewhere. We'll at least be able to get her real name from the books whenever Bufkin finds them. In the meantime, poke around. Maybe the mirror can help.
Snow picks up the phone.
Snow: I really have to get this appointment squared away, but...let me know if you need anything.
Snow's Comments on the Phone
Snow: Hello, Vivian? Hi, this is Snow White, Mr. Crane's assistant? Hi, yes, I'm just calling to let you know that Mr. Crane's schedule seems to have filled up for the rest of the day and he's coming in early for his appointment.
Snow: Yes, that's right. Mm-hmm. No, we got your invoice. Yes. It should be squared away. Yup. No, I can wait.
Snow: Yes, I mean, I questioned it only due to the amount. It seemed a bit excessive. Mm-hmm. I have the record right here, give me one moment.
Snow: Well, that's not what I have here. I can look through it again and get back to you. Mm-hmm.
Snow: I'll be sure to let him know. Yes. That's not a problem. Okay. Thank you.
Bigby: "Magic lamps" are pretty much just lamps after the genie's been freed...
Bigby rubs the lamp, but nothing happens.
Bigby looks at the mirror.
Bigby: Tarot cards. Jack brought them back from Appalachia...who knows where they were before then...or what he did to get 'em.
Bigby picks up the Strength card. It depicts a woman petting a wolf.
Bigby: Strength...I guess it comes in all forms.
Bigby picks up The Tower card. It depicts a woman lying at the base of a tower with blood on her torso and blood coming out of her mouth. A concerned man looks over the parapet.
Bigby draws the Ten of Swords. It depicts someone lying on the ground with ten swords impaling them.
Bigby: Damn... Just what the fuck is this supposed to mean?
Bigby talks to the Magic MirrorMagic Mirror (video game)|Magic Mirror.
Bigby: Hey, Magic Mirror... I got a question.
Mirror: You know the rule.
Bigby: I don't have time for this shit.
Mirror: Your impatience is callow, you're needlessly cruel, but have some respect for our historied rules.
Bigby: Mirror, mirror, if you're...able...tell me all about this Fable...
Mirror: See? Was that so hard?
Bigby: Yeah, I'm about two seconds away from kicking a hole in ya.
Mirror: There's no need for that...fine. Of which Fable do you wish to know?
Bigby: Show me the Woodsman.
The Mirror shows Woody stumbling down the sidewalk next to a pawn shop.
Bigby: Where is he?
Mirror: What you see is complete. The Woodsman stumbles down a street.
Bigby: No shit. Which street?
Bigby: I don't know her name. Not yet, anyway.
Bigby: Show me...Snow White.
The Mirror shows Snow talking on the phone.
Bigby: Show me...Bufkin.
Bufkin is perched in the library, drinking from a bottle.
Bigby: Hey! Put down the bottle and get to work!
(After asking to see at least one Fable.)
Bigby: Nobody, right now.
Bufkin returns, carrying a pile of books. They slip out of his grasp and fall on the floor, along with Bufkin.
Snow: Well, I'm sure we'll get it all cleared up. Okay. Thank you.
Snow sets down the phone. She walks over to a nearby table, where Bufkin has laid out the books she requested. Bufkin and Snow start reading through them.
Bigby: You know what this means?
Bigby shows the Ten of Swords to the Mirror.
Mirror: Tarot is a backwards art. I wouldn't put too much stock in its wisdom, Bigby.
Bigby: Not when you've been so helpful.
Bigby examines the Book of Fables. The page depicts several Fables in the forest outside a village.
Snow: We'll start with these. Any information on Fables in our community will be somewhere in these books.
Bigby: Huh. Me.
Bigby: And there's me... Not a good day.
Bigby: My buddy.
Bigby: Red Riding Hood's knight in shabby armor.
Snow: The Woodsman?
Bigby: Hmm. I think her name was Red. She didn't make it out.
Bigby: The two of them. Huh. I wonder what the story was.
Snow: I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be me.
Bigby: Dwarves. Less said about that, the better.
Bigby: Beauty. In happier days.
Bigby: Beauty and the Beast.
Bigby: Beast.
Bigby: And her...man. Beast.
Bigby: Colin and his brothers.
Bigby: Ichabod Crane...scared shitless.
Snow: What's that?
Bigby: Your boss. His finest moment. Hard to understand how he ended up running this place.
Bigby: I haven't seen Badger around for a while.
Snow: He likes his privacy, I think.
Bigby: Nice hat.
Bigby examines the symbol on the king's robes.
Bigby: I've seen this before. This symbol on the man's clothes. It's the same as the ring's.
Snow: Could be her father, or husband? (looking at different book) This has most of the emblems of the old days and usually what family they came from. If it's in here, we'll have her name.
Bigby opens the Book of Symbols and looks at the one of the pages.
Bigby: Great.
Bufkin: What?
Bigby: I can't read any of this shit.
Bufkin: I can help.
Bufkin flies over to Bigby and lands in front of the book.
Bigby: Yeah. Thanks.
Bufkin: We look out for each other!
Bufkin: Maybe it will brighten your shitty mood a little.
Bigby: Bufkin. Translate.
Bufkin: Mm. "An exquisite design...from the...good china...of Toad Hall."
Bigby: Mr. Toad?
Bigby: This looks familiar.
Bufkin: Yes. From the axe of the Woodsman. A Druid blessing, actually.
Bigby: Someone blessed that thing?
Bigby: What's it say about that?
Bufkin: It says "Bricklebit" in an older Elvish hand.
Bigby: What's Bricklebit?
Bufkin: A magic word.
Bigby: What's it do?
Bigby: What's that?
Bufkin: It reads... "Mark of the house of...the Frog Prince."
Bigby examines the page marked "Asinus Corio Puellam Regius Annuli". It depicts the same symbol seen on Faith's ring and the king's robes.
Bigby: This is the one. Where is this symbol from? Which family or story?
Bufkin: That's an odd one. A family name? "All-lair-lie-rau". I'll go look it up.
Bufkin flies over to a different open book.
Snow: Allerleirauh...means "every-kind-of-fur" in German.
Bufkin has turned to Faith's page in the book.
Bufkin: "Donkeyskin".
Snow: Yes! What does it say?
Bufkin: "Donkeyskin girl, also known as Donkeyskin, also known as (laughs) Ass' skin, prefers to go by the name Faith." Poetic!
Snow: Bufkin. We don't need the commentary.
Bufkin: The story of Donkeyskin. "There was once a great king with a beautiful queen. The queen grew ill and had her husband promise to only marry the most beautiful girl in the kingdom. After a long search, it became clear that the only woman in the land that could match her beauty was...his daughter...Faith."
Bufkin pauses as the group shares looks of horror.
Bufkin: "She had a magic cloak made from the skin of her father's prized donkey...that would hide her beauty, so she could escape his kingdom. Eventually she married a prince, who could see past the magic cloak and knew her true beauty...and they lived happily ever after." Should I...mark it, Miss Snow?
Snow: Yes. Please.
Bufkin puts a "DECEASED" stamp onto Faith's file.
Snow: What's her husband's name?
Bufkin: Lawrence... Prince Lawrence.
Snow: We got what we came for.
Bigby: Yeah.
Snow: Her name's Faith, she was married to Prince Lawrence. I mean, that's more than we--
Bigby: Her name WAS Faith.
Snow: Yeah.
Bigby: We should talk to the husband.
Snow: You think he did it?
Bigby: With this sort of thing, it's usually the person who knew them best.
Bigby: No. I don't, but we need to let him know about his wife.
Bigby: Nothing would surprise me, at this point. We can't rule him out.
Snow: Well...I know what it's like to have a falling out with a prince... I don't trust any of them at this point.
Bigby returns to the Mirror.
Bigby: Mirror, mirror, blah blah able, blah blah blah about this Fable.
Mirror: Of which Fable do you wish to know?
Bigby: Show me...Faith's father. The old king.
The mirror shows a skeletal hand with a signet ring on it and an arrow near the corpse.
Bigby: Show me... Show me Faith.
Mirror: Through powerful magics her whereabouts concealed. Unfortunately for you, "These lips are sealed."
Bigby: What?
Bigby: He's a prince, I think. Show me Prince Lawrence.
The Mirror shows Lawrence slumped over in a chair, a bloody dagger at his feet.
Bigby: What's he been doing? Where is this?
Snow: Where's what?
Bigby: Do you know where Prince Lawrence lives?
Snow: If he's a prince...probably relocated in the South Bronx. Yellow building, red window shutters?
Bigby: Red frames.
Bigby: Nobody, right now.
Snow: Anything we can use?
Bigby: Yeah. That'll have to do for now.
Snow: Come on. We're going over there.
As Bigby and Snow approach the door, the phone rings.
Snow: Sorry, I have to get that.
Snow picks up the phone.
Snow: Hello? Woodlands Business Off—yes. I--he is. Hold on. Bigby...it's for you.
Snow hands the phone to Bigby.
Toad: Bigby! It's me. Toad. You there?
Bigby: Toad. Got your glamour yet?
Bigby: Sorry about the car.
Bigby: What do you want?
Toad: Are you there, man?
Toad: Bigby! Shit. Listen, right? There's a bloke upstairs, going through all the Woodsman's things. Get over here, Bigby! Before he—wait. Hang on. Oy! Shit. Hey!
The phone cuts out, and Bigby sets it down.
Snow: What was that about?
Bigby: Hard to say. Something going on over at Toad's place.
Snow: What about Faith's husband?
Bigby: I don't know. I couldn't really tell, but...he could be in trouble. And we should go there anyway to search her apartment. Toad might have to wait.
Snow: Whenever you're ready.
Bigby opens the door, and he and Snow walk outside, all the way to the outside of the building.
Snow: Did Toad say who was there? Was it the Woodsman?
Bigby: I don't know. It's possible. Whoever it was, it didn't seem like Toad was happy to see 'em.
Snow: Well, maybe Prince Lawrence can wait.
Bigby: You didn't see him. He...could use some help too.
Snow: Well...where to first?
Bigby steps outside the gate.
Toad: (in Bigby's memory) Bigby! Shit. Listen, right? There's a bloke upstairs, going through all the Woodsman's things.
Snow: (in Bigby's memory) You think he did it? What's her husband's name?
Bufkin: (in Bigby's memory) Lawrence... Prince Lawrence.
Bigby: Toad sounds like he needs help right now. We can check in on Prince Lawrence after.
Bigby: We need to tell him about his wife. He deserves to know.
Snow: You're right. And Toad's a tough...toad. He can probably handle himself for a few hours.
The Woodsman's Apartment
The Woodsman's Apartment
South Bronx
Early Morning
Bigby and Snow walk toward the apartments.
Bigby: And we ended up going out the window and I landed on Toad's car.
Snow: You guys made a real mess.
Bigby: Yeah...it looks worse in the day.
Snow: Is somebody up there?
A figure is seen through the hole in the wall.
Bigby: Hey--!
Bigby: Hey--!
Bigby: Hey--!
Bigby says nothing.
The person runs away.
Bigby: Wait here.
Bigby runs into the building and enters the Woodsman's apartment, finding it empty.
Bigby: Shit.
Bigby walks up to the hole in the wall, and Snow looks up at him expectantly. Bigby shakes his head. Snow walks into the building.
TJ: I'm sorry!
Toad: That's enough, alright! Just shut it!
TJ sobs.
Bigby looks down at the street below.
(If it was damaged.)
(If it was damaged.)
(If it was damaged.)
(If it was damaged.)
(If it was damaged.)
Snow: I don't think anybody's here...
Bigby: If we came all this way for nothing...
Snow and Bigby walk into the building. They hear TJ sobbing.
Toad: Alright, son, alright, he's gone, he's left, it's over now...
TJ is still sobbing.
Snow: Is that his son?
Bigby: Toad's? I think.
Bigby takes a step toward the door, but Snow puts a hand on his chest to stop him.
Snow: Be nice in there, okay?
Bigby: Hey, Toad? You in there?
Bigby reaches toward the handle, but the door swings open.
Toad: Shh!
Bigby and Snow enter the apartment.
Toad steps in front of TJ.
TJ enters his bedroom, the door closing behind him. Toad turns toward the other two.
Toad: Bigby! And Miss White! Surely you didn't come all this way just for my bother! Sorry, Bigby. It's embarrassing to have to admit, but, eh, I thought there was someone else in Woody's place. There wasn't, though, not when I checked—nothin' but a leaky drain pipe. Imagination must have got the best of me. So, ya know, false alarm. Sorry for dragging Miss White into this—but thanks for coming, much appreciated.
(If Bigby went to Toad first.)
Bigby: There was someone...but they took off when we got here.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby: Are you sure there wasn't anyone here?
Bigby: What's going on?
Bigby: Heard someone crying.
Bigby says nothing.
Snow leans down toward TJ.
Snow looks at the door to TJ's room.
Toad: He's fine, Miss White, just stung his little toe. Better swimmer than walker, just like his dad.
Snow: (to Bigby) Wanna...?
Toad: So I guess you'll be taking off now. No need to hang around here anymore. I mean, I'm sorry you came all the way here for nothin'...but it was nothin', really.
(If Bigby went to Toad first.)
Bigby: Somebody was in your building. This is for your own safety, Toad. You called us, remember?
Toad: Yeah, yeah, I know, and I appreciate it, mate, but--
Bigby: It's fine, relax. We'll be out of here in a minute. I just want to check things out first.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby: This is for your own safety, Toad. You called us, remember?
Toad: Yeah, yeah, I know, and I appreciate it, mate, but--
Bigby: It's fine, relax. We'll be out of here in a minute. I just want to check things out first.
Bigby: I'll leave when I'm ready, Toad. I just want to check things out first. The longer you talk, the longer this takes, so just stand over there and shut up.
Bigby: Someone was here, and something's going on, and just so this trip wasn't a complete waste of time, I'm gonna look around a bit before we leave, okay? The longer you talk, the longer this takes, so just stand over there and shut up.
Toad: I just don't want to waste your time is all, but alright!
Toad: Have a seat, have a cup of tea, whatever you like!
Snow leans down toward TJ.
Snow: Phew! Grown-ups, am I right?
TJ: Uh...
Snow knocks on the door to TJ's room.
Snow: TJ? Are you alright?
TJ opens the door.
TJ: It has a weevil.
Snow: Cool...
Snow and determinantly TJ enter his room.
Toad: Just mind the upholstery while you're looking for nothin'.
Bigby: Yeah, sure thing.
Talk to Mr. Toad
Toad: I need to get a dust pan one of these days...
Toad: I should probably get that thing fixed...
Toad: Place needs a bit of dusting, I s'pose.
Toad: Mph.
Toad: What is it?
Bigby: Look, you want me outta here, I want outta here...just come clean. What's going on?
(After examining lamp and dust ring.)
Bigby: Toad... I know you're lying about the lamp.
Toad: The lamp fell, is all! I bumped it comin'--comin' in from the thing!
Bigby: I know something's off here, Toad. And I know you know that I can't leave here until I find out why. So can we please just skip to the end of the page before I have to get mean?
Toad: I don't know what you want, Bigby... There's nothin' going on.
Toad: There's just--there's just nothing to tell. Look around the room and see for yourself. Everything has its explanation, you'll see.
Bigby: Honestly, Toad, I don't know if I will. And I don't know if I've got the patience to reverse-engineer whatever scheme this is.
Toad: Me boy's in the other room, Bigby... C'mon, now, we're friends, right? I mean, I called you here--can't we just start over?
Bigby slaps Toad.
Toad: Ah, Jesus!
Bigby: You are gonna tell me--right now--what the fuck happened before we showed up--
Toad: Bigby, I--
Bigby slaps Toad again.
Bigby: --and if it even has the faintest whiff of bullshit, I'm gonna--
TJ: DAD!
Snow and TJ are standing in front of the open door. TJ walks up to Toad and hugs him.
TJ is afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.
Snow: Bigby...is this really necessary?
Toad: Ohh...
TJ: What is it? Is it hurt?
Toad: Bollocks...
Bigby: This is the job, Snow. You may not like it, but...this is the job.
Bigby: He's hiding something. Either something he knows or something he's kept, but I won't play any more games with him!
Bigby: Maybe...maybe it... It got away from me, a bit.
Snow: I thought you were just going to talk with him...
TJ: Dad...?
A streak of blood can be seen pouring from Toad's head.
Snow: Oh, my god...
Bigby: Take off your hat.
Toad takes off his hat, revealing a wound on his head.
Snow: Bigby, you didn't...?
Bigby walks away.
Bigby walks away.
Bigby walks away.
Talk to Snow
Bigby knocks on the door, and Snow opens it.
TJ: ...though most people think they are.
Snow: Uh-huh. (to Bigby) How's it going?
Bigby: Toad's hiding something, but I don't know what yet. Did the kid say anything...?
Snow: No, not really. He was really upset, though, earlier...he won't say why.
Snow: No, but I'm worried. He has two huge bruises on his arms. He won't tell me why, and he acted nervous when I brought it up.
Bigby: Mm.
Snow: Something's going on.
Bigby: Stay with the kid until I figure out what.
Snow closes the door.
Bigby: How'd this happen?
Bigby: And the lamp's broke too.
Toad: Fucking hell. Damn thing must have fell off the table.
Bigby: Uh-huh. The lamp just fell off the table.
Toad: Or the boy was faffin' about, playin' sods and swordfish. Who knows with the lad?
Toad: You know with this place, it's like living on a foundation of termites, it is. All's so cheap, it's a wonder it stays standing as long as it does.
Bigby sniffs the bloodstain on the wall.
Toad: It's just some wood rot, not mold or anything...
Toad: I'm sure Junior's marked the walls up as well with the gunk those toys carry.
Toad: I've really been meaning to clean the place...
Bigby: There's more blood over here.
Toad: Oh? Really?
Bigby: Yeah. Still fresh.
Toad: Well, like I told you, I cut me hand. Ran around like a tit trying to pick out a wrap... Must've got some on the furnishments... Okay, Sheriff, now what?
TBC
Bigby: Why aren't you bleeding?
Toad: Like I said, I heal fast. Takes a lot to leave a scratch, you know how it is.
Bigby: Wait...you cut your hand? You told me before that you cut your foot.
You caught Toad in a lie.
Toad: Yeah, no, I--I did cut my hand. I cut my hand first, and that made me drop the damned thing on me foot. (laughs nervously) Ruinous flip of events, really.
TBC
Bigby compares the bloodstain on the wall to the one on the poker.
Toad: Oh, my god, will you not make a big faff outta this?! There's nothing to solve here, Sheriff, I'm telling you everything that happened! Why don't you believe me? I mean, things happen, ya know... No crime in a little accident.
Bigby: Something happend here, Toad. I'm not sure what, exactly...but I know you're lying about something.
Toad: But I'm not--
Bigby: And you're just gonna make it worse for yourself the longer you keep up the act.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: This apartment's a goddamn mess, Toad. It looks like after a struggle, or a fight. And I don't know why you'd cover for it...but I know you're lying about something.
Toad: But I'm not--
Bigby: And you're just gonna make it worse for yourself the longer you keep up the act.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: I think maybe you're hiding something.
Toad: Hidin' something?
Bigby: Maybe. But to tell you the truth, I don't know yet...but I know you're lying about something.
Toad: But I'm not--
Bigby: And you're just gonna make it worse for yourself the longer you keep up the act.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: We'll see.Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: Did you cut yourself climbing the window?
Toad: Why? Is that--
Bigby: It's blood. Still fresh.
Toad: Oh, well, I cut me hand. Ran around like a tit trying to pick out a wrap... Must've got some on the furnishments...
Toad: Lamp in pieces, blood on the wall...it's awful, I know.
Bigby: Sounds painful.
Bigby sees marks on the window.
Bigby examines the busted latch.
Bigby: Your lock's busted.
Bigby: Your lock's busted too. This place is falling apart.
Toad: Eh?
Bigby: The lock. It looks like somebody kicked in the door.
Toad: For Christ's sakes, the fuckin' lock's been busted for weeks, mate. Rotted just like everything else in this bloody building.
Bigby: Mm.
Toad: Bloody hell, Bigby, what sinister bit have you uncovered this time? I left the tap water running? Didn't sort the recycling? What is the point of all this, mate, really?
Bigby: Why haven't you fixed this? Anyone on the street could just walk right in.
Toad: There's better priorities than busted door knobs. And who's gonna come in and take anything? There's nothin' to take!
Bigby: Why'd you climb in through the window, then?
You caught Toad in a lie.
Toad: Huh?
Bigby: Why'd you climb in through the window? You said it yourself, the lock's been rotten for weeks... You wouldn't have needed a key to get in.
TBC
TBC
Bigby picks up the fireplace poker, which is covered in blood.
Bigby: There's more blood over here.
Toad: On the poker?
Bigby: Yeah. What happened?
Bigby: What happened here?
Toad: The poker? What of it?
Toad: I--I was poking the coals and it slipped a bit—sliced open my foot like a seashell. Hurt like a shit, the ugly thing.
Toad: If you're gonna say something, out with it.
Bigby: Wait...you dropped it on your foot? You told me before that you cut your hand.
You caught Toad in a lie.
Toad: Yeah, no, I--I did cut my hand. I cut my hand first, and that made me drop the damned thing on me foot. (laughs nervously) Ruinous flip of events, really.
Bigby: It's been the hottest summer in years, Toad, so why would you be making a fire?
Toad: Stay in this place for more than a spell and the drafts'll make you think you're in a sodding tundra! I like it hot, so what's the fuss?
Bigby: I thought Toads can dry out.
Toad: No, mate, you're thinking of lizards.
Bigby: You cut yourself, but didn't put the poker away after?
Toad: I'm sorry me housekeeping's not up to your standards.
Toad: Oh, for...it's a fire iron, is all, you ponderous wanker! We're not playing Ten Little Indians here! It's a simple accident!
Bigby compares the bloodstain on the wall to the one on the poker.
Toad: Oh, my god, will you not make a big faff outta this?! There's nothing to solve here, Sheriff, I'm telling you everything that happened! Why don't you believe me? I mean, things happen, ya know... No crime in a little accident.
Bigby: Something happend here, Toad. I'm not sure what, exactly...but I know you're lying about something.
Toad: But I'm not--
Bigby: And you're just gonna make it worse for yourself the longer you keep up the act.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: This apartment's a goddamn mess, Toad. It looks like after a struggle, or a fight. And I don't know why you'd cover for it...but I know you're lying about something.
Toad: But I'm not--
Bigby: And you're just gonna make it worse for yourself the longer you keep up the act.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: I think maybe you're hiding something.
Toad: Hidin' something?
Bigby: Maybe. But to tell you the truth, I don't know yet...but I know you're lying about something.
Toad: But I'm not--
Bigby: And you're just gonna make it worse for yourself the longer you keep up the act.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Toad: I'm not bullshitting you. Honest.
Bigby: Sounds painful.
Bigby opens the windowsill and examines the marks.
Bigby: There's some marks here on the windowsill.
Toad: Well, like I said, Junior leaves his toys around all the time--
Bigby: These don't look like they're from a toy.
Toad: What is it now? If it's blood, you know what happened, I--
Bigby: No, there's marks here on the windowsill. What's that about?
Toad: Just last night, when I'd come out, I was in a--a downright tizzy, mate—as you would be—and I plum forgot the keys to this place. And I had to climb in through the bloody window.
Bigby: Really?
Toad: Scared Junior half to death.
Bigby: Mm.
Toad: You heard the, uh, the new, uh...Shakin' Stevens album yet?
TBC
Bigby: Junior was home. Why didn't he let you in?
Toad: It was the middle of the sodding night, Bigby, I'm supposed to wake him 'cause his jammy daddy didn't remember to check his pockets?
Bigby: But you wouldn't need keys, since the lock's broken. So why'd you climb in through the window?
You caught Toad in a lie.
Toad: Huh?
Bigby: Why'd you climb in through the window? You said it yourself, the lock's been rotten for weeks... You wouldn't have needed a key to get in.
Toad: It was hard enough to scale the bloody wall, I have to have you actin' like it's a crime.
Bigby examines the dust ring on the table.
Toad: That more blood?
Bigby: There's a mark over here too.
Toad: What do you mean?
Toad: Uh, maybe one of Junior's toys or something. I mean, who knows?
Bigby looks at the lamp and sees that it matches the mark.
Toad: Bloody hell, Bigby, what sinister bit have you uncovered this time? I left the tap water running? Didn't sort the recycling? What is the point of all this, mate, really?
Bigby: What kind of toy was it?
Toad: Lord if I know, Bigby, he has so many worthless baubles...
Bigby: That broken lamp used to be here. Right? Just tell me what happened.
Toad: Nothing happened, mate. Nothing. And why did the lamp HAVE to be there, of all the bloomin' pointless inquiries? It's my own place--don't you think I know what happens in it?
TBC
Bigby: Because the lamp was always over here, Toad. It was over here...and now it's there. The space in the dust is from where you moved it.
You caught Toad in a lie.
Bigby: Because it wasn't on that table, Toad. There isn't any room in the electric outlets.
Toad: Huh? What're you--
Bigby: It was plugged in over here...and now it's there.
You caught Toad in a lie.
Toad: I did some refiguring--who fuckin' cares?
Bigby: And not plug it in? C'mon, Toad.
TBC
TBC
Toad: Bigby? Hello? Anybody home? It's a spot of dust, I'll clean it later.
TBC
After Bigby examines the latch, poker, sill, and dust ring, he returns to Toad.
Toad: Bigby, c'mon, I'm begging for mercy over here, old boy. I was looking forward to a nice afternoon, just me and me son, and you've taken up enough of the day with all this—this sniffing around at me private belongings! I'm sorry I called, really, I am, but...will you please—please just bugger off?
Bigby: Not yet.
Toad: "Not yet"?
Toad: You say--to my face--that you think I'm hiding something from you. Well, you've had the go of the room for a fair bit of time now. Nothing's here.
Toad: No one fought anyone, Bigby. There wasn't any scrap.
Toad: You stay here to accuse me of heaven knows, and for what, Bigby? You've seen the whole room. Nothing's happened.
Toad: So when? When are you gonna leave? I mean, I feel like I'm on trial here—in me own bloody home! It's not seemly!
Bigby: When? When I say so, Toad.
Bigby: When? When you start telling me the truth, Toad.
Bigby: When? When I figure out what's going on here, Toad. You can help the process along, you know...
Bigby says nothing.
Toad: I cut me hand, I broke the lamp—I forgot me keys so I climbed the sill. There's no more story to tell, mate!
Bigby: Toad... These stories have made no sense.
You called out Toad's lies.
Bigby: You didn't cut yourself on the poker.
Bigby: You didn't forget your keys.
Bigby: You didn't bump the lamp off the table.
Bigby: You wanna tell me what's going on?
Snow and TJ step out of the room.
TJ: ...she doesn't think much of me, I don't think.
Snow: Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say that... (to Bigby) Progress?
Toad hugs TJ. A streak of blood can be seen pouring from his head.
Snow: Mr. Toad...you're bleeding.
Bigby: Take off the hat.
Bigby: Tell me what happened. Right. Now.
Toad: I keep tellin' ya, this is just a misunderstanding! A series of accidental mishaps! This is all gettin' a bit stressful, alright? Please...just take it easy...
Bigby: I have my limit for bullshit, Toad, and I think we reached it ten minutes ago.
Bigby grabs Toad and picks him up, shaking him.
Bigby: Now, you're gonna tell me what's going on here, or I'm gonna start--
TJ: DAD!
Bigby sets Toad down. Snow and TJ are standing in front of the open door. TJ walks up to Toad and hugs him.
TJ is afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.
Snow: Bigby...is this really necessary?
Toad: Ohh...
TJ: What is it? Is it hurt?
Toad: Bollocks...
Bigby: This is the job, Snow. You may not like it, but...this is the job.
Bigby: He's hiding something. Either something he knows or something he's kept, but I won't play any more games with him!
Bigby: Maybe...maybe it... It got away from me, a bit.
Snow: I thought you were just going to talk with him...
TJ: Dad...?
A streak of blood can be seen pouring from Toad's head.
Snow: Oh, my god...
Bigby: Take off your hat.
Toad takes off his hat, revealing a wound on his head.
Snow: Bigby, you didn't...?
Bigby slaps Toad.
Toad: Ah, Jesus!
Bigby: You are gonna tell me--right now--what the fuck happened before we showed up--
Toad: Bigby, I--
Bigby slaps Toad again.
Bigby: --and if it even has the faintest whiff of bullshit, I'm gonna--
TJ: DAD!
Snow and TJ are standing in front of the open door. TJ walks up to Toad and hugs him.
TJ is afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.
Snow: Bigby...is this really necessary?
Toad: Ohh...
TJ: What is it? Is it hurt?
Toad: Bollocks...
Bigby: This is the job, Snow. You may not like it, but...this is the job.
Bigby: He's hiding something. Either something he knows or something he's kept, but I won't play any more games with him!
Bigby: Maybe...maybe it... It got away from me, a bit.
Snow: I thought you were just going to talk with him...
TJ: Dad...?
A streak of blood can be seen pouring from Toad's head.
Snow: Oh, my god...
Bigby: Take off your hat.
Toad takes off his hat, revealing a wound on his head.
Snow: Bigby, you didn't...?
Bigby backs away. Snow and TJ step out of the room.
TJ: ...she doesn't think much of me, I don't think.
Snow: Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say that... (to Bigby) Progress?
Toad hugs TJ. A streak of blood can be seen pouring from his head.
Snow: Mr. Toad...you're bleeding.
Bigby: Take off the hat.
Toad sits down on a nearby crate. Snow kneels down next to him.
Toad: It was that...butcher, a Tweedle. Dum or Dee, you gotta strip 'em down to their johnnies before you can tell which is which.
Snow offers Toad a rag, and he presses it to his wound.
Toad: He came bargin' in, screaming about something the Woodsman had, or thought he had... I don't know. He tore up the place, beat me up when I said I didn't have it.
Toad: I tried to go out the window...but he pulled me back in. It's been a hard mornin', I can tell you that.
Toad: And if you had come when I asked you to, maybe he wouldn't'a had the nerve to strong-arm me boy.
Snow: He hurt Toad Junior? How awful...
Toad: What the hell does he care? It's always the same with you, isn't it, Bigby? If I'm in trouble, need help, if I call about somethin', you always take the livelong day to get here. What if he'd done somethin' worse, eh? I'm tired of feeling trivial, mate. A lot of us are.
Bigby: What was he looking for?
Bigby: Do you know where the Tweedle went?
Toad: He mentioned something about Prince Lawrence's... I don't know if he'd already been there or was going there, but...he said something about it.
Toad: No, he didn't happen to mention his nightly plans while he was busy braining me, sorry.
Bigby: What did you tell him?
Toad: Nothin'. There was nothing he wanted to know except if I had this... thing that he wanted.
Toad: If you're worried about your own skin, forget it. I didn't tell him nothin' about you or your shit.
Snow: Do you know what he was looking for?
Toad: I would've told you—I wanted to, really, I did... But he said if word of this ever got back to him, if he ever thought you knew, or Miss White...he'd come back and kill my boy. I even tried to give the bastard her coat. He wouldn't take it.
Snow: Whose coat?
Toad: The girl.
TJ: Dad borrows things from people who live here... Uh...sometimes...?
Bigby: Borrows?
Toad: I don't steal nothin'. The turnaround here would astonish you, mate. I merely...repossess what's been left behind.
Snow: Well, we'll be taking the coat now. If she has next of kin, family, anyone...
Toad: Alright. Fetch 'em the fur.
TJ goes to the fireplace and searches the chimney.
Toad: Fine bit of dress it is.
Snow walks over to TJ and pulls a donkeyskin coat out of the chimney.
Toad: Though I wouldn't wear it outside...
Snow sets the coat down on the sofa.
Bigby: Wait.
Bigby takes an envelope out of the coat.
Bigby: It's an envelope.
Toad: Fuckin' hell, of course there is. With my luck, it's a map to some bloody doubloons.
Snow: It's addressed to Prince Lawrence.
Snow: Do you want to try and give it to him, or...?
Snow: What do you want to do with it...?
Toad: Don't make it a dilemma! Just open it!
Snow: Bigby...
Bigby: Let's just keep it for now.
Bigby: Doesn't seem right opening another man's mail. Let's try and give it to him.
Snow: Okay.
Bigby opens the letter.
Bigby: "I'm sorry. Faith."
You read Prince Lawrence's letter.
Snow: What could she have been sorry for?
Bigby: I don't know.
Bigby: But maybe Lawrence does.
Bigby: But maybe Lawrence did.
Snow: I guess...we'll think about it...
Toad: Well, it's been quite a surprising day for all of us, hasn't it? I'd see you out, but I'm afraid of drippin' any more blood in the place.
Snow pats TJ on the head.
Snow: It was very nice talking to you, TJ.
TJ: Thanks. Uh, see ya.
Snow: And don't worry about what happened earlier. Just feel better, okay?
Toad: And if you're looking for the Woodsman, try down at the Trip Trap.
Toad: Boy, am I glad that I called you. Fuckin' Christ. Next time just go the bloody Trip Trap if you're looking for the Woodsman.
Snow and Bigby leave the apartment. Toad pats TJ on the head. Outside the building, Bigby lights a cigarette.
Snow: I'll be honest, Bigby... I don't really know how to feel about what happened in there.
Snow: Does it always go that smoothly?
Snow: So...the prince's, now?
Snow: So...split a cab?
Bigby: Sure. I can only go to the Trip Trap for now, anyway.
Snow: Not because of what Toad said?
Snow: Our only lead, really.
Bigby: When you put it that way...
Lawrence's Apartment
Lawrence's Apartment
South Bronx
Early Morning
Bigby and Snow White walk up to the prince's apartment building.
Snow: I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to, so let's just pick an approach and stick to it, okay? Just humor me.
Bigby: When the magic mirror showed me this apartment...I think I saw a knife inside, covered in what looked like blood.
Snow: I wasn't expecting that.
Bigby: Yeah.
Snow: Well, like I said, let's not overcomplicate things. You can question him while I look around for it.
Snow trusts you a bit more.
Bigby: And if he objects?
Bigby: This is a murder investigation, Snow. Things aren't that simple.
Snow: If we try and do everything at once all the time, some things are going to slip trough the cracks.
Bigby: Just...leave it to me, alright? Let's see what happens when we get inside.
Snow: Alright.
Bigby: We're here to question Lawrence and bump him up on the suspect list or cross him off entirely.
Snow: Okay...
Bigby: What is it?
Snow: I just...I just don't think he did it.
Snow doesn't entirely agree.
Bigby: In cases like these, isn't it usually the husband?
Snow: Let's just keep our focus on questioning Lawrence. Where she was, who she was with...that sort of thing.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby knocks on the closed door, but there is no response.
Bigby knocks again.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby turns the handle, but the door is locked.
(If Bigby went to Toad first.)
Bigby looks through the open door and sees blood on the floor.
(If Bigby went to Toad first.)
Bigby: Can you hear me?!
Bigby sees Lawrence slumped over in a chair.
Bigby sees Lawrence lying on the floor.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby: Hey! Hey!
Bigby decides to open the window, since the door is closed (and locked).
Bigby: Alright, we'll try this out.
Bigby opens the window.
Snow: Guess we're out of options...
Bigby climbs through the window.
Snow: Come on. Help me up.
Bigby takes Snow's hand and helps pull her up through the window. They find Lawrence slumped over in his chair, covered in blood.
Snow: Oh, god...we're too late. That makes two Fables dead...we need to figure out what the hell is going on here... Who would do this to them?
Bigby opens the door, which is ajar. He and Snow enter the apartment. They find Lawrence lying on the ground, covered in blood. Bigby turns Lawrence over, and they see that his eyes are open.
Snow: Oh, my god.
Bigby: Hey, hey! You're gonna be okay!
Bigby: Hey, hey! Stay with me, Lawrence. You're gonna be alright.
Bigby: Go get Dr. Swineheart. I'll stay with him.
Snow: He can still make it. I'll go get Swineheart.
Lawrence: No! No. Let me go.
Snow helps Lawrence sit up.
Lawarence: Et...ss...she...
Snow: What is it that you're telling us?
Lawrence: Waaaah...waa....tur.
Snow: Bigby. Water. Kitchen.
Bigby enters the kitchen.
Snow: Did you find it yet?
Bigby turns on the tap and fills up a glass with water, then returns to the living room. He kneels down next to Lawrence and helps him drink the water.
Snow: If you have something to ask him, you should do it now.
Bigby: Is this about Faith?
Bigby: What happened?
Bigby: Who did this to you?
Snow: Oh, my god.
Lawrence: Faith. Faith.
Lawrence dies. Snow runs her hand over his face to close his eyes, then sets him down.
Snow: Do you still have that letter?
Bigby: Yes.
Bigby hands the letter to Snow.
Snow: Should I open it? I'm not sure if it's right.
Bigby: It’s your decision. Do what you think is right.
You let Snow open the letter.
Snow: I need to know.
Snow opens the letter.
Bigby: What does it say?
Bigby: You should. There might be something that helps us. A clue. A lead.
You let Snow open the letter.
Snow: I need to know.
Snow opens the letter.
Bigby: What does it say?
TBC
TBC
Snow: It's only two words...but he died without seeing them...
Snow puts the letter into Lawrence's hands.
Snow: I'm sorry.
Snow says nothing for a few moments.
Snow examines the mail on the floor.
Bigby: Bullet passed through the chair.
Bigby takes the bullet out of the wall.
(After picking up gun.)
Bigby: Snow, could you stand over there? Point towards Lawrence, as if you're the shooter.
Snow stands in front of Lawrence and mimes pointing a gun at him.
Snow: This is...feels strange. What are you thinking?
Bigby: The slug should've gone over there. Right behind him. Not here.
Snow: Right. So the shooter stood somewhere else.
The picture shows a smiling Faith and Lawrence.
Snow: When do you think that was taken?
Bigby touches the blood on the floor.
Bigby: It's sharp...and there's blood on the blade.
Snow: Is that the same knife you saw in the mirror?
Bigby: The mirror showed me this... Maybe I should've come here first. It's sharp...and there's blood on the blade.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby touches the blood on Lawrence's wrist.
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby: They never really look "peaceful", do they?
Snow: What are they?
Bigby turns off the fan.
Bigby sniffs the gun.
Snow: What is it?
Bigby picks up the gun by its barrel.
Snow: Fingerprints?
Bigby: They'll be on the grip and the trigger.
Bigby: Second-hand paperbacks. Old encyclopedias.
Bigby: Dusty. No one's read these in a while.
Bigby turns the tap on and off again.
The note says:
R--
Pay the rent next week
Pizza in the fridge
Please don't look for me.
GoodbyeF
It's the panel to a murphy bed.
(After moving the panel.)
(If Bigby went to Lawrence first.)
Bigby opens the closet and finds it empty.
Bigby: Looks like Faith took all her stuff out.Bigby examines the blood on the floor.
Bigby: Strange. Hard edge to this pool. Like something was here, and got moved.
Bigby pulls down the panel near the bloodstain. There is a note on the bed.
Bigby: Son of a...
Bigby tries to pick up the bloody note.
Bigby: It's stuck to the bed a little.
Bigby successfully picks up the note.
Bigby: "My dearest Faith, I never meant to hurt you, and I cannot endure knowing that I have. This was for the best. I'll see you again. Love, your devoted Lawrence."
Snow walks over to Lawrence.
Snow: I should know his face. There are so few of us... I should know his face.
Lawrence blinks and coughs.
Snow: Oh, my god. Bigby, he's alive.
Lawrence falls onto the floor, struggling to get up.
Lawrence: What—what are you doing here?
Bigby: Let's get you back up.
Bigby helps Lawrence sit back in the chair.
Lawrence: Aaargh...what are you doing here? What's going on?
Snow: We found you here, in your chair, with what we thought was a fatal injury. We should call Swineheart, have him take a look at you.
Bigby: Wait a second on that, Snow. (to Lawrence) You know who I am?
Lawrence: Yes.
Bigby: Good. I have a few questions.
Lawrence: Why? Wh—what's this about?
Bigby: When was the last time you saw your wife, Lawrence?
Lawrence: I...I don't know...a few weeks ago. She...came by to get some things...that's what she said...but I think it was so she could leave some money. I didn't find it 'til later. We've been...separated for some time now.
Snow: Lawrence, what did you do?
Bigby: What happened?
Bigby: We found your note...
Snow: Lawrence, what did you do?
Lawrence: I...shot myself...in the heart...thought I'd be dead by now... Hurts like fuckin' hell.
Bigby: Your heart's actually a little more to the center. You probably hit a lung.
Lawrence: Great. At least...that's how I think it happened...things are a little fuzzy...thought it was a bad dream.
Snow: Why did you do it, Lawrence?
Lawrence: I did it because I was ashamed. I...couldn't live with myself knowing I had done that to her. I did what I could to keep her away. But she still worries about me. She comes by, makes sure I'm okay. I'm a fuckin' burden, I'm useless... I don't want her to have to worry about me anymore. She's better off without me...without me being here to drag her down. She deserves that. She's been through a lot. (starts crying) I just wish I could've done better by her... She's always been there for me. Go away. Just fucking go away.
Bigby: Your wife is missing.
You let Lawrence draw his own conclusion.
Bigby: I'm sorry to inform you...that...your wife has been killed.
You told him Faith is dead.
Lawrence: No...no, no, no, no... I knew this would happen...
Bigby: I'm sorry...I am...but I'm gonna need you to help me find whoever did this. So you need to try and remember anything that could possibly help us--
Bigby: Someone heard a gunshot...and we're following up on it.
You lied to Lawrence.
Lawrence: You're following up on a gunshot from a week ago?
Bigby: Hey, we're a little backed up at the Office.
Snow: I'm sorry, but your wife...your wife was murdered.
Snow told him Faith is dead.
(If Bigby lied to Lawrence.)
(If Bigby didn't lie to Lawrence.)
Bigby: Lawrence, I, uh...
Bigby: Lawrence, I, uh...
Snow: Lawrence...
Someone knocks on the door.
Snow: Do you...
Bigby: Are you expecting anyone?
Lawrence shakes his head.
Bigby: I'll see who it is.
Snow: No. Wait.
Someone tries to open the locked door.
Snow: We need to know why whoever's out there is breaking in. I need your help.
Lawrence: What do I do?
Snow: Just play dead.
Lawrence: What?
Snow: Trust me. You can't move in your condition anyway, so just stay still. The second we figure out what they're here for, Bigby will arrest them. Think about your wife.
Lawrence: Give me back the gun. Just in case.
Lawrence drags his gun with his foot and holds it.
Bigby and Snow hide in the closest.
Bigby: Just stay quiet, Lawrence...
Bigby: I don't know who that is...
Bigby: What's he doing?
Bigby: Is he looking for something?
Tweedle Dee kicks open the door and enters the apartment. He walks around and examines the area. He closes the bed panel, then walks up to the closet and searches the objects on the floor in front of it. Lawrence takes out the gun.
Lawrence turns the gun against himself.
Lawrence aims his gun towards Dee.
Snow: Bigby. He has a gun.
Bigby: Oh, fuck...
Bigby: Hey!
Bigby opens the closet, and Dee runs out of the apartment.
Bigby: Stay here!
Lawrence shoots himself in the head.
Bigby opens the closet, and Dee runs out of the apartment.
Bigby: Stay here!
Lawrence: Where’s my wife, you motherfucker!
Dee: Hey, listen...you don’t wanna do this, man.
Lawrence fires a round into the wall.
Lawrence: What did you do with my wife?
Dee: I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, okay? I’m just a guy lookin’ for answers too.
Bigby: Hey!
Snow: Hopefully they're together now.
Bigby: About all we can hope for at this point.
Bigby opens the closet, and Dee (who is covered in blood) jumps out and runs out of the apartment.
Bigby: Stay here!
Bigby and Snow run out of the apartment. Dee runs through an alley, chased by Bigby.
Bigby: Hey! Stop!
Dee: Leave me alone!
Dee runs through a door at the end of the alley, followed by Bigby. Dee throws a table down the stairs, which either hits Bigby or is successfully dodged by him. They run up another staircase, and Dee throws down a vase and then another table, which can again hit or miss Bigby depending on his reactions. Dee and Bigby run through a hallway, the former toppling a couch into the latter's path. Bigby lifts the couch and crawls under it, continuing the chase. He reaches two doors; the left has a broken "3B" sign, and the right door is ajar.
Bigby bursts into the room and sees Dee crawling out the window.
You stayed on his trail.
Bigby bursts into the room and finds it empty. He sees Dee run past the window.
He almost gave you the slip.
Dee jumps to the adjacent balcony and crawls through the window. Bigby runs and jumps toward it, but ends up falling onto the one below. He enters the window and runs through the hallway, hearing destructive noises and shouting from the floor above. He follows the sound of Dee's footsteps through one of the hallways. Someone opens a door as Bigby is running, which he either dodges or crashes into. Bigby sees Dee fall past a window, and he crashes through it, landing in the same dumpster as Dee. The latter climbs out and tries to run away.
Bigby: Hey!
Bigby leaps out of the dumpster and pushes Dee to the ground.
Dee: Ease up, Bigby... We're on the same side here.
Bigby: You...son of a bitch...make me...run after you.
Bigby: Why...did you run?
Dee: What?
Bigby: Why did you run?
Bigby: Why were you looking through books, huh?
Bigby: What were you doing back there?
Dee: The same thing you should be doing. Investigating. Looking for clues. The fuck are you doing hiding in closets? Fuck, man.
Bigby kicks Dee in the leg.
Dee: Fuck, man!
Dee: Had some questions for Larry. Didn't think it'd go how it did.
Bigby: Who are you?
Dee: What?
Bigby: Who are you?
Dee: I'm a...private investigator. Just looking for the same answers you are.
Bigby: A man's dead.
Dee: I know how it looks, but I had nothing to do with that.
Bigby: Come on. I'm bringing you in.
Bigby: Then who did?
Bigby: Bullshit! You're covered in blood!
Bigby kicks Dee's leg.
Dee: Aarrgh!Dee: Look, I was just asking him about the girl, that's all. When I mentioned her being dead, he freaked out. I figured someone'd told him. How was I supposed to know?
Bigby: Shit...
Dee crawls backward, bumping against a garage door. He stands up, and Bigby walks up to him.
Dee: You're looking for the Woodsman, right?
Dee: I know where he is. My guy says he's holed up at the Trip Trap. We can go over there right now. The both of us.
Dee: My employer is looking to ask him a few questions too.
Bigby: Who's your "employer"?
Dee: I can't tell you that. It's confidential. Sorry. I'm sure you understand.
Bigby: Nope. Can't say that I do. Come on. You're coming with me.
Dee: This could've been easy.
Bigby: What were you doing back there?
Dee: Checking out the guy who was married to the girl. Seemed a good place to start. Tracking down...leads.
Bigby: What kind of leads?
Dee: I can't tell you that. It's confidential. Sorry. I'm sure you understand.
Bigby: Nope. Can't say that I do. Come on. You're coming with me.
Dee: This could've been easy.
(If Bigby didn't already ask this.)
Bigby: Who are you exactly?
Dee: I'm Dee, and I'm a private investigator. There's a business card in my shirt pocket. You can see for yourself.
Bigby takes a card out of Dee's pocket.
Bigby: This is for a sandwich shop.
Dee: Really? Huh. Must've run out.
Bigby: Who hired you?
Dee: I can't tell you that. It's confidential. Sorry. I'm sure you understand.
Bigby: Nope. Can't say that I do. Come on. You're coming with me.
Dee: This could've been easy.
(If Bigby asked who Dee was.)
Bigby punches Dee.
He'll remember that.
Bigby: Come on.
Dee: Dum.
Bigby: Dumb? Yeah, it is. Look, it'd be much easier for you to--
Dee: No. I'm Dee... He's Dum.
Bigby turns around and sees Tweedle Dum, who punches him in the face, knocking him unconscious. He wakes up some time later to see that Dee and Dum are gone and Snow is kneeling next to him.
Snow: You almost looked peaceful.
Bigby: Yup.
Snow: Except you're lying in a dirty alley.
Bigby: Yup.
Snow: With an open wound on the back of your head.
Bigby: Yup.
Bigby: What happened?
Snow: Well, the one guy hit you, then the other started kicking you.
Bigby: Explains the ribs...
Bigby: Where'd they go?
Snow: Well, after the one guy hit you, and the other one finished kicking you...
Bigby: That explains the ribs...
Bigby: Just leave me here.
Bigby says nothing.
Snow: Come on. Get up.
Bigby stands up and brushes the dirt off his clothes.
Snow: We should check in on Toad. See if there's anything there that can get us back on the trail.
Snow: Guess we're out of options...
Bigby: Dee mentioned the Trip Trap.
Cab
After visiting both Lawrence and Toad, Snow and Bigby sit in the back of a cab as it drives through the city at sunset.
Snow: Every time I think I'm getting a handle on what's going on...things just get more complicated. It feels like we're always a step behind.
Bigby: The Woodsman is the only lead we've got and he was one of the last people to see Faith alive. Getting some answers out of him will start to clear things up.
Snow: I hope you're right. Bigby... Be honest with me. Who do you think...did this? I know it's still early, but...I just feel a step behind. It's an uncomfortable feeling.
TBC
Bigby: The Woodsman. He had the motive, he had the means.
You named the Woodsman as your suspect.
Snow: You sound so sure that he's guilty.
Bigby: I don't know if he is. That's why I need to talk to him. I don't have the whole story. Maybe he has some information that can help us out.
Bigby: I think he is...at the very least, he's guilty of hitting that girl and coming after me with an axe. The way I see it, he's getting off light. I'm dragging his sorry ass out of there and throwing him in a cell. We'll figure out the rest later.
She'll remember that...
Bigby: At this point, I'm smashing a glass on that guy's head and dragging him out of there. We'll figure out the rest later.
Snow agrees...
TBC
Bigby: The guy—I mean, guys—who attacked me. Dee and Dum. They've got something to do with all this.
Snow: You think so?
Bigby: I don't know how or why just yet, but if you're asking... It's a hunch.
Bigby: We haven't talked to him yet, but...
Snow: Tell me. I don't think anything would surprise me at this point.
Bigby: I feel like Bluebeard has something to do with this.
Snow: I had the same suspicion.
Snow agrees...
Bigby: I don't know how or why just yet, but if you're asking... This is his M.O. There's still a lot of questions... We find the Woodsman, figure out what he knows, then go from there.
Bigby: Faith was in trouble. Afraid of someone. I need to find out who. Might be whoever she was working for. There's still a lot of questions... We find the Woodsman, figure out what he knows, then go from there.
You suspect Faith's pimp...
Snow: I can't tell if you don't know, or just won't say.
Snow and Bigby ride in silence for a few moments.
Bigby: Thanks for your--
Bigby: You're doing a--
Bigby: This isn't as bad--
Snow: You look tired.
Snow: Sorry.
Bigby: Go ahead. I didn't mean to cut you off.
Bigby: I was just going to say...
Bigby: Thanks...for the help. It's been appreciated. That's all.
Snow: Of course. I'm just glad I haven't been in the way.
Bigby: You're doing a good job. I thought you should know that.
Bigby: I had some reservations with you coming along, but...this hasn't been as bad as I thought it might be.
TBC
TBC
Snow: Seeing all this today... There are Fables that are struggling worse than I'd imagined. We pay so much attention to the residents of the Woodlands...you forget there's a whole community out there to serve. To have to turn to...prostitution. I was there was more we could do. This isn't how I thought it would be...but Crane runs things his own way.
Bigby: You're doing your best. It's all anyone can do.
Snow: Obviously you don't know what I do all day. Right now, I'm the gatekeeper, making sure none of these disenfranchised folks are, as he puts it, wasting his time.
Bigby: You'll fix it.
Bigby: Crane is the one to blame here, not you.
Snow: Obviously you don't know what I do all day. Right now, I'm the gatekeeper, making sure none of these disenfranchised folks are, as he puts it, wasting his time. I'm more to blame than anyone.
Bigby: You'll fix it.
Bigby: Then you should do something about it. You are in a position to make a difference.
Snow: Obviously you don't know what I do all day. Right now, I'm the gatekeeper, making sure none of these disenfranchised folks are, as he puts it, wasting his time.
Bigby: If you really want to help, you'll figure out a way.
Bigby says nothing.
Snow: I don't know...it's just a broken system. The Fables who walk in through the back door, like Bluebeard...we have all the time in the world for them. You try and come in through the front door, through the proper channels asking for anything—needing help, well...I turn you away. Now things are worse off than they've ever been.
Bigby: Well...that's not true.
Snow: Right, we've had it worse, but...not by much. Maybe this isn't for me. I thought public service was...pure. A way to help.
Bigby: You should stick it out. There are Fables that would give up a lot to be in the position you're in, and I think it's easier to change something from the inside.
Snow: You're telling me change comes from within.
Bigby: Uh, sure.
Snow: Not the advice I imagined hearing from you.
Bigby: You should get out of there. If it's as bad as you say it is, maybe there are better ways to get things done outside of the system.
Snow: It's something I have to consider. Never took you for a quitter.
Bigby: You'll figure it out. You're better than I am with this political stuff.
Snow: Well, that's not saying much.
Bigby: I trust you to make the right decision.
Bigby says nothing.
The cab stops in front of the Trip Trap.
Snow: Yeah, maybe you should handle this one.
Bigby: Yeah, maybe I should.
Bigby gets out of the cab and starts to walk toward the bar.
Snow: Bigby.
Bigby walks back to the cab and leans down next to the open window.
Snow: I...um...just...be careful, please.
Bigby: The same goes for you.
Bigby: Don't worry. This'll be over soon.
Bigby: Always.
Snow: At least try.
Snow speaks indistinctly to the driver, and the cab drives away.
The Trip Trap Bar
The Trip Trap Bar
The Bronx
Bigby enters the Trip Trap. Holly walks behind the bar counter, where Gren is already seated.
Holly: What do ya want, Sheriff?
Bigby: I'm looking for the Woodsman.
You told her the truth.
Bigby: Official Fabletown business.
She'll remember that.
Holly: Oh, well, if it's official Fabletown business...
Gren chuckles.
Bigby: I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd pop in and say hello.
You avoided a direct answer.
Holly: Oh, well, I guess I'm not worthy of a response.
Bigby: Look, I'm not even gonna ask where he is now, okay? I just wanna know that last time he was here. That's all.
Holly looks over at Gren.
Holly: Who?
Bigby: I'm being nice, so try again.
Holly: He hasn't been here for a few weeks.
Gren shakes his head.
Holly: No...maybe. I don't know. But, yeah, he hasn't been here in a while, if he's been here at all...which...I...I don't know.
Bigby: Does he tell you when to close too?
Bigby: Don't let him tell you what to do. You're your own woman.
Bigby: I'd just like some help, then I'll be out of here.
Holly: Glad you came in for that.
Talk to Gren
Bigby: Come on. Have you seen the Woodsman around?
Gren: I don't know who that is.
Bigby: Big guy. Beard. Flannel. Kind of a shitbag. Hard to miss. You sure you don't know him?
Bigby: Don't lie to me. It'd be bad for everybody.
Bigby: How about I buy you a drink?
Bigby: Come on. Tell me what you know.
Gren: I know you're an asshole, and you're not wanted here. How's that?
TBC
The chalkboard shows the scores of dart players. "GR" has 3 points, "H" has 2, and "WD" has 4.
Bigby: You guys playing right now?
Bigby: "H". Well, that'd be you, Holly. So who's "WD"?
Holly: No idea.
Bigby: Because it's also the first letter in the name...
Bigby: You guys playing right now?
Bigby: If you're not playing, then you don't mind if I...
It offers Huff & Puff cigarettes.
Bigby reaches into his pocket, but has no money.
Bigby takes out a stack of bills.
Bigby: You got any change for this thing?
Holly: No.
Bigby puts his money away.
Holly: Lemme solve the mystery for you. They're pickled eggs.
The pictures display the bar's patrons, including the Woodsman.
Bigby: He a regular?
Holly: I don't know who you're talking about?
Bigby: The one with the bald head and the beard.
Bigby: Who's is that?
Holly: Someone who left.
Bigby: Why didn't you dump it?
Gren: If you want a cleaner place, feel free to get the fuck out of here.
Bigby: Enough already. Just tell me where he is.
Bigby: Someone like...the guy I'm looking for?
Bigby says nothing.
Bigby picks up a Trip Trap branded matchbook.
Bigby: A lot of these walk out the door?
Holly: Yeah, it's called advertisin'.
Bigby: You get a refund.
Bigby sets the matchbook back down.
Holly: Fuck you. The word's gettin' out.
Bigby: You'll never guess where I found the other one of these.
Holly: No. I won't.
Bigby sits down on the bar stool next to Gren.
Gren: Lotta stools in this place.
Bigby: But there's only one right next to you.
Bigby: If I sit over there, I'm gonna have to yell to talk to you. And I don't like raising my voice unless I really have to.
Bigby: You got a problem, friend?
Gren: I don't like you, and now you're sittin' right next to me.
Bigby says nothing.
Holly: You gonna order something, or you just here to bother my customers?
Bigby looks around at the empty room.
Holly: You know what I mean.
Bigby: Gimme a Midas' Gold.
Holly: You want a lime?
Bigby: Sure.
Bigby: No.
Holly: 'Cause I think they got some at the bar down the street.
Gren chuckles.
Bigby: Think that's funny?
Gren: Yup. Think it's fuckin' hilarious.
Bigby: It was alright.
Bigby: Come on, guys. I don't want to be here. You don't want me here. The sooner you answer my questions, the sooner I'll be out of your--
Bigby: This is fun...this back and forth, we should really do it more often, but, uh, I'm starting to lose my patience.
Bigby: This is serious, Holly. Harboring a fugitive is gonna get you in as much trouble as he's in. You could lose everything.
Bigby says nothing.
A toilet flushes, then a sink turns on. Whistling is heard from the bathroom, and the Woodsman walks out a few moments later.
Woody: Holly, you're out of paper towels in the...
Bigby smiles victoriously at the Woodsman. He says nothing, sitting down at the bar and taking a sip from his drink.
Bigby: Saved your beer for you. Holly wanted to clear it, but I said, "No, he'll be back." Now here you are.
Bigby: Just gonna sit down without saying hello?
Bigby: Number one or number two? For your sake, I hope it was two. Otherwise, you're probably shittin' your pants right now.
Bigby says nothing.
Woody: You and me've been goin' at it for hundreds of years... I'm through fightin'.
Bigby: Not sure I believe you.
Bigby: Well, Woody, that makes two of us.
TBC
Bigby says nothing.
Bigby: You're in luck. I've decided to switch seats.
Bigby stands up and starts to walk toward Woody, but Gren puts a hand on his chest to stop him.
Bigby: Look, it's been a long fuckin' day...and I'm startin' to get a little cranky. I've got questions, and I'm not leavin' without answers.
Gren: Maybe he don't want to talk to you.
Bigby: I just want to talk. This doesn't have to go like this.
Gren: Maybe he don't want to talk to you.
Bigby: Last fella that put his hand on me...ended up with an axe in his head.
Bigby says nothing.
Woody: It's okay, Gren.
Gren lets go of Bigby, and he sits down next to Woody.
Bigby: It's funny...just a minute ago, no one seemed to know who you were.
Woody: Yeah...well... Everyone knows you. Big Bad Wolf. Now I'm the bad guy and you're Sheriff. What kinda fuckin' world is that, huh?
Bigby: Come on, Woody. You know why I'm here.
Woody: You wanna know what happened.
Bigby: Amongst other things, sure.
Bigby: Come on, Woody. Why'd you do it? No bullshit.
Bigby: I'm not exactly comfortable with it either. But you play the hand you're dealt.
Woody: Well, some folks are forced to play with shit...
Bigby: That's a lovely image.
Woody: Guess you wanna know about the girl.
Woody: There's not much to explain...it's no big secret...I needed money.
Woody: I'd walked past her place for weeks... She didn't look like it, but she had money. I was sure of it... And she wouldn't put up any kinda fight. I was gonna rob her. And the night I finally get up the nerve to do it...there you are... Fuckin' things up for me. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I wasn't there to save her...
Bigby: What are you talking about exactly?
Woody: Red Riding Hood...her grandmother. I was there to rob them...when I showed up, you were already there...lying the bed. I only saved her 'cause I thought she might give me a reward...but she didn't give me shit. 'Cept a buncha people thinkin' I'm somethin' I ain't. I played along as long as I could. Only thing I managed to get from it was a free drink every now and again...huh, lotta good that did.
Bigby: I already know this story, Woody.
Woody: You should. You were there.
Bigby: I'm not talking about Red Riding Hood, I'm here about Faith. She was murdered.
Woody: What? Faith? Who's that?
Bigby: The girl you were beatin' on this morning.
Woody: No. No. No. No. I was here. I swear.
Bigby: It doesn't look good when a girl you were just smackin' around shows up dead hours later.
Woody: She's dead? Bigby, listen... I'm a piece of shit, okay...I know that. I hit that girl. I did. I should've, but...I didn't kill her. You believe me, right? They're gonna string me up, Bigby. Like you said, it looks fuckin' bad...it looks really bad. But I didn't do it.
Gren: He was here. That's the fuckin' truth, Sheriff.
Bigby picks up a glass and smashes it into the Woodsman's face.
You chose violence.
Bigby: I'm draggin' you back to The Woodlands.
Woody: For what? Jesus, Bigby...that fuckin' hurt.
Bigby: Did you kill Faith?
Woody: What? Faith? Who's that?
Bigby: The girl you were beatin' on this morning.
Woody: No. No. No. No. I was here. I swear.
Bigby: It doesn't look good when a girl you were just smackin' around shows up dead hours later.
Woody: She's dead? Bigby, listen... I'm a piece of shit, okay...I know that. I hit that girl. I did. I should've, but...I didn't kill her. You believe me, right? They're gonna string me up, Bigby. Like you said, it looks fuckin' bad...it looks really bad. But I didn't do it.
Gren: He was here. That's the fuckin' truth, Sheriff.
TBC
Bigby: So you were planning on robbing her?
Woody: Yeah...her and her grandma.
Bigby: Grandma? Wait, what are you talking about?
Woody: Red Riding Hood...her grandmother. I was there to rob them...when I showed up, you were already there...lying the bed. I only saved her 'cause I thought she might give me a reward...but she didn't give me shit. 'Cept a buncha people thinkin' I'm somethin' I ain't. I played along as long as I could. Only thing I managed to get from it was a free drink every now and again...huh, lotta good that did.
Bigby: I already know this story, Woody.
Woody: You should. You were there.
Bigby: I'm not talking about Red Riding Hood, I'm here about Faith. She was murdered.
Woody: What? Faith? Who's that?
Bigby: The girl you were beatin' on this morning.
Woody: No. No. No. No. I was here. I swear.
Bigby: It doesn't look good when a girl you were just smackin' around shows up dead hours later.
Woody: She's dead? Bigby, listen... I'm a piece of shit, okay...I know that. I hit that girl. I did. I should've, but...I didn't kill her. You believe me, right? They're gonna string me up, Bigby. Like you said, it looks fuckin' bad...it looks really bad. But I didn't do it.
Gren: He was here. That's the fuckin' truth, Sheriff.
Bigby picks up a glass and smashes it into the Woodsman's face.
You chose violence.
Bigby: I'm draggin' you back to The Woodlands.
Woody: For what? Jesus, Bigby...that fuckin' hurt.
Bigby: Did you kill Faith?
Woody: What? Faith? Who's that?
Bigby: The girl you were beatin' on this morning.
Woody: No. No. No. No. I was here. I swear.
Bigby: It doesn't look good when a girl you were just smackin' around shows up dead hours later.
Woody: She's dead? Bigby, listen... I'm a piece of shit, okay...I know that. I hit that girl. I did. I should've, but...I didn't kill her. You believe me, right? They're gonna string me up, Bigby. Like you said, it looks fuckin' bad...it looks really bad. But I didn't do it.
Gren: He was here. That's the fuckin' truth, Sheriff.
TBC
Bigby: Just shut up! I'm taking ya in.
Woody: For what? We've had punch-ups before, Bigby. It never had to get official. Just blowin' off some steam, is all.
TBC
Bigby picks up a glass and smashes it into the Woodsman's face.
You chose violence.
Bigby: I'm draggin' you back to The Woodlands.
TBC
TBC
Bigby says nothing.
Gren takes a sip of his drink, then slams it on the table and approaches Bigby menacingly.
Woody: Hey! Stop. This isn't what I want.
Gren: Shut the fuck up, Woody. Shit ain't just about you. It's about this fuckin' lap dog. Only comes sniffing around this part of town when the rich fucks in the Woodlands need a shakedown. Ain't that right, Bigby?
Bigby: Lap dog? Really?
Bigby: It's not like that. There are problems with the way things go, I get it. But that's got nothing to do with what's happening right now.
Bigby: You're backing the wrong guy. If you saw what I saw last night, you'd know that.
Bigby says nothing.
Gren: Holly's sister goes missing and no one gives two shits about her. Paperwork, waiting rooms, and that bitch Snow White looking right past me, then ushering me out the fuckin' door.
Bigby: I wouldn't call her that. It's happened before, and it doesn't end well.
Gren: I didn't realize you were the bitch of the bitch.
Bigby punches Gren, knocking him to the floor.
Gren: That all you got?
Bigby: Seemed to be enough.
Bigby does nothing.
Bigby: Anyone tell you you’ve got a big fuckin’ mouth?
Bigby punches Gren, knocking him to the floor.
Gren: That all you got?
Bigby: Seemed to be enough.
Bigby growls.
Gren: I can growl too.Gren removes his glamour.
Bigby: Oh. Good.
Gren: Should've walked out of here when you had the chance.
Bigby: Come on. You're scaring the lady.
Holly: Don't worry about me.
Holly removes her glamour. Gren hits Bigby, knocking him into the counter.
Bigby tries to pick up the nearby glass, Holly grabs it from him and slams it back on the counter.
Bigby fails to grab the mug.
Gren grabs Bigby and smashes him into the ceiling.
Bigby throws the ceiling fan at Gren, but it barely fazes him.
Gren drags Bigby down.
Gren smashes Bigby into the ground, then tosses him at the wall. Gren pushes a pool table toward him.
Bigby jumps onto the table.
The table slams into Bigby.
Gren knocks Bigby into the door. He throws a chair at him, which he can either dodge or get hit by. Gren throws a table at him.
Bigby moves behind a payphone, which Gren rips off the wall.
Bigby picks up the coat rack and stabs Gren in the forehead. Gren chops it in half and removes impaling object.
Gren slams Bigby into the door.
Bigby is hit by the table.
Gren grabs Bigby's leg and throws him against the ground and and various objects in the bar. He starts to drag him over to the counter, but Bigby takes his half human/half wolf form and digs his claws into the floor. Gren throws him against the wall, then charges at him.
Bigby stabs Gren's shoulder with his claws and jumps over him.
Gren crashes into Bigby and falls on the floor.
Bigby can kick him in the ribs or do nothing. Gren charges at Bigby and picks him up. He stabs Gren in the shoulder with his claws; Gren releases him and crashes into the wall. Bigby jumps on his back, slicing his forehead and neck. Gren slams bigby against the wall behind him. Bigby picks up a pool cue and stabs him in the shoulder, then kicks him to the side. He can kick him in the knee or do nothing.
Woody: He's had enough!
Bigby rips off Gren's arm.
Bigby: I'm the lap dog, huh?
Bigby picks up his arm.
Bigby: Here. Fetch.
Bigby tosses the arm across the room.
Woody: YOU FUCKING MONSTER!
You chose to walk away.
Bigby walks up the counter.
Bigby: Whiskey.
Holly sets a small glass in front of Bigby, but he throws it aside, shattering it.
Bigby: Double.
Holly sets down a bigger glass and pours him some whiskey. Bigby takes a drink, then sets down the glass, returned to his human form.
Bigby: All this...never happened.
Holly moves to pour more whiskey into his glass.
Bigby digs through his pocket, but finds nothing.
You already gave your money to Faith.
Bigby: Shit.
Bigby places money on the counter.
Bigby: Submit a damage report with my office. Fabletown'll pay for this. Charge the drink on there too...and the glass.
Bigby says nothing.
Woody starts to back toward the door.
Bigby: Don't even think about it.
Woody: Is this the type of treatment I can expect if I let you take me in?
Bigby: If you run, it'll be worse. Trust me.
Bigby: Hey, he started it.
Bigby: No. If you come quietly, you'll be treated with respect. But if it turns out that you killed that girl...well...you know what that means.
Bigby says nothing.
The front door opens, and Dee enters.
Dee: Alright, I got a hundred bucks for the first bloke that can tell me something about a girl named...
Dee notices the injured Gren, then sees Bigby.
Dee: Fuck.
Woody and Dee both start to run in different directions.
Bigby slams Dee against the door and twists his arm behind his back, handcuffing him.
Dee: Fuck, man! That's not necessary.
Woody manages to escape.
Bigby: Shit...
Dee: He's the one you want. Not me.
Bigby: Your brother won't be saving you this time. C'mon. You're under arrest.
Bigby slams Woody against the wall and twists his arm behind his back, handcuffing him.
Woody: Aaargh! You said you wouldn't hurt me!
Bigby: You said you wouldn't run.
Dee manages to escape.
Bigby: Shit...
Woody: Guy's covered in blood and you let him go?
Bigby: No one asked you.
Woody: Aaargh!
Bigby: C'mon. You're under arrest.
Bigby: Then you got nothing to worry about.
Bigby and Dee/Woody leave the Trip Trap.
Street
Bigby and Dee/Woody walk along the street near the Woodlands. Bigby sees police cars gathered outside the building, so he handcuffs Dee/Woody to the nearby streetlight.
Bigby: Do anything stupid and I'll throw you down the Witching Well myself.
Woody: Alright.
Beast runs up to the police tape, but is stopped by an officer. Bigby ducks under the tape and starts to walk toward the building. He sees a horrified policeman leaving the scene. A couple officers see Bigby approaching the Woodlands and run toward him in a panic. Bigby stops near the front steps, where a crowd of officers are gathered. He sees Snow's decapitated head lying in a pool of blood.
| Video game transcripts | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | "Faith" • "Smoke & Mirrors" • "A Crooked Mile" • "In Sheep’s Clothing" • "Cry Wolf" |
| Season 2 | "TBA" |