Similar to the chapters, these introductory teaser chapters follow the "Once Upon A Time" seasons in order. In a way, these episode-like teasers represent a moment in time in the television show, The Lord of the Rings book trilogy, or somewhere in the story itself.
This first teaser chapter is set during the "Pilot" episode of Season One.
Episode I:
The Curse
Storybrooke, Maine – The Present
Emma Swan announced, "There it is: Storybrooke."
Henry Mills, Emma's biological son, was too focused on reading his fairy tale storybook, Once Upon A Time, to notice. Emma said nothing to Henry for a short while. Her gaze stayed on the paved street, as her yellow slug bug car drove past a large wooden sign, decked in fine, bold letters that read: Welcome to STORYBROOKE.
Henry broke the silence, by blurting, "I should tell you about the curse."
"What curse?" asked Emma.
Henry exclaimed, "The curse that trapped everyone, brought them to Storybrooke."
Emma replied, trying to fit the pieces together, "Hang on. There's a curse in Storybrooke, Maine?"
"Yeah," said Henry in agreement.
Still confused, Emma told him, "Kid, I am sure there isn't any curse."
Henry spoke, glumly, "I knew you wouldn't believe me."
"Oh," said Emma. "And you believe this curse will solve your problems?"
"No. The curse is the problem," said Henry. "You're the one who has to change things."
Emma asked, "By breaking this curse?"
"I told you," said Henry, "you're not ready."
Emma's gaze returned to the street. She told Henry, as calmly as possible, "Well kid, there's a fine line between reality and fantasy."
"I'm not making this up," said Henry, a little sharpness in his tone.
"I didn't say that," admitted Emma. "I'm only piecing together the facts." She changed the subject once they reached the downtown area of Storybrooke: "Okay kid, how about an address?"
Henry only answered: "24th Not Telling You Street."
Emma skid the car to a halt on the wet pavement. She stepped out of the car in frustration and slammed the door shut. As she did this, a cable box attached to a telephone line sparked, sending bright flickers hissing in the air.
Henry stepped out of the yellow slug bug car a moment later.
Peering up at the clock tower, Emma looked in confusion at the clock's hands, which read 8:15 in a roman numeric font style. Briefly glancing at the clock tower, Henry approached Emma and explained to her that every known fairy tale and storybook character in his book, Once Upon A Time, exist but were trapped in Storybrooke, Maine. However, Henry mentioned a catch in the curse: everyone in the town cannot leave; otherwise, bad things would happen to them if they did.
Henry and Emma's conversation was cut short when Henry's psychiatrist, Archibald Hopper, ran up to them. As Archie did, his Dalmatian Pongo trotted beside him, knowing their walk was not yet finished. After Henry introduced Archie to Emma, Emma received directions to the Mayor's house from Archie, which surprised her but saddened Henry. Only after Archie attempted to give Henry some advice about lying, while attempting to learn Henry's reason for why he missed his appointment, Emma ended their conversation fast. Archie politely told Emma "good night", before continuing his and Pongo's evening walk.
Once they were alone, Emma immediately asked Henry about his psychiatrist. Although Emma did not tell Henry he was crazy, but instead believed that Archie Hopper was not cursed, Henry told her flat out that Archie and everyone else in the town of Storybrooke did not know or remember who they really were, before the curse struck the Enchanted Forest. Emma briefly played along with Henry, only finding that Henry had an overactive imagination. Henry fought back in a playful manner, as he and Emma entered the slug bug car, with Emma once again driving down the paved street.
o-o-o
On the other side of the street, a man approached Mr. Gold's pawnshop. This man, in his late twenties, had short, dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. He wore a black-leather jacket, with two zipped pockets on the front, over a brown short-sleeved shirt, brownish-gray trousers, and tan leather boots. As he turned the doorknob, the man found the door was unlocked. He stepped inside the pawnshop, only to be greeted by a masculine voice:
"Sorry. The shop is closed for the night… oh," said the man with long brown hair. He rested on his black cane as he said, "You again. Tell me Mr. Beutel, what is it you were looking for?"
"I was just…" As he faced the door, the man with the light brown hair stopped him.
"Now I remember: you were looking for that pendant. Well, I'm sorry to say Asher that will be a most difficult prize for you to obtain."
Asher now faced the man with a stern look. "Believe me Mr. Gold I'll get that pendant, even if I have to search your shop over and over again."
"We'll see about that," said Mr. Gold. "You enjoy the evening."
Asher stormed out of the shop without another reply.
