They spent the first few moments in silence, neither knowing what to say.
Regina berated herself for choosing to come at all but struggled to maintain a cold and dignified demeanor. Her haughty expression effectively masked the uncertainty and awkwardness she was feeling. Upon entering the office she had made some general comment to indicate that this was by no means an official consultation and that she was not there as a patient. Neither was she there as the mayor. She didn't know how to explain her presence so she kept her silence mysteriously.
Archie, on the other hand, could barely contain his surprise and excitement at this unexpected visit. He knew that his job was to listen to whatever she had to say so he didn't pressure her into speaking but instead, waited as patiently as he could. The lady mayor was not one to be dictated to, after all.
At length, it was she who broke the silence.
"Doesn't this bore you?"
Archie stared back at her in puzzlement. Of all the things he had imagined she would say, he had not expected that and he was at a complete loss to respond to it. But she was staring at him intently and expectantly, waiting for a reply and he felt under a lot of pressure.
"I'm sorry?" he asked confusedly.
"This life," Regina explained, "Every day the same thing over and over. Doesn't it bore you?"
Now that he finally understood what she meant, Archie gave her question some more thought. But he didn't want to leave her waiting for long, knowing that she wasn't a patient woman.
"To be honest, Madam Mayor," he replied as honestly as he could, "that never occurred to me before. I've been living like this for as long as I can remember and I've never found any cause to complain."
A look of disappointment came over the lady's face and she sighed.
"Of course," she muttered with a slight hint of bitterness, "you would never complain."
Archie watched her carefully. She seemed genuinely dismayed by his answer and he wished he could have said something that would have made her feel better instead of worse. But now that he had some idea of her problem, he would try and find a way to help her. She would never admit it but he knew that she had come to ask for help.
"Is that what's been bothering you?" he asked in concern.
She didn't need to say anything but he already knew the answer. Instead, she asked him another question.
"Are you happy here?"
Again, Archie paused to consider his answer. Normally he would have said "yes" immediately but after what Regina had said before he was beginning to have some doubts. For the most part, he had been content with his lot in life. He had not encountered any insurmountable difficulties and he had everything that he needed. There was nothing missing in his life, somehow. Everything was fine. And yet…
His hesitation was not lost on her and the mayor derived some small satisfaction from somehow piercing through the doctor's constant state of cheeriness. It's not that she wanted to torment anyone more than the curse already did. But she was glad that there was someone else in that town, for once, sharing in her uncertainty, even to a small degree.
"I believe so," he replied eventually.
"You don't sound too sure," Regina remarked.
"Like I said," Archie replied, "I've never had any cause to complain. I've been perfectly content all my life and I cannot remember a time when I've been sad or unhappy. So yes, I suppose I am happy here."
"Then, you're very lucky," Regina commented coldly.
Archie was taken aback by the harshness of her tone and struggled to say something that would ease her mind.
"But Madam Mayor," he said, "why are you unhappy?"
"I know what you're about to say," she retorted fiercely, "that I, of all people, have no reason to complain about my life here. I'm the most powerful person in the town and everyone respects me and does what I command. I've heard that all before and you can be sure that I am well aware of the advantages of my current position. I have all that I need and want in life. I should be happy."
"But you're not," Archie added.
"No, I'm not," she echoed curtly, surprised at her own outburst.
It was one thing for her to rant to Mr. Gold, a person towards whom she had always had strong negative feelings, even if he didn't know their history together. But for her to reveal so much of her true feelings to someone who had once been a cricket was a novelty indeed. But it would only be bizarre to her, knowing what Dr. Hopper had been in their land, and now, this felt strangely comforting. It was good to have someone to listen to her, not just to receive commands.
"Why do you think that is?" she then asked Archie, curious to hear his thoughts and eager to provoke more serious thought. There was something strangely satisfying about seeing the constantly cheerful doctor look grave and serious for a change.
"For some people, a life of constancy and routine is very comforting," Archie replied carefully, "living every day in the same way gives a sense of stability and reliability that brings peace and satisfaction. I'd like to count myself among such people and I think most people in town share the same view. But I also understand that for others, this isn't enough."
"But why shouldn't it be?" Regina asked, "Why can't it be enough for me?"
"Not everyone is the same, Madam Mayor," Archie answered, "and I'm sure you cannot compare yourself to everyone else in town."
"Certainly not," Regina said proudly and Archie was glad that this remark seemed bring out her queenly demeanor again.
"You are unlike anyone I've ever met," Archie added suddenly and having realized what he had just blurted out, he blushed, looked away and pretended to adjust his glasses.
There's nothing wrong with what I said, he thought, it doesn't sound incriminating at all. It's a perfectly neutral compliment. It has nothing to do with my personal feelings.
And as Archie struggled with his embarrassment, Regina looked at him with a raised eyebrow. She wondered why he was so flustered; she had never seen him in such a state before.
"Thank you," she said earnestly.
Archie found the courage to look her in the eye again and saw that other than regarding him with mild amusement, she suspected nothing about the significance of what he had just said. He sighed inwardly with immense relief.
"Well, if you are still unhappy with this life, there must be something important missing," Archie continued more calmly, "something that you need."
"And what is it that I need?" Regina asked, a bit defensively since she was preparing herself for some patronizing suggestion.
"I don't know," Archie answered humbly, and his sincerity put Regina less on her guard. She now listened attentively to what he was going to say.
"I have no right to tell you what you need," he continued, "but I think that since this seemingly monotonous life is what makes you unhappy, some change might be good for you."
"Change can be a very dangerous thing," Regina commented gravely.
"Or something really wonderful too, it works both ways," Archie replied, "but either way, there are risks involved and sometimes, these things are irreversible."
"Oh, I am well aware of that," Regina said grimly.
More than you could possibly know, she added to herself.
Archie looked a little concerned and decided to lighten up the discussion a bit.
"But it doesn't necessarily have to be a grand adjustment to the way things are," he suggested, "even just a minor alteration to make your days more interesting, a small break in routine, maybe or a new activity."
Something like this, he added to himself since he wouldn't mind spending more time with the mayor. But he didn't dare suggest it.
"I see," Regina replied pensively, taking all that he said into consideration, "and that would make me happy?"
"At the very least," Archie suggested hesitantly, "you wouldn't be bored?"
And then, for the first time during that whole unexpected session, Regina smiled.
She saw that he was really making an effort to help her and that he seemed eager to make her happy, not in a groveling, subservient way but out of genuine concern. And though such kindness was always to be expected of Dr. Hopper, and though she had resented this type of "goodness" for so long, at that moment, she appreciated it. It was like a breath of fresh air in a room that had been stifling for so long.
And Regina was so lost in her own thoughts that she failed to notice the effect her smile had on Dr. Hopper. He was relieved to see that the shadow had been lifted from her. And he could not describe the joy he felt at seeing her smile and even better, having caused it. He must have done something right. He rarely saw her smile these days and after hearing about her troubles, he now understood why. He was so glad that he now had some idea of how to help her.
"I suppose so," the lady said at length, "that is something."
She would be happy. Like everything else that was precious, and surely Rumple would have reminded her of this if he remembered who he was, happiness would come at a price. But had she not paid enough?
"Don't worry, Regina," Archie reassured her, only now daring to address her by name, "you will be happy. You deserve to be."
"How do you know that?" she asked warily.
You don't even remember who I really am, she thought, if you did, would you still say such a thing?
"Everyone deserves to be happy," he replied, "and I truly hope that you will find your happiness someday."
And I will do everything I can to make that happen, he could not help but think.
Regina nodded. Even if he didn't remember who he was and who she was, his concern for her was real and she knew that. And since this life was the only reality left for them, she accepted it. It was good enough.
"Thank you," she said, standing up and getting ready to leave, "this was very helpful."
Archie stood up to see her out though he was sorry that the conversation had come to an end. But she was still a busy woman and no doubt she had other duties to attend to. He had some tasks to finish as well but he doubted he would be able to turn his mind to any of them after this unusual interview. It was a day of discovery, not only of Regina's troubles but of his own feelings as well. He was surprised at how much he had revealed of himself in trying to reach out to her and he needed some time to recover and reflect.
"I'm glad I was able to be of service in some way," he said earnestly, "and you are always welcome to drop by if you feel the least bit bored. I'm not the most interesting person in the world but I'll try to amuse you as best as I can."
"I'll bear that in mind," Regina replied with a small, professional smile before she walked out the door.
She had come to see him without expecting anything but as she took her leave; she realized that she felt slightly better than she had felt in quite a long time. She wasn't exactly happy, not yet. But somehow, this was not a bad start.
Archie watched her go in wonder. She had no idea of the effect she had on him but he was certain that after this, none of his days would ever be the same again.
