Exhausted, I'm exhausted. Between working 70 hour weeks at small club down on Mainland Ave to going on with the same routine over and over again, things become more mundane then usual. Man, I used to have it all. I was set there was nothing I had to worry about. I made the decision to leave for the better in hopes of starting new and getting away from that lifestyle. But it seems to have been a mistake. I'm all alone now, i nothing to strive for I have no motivation but to keep up this ridiculous act. Oh well, I guess I'll sleep now just wanted to rant I assume. Goodnight folks thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

Dailyswan has logged off…

beep, beep, beep*

"Why are you so loud?" She groans against the assassin that dares attack her eardrums. It's 5:30 pm many have been up for hours, but those people don't have horrible sleep schedules. Many have high end jobs, families, social lives….. all while she's getting ready to spend then next 8 hours dealing with college frats and hotshot wannabes. She slips on her black branded tee and ripped skinny jeans ready to get her "day" started. As she's slipping on her shoes her phone rings, vibrating like an earthquake in her pocket. "Hello?" She grimaces, still not fully awake. "Are you on your way yet? We are slammed and could really use you already, these jerks are being to damn demanding." The voice on the other end practically shouts as the background is full of loud music and cluttered conversations. "Ruby give me like 5 and I'll be on my way give a girl a break will you." Her irritation already starting to build. "Emma, you were supposed to come in today at 4 before you switched shifts with Jefferson and he never showed so I'm sorry I'm being dramatic here." She could practically hear the eye roll with how much sarcasm was quipped into that sentence. "Alright alright I'm leaving now." Emma sighs as she hangs up the phone not really in the mood for social interaction. She takes a deep breath and heads for the door.

"It's about time swan!" Ruby yells from across the bar, to busy mixing drinks for what looks like a group of frat boys batting one to many eyelashes her way.

She rolls her eyes and heads to the break room to clock in. The smell of alcohol and to much body spray fills her nostrils already damming her to a killer headache as she walks to the bar to get started. "Anyone I should watch out for?" The question being commonly asked when starting a shift. "Guy in the red checkered jacket been harassing a few ladies" Ruby nodded in his direction. Guy was probably 6' baby faced with a shaggy hair cut, he carried himself in way that screams cocky and it made Emma cringe. "Yikes I think he missed the lumberjack competition" a snort could be heard from down the bar which caught her attention. She recognized the familiar face and a smile instantly crept onto her face. "Neal what are you doing here! I haven't seen you in ages!" She rushed down so that she was now standing in front of him ignoring the few people flagging her down for drinks. "You know I had to come in to check on my favorite girl! How have you been Swan, I heard about your parents I'm sorry it ended that way" he gave her a small side smile as an act of sympathy. Emma knew this all to well she wasn't on bad terms with her parents but it still didn't sit right with her. "I've been busy for the most part just trying to get my life back in order and do what I want to do ya know?" Neal nodded his understanding but something or someone caught his attention for a split second before he turned back to Emma. "Hey I understand that. Look I'll be right back and we will catch up okay?" Emma nodded and went to a clearly underage teen ready to expose his use of a fake id.

After a few hours there was no sign of Neal. The club had died down as many people where getting Ubers or just sitting in the lounge trying to sober up after having one to many drinks. "That was one hell of a shift. Did you see that guy had like an 800 bill?" Ruby exclaimed as she flopped down on one of the stools. "I'm pretty sure he was buying for everyone. He did leave a nice tip though." Tips weren't uncommon but you got the better end of them sometimes. "Yea I saw he was kinda cute I wonder what other kind of tips he's handing out" With that Emma rolled her eyes. "Do you always think about boning every cute customer you see? Like cmon Rubes" Ruby laughed at Emma's clear discomfort at her sexual endeavors "not all the time, well maybe." With that Neal finally reappeared from the slowly decreasing crowd. "Hey swan can I talk to you a minute." Confused, Emma gave a nod and slipped out from behind the counter to follow Neal to a nearby hallway. What could he possibly want.

"I need a favor.." this could never be good. "What is it?" She questioned. "Look I need something that someone else has and I'm having a hard time getting it. It's my job and if I don't get it I'm in big trouble. Look you are the only person I know who could possibly help me." Taken aback she looks him in the eyes to see that he's serious. Those pleading eyes are basically begging for an answer and she can't decide wether or not that this is a good idea. "What exactly do you want me to do?" She interrogates. "I need to you to get a bracelet. The guy is sitting over there he's a big hotshot salesman. He got it at an auction. My boss wants it and if I don't get it I'm afraid I'll get thrown under the bus." He looks at the ground like he's avoiding being scolded by his mother. "You want me to steal?? Neal you know I don't do that anymore. I'm done with that life what do you not understand? It's why I left and now you wanna drag me back in?" She was furious after all this time thinking he just wanted to catch up he wanted a favor. "I know I know! But look if you do this for me it'll be the last thing I ever ask you for. You've always been so good at it and I really need this so please just help me I'm begging you. I promise I won't ask you to do this again." Neal was panicking at this point there was no way she could say no. With a quit glance at the man standing in a circle of women all desperately trying to get his attention she looked back at Neal and gave him an answer. "Fine. I'll do it. But just this once and I never wanna hear from you again." She didn't want to ghost him, but for the sake of her future she knew it had to be done. "Thank you. Thank you Emma I promise it'll be the last you hear from me" Emma sighs. This was not how she expected tonight to go.

"Okay so what you need to know is the bracelet is in his right pocket, it looks like this if that helps." Neal says as he pushes his phone in her view. "Okay how many bracelets does he have in that pocket for it to matter?" She says annoyed. "Ok pissy pants I get it just go" he ushers her away. As she approaches the suspected man she takes in his appearance. Slightly older, shaggy brown hair, and not so tall 5'10 maybe. She notices the cane holding him up and figures she could use that to her advantage. "Here goes nothing" she mumbles to herself as she starts towards him. "Hello, I'm Emma don't think I've seen you around before" she offers a hand and gives him a smile. The man turns and gives her a quick up and down take as he smiles back. "Hello dearie Robert Gold it's my pleasure to meet such a beautiful young lady as yourself" he gives a toothy grin as he shakes her outreached hand. Luckily she has anxiety so the blush from being nervous seems appropriate in fake bashfulness. "I can't pass up an opportunity to get to know such a well carried handsome man like yourself" god that was awful Emma what are you doing. Luckily he didn't pick up on the girls horrible attempts at flirting and replied with a well kept persona. "I'm am glad you didn't for this may be a once and a life time opportunity my love" she almost cringed as he let a hand fall to her lower back. She kept up the conversation as long as possible to get him to trust she means no harm. While he turned to grab his drink from the table she made a small adjustment of her foot so that it slightly hit the cane off balance. This seemed to work the cane slipped out from his grip and he lurched forward. Emma acted quickly as she grabbed his waist to steady him while snagging the bracelet in the process. "Are you okay? Hey don't worry I got you". She said sympathetically, hoping the man didn't notice what she had just done. "No worries love I must have had to much to drink. That's probably my sign to get going. Here take my card and keep in touch" he winked as he placed the card in her hand and walked out with what she assumes was his escort. She looked in the palm of her hand as soon as he was out of sight and walked back to where Neal was silently watching. "Here hope this is what you needed" as she handed off the bracelet Neal gave her the biggest smile. "Thanks em it really means a lot I gotta get going you have my number if you need me." And with that Neal was gone.

After all was said and done she clocked out and headed home making sure to take the long way to clear her head. As soon as she arrived home to a run down apartment that was just suitable for her. She sighed as she flopped down on the couch and let sleep overtake her. Dreaming of the life she hasn't yet achieved.

Meanwhile in Storybrooke 2 1/2 hrs later.

"Did you get it?" The woman spoke in a demanding tone. "Yes it's right here" Neal spoke as he handed off the bracelet. The woman inspected the bracelet, brows knit together like it may be a scam. Finally she looks up "how did you get it? Gold is not an easy many to fool. I know you didn't achieve this on your own given your incompetence has been proven on multiple occasions" she interrogated the boy who looked as if he was about to piss himself. "I promise I was the only one involved" that was a mistake. The woman stood towering over him with a smirk that could make any grown man cry. "You're lying. Do you know what I do to liars?" Neal swallowed absolutely nothing while staring wide eyed as she pulled a knife to his throat. "Now let's try this again who helped you? I want a name. If you don't tell me you can kiss your life goodbye" she smiled never breaking eye contact. Neal broke. "Emma swan. A bartender in Boston. She was an old friend of mine. Very good pick pocket." The woman seemed satisfied with this answer and released the sharp object as Neal took a deep relieving breath. "Bring her to me." It wasn't a request it was an order. An order that Neal knew that he messed up.