(Scene fades to the woods in the late afternoon. Ida is seen riding a horse through the woods, but then her horse stops at a river to drink. She climbs off the steed's back and ties the horse's reins to a tree branch)
Queen Ida: (sighs and removes her hood) Why is everyone so afraid of this place? It's not that scary. (looks around) But this place is huge. How am I supposed to find anything in here? (pauses when she hears a faint sound in the distance. She stops to listen) Huh? …What's that? (follows the sound through the woods and realizes the sound she's hearing is music combined with laughter) Music? Out here? What is going on?
(Scene cuts to a much darker corner of the woods where everything is covered in shadows)
Queen Ida: (shivers) Creepy. The Gods must've forgotten about this place.
(Ida follows the sound of laughter and music until she comes across a rather dark clearing surrounded by bushes and tall trees. She looks through and notices a bonfire burning in the middle of the clearing and a group of odd looking figures dancing and singing around it. Pulling up her hood, she carefully pushes her way through the bushes and tree branches and hides behind a wide tree trunk. She peeks her head out and quietly gasps as she sees that the figures are goblins, monsters, and various other creatures dancing, eating, drinking, and having a party)
Queen Ida: (hushed) What in the name of Olympus…?
Little man: Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and ghouls! Maidens and monsters! (steps onto a rock in front of the bonfire with the flames illuminating his face. Everyone stops what they're doing and they all turn to face him) Welcome to the party of your nightmares!
(The monsters cheer and applaud as Ida silently gasps)
Queen Ida: (hushed) It's him.
Little man: It may be a bit early, I admit, but tonight is a night of celebration! The foolish young Queen tries so hard to guess my name, but she doesn't have a clue. And when she fails and I win her baby girl, I'll finally have everything I need. After absorbing the soul of an innocent, I will achieve full power at last and after I literally CRUSH this kingdom beneath my feet, the rest of the world will rightfully worship me as their new God! The globe will be your new playground as well, my friends, and even the Olympians themselves will be at my mercy.
(The monsters cheer like mad as Ida gasps in shock. She shrinks down behind the tree)
Queen Ida: (hushed) That conniving louse! THAT'S why he wants my baby! Well I am NOT letting him get away with this!
Little man: But first… (snaps his fingers)
(Music starts to play and Ida peeks her head out again, making sure to stay in the shadows)
Little man (singing): Let me introduce myself, we got some time to kill
Consider me the pearly gates to your new favorite thrills
We could go make history or you could rest in peace
But here there ain't no misery
'Cause on the other side we live like kings
Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
Let your body loose, let your body loose
Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
Show you a thing or two
'Cause you ain't seen nothing
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
So welcome to the brotherhood
Where you won't be misunderstood
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
(The monsters in attendance start to dance again)
Little man (singing): Everything has got a price but happiness is free
Just so happens, you're in luck, we've got a vacancy
We can set the night on fire and break out of the scene
Your soul print on the walk of fame on the boulevard of your wildest dreams
Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
Let your body loose, let your body loose
Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
It ain't bragging if it's true
Now you ain't seen nothing
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
So welcome to the brotherhood
Where you won't be misunderstood
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
(Some monsters all start to chant the little man's name, but everyone is talking and singing over each other and it's very difficult for Ida to make out what they're saying)
Queen Ida: (hushed) What are they saying?
Little man (singing): The rain don't blind the rising souls
They got too much to see
I got your glamour, got your gold
Got all you'll ever need
Let me hear you now
Monsters (singing): The rain don't blind the rising souls
They got too much to see
I got your glamour, got your gold
Got all you'll ever need
Monster #1: Let's hear it!
Little man (singing): Watch me make a move, watch me make a move, boys
Monsters (singing): Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
Little man (singing): Watch me make a move, no, I don't disappoint
Monsters (singing): Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
Little man (singing): Watch me make a move, I'm ya number one choice
Monsters (singing): Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do?
Little man (singing): Watch me make a move, come one and give me that noise
A tomb with a view, ain't it something?
(The little man picks up a glass of wine, drinks from it, and jumps off his rock to join in on everyone dancing. Everyone is still chanting)
Queen Ida: (hushed) If they don't quiet down, I'll never hear his name.
Little man (singing): Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
So welcome to the brotherhood
Where you won't be misunderstood
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
So welcome to the brotherhood
Where you won't be misunderstood
Life's a whirl on my side of the Underworld
The Underworld!
My Underworld!
Ain't it something?!
(The song ends and everyone cheers and applauds for the little man)
Little man: Thank you, thank you! (takes a bow) Thank you one and all! (laughs) My people! (raises his glass) Now a toast! To success! Long live the wicked!
Monsters: To success! Long live the wicked!
(The guests all hold their glasses and cups up in the air for a toast before drinking what's left in their cups)
Little man: Oh dear, look how late it is. Looks like I'll have to call it a day for now. Sorry, folks. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.
(The party quiets down significantly and everyone starts to walk away to head home when one monster approaches the little man)
Monster #1: What a bash!
Little man: I know. (wipes sweat from his brow) And I can assure you it'll only get better from here.
Monster #1: No doubt. Thanks again. And have a good night, Rumpelstiltskin. (walks away)
Rumpelstiltskin: You too. (smiles, nods, and gulps down the rest of his drink)
(Ida watches the exchange in bewilderment before hiding herself from view. Her eyes widen in realization and excitement)
Queen Ida: (hushed) …Rumpelstiltskin. (grins) That's it! (runs away)
(Scene cuts to the castle nearing sunset. Gallus is seen sitting on the floor and playing with Leah, anxiously waiting for Ida to return)
King Gallus: (sighs) I hope Ida's okay. It's so quiet around here without her.
Queen Ida: Gallus! (bursts into the room with a huge grin on her face)
King Gallus: (yelps) Ida! You're back! (stands up and greets her with a hug) What happened? Are you okay?
Queen Ida: I'm fine, but you won't believe it! I just learned the little man's name!
King Gallus: You did?! That's great! What is it? (Ida leans in and whispers something into his ear. He looks at her in surprise) Really?
Queen Ida: Yes.
King Gallus: No wonder he has issues.
(Ida laughs as she and Gallus hug again)