I think the staged part is Grumpy blaming Regina & Emma going along with the possibility. I think everyone else was left in the dark & started responding in fear. It is possible that Belle, Archie or Granny could be in on it too. The plan would be between Emma, Regina, & Snowing to try to see who cursed them. They aren’t going to tell everyone. Only a select few if any.
It’s possible too, that Charming, Hook, Robin Hood, & Tink are investigating something and the timing of this meeting is a distraction for the mystery curser.
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