1. Opening-Credits A Pirates Life
Pirates of the Caribbean
by
Jay Wolpert
Revisions by
Stuart Beattie (04/05/02)
Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio (05/24/02)
Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio (07/03/02)
Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio (08/14/02)
Current Revisions by
Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
PRODUCTION DRAFT
09/01/02
FADE IN:
1 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
A gray, impenetrable wall of fog. From somewhere comes the FAINT SOUND of a LITTLE GIRL'S VOICE, singing, slow tempo.
YOUNG ELIZABETH (O.S.)
Yo, ho, yo, ho, a pirate's life for me. Yo, ho, yo, ho, it's a pirate's life for me ...
A massive SHIP emerges from the grey, the masthead looming: the H.M.S. Dauntless.
2 EXT. DAUNTLESS FORECASTLE DAY
ELIZABETH SWANN stands at the bow rail, gazing at the sea.
ELIZABETH
... drink up me hearties, yo, ho ...
She is startled when a hand clutches her shoulder. The hand belongs to JOSHAMEE GIBBS, born old, skin a dark leather.
GIBBS
(sotto)
Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You want to call 'em down on us?
Elizabeth stares wide eyed at him.
NORRINGTON
Mr. Gibbs.
NORRINGTON, a dashing young man, Royal Navy to the core, glares at Gibbs. Beside him is GOVERNOR WEATHERBY SWANN, a man of obvious high station and Elizabeth's father.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
That will do.
GIBBS
She was singing about pirates. Bad luck to sing about pirates, with us mired in this unnatural fog mark my words.
NORRINGTON
Consider them marked. On your way.
GIBBS
'Aye, Lieutenant.
(as he moves off)
Bad luck to have a woman on board, too. Even a mini'ture one.
He returns to his deck swabbing duties, surreptitiously takes a quick swig from a flask.
ELIZABETH
I think it would be rather exciting to meet a pirate.
NORRINGTON
Think again, Miss Swann. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag, or wears a pirate brand, gets what he deserves: a short drop and a sudden stop.
Elizabeth frowns; Gibbs helpfully mimes: a man being hung.
SWANN
Lieutenant Norrington. I appreciate your fervor, but I am concerned about the effect this subject will have on my daughter.
NORRINGTON
My apologies, Governor.
ELIZABETH
Actually, I find it all fascinating.
SWANN
And that's what concerns me. Elizabeth, we will be landing in Port Royal soon, and beginning our new lives. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we comport ourselves as befits our class and station?
ELIZABETH
Yes, father.
Chastised, she turns away, to look out over the bow rail.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
(to herself)
I still think it would be exciting to meet a pirate ...
From out of the fog floats a PARASOL. Surprised, delighted at this oddity, Elizabeth watches as it bounces off the hull
and then she sees the body of a young boy emerge from the fog. It is WILL TURNER, floating on his back, unconscious.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Look! A boy! There's a boy in the water!
Norrington and Swann spot him
NORRINGTON
Man overboard!
ELIZABETH
Boy overboard!
NORRINGTON
Fetch a hook haul him out of there!
Sailors scramble to haul the boy aboard, lay him on the deck.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
He's still breathing.
SWANN
Where did he come from?
GIBBS
Mary mother of God ...
His gasp turns everyone's attention from the boy to
The sea ... no longer empty. WRECKAGE from a ship litters the water ... along with the bodies of its crew. What remains of the hull BURNS; a ragged British flag hangs from the stern.
The Dauntless slips past. The scene calls for hushed voices.
SWANN
What happened here?
NORRINGTON
An explosion midships most likely the powder magazine. Merchant vessels run heavily armed.
GIBBS
Lot of good it did them ...
(off Swann's look)
Everyone's thinking it! I'm just saying it! Pirates!
SWANN
There is no proof of that. It could have been an accident. Lieutenant, these men were British, and therefore under my protection. If there is even the slightest chance one of those poor devils is still alive, we cannot abandon them!
NORRINGTON
Of course not.
(to a sailor)
Rouse the Captain, immediately.
(to the crew)
Come about and strike the sails! Unlash the boats! Gunnery crew ... jackets off the cannons!
(to Swann)
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
(to two sailors)
Move the boy aft. We need the deck clear.
They lift the boy. Swann pulls Elizabeth away from the scene.
SWANN
Elizabeth, I want you to accompany the boy. He's in your charge now. You'll watch over him?
Elizabeth nods gravely. Swann hurries away. The sailors lay the boy gently behind the wheel. Elizabeth kneels beside him.
His good looks are not lost on her. She gently brushes the blond hair from his eyes suddenly, he grabs her wrist, awake now. Their eyes lock. She takes his hand in hers.
ELIZABETH
My name is Elizabeth Swann.
YOUNG WILL
Will Turner.
ELIZABETH
I'm watching over you, Will.
He clutches her hands, then slips back into unconsciousness.
His movement has opened the collar of his shirt; he wears a chain around his neck. Elizabeth tugs it free, revealing
A GOLD MEDALLION. One side is blank. She turns it an Aztec skull gazes at her. To her eyes, it can mean one thing only
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
You're a pirate.
She glances at the crew. Sees Norrington, giving orders, moving toward her. She comes to a decision. Takes the medallion from around his neck. Hides it under her coat.
NORRINGTON
Did he speak?
ELIZABETH
His name is Will Turner that's all I found out.
Norrington nods, and moves past. Elizabeth steals away to the stern of the ship. Examines her prize the gold medallion.
A wisp of wind, and she looks up moving through the fog, silent as a ghost, is a large sailing ship, a galleon
It has BLACK SAILS.
Elizabeth stares, too frightened to move, or cry out. A flag flies from mizzen top: a JOLLY ROGER. Elizabeth looks from it to the medallion the skull on the flag is the same as the one on the medallion.
Fog closes in on the black ship except for the flag. As Elizabeth watches, the skull seems to TURN and GRIN at her
Elizabeth shuts her eyes tight
3 INT. GOVERNOR'S MANSION ELIZABETH'S BEDROOM
and then snap open again, wide with fear. But this is no longer twelve year old Elizabeth on the Dauntless; this is twenty year old Elizabeth, in bed in the dark.
She looks as far out the corner of her eyes as possible. Might there be someone in the room with her? Elizabeth sits up, ready for anything. She is alone.
She turns up the flame on an oil lamp beside the canopied bed. Carries the lamp across to a dressing table.
Pulls a drawer all the way out, reaches into a space beneath and removes - The MEDALLION. It has not lost its luster -- or sense of menace. She stares, absently returns the drawer to its place. A BOOMING knock on the door; Elizabeth jumps, startled, knocking over her chair.
SWANN (O.S.)
Elizabeth? Is everything all right? Are you decent?
ELIZABETH
Yes yes.
She puts on the medallion, throws a dressing gown on as Swann enters, carrying boxes. A uniformed maid, ESTRELLA, follows.
SWANN
Still abed at this hour? It's a beautiful day!
Estrella pulls back the heavy curtains, revealing: beneath a blue sky lies the bucolic town of PORT ROYAL. FORT CHARLES sits on a bluff at the mouth of the harbor.
SWANN (CONT'D)
I have a gift for you.
He opens the boxes, displays a gorgeous dress.
ELIZABETH
It's beautiful. May I inquire as to the occasion?
SWANN
Is an occasion necessary for a father to dote upon his daughter with gifts?
Elizabeth takes it, goes behind a screened off dressing area.
SWANN (CONT'D)
Although ... I did think you could wear it to the ceremony today.
ELIZABETH (O.S.)
Ceremony?
SWANN
Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony.
ELIZABETH
(peeks around the screen) I knew it.
SWANN
Or, rather, Commodore Norrington ... a fine gentleman, don't you think?
(no answer)
He fancies you, you know.
(a gasp from the screen)
Elizabeth? How's it coming?
ON ELIZABETH as she holds her hair out of the way. Estrella ¬- a foot in Elizabeth's back cinches the corset laces tight.
ELIZABETH
Difficult ... to say.
SWANN (O.S.)
I'm told that dress is the very latest fashion in London.
ELIZABETH.
(holding her breath)
Women in London must have learned to not breathe.
Estrella is finished. Elizabeth takes a breath and winces. A BUTLER appears in the doorway of the room.
BUTLER
Governor? A caller is here for you.
4 INT. GOVERNOR'S MANSION FOYER DAY
The caller, dressed in rough clothing, is very out of place, and knows it. He holds a presentation case. He polishes the toes of his boots on the back of his calves; it doesn't help.
SWANN
Ah, Mr. Turner! It's good to see you again!
The caller turns it is WILL TURNER. Handsome, with a watchful demeanor that gives him a weight beyond his years.
WILL
Good day, sir. I have your order.
Will holds out the case, opens it. Inside is a beautiful dress sword and scabbard. Swann takes it out reverently.
WILL (CONT'D)
The blade is folded steel. That's gold filigree laid into the handle. If I may
He takes the sword from Swann, balances it on one finger at the point where the blade meets the guard.
WILL (CONT'D)
Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the full width of the blade.
SWANN
Impressive ... very impressive. Commodore Norrington will be pleased, I'm sure. Do pass my compliments on to your master.
Will's face falls. Clearly, the work is his, and he's proud of it. With practiced ease, he flips the sword, catches it by the hilt, returns it to the case. He bows slightly.
WILL
I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated
He stops speaking abruptly, staring past Swann
Elizabeth stands on the stairs. Granted, the dress may be painful to wear, but holy smokes!
SWANN
Elizabeth! You look stunning!
Will tries to speak gives up, smiles to himself, and nods.
ELIZABETH
Will! It's so good to see you!
(her, hand goes to the hidden medallion)
I dreamt about you last night..
WILL
About me?
SWANN
Elizabeth, this is hardly appropriate --
ELIZABETH
About the day we met. Do you remember?
WILL
I could never forget it, Miss Swann.
ELIZABETH
Will, how many times must I ask you to call me 'Elizabeth'?
WILL
At least once more, Miss Swann. As always.
SWANN
Well said! There's a boy who understands propriety. Now, we must be going.
Swarm takes the case from Will, opens the door. Elizabeth straightens her back, gathers her skirts, strides past Will.
ELIZABETH
Good day, Mr. Turner.
5 EXT. GOVERNOR'S MANSION DAY
Swann follows Elizabeth out the door, toward a carriage.
WILL
Good day.
(to himself)
Elizabeth.
IN THE CARRIAGE: Swarm glowers at his daughter.
SWANN
Dear, I do hope you demonstrate a bit more decorum in front of Commodore Norrington. After all, it is only through his efforts that Port Royal has become at all civilized.
2. Pirates Ye Be Warned
6 EXT. PORT ROYAL HARBOR DAY
Against the sky, a mast comes into view. Standing atop the yardarm in all his swashbuckling splendor is JACK SPARROW.
His attention is drawn to something below. He leaps from the yardarm to the rigging to
Jack's boots SPLASH into the foot of water filling the hull of the Jolly Mon, a small fishing dory with a single sail. Jack sloshes through floating net buoys and fish heads, picks up a tankard, and starts bailing.
The boat slips past
The SKELETAL REMAINS of four pirates hang from a gallows on a rocky promontory. A fifth, unoccupied noose bears a sign:
PIRATES BE YE WARNED
The boat slips past the gallows. Jack gazes at the pirates, the empty noose, paying a moment of respect.
7 EXT. PORT ROYAL DOCKS DAY
The harbor, dominated by the H.M.S. Dauntless, bustles with activity. A STEVEDORE spots the tankard floating in the water, looks over just in time to see
Jack climbs to the top of the mast
and steps directly onto the dock. The Jolly Mon has sunk.
Jack strolls past the HARBORMASTER and his assistant, a YOUNG BOY who totes the Harbormaster's huge ledger.
HARBORMASTER
Hold up there, ye! It's a shilling to tie up your boat at the dock.
Jack casts a dubious glance back toward the Jolly Mon's mast.
HARBORMASTER (CONT'D)
Rules are rules. The mooring fee's a shilling, and I'll need to know your name.
The Young Boy opens the ledger, holds it up. Jack tosses three shillings onto the ledger.
JACK
What do you say to three shillings, and we forget the name?
The Harbormaster considers, then shuts the ledger.
HARBORMASTER
Welcome to Port Royal, Mr. Smith.
Jack acknowledges the welcome, looks across the water to: the Interceptor, tied up a dock below Fort Charles.
8 EXT. FORT CHARLES DAY
With choreographed precision, Swann removes the sword and scabbard from its case and presents it to Norrington, in full dress. Norrington accepts the sword, executes a flourishing salute, first to Swann, then to the officers, and then to the audience, assembled beneath the glaring sun.
The audience APPLAUDS. Among them is Elizabeth, who looks a bit ill. She winces, discreetly adjusts the corset through the material of the dress, trying to hide her discomfort.
9 EXT. PORT ROYAL NAVY DOCK DAY
Two marines on sentry duty, MURTOGG and MULLROY, take advantage of what little shade there is on the dock. But when Jack saunters up, they are immediately on alert.
MURTOGG
This dock is off limits to civilians.
JACK
Sorry, I didn't know.
Music drifts down from the fort.
JACK (CONT'D)
Some sort of high toned and fancy affair up at the fort, eh? How could it be that your good selves did not rate an invitation?
MURTOGG
Someone has to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians.
JACK
This must be some important boat.
MULLROY
Ship.
JACK
Ship, right. Boats fit on ships, innit that it?
MURTOGG
Captain Norrington's made it his flagship. He'll use it to hunt down the last dregs of piracy on the Spanish Lake.
MULLROY
Commodore.
MURTOGG
Right. Commodore Norrington.
JACK
That's a fine goal, I'm sure ... But it seems to me a ship like that ¬- (indicates the Dauntless) makes this one here a wee superfluous, I reckon.
MURTOGG
Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough but there's no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed.
JACK
That so? I've heard of one, supposed to be fast, nigh uncatchable ... the Black Pearl?
Mullroy scoffs at the name.
MULLROY
There's no real ship as can match the Interceptor.
MURTOGG
The Black Pearl is a real ship.
MULLROY
No, it's not.
MURTOGG
Yes it is. I've seen it.
MULLROY
You've seen it?
MURTOGG
Yes.
MULLROY
You've seen the Black Pearl?
MURTOGG
Yes.
MULLROY
You haven't seen it.
MURTOGG
Yes, I have.
MULLROY
You've seen a ship with black sails that's crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that hell itself spat him back out?
MURTOGG
... No.
MULLROY
No.
MURTOGG
But I've seen a ship with black sails.
MULLROY
Oh, and no ship that's not crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that hell itself spat him back out could possibly have black sails and therefore couldn't possibly be any ship other than the Black Pearl. Is that what you're saying?
MURTOGG
... no.
MULLROY
(turns back to Jack)
Like I said, there's no real ship as can match Hey!
But Jack's not there. Murtogg and Mullroy look around, spot Jack standing at the wheel of the Interceptor, casually examining the mechanism.
MULLROY (CONT'D)
You!
Jack looks over in exaggeratedly innocent surprise.
MULLROY (CONT'D)
Get away from there! You don't have permission to be aboard there!
JACK
I'm sorry. It's just such a pretty boat. Ship.
MURTOGG
What's your name?
JACK
Smith. Or Smitty, if you like.
MULLROY
What's your business in Port Royal, 'Mr. Smith'?
MURTOGG
And no lies!
JACK
None? Very well. You've rumbled me. I confess: I intend to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew in Tortuga, and go out on the account, do a little honest pirating.
MURTOGG
I said, no lies.
MULLROY
I think he's telling the truth.
MURTOGG.
He's not telling the truth.
MULLROY
He may be.
MURTOGG
If he were telling the truth he wouldn't have told us.
JACK
Unless, of course, he knew you wouldn't believe the truth if he told it to you.
Murtogg and Mullroy consider that point
10 EXT. FORT CHARLES DAY
Elizabeth, pale and perspiring, fans herself weakly, oblivious to the music and chatter.
NORRINGTON
May I have a moment?
He extends his arm. She takes it. He walks her away from the party, toward the parapet. A rather too long of a silence as Norrington works up his courage.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
(a burst) You look lovely. Elizabeth.
Elizabeth frowns, unable to focus. Norrington mistakes her expression as disapproval.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
I apologize if I seem forward but I must speak my mind.
(gains his confidence)
This promotion confirms that I have accomplished the goals I set for myself in my career. But it also casts into sharp relief that which I have not achieved. The thing all men most require: a marriage to a fine woman.
(beat)
You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH
I can't breathe.
NORRINGTON
(smiles)
I'm a bit nervous, myself
Elizabeth loses her balance, stumbles away. Reaches a hand out to the parapet to steady herself, but it slides off
and she vanishes over the wall. Gone.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
Elizabeth!
11 EXT. PORT ROYAL NAVY DOCKS DAY
Jack reacts, pushes Murtogg aside to see: Elizabeth plummets from the top of the cliff, down, down, down into the sea
She hits the water, narrowly missing the jagged rocks. A wave breaks, washing her away from the cliff, struggling feebly.
12 AT THE FORT
Norrington looks down –
NORRINGTON
ELIZABETH!
He leaps to the top of the parapet, prepared to dive – a lieutenant, GILLETTE, catches his arm.
GILLETTE
The rocks, sir! It's a miracle she missed them!
Norrington shakes off his arm, looks down – realizes Gillette is right. He jumps down and runs –
13 EXT. PORT ROYAL – NAVY DOCKS – DAY
Jack, Murtogg and Mullroy are still in shock from the sight.
JACK
Aren't you going to save her?
MULLROY
I can't swim.
Murtogg shakes his head neither does he.
JACK
(not surprised)
Prides of the King's Navy, you are.
Norrington and the others pick their way down the cliffs. They are too far away to get to Elizabeth in time. Jack scowls. He has no choice and it pisses him off.
JACK (CONT'D)
Fine.
He strips off his coat, hands his pistol, sword belt and hat to Murtogg.
JACK (CONT'D)
Don't lose those.
And then he dives into the water.
14 UNDERWATER
Elizabeth drifts down, unconscious. The current turns her, and the MEDALLION slips loose from her bodice.
The MEDALLION turns slowly, until the SKULL is fully visible. A shaft of filtered sunlight hits it, and it GLINTS
14A EXT. PORT ROYAL NAVY DOCKS DAY
Murtogg and Mullroy, side by side, are unsettled, even a bit scared. They glance around nervously.
MULLROY
You felt that, too?
Murtogg nods his head quickly, emphatically.
A gust of wind comes up. Murtogg and Mullroy grab their hats and look up at the British flag which has begun to blow in the opposite direction.
Mullroy shakes his head the same way, shrugging.
Murtogg and Mullroy move closer together.
15 EXT. PORT ROYAL – VARIOUS – DAY
The British flag atop the mast of the Dauntless, hanging limply, snaps to life --
From the village comes the sound of DOGS BARKING
A weather vane twists as the wind picks up, blowing in from the sea –¬
At the Fort, the musicians' music sheets scatter across the parade ground –¬
16 EXT. PORT ROYAL CLIFFSIDE DAY
Norrington rushes down, intent on the climb. Beyond him, past the rocky point, far out to sea, a FOG gathers
17 EXT. PORT ROYAL OCEAN DAY
UNDERWATER: the medallion hangs below Elizabeth's unmoving form and then Jack is there. He wraps an arm around her, makes for the surface.
3. Elizibeth’s Rescue
18 ON THE SURFACE
Jack swims toward the dock, struggling, making slow progress. He stops stroking, and they submerge.
19 UNDERWATER
Jack realizes Elizabeth's dress is weighing them down. He tears it open at the back, skins her out of it, kicks away. The dress falls like a cloud into darkness –-
20 ON THE SURFACE:
Jack swims with Elizabeth, much more quickly.
21 AT THE DOCK
Murtogg and Mullroy help haul her out of the water.
Jack climbs up, exhausted. Elizabeth is on her back; Murtogg holds her arms above her head, pumping them. Mullroy puts his cheek to her nose and mouth.
MULLROY
Not breathing.
Jack slips Murtogg's knife from its sheath.
JACK
Move.
He pushes past Mullroy, kneels over Elizabeth, raises the knife Murtogg is shocked Jack slits the corset down the middle, yanks it away. Elizabeth remains still. And then ... she coughs up water, choking on her first full breath..
MULLROY
I never would have thought of that.
JACK
Clearly, you've never been to Singapore.
Jack flips the knife and hands it hilt first to Murtogg, then spots: the MEDALLION. Jack catches it up in his hand.
JACK (CONT'D)
Where did you get this?
Before Elizabeth can answer, the BLADE of a SWORD is at Jack's throat Norrington's new ceremonial sword, in fact.
NORRINGTON
On your feet.
It looks bad Jack standing over Elizabeth, most of her clothes gone. The rest of Elizabeth's erstwhile rescuers reach the scene, including Swann.
SWANN
Elizabeth! Are you all right?
He strips off his jacket, drapes it around her.
ELIZABETH
Yes yes, I'm fine
SWANN
(re: Jack)
Shoot that man!
ELIZABETH
Father! Commodore, surely you don't intend to kill my rescuer?
Norrington looks at Jack. Jack nods as best he can with a blade beneath his chin. Norrington sheathes his sword, and extends his hand.
NORRINGTON
I believe thanks are in order.
Jack takes Norrington's hand gingerly. They shake and Norrington tightens his grip, yanks Jack's arm toward him, then tears back the sleeve of Jack's shirt exposing a BRAND on Jack's inner wrist: a large 'P.'
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
Had a brush up with the East India Trading Company, did you pirate?
Shocked reactions, but the sailors are well trained in an instant, half a dozen pistols are aimed at Jack. He stands there, still holding the corset.
SWANN
Ah. Hang him.
NORRINGTON
Keep your guns at ready, men. Gillette, fetch some irons.
Norrington notices something else below the 'P' brand is a tattoo: a small bird in flight across water.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
Well, well ... Jack Sparrow, isn't it?
JACK
Captain Jack Sparrow. If you please.
NORRINGTON
(a glance out at the bay)
I don't see your ship Captain.
JACK
I'm in the market, as it were.
MURTOGG
He said he'd come to commandeer one.
MULLROY
(to Murtogg)
I told you he was telling the truth.
(currying favor)
These are his, sir.
He shows the pistol and belt. Norrington checks the pistol.
NORRINGTON
No additional shot nor powder.
Jack shrugs. Norrington examines the compass, tests it.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
It doesn't bear true.
Jack looks away, a bit embarrassed. Norrington half draws the sword from the scabbard.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
I half expected it to be made of wood.
(re sheathes the sword)
Taking stock: you've got a pistol with only one shot, a compass that doesn't point north ... and no ship. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever heard of.
JACK
Ah, but you have heard of me.
Gillette returns with shackles, approaches Jack.
NORRINGTON
Carefully, lieutenant.
Elizabeth steps forward. Swann's jacket slips off her. She is unconcerned, but he is intent on putting it back on her.
ELIZABETH
Commodore, I must protest. Pirate or not, this man saved my life.
NORRINGTON
One good deed is not enough to redeem a man for a lifetime of wickedness.
Gillette snaps the manacles closed on Jack's wrists.
JACK
But it seems enough to condemn him.
NORRINGTON
(smiles)
Indeed.
Now that Jack is safely chained, Norrington nods to his men. All but one stow their weapons, and two step forward --
JACK
Finally.
Lightning quick, he snaps the corset around the hand and wrist of the man holding the pistol and yanks. The pistol sails into the water. Before anyone can react to that, Jack has the manacle chain wrapped around Elizabeth's throat.
Pistols are drawn again, but now Elizabeth serves as a shield.
SWANN
Don't shoot!
JACK
Ah ... I knew you'd warm up to me. Commodore Norrington ... My pistol and belt, please.
Norrington hesitates, balls his fists in frustration.
JACK (CONT'D)
Commodore!
Norrington takes them from Murtogg, holds them out to Jack.
JACK (CONT'D)
Elizabeth it is Elizabeth?
Elizabeth is more angry than frightened.
ELIZABETH
Miss Swann.
JACK
Miss Swann, if you'll be so kind?
She takes the belt and pistol from Norrington - Jack's quicker than she is, and takes the pistol from her. He jerks her around so she is facing him, belly to belly.
JACK (CONT'D)
Now, if you'll be very kind?
She figures out what he wants: put the belt on him.
ELIZABETH
(as she works)
You are despicable.
JACK
I saved your life; now you've saved mine. We're square.
Done. He turns her again, backs up, bumps against a pylon.
JACK (CONT'D)
Gentleman ... m'lady ... you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.
He shoves Elizabeth away, grabs a rope and pulls free a belaying pin a counterweight drops and Jack is lifted up to the loading level of the docks.
Swann catches Elizabeth in his arms.
SWANN
Now will you shoot him?
NORRINGTON
On fire?
(pistols fire and miss)
On his heels!
Navy men race after him. Pistols fire and miss. Jack swings out on the rope
Norrington has held his shot. With careful aim, he tracks Jack's trajectory and FIRES. His shot tears the rope, just as Jack lets go, and snaps the link of manacle chain over another line, grabs hold of the far loop. He slides down to a further dock, drops down.
Norrington watches as Jack disappears into the streets.
NORRINGTON
Gillette, Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows, and I would hate for him to miss it.
Gillette nods, gathers a search party by eye, heads off
NORRINGTON
Elizabeth, are you
ELIZABETH
Yes, I'm all right, I'm fine! Go capture him!
Norrington notes her tone, heads off.
Swarm drapes his coat around Elizabeth.
SWANN
Here, dear ... you should wear this.
ELIZABETH
Thank you, Father ... and let that be the last of your fashion advice, please.
She looks out at the bay, where a THICK FOG moves across the water. She shivers, huddles in the jacket, suddenly cold.
22 EXT. PORT ROYAL TOWN ALLEY DAY
The fog casts an eerie twilight pall. An armed party searches the streets, checks down an alley. They move on
Jack steps out from his hiding place behind a blacksmith's statue. Moves toward a set of barn doors
23 INT. BLACKSMITH'S FORGE DAY
Jack slips through the pass thru doors. The forge is dark, Lit by lanterns. A mule is yoked to a bellows. Every tool is in its place, the workbench tidy and neat.
A snort, and Jack jumps. MISTER BROWN, in a blacksmith's apron, sleeps in the corner, cradling a bottle.
Jack reaches over him, takes a short handled sledge from its place on the wall. Holds his right hand over the furnace, the chain down in the embers. The chain begins to GLOW. Jack sweats, grimaces at the pain
Quickly Jack wraps the chain around the nose of an anvil, brings the sledge down on the glowing links. One SHATTERS. Jack plunges his manacled hand in a bucket of water.
Steam billows. Jack pulls his hand out, flexes it. Blisters form beneath the manacle but his hands are free. The SOUND of the latch on the door Jack dives for cover.
Will enters. Spots the drunken Mister Brown in the corner.
WILL
Right where I left you.
Then notes: an empty peg on the wall. Sledge on the floor:
WILL (CONT'D)
(under his breath)
Not where I left you.
He moves casually toward the sledge. Grabs for it but the flat of a sword blade slaps his hand. Will jumps back.
Jack stands there, sword leveled at Will. He backs will up, toward the door. Will glares at him.
WILL (CONT'D)
You're the one they're hunting. The pirate.
Jack acknowledges it with a tip of his head... then frowns.
JACK
You seem somewhat familiar ... have I threatened you before?
WILL
I make it a point to avoid familiarity with pirates.
JACK
Ah. Then it would be a shame to put a black mark on your record. So if you'll excuse me ...
Beside the door is a grindstone, a sword resting in the honing guide. Before Jack can react, Will has it in hand.
JACK (CONT'D)
Do you think this is wise, boy? Crossing blades with a pirate?
WILL
You threatened Miss Swann.
JACK
Only a little.
In response, Will assumes an en garde position. Jack appraises him, unhappy to see Will has training.
Jack attacks. The two men stand in one place, trading feints, thrusts and parries with lightning speed, almost impossible to follow. Will has no trouble matching Jack.
JACK (CONT'D)
You know what you're doing, I'll give you that ... Excellent form ... But how's your footwork? If I step here
He takes a step around an imaginary circle. Will steps the other way, maintaining his relationship to Jack.
JACK (CONT'D)
Very good! And if I step again, you step again ...
(continuing in a circle)
And so we circle, circle, like dogs we circle ...
They are now exactly opposite their initial positions.
JACK (CONT'D)
Ta!
Jack turns and heads for the door, now directly behind him.
Will registers angry surprise and then with a vicious overhand motion, throws his sword it buries itself into the door, just above the latch, barely missing Jack.
Jack rattles the latch the sword blocks it. Tugs on the sword a few times it is really stuck in there. Jack mouths a curse, but when he turns back to Will, he's smiling.
JACK (CONT'D)
That's a good trick. Except, once again, you are between me and the way out.
(raises his sword)
And now you have no weapon.
Eyes on Jack, Will simply picks up a new sword from the furnace this one has a glowing, red hot tip. Jack slumps in dismay but then leaps forward.
Will and Jack duel. Their blades flash and ring. Suddenly, Jack swings the chain still manacled to his left hand at Will's head. Will ducks it, comes up wide eyed.
Then Jack's chain smashes across Will's sword, disarming him. Will picks up another. Jack becomes distressingly aware that the entire room is filled with bladed weapons.
JACK (CONT'D)
Who makes all these?
WILL
I do. And I practice with them. At least three hours a day.
JACK
You need to find yourself a girl.
(Will sets his jaw)
Or maybe the reason you practice three hours a day is you've found one but can't get her?
A direct hit and Will coils even more tightly with anger.
WILL
No. I practice three hours a day so that when I meet a pirate ... I can kill him.
He explodes: kicks a rack, causing a sword to fall into his other hand, and attacks Jack, both blades flashing
Fearless, Will drives Jack backwards, and up, onto a movable ramp, wheels in the center. When Jack passes the mid point, the ramp balances, and rolls wildly as the two men fight. Jack slams down on one of the boards, it flies up, hitting Will in the chin. Jack's chain wraps around Will's sword
-- but Will twists the handle of his guard through a link, and stabs the sword up
So Jack's manacled left arm is now suspended from the ceiling. Not good. He parries using one hand, twisting and dodging around the furnace
Jack compresses the bellows, blowing a SHOWER OF SPARKS into Will's face. Jack grabs the chain, hoists himself up, kicks with his feet, knocking Will back.
Jack frees his manacled arm, drops onto the ramp the other end rises and slams Will's chin. Jack hurls a wooden mallet, hits Will on the wrist; he drops his sword, falls, gets up.
Jack's pistol is aimed between Will's eyes. Will steps back - ¬blocking the back exit. Glares, rubs his wrist gingerly.
WILL (CONT'D)
You cheated.
JACK
(smiles; what do you expect?)
Pirate.
Jack steps forward. Will steps back, fully blocking the door. From outside come the SOUNDS of pursuit.
JACK (CONT'D)
Move away.
WILL
No.
JACK
Move!
WILL
No. I can not just step aside and let you escape.
Jack cocks the pistol. Will stares back. A long moment.
JACK
You're lucky, boy this shot's not meant for you.
Jack uncocks the pistol. Will is surprised, reassesses Jack ¬- suddenly, Mister Brown SLAMS his bottle against Jack's skull. Jack crumples to the ground.
The front and back doors smash open, and SAILORS fill the room. Norrington pushes forward, sees Jack on the ground.
NORRINGTON
Excellent work, Mister Brown. You've aided in the capture of a dangerous fugitive.
BROWN
Just doing my civic duty.
Jack groans. Norrington stands over him, smiles.
NORRINGTON
I believe you will always remember this as the day Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped.
Norrington's men haul Jack away. Will watches them go. Brown looks at his bottle broken.
BROWN
That rotter broke my bottle.
4.The Black Pearl
24 EXT. PORT ROYAL NIGHT
The thick fog blankets the entire bay now, and the town. Only Fort Charles is visible above it, set against a black sky. The moon gives both Fort and fog an eerie glow.
Just below the stone parapets of the fort, deep in the fog, like a shark fin slicing through the water, the TOPMAST of a ship, BLACK SAILS billowing.
The Black Pearl has come to Port Royal.
25 INT. GOVERNOR'S MANSION ELIZABETH'S BEDROOM NIGHT
Estrella removes a bedwarmer from the fireplace, slides it between the sheets at the end of Elizabeth's bed.
ESTRELLA
There you go, Miss. It was a difficult day for you, I'm sure.
ELIZABETH
(agreeing)
I suspected Commodore Norrington would propose, but I was still not entirely prepared for it.
ESTRELLA
I meant your being threatened by that pirate. It sounds terrifying.
ELIZABETH
Oh. Yes. Terrifying.
ESTRELLA
But the Commodore proposed! Fancy that! That's a smart match, miss, if it's not too bold to say.
ELIZABETH
It is a smart match. He's a fine man. The sort any woman should dream of marrying.
Estrella catches the slip 'should' instead of 'would.'
ESTRELLA
That Will Turner ... he's a fine man, too.
Elizabeth looks at Estrella sharply.
ELIZABETH
That is too bold. Will Turner is a blacksmith no, a blacksmith's boy apprentice.
ESTRELLA
Begging your pardon, miss. It was not my place.
She exits. Elizabeth tries to read, toying absently with the medallion chain around her neck, but her attention drifts from the book ...
The lamp flame suddenly drops: Elizabeth tries to turn it up. No good. The flame goes out, and the room is BLACK.
26 INT. BLACKSMITH'S FORGE NIGHT
Will, shirtless, wearing a leather apron, heats an iron ingot at the furnace, hammers it flat he stops.
He moves to a window, opens the shutter, peers out nothing but fog. Unconsciously he reaches for a boarding axe on the wall. Takes it down; it has a satisfying weight in his hands.
27 INT. FORT CHARLES CELL BLOCK NIGHT
CLOSE ON: a mutt of a dog, a ring of keys in his mouth.
Three seedy looking PRISONERS try to coax the dog to their cell door. One holds a loop of rope; another waggles a bone. The dog just sits and cocks its head.
PRISONER
Come here, boy ... want a nice, juicy bone?
In an adjoining cell, Jack lies on a pile of straw.
JACK
You can keep doing that forever, that dog's never going to move.
PRISONER
Excuse us if we ain't resigned ourselves to the gallows just yet!
28 EXT. FORT CHARLES PARAPETS NIGHT
A noose hangs from a gallows in the courtyard. Norrington and Swann walk along the far wall.
SWANN
Has my daughter given you an answer yet?
NORRINGTON
No. She hasn't.
SWANN
Well, she had a taxing day ... Ghastly weather tonight.
NORRINGTON
Bleak. Very bleak.
From the distance, there is a BOOM
SWANN
What was that?
and now the WHISTLE of an incoming ball
NORRINGTON
Cannon fire!
Norrington tackles Swann as the wall of the parapet EXPLODES
29 INT. FORT CHARLES CELL BLOCK NIGHT
Jack sits up. There are more BOOMS
JACK
I know those guns!
He peers out through the bars of the window. The other prisoners crowd around their window as well.
JACK (CONT'D)
It's the Black Pearl.
PRISONER
The Black Pearl? I've heard stories ... she's been preying on ships and settlements for near ten years ... and never leaves any survivors.
JACK
Then where do the stories come from, I wonder?
30 EXT. PORT ROYAL HARBOR NIGHT
With each BOOM of the ship's guns, cannon fire lights up the fog. Both the fort and the town are being hammered now.
31 EXT. PORT ROYAL TOWN NIGHT
Streets, buildings, docks and ships shatter and explode beneath the onslaught. Villagers run for cover, dodge flying debris. If this is not hell on earth, then it's about to be
longboats emerge out of the fog, carrying ARMED PIRATES. They swarm from the boats, striking down villagers indiscriminately and setting fires.
A pair set out with special purpose. RAGETTI is the taller of the pair, and has a wooden eyeball that squeaks when it moves; PINTEL makes up for his lack of height with ugly.
32 INT. BLACKSMITH'S FORGE NIGHT
Will arms himself: boarding axe at the small of his back, three dirks in his belt, sword in his scabbard and a second sword and axe for good measure. He slides back the doors
32A EXT. BLACKSMITH'S FORGE. NIGHT
A woman runs past, chased by JACOBY a wild eyed pirate with a bandolier of clay bombs across his chest. He grabs one it sparks to life as he pulls it free stuffs it into a blunderbuss, FIRES, LAUGHS as the clay bomb EXPLODES.
A soft whistle Jacoby turns ¬
and Will's AXE flies through the air, hits him in the back, and he drops to the ground a deadly blow. Will recovers the axe, heads up the street ¬-
33 EXT. FORT CHARLES PARAPETS NIGHT
Men scramble for cover as cannon fire rains down on the fort; Gillette stands still, looking around, shell shocked
NORRINGTON
Governor! Barricade yourself in my office!
(Swann hesitates)
That's an order!
(to his men)
Return fire!
34 EXT. GOVERNOR'S MANSION ELIZABETH'S BALCONY NIGHT
Elizabeth looks out from the balcony: through the fog, multiple fires are visible. Ships burn in the harbor. Cannon fire ECHOES.
Movement below: two SHADOWY FIGURES approach – pirates. Elizabeth bolts from her room
35 INT. SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY NIGHT
She reaches the landing above the foyer just as the Butler opens the door
PINTEL
'ello, chum.
His pistol BOOMS, and the butler crumples.
Elizabeth stifles a scream too late, Ragetti's wooden eye squeaks as he looks up toward her.
RAGETTI
Up there!
They rush for the stairs even as more pirates come in through the door with torches. Elizabeth scrambles back
36 INT. ELIZABETH'S BEDROOM NIGHT
Elizabeth slams the door, locks it
ESTRELLA
Miss Elizabeth?
Elizabeth jumps. Estrella is right behind her, terrified. They whisper:
ESTRELLA (CONT'D)
Are they come to kidnap you, miss? The daughter of the governor would be very valuable.
Elizabeth realizes she's right. There is the SLAM of a body against the door. Elizabeth shoves Estrella into the corner, between a tall wardrobe and the wall.
ELIZABETH
They haven't seen you. Hide, and first chance, run for the fort.
Estrella nods. Another SLAM at the door it gives a bit
Pintel and Ragetti burst through the door (it slams into the wardrobe, so Estrella cannot be seen) and spot Elizabeth dashing out the side door they run for the door
Pintel gets the pan of the bed warmer in his face he staggers back, holding his nose
Estrella breaks cover, runs for the hall
Elizabeth comes out swinging but Ragetti catches the bedwarmer by the handle Elizabeth can't jerk it free, so she wrenches it over the pan lid swings down, BANGING Ragetti's head, and then hot coals spill down on him. He howls beating at his hair and his EYE
Elizabeth runs for the hallway door
37 INT. SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY/FOYER CONTINUOUS NIGHT
and for the stairs, Estrella already halfway down the foyer has been looted, tapestries set ablaze
The pirates burst from the bedroom Pintel goes for the stairs, while Ragetti vaults the handrail
Estrella registers the butler's body, but continues out the still open front door at a dead run. Elizabeth follows
Ragetti lands between Elizabeth and the front door. His hair and his WOODEN EYE still SMOLDER he reaches
Elizabeth pulls up short, runs the other way
Pintel is waiting for her. Nowhere to run.
A third pirate comes out of the door beneath the stairs, arms full of loot
Suddenly, the wall EXPLODES as a cannon ball rips through the foyer, slamming the third pirate back through the door
Elizabeth takes advantage of the chandelier crashing to the floor to race for the dining room
38 INT. DINING ROOM CONTINUOUS NIGHT
Elizabeth slides the doors shut, grabs a candelabra and forks it down over the door pulls the make shift bolt holds against the pirates' attempt to pull the doors open the pirates begin to throw themselves at the doors
Above the fireplace are two crossed swords. Elizabeth grabs one by the hilt and pulls but it won't come free. Both swords are securely attached to the wall. Damn!
The doors BUCKLE the pirates are relentless Elizabeth looks desperately around the room
39 INT. FOYER NIGHT
The doors give way under the pirates' onslaught
40 INT DINING ROOM NIGHT
The pirates rush in but the room is empty. Curtains trail out an open window. Ragetti starts to climb through, but Pintel stops him. Indicates "She's still here."
PINTEL
We know you're here, poppet. Come out and we promise we won't hurt you.
Ragetti, still smoldering, gives him look he wants to hurt her plenty. Pintel shakes his head: 'Don't worry, I'm lying.'
PINTEL (CONT'D)
We will find you, poppet ... You've got something of ours, and it calls to us!
41 INT. LINEN CLOSET NIGHT
Elizabeth pushes back against the linen laden shelves.
PINTEL (O.S.)
The gold calls to us!
Elizabeth registers that she looks down at the medallion she still wears. The gold glints in the thin line of light that spills through the crack between the doors
and then the light is gone. Elizabeth looks up
Pintel's eye is visible in the crack between the doors.
PINTEL (CONT'D)
Hello, poppet.
42 INT. DINING ROOM NIGHT
Pintel yanks open the doors of the linen closet (hidden as part of the frame and panel walls), revealing Elizabeth
ELIZABETH
Parlay!
Pintel can't believe his ears.
PINTEL
What?
ELIZABETH
Parlay! I invoke the right of parlay! According to the Code of the Brethren, set down by the pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, you must take me to your Captain!
PINTEL
I know the code.
ELIZABETH
If an adversary demands parlay, you can do them no harm until the parlay is complete.
PINTEL
It would appear, so does she.
RAGETTI
To blazes with the code!
He steps forward, dirk drawn Pintel stops him.
PINTEL
She wants to be taken to the Captain, and she'll go without a fuss.
Ragetti looks at him. With a simultaneous exaggerated nod of their heads, they agree: that's good.
PINTEL (CONT'D)
(to Elizabeth)
We must honor the code.
Pintel yanks her toward the door
43 EXT. PORT ROYAL STREET NIGHT
Will slashes, fighting with Grapple, just as a cannon ball WHISTLES in and blows out a wall. A hanging sign swings down, but Will sidesteps just enough to let it go by and smash into Grapple. Will turns through the smoke and dust he sees:
Elizabeth, being escorted roughly by Pintel and Ragetti, followed by other pirates carrying loot ¬-
Will squares his jaw to save her and then a bomb rolls up and lands next to him. Will looks down at the bomb and up to Jacoby.
Will blinks in disbelief didn't he already kill this guy?
The bomb is a dud. Just then, a couple of pirates run by carrying a lot of treasure. One of them smacks Will in the back of the head. He falls.
5. Welcome Aboard
44 INT. FORT CHARLES CELL BLOCK NIGHT
The wall of the cells EXPLODES inward. Jack pulls himself out from under rubble. Moonlight spills in through the gaping hole created by the cannon ball. Beyond it: freedom.
But it is centered on the other cell. The part of Jack's cell that is gone is too small for a man to slip through.
PRISONER
Praise be!
He and the other two scramble through.
PRISONER (CONT'D)
(back to Jack)
My sympathies, friend you've no manner of luck at all!
The three descend the rocks beyond, disappearing from view.
Jack is alone. Cannon fire continues, occasional hits shaking the fort. The dog cowers under a long bench, key ring still in his mouth. Jack sighs resigned, he picks up the bone from the other cell, and tries coax the dog forward.
JACK
It's all right, doggie ... come on ... Come 'ere, you mangy cur'. Here! Spot. Rover. Fido?
To his surprise, the dog crawls out from under the bench. The key ring is nearly within Jack's reach
- suddenly, the dog's attention turns to the cell block door. He backs away from the door, whining.
JACK (CONT'D)
What's the matter, boy? No!
The dog bolts, through the bars, into the cell, then out through the breached wall taking the keys with him.
Jack slumps. The door to the cell block bursts open. A pair of pirates step in: KOEHLER and TWIGG.
TWIGG
This isn't the armory.
He turns to go, but Koehler has spotted Jack.
KOEHLER
(Dutch accent)
Well, well ... Look what we have here, Twigg. It's Captain Sparrow.
TWIGG
Huh. Last time I saw you, you were all alone on a God forsaken island, shrinking into the distance. How the devil did you get off?
KOEHLER.
Did you sprout little wings and fly away?
TWIGG
His fortunes aren't improved much.
The two laugh. Jack doesn't. He steps close to the bars. This puts him in a spill of MOONLIGHT. He is tight with fury.
JACK
Worry about your own fortunes. The deepest circle of hell is reserved for betrayers ... and mutineers.
The pirates don't like that. Koehler lashes out, grabs Jack by the throat through the bars. Jack clutches the pirate's wrist, looks down
Under the moonlight, Koehler's arm and hand are skeletal. Jack's eyes go wide he is holding a skeleton arm.
JACK (CONT'D)
There is a curse.
Koehler sneers, shoves Jack backwards, hard. Now out of the moonlight, his hand is normal. Jack stares, realizing
JACK (CONT'D)
The stories are true.
Koehler ushers Twigg toward the door. Looks back.
KOEHLER
You know nothing of hell.
And then they're gone.
45 EXT. PORT ROYAL NIGHT
Amid the thunder of cannon fire, a longboat, piled high with loot, slips through the fog. Elizabeth sits in the prow. Columns of water from cannon balls geyser up all around.
The fog parts. Elizabeth looks up to see
The Black Pearl, a tall galleon, its black sails looming high above her. At the bow is an ornately carved figurehead of a woman, a small bird taking wing from her outstretched hand.
46 EXT. BLACK PEARL MAIN DECK NIGHT
Smoke hangs heavy on the lantern lit deck; no moon is visible beneath the fog. The longboat is winched up to the rail. Pirates stare at Elizabeth as Ragetti helps her disembark. She shivers, self conscious in her dressing robe.
BO'SUN
I didn't know we was taking captives.
PINTEL
She's invoked the right of parlay .... with Captain Barbossa.
ON THE POOP DECK an imposing FIGURE in silhouette stands by the wheel, too far away to have heard Pintel's words. But his head turns at the mention of his name.
The figure moves toward the stairs. A cloud of SMOKE obscures him and then, as if he skipped the stairs, he strides out of the SMOKE on the main deck
This is BARBOSSA. Despite the bright colors of his clothing, not a man you'd want to meet in a dark alley or anywhere, for that matter.
A MONKEY swings off the rigging to Barbossa's shoulder. Elizabeth is terrified. But she musters her courage
ELIZABETH
I am here to
The Bo'sun SLAPS her.
BO'SUN
You'll speak when spoken to!
His wrist is grabbed painfully by Barbossa.
BARBOSSA
And you'll not lay a hand on those under the protection of parlay!
BOSUN
Aye, sir.
Barbossa releases him. Turns to Elizabeth, smiles it shows both silver and gold teeth. The monkey bares his teeth as well and shows a bit of silver and gold himself.
BARBOSSA
My apologies, Miss. As you were saying, before you were so rudely interrupted?
ELIZABETH
Captain Barbossa ... I have come to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal.
BARBOSSA
There was a lot of long words in there, miss, and we're not but humble pirates. What is it you want?
ELIZABETH
I want you to leave. And never come back.
BARBOSSA
I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.
(helpfully)
Means 'No.'
ELIZABETH
Very well.
She darts to the rail, pulls out and dangles the MEDALLION over the side. The monkey SCREAMS. The pirates go quiet.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
I'll drop it!
BARBOSSA
My holds are bursting with swag. That bit of shine matters to me ... Why?
ELIZABETH
Because it's what you're searching for. You've been searching for it for years. I recognize this ship. I saw it eight years ago, when we made the crossing from England.
BARBOSSA
(interested)
Did you, now?
Elizabeth glares at him. She's getting nowhere.
ELIZABETH
Fine. I suppose if this is worthless, there's no reason to keep it
She flips the medallion up, off her finger
BARBOSSA
NO!
She catches it by the chain, smiles at him triumphantly.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
You have a name, missy?
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth
(stops herself from saying "Swann"; then )
Turner.
(embroidering)
I'm a maid in the governor's household.
(curtsies)
Barbossa reacts to the name Turner. The pirates exchange surreptitious glances.
BARBOSSA
You've got sand, for a maid.
ELIZABETH
(curtsies again)
Thank you, sir.
BARBOSSA
And how does a maid come to own a trinket such as that? A family heirloom, perhaps?
ELIZABETH
Of course. I didn't steal it, if that's what you mean.
BARBOSSA
No, no, nothing like that.
(comes to a decision)
Very well. You hand that over, we'll put your town to our rudder and ne'er return.
ELIZABETH
Can I trust you?
BARBOSSA
It's you who invoked the parlay! Believe me, Miss, you'd best hand it over, now ... or these be the last friendly words you'll hear!
Elizabeth has no choice. She holds out the medallion. The Bo'sun reaches for it but the Monkey is there first. He snatches it from Elizabeth's hand, gives a warning SCREECH at the Bo'sun, then retreats back to Barbossa.
ELIZABETH
Our bargain?
Barbossa grins devilishly but then nods to the Bo'sun.
BO'SUN
Still the guns, and stow 'em! Signal the men, set the flags, and make good to clear port!
The BOOMING of the guns ceases. Elizabeth is surprised –- and relieved. Barbossa turns away.
ELIZABETH
Wait! You must return me to shore! According to the rules of the Order of the Brethren –-
BARBOSSA
(wheels on her)
First. Your return to shore was not part of our negotiations nor our agreement, and so I 'must' do nothing. Secondly: you must be a pirate for the pirate's code to apply. And you're not. And thirdly the code is more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules.
(grins gold and silver)
Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Turner.
Elizabeth stares in speechless terror
6. The Hunt
47 EXT. PORT ROYAL STREET DAWN
Will comes to where he fell. He struggles to his feet
He takes in the devastation of Port Royal: the harbor is dotted with burning and sunken ships; buildings are razed and still smolder. Will races toward Fort Charles
48 INT. FORT CHARLES NORRINGTON'S,OFFICE MORNING
Will bursts in, still armed with sword and boarding axe.
WILL
They've taken her! They've taken Elizabeth!
A group stares at him: Swarm, Norrington, and Gillette, gathered around a huge map of the Caribbean; it drapes over the desk and chair.
Behind them, Murtogg and Mullroy work clearing and carrying away rubble a gaping section of office wall is blown out.
NORRINGTON
Mr. Murtogg, remove this man from my office.
Murtogg grabs Will by the arm, but Will shakes it off.
WILL
We have to hunt them down! We have to save her!
SWANN
And where do you propose we start? If you have any information that concerns my daughter, then please – share it! If anyone does, tell me!
(Will is silent)
Leave, Mr. Turner.
Murtogg has remembered something. He ventures it warily:
MURTOGG
That Jack Sparrow ... he talked about the Black Pearl.
MULLROY
Mentioned it, is more what he did.
MURTOGG
Still ¬-
WILL
Ask him where it is! Make a deal with him! He can lead us to it!
NORRINGTON
No. The pirates who invaded this fort left Sparrow locked in his cell. Ergo, he is not their ally. Do you really think we hadn't thought about that.
(through with Will)
We will determine their most likely course, and launch a search mission with the next tide.
Will slams the boarding axe into the desk, through the map.
WILL
That's not good enough!
Norrington yanks the axe from the desk as he comes around. He does not quite threaten Will with it, but close enough.
NORRINGTON
Mr. Turner, you are not a military man, you are not a sailor, you are a blacksmith. You have nothing of value to contribute here. And this is not the time for rash actions.
Norrington throws a strong arm across Will's shoulders, moves him to the door. He pauses, and leans close to Will.
NORRINGTON
(low)
Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth.
Norrington emphasizes the point with a stare and then shoves the axe at Will, shoves him out the door. Will hits the wall hard, and the door slams shut.
49 INT. FORT CHARLES JAIL CELLS MORNING
In his cell, Jack strains, trying to budge one of the bars. It won't move. He hears the sound of the door latch and immediately adopts a relaxed, lounging pose. Will enters.
WILL
You. Sparrow. Are you familiar with that ship? The Black Pearl?
JACK
I've heard of it.
WILL
Where does it make berth?
JACK
Surely you've heard the stories? Captain Barbossa and his crew of miscreants sail from the dreaded Isla de Muerta ... an island that cannot be found, except by those who already know where it is.
Will examines the cell door. Looks around, searches the prison for something, we don't know what.
WILL
The ship's real enough. So its anchorage must be a real place. Where is it?
JACK
Why ask me?
Will finds a chair, puts it in place near the cell door.
WILL
Because you're a pirate.
JACK
And you want to turn pirate yourself?
WILL
Never.
(beat)
They took Miss Swann.
JACK
So it is that you found a girl. Well, if you're intending to brave all, hasten to her rescue and so win fair lady's heart, you'll have to do it alone. I see no profit in it for me.
Will drags a bench away from the wall, next to the chair.
WILL
I can get you out of here.
JACK
How? The key's run off.
WILL
I helped build these cells. Those are half-pin barrel hinges. It's the weight of the door keeping you in, not the lock. It just calls for the proper application of strength, and the right leverage.
Jack looks closely suspiciously at Will.
JACK
What's your name?
WILL
Will Turner.
Jack recognizes the name, but doesn't let on.
JACK
(nods) Short for William, I imagine. A good strong name. No doubt named for your father?
WILL
Yes.
JACK
Ah. Well, Mr. Turner, tell you what. I've changed my mind. You spring me from this cell, and I swear on pain of death, I'll take you to the Black Pearl.
(sticks out his hand)
Do we have an accord?
Will gives him a suspicious look. Jack keeps his hand out, still smiling. Will shakes it.
WILL
Agreed.
JACK
Agreed!
Will puts the bench over (his fulcrum). Wedges the bench under the cell door, puts his weight on it, straining the cell door rises, falls forward, CRASHES down.
WILL
Someone will have heard that. Hurry.
Will heads for the door. Jack searches the desk, cupboards.
JACK
Not without my effects.
Jack finds them. Straps on the belt, checks his pistol.
WILL
Why bother with that? You could have escaped if you killed me, but you weren't willing to use it.
JACK
Are you advising me that was a mistake?
He levels the pistol at Will. Will gazes at him, unafraid.
JACK (CONT'D)
When you've only got one shot, it's best to wait for the opportune moment.
(beat)
That wasn't it.
A beat and then Jack grins, lowers his aim.
JACK (CONT'D)
Nor is this.
50 EXT. PORT ROYAL DOCKS MORNING.
Jack and Will peek out from beneath the dock, near where dozens of fishing boats rest upside down on the beach. Beyond the busy docks, in the harbor, the Dauntless looms.
WILL
We're going to steal a ship? That ship?
JACK
Commandeer. We're going to commandeer that ship. Nautical term..
Will looks at the condition of one of the boats: old, weather-beaten, faded paint, hole in the hull ...
WILL
When I was twelve, the ship I was on was sunk by pirates. I haven't set foot off dry land since.
(more certain than ever)
It's been a sound policy.
Jack gives Will a critical look.
JACK
One question about your business, boy, or there's no use going.
(joins Will at the door)
This girl what does she mean to you? How far are you willing to go to save her?
WILL
(no hesitation)
I'd die for her.
Good answer; Jack's relieved.
JACK
No worries, then.
51 EXT. PORT ROYAL DOCKS MORNING
Men working the docks. No sign of Will and Jack. Just crates, boardwalks, boats upside down on shore, fishing nets, etc.
The area clears. Still no sign of Will and Jack. Then, unexpectedly, one of the upside down boats RISES up and grows four legs. The boat walks down to the water's edge.
52 EXT. PORT ROYAL HARBOR UNDERWATER DAY
A trap filled with crabs rests on the sandy bottom, its buoy line trailing up.
A BOOTED FOOT steps down on it the crabs scurry for freedom, but the crab trap is caught on the Will's leg
which protrudes, along with its mate and Jack's legs, from beneath an upside down rowboat as they walk along the ocean floor. Sandbags are suspended from it for ballast.
53 INT. PORT ROYAL HARBOR UNDERWATER BOAT DAY
Jack and Will, water up to their waists, safe in the bubble of air beneath the boat hull. Will trying to shake the crab trap free from his leg.
WILL
This is either crazy, or brilliant.
JACK
Remarkable how often those two traits coincide.
Will gives his leg another viscous shake, still failing to dislodge the trap, but jerking the buoy line
54 EXT. HARBOR - DOCK MORNING
the buoy jerks around, always moving forward
The dock is thronged marines, sailors, stevedores – and the Young Boy, the Harbormaster's assistant, who sits fishing. His eyes wide as the Lobster buoy moves past. He tries to catch someone's attention, pointing to the buoy -¬ but when he finally does, the buoy is still. The broken trap floats to the surface beside it.
55 EXT. DAUNTLESS MAIN DECK MORNING
Gillette supervises as sailors swab decks, mend sails, etc. Jack and Will jump over the rail brandishing pistols.
JACK
Everybody stay calm. We're taking over the ship!
WILL
(a beat)
Aye! Avast!
Jack gives him a look, shakes his head: don't do that. The sailors look at them then burst out LAUGHING. Jack grins with them. Gillette steps forward.
GILLETTE
This ship cannot be crewed by two men. You'll never make it out of the bay.
JACK
I've never been one to resist a challenge. Now, if you will ...?
He gestures with his pistol "over the side," to where the little rowboat floats beside the ship.
56 EXT. PORT ROYAL. DOCK DAY
Crewmen swarm the Interceptor, preparing it for launch. Norrington strides along, intent on the manifest, an OFFICER trying to keep up.
The Officer notices: a longboat full of sailors coming from the Dauntless. The ship's forward sail tuffs and billows.
OFFICER
Commodore!
Norrington looks. Sure enough, the Dauntless is moving away, albeit slowly. He takes a brass telescope from his belt, opens it, trains it on: the main deck. He picks out Will.
NORRINGTON (O.S.)
Rash, Turner, too rash
He moves the scope over to find Jack, at the wheel.
NORRINGTON (CONT'D)
That is, without doubt, the worst pirate I have ever seen.
57 EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS DAY LATER
Jack leans on the wheel, relaxed. Will looks back, worried.
WILL
Here they come.
The sails of the Interceptor fill out; it gains quickly
58 EXT. H.M.S. INTERCEPTOR DAY LATER
The ship passes Gillette and his men in the longboat.
GILLETTE
Bring her around! Bring her 'round!
Oars splash choppy quick as the men obey
Norrington's ship is quickly upon the Dauntless. Its decks appear empty. Grappling hooks are thrown. Sailors draw the two ships together. Sailors climb and swing across.
NORRINGTON
Search every cabin, every hold, down to the bilges!
Norrington himself crosses via a gangplank.
The Interceptor is empty, save for a single SENTRY. Jack and Will, soaked, climb over the rail unseen. Jack grabs the Sentry from behind, covers his mouth.
JACK
Can you swim?
(the man struggles)
Can. You. Swim?.
Jack removes his hand.
SENTRY
Like a fish, sir. Grew up summers in Dover, living with me uncle
JACK
Good.
Jack tosses the man overboard. Quickly throws off the ropes to the grappling hooks. Will cranks up the foresail
59 EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS DAY
Norrington appears and sees his other ship moving away.
NORRINGTON
Sailors! Back to the Interceptor!
Too late. One BRAVE SAILOR tries to swing across on a rope, but misses badly, and SPLASH! Jack waves at Norrington:
JACK
Thank you, Commodore, for getting us ready to make way! We'd've had a hard time of it by ourselves!
Norrington seethes, but his order is measured:
NORRINGTON
Raise the sails.
OFFICER
With the wind a quarter astern we won't catch them ¬-
NORRINGTON
We need only to come about, to put them in range of the long nines.
Officer is surprised at the order but relays it.
OFFICER
Hands! Come about! Jackets off the cannons!
(to Norrington)
We're to fire on our own ship?
NORRINGTON
Better to see it at the bottom of the sea than in the hands of a pirate.
The STEERSMAN turns the wheel. No change in course.
STEERSMAN
Captain, there's a problem.
(spins the wheel; it keeps spinning)
He's disabled the rudder chain, sir.
NORRINGTON
So it would seem.
60 EXT. HARBOR LONGBOAT DAY
Gillette stands in the prow of the rowboat, the only one on board to see the hull of the Dauntless looming toward them
GILLETTE
(a croak)
Abandon ...
(louder)
Abandon ship!
A SHADOW falls across the boat: the men look around, drop their oars and dive for the water a loud CRUNCH
61 EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS DAY
The Interceptor dwindles with distance. The ship's Officer watches it go, with some degree of admiration.
OFFICER
That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen.
NORRINGTON
So it would seem.
7. Finding A Crew
62 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
The Interceptor makes for the horizon. A SLOW DISSOLVE: the ship vanishes from the horizon; the sky turns twilight blue
63 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA EVENING
the edge of a black sail cuts into the foreground, accompanied by the ROAR of the wind and the SNAP of canvas
64 INT. BLACK PEARL CAPTAIN'S CABIN. EVENING
Elizabeth stalks the cabin. Pintel and Ragetti enter, holding between them a black silk dress.
PINTEL
You'll be dining with the Captain, and he requests you wear this.
ELIZABETH
Tell the captain that I am disinclined to acquiesce to his request.
PINTEL
(happy)
He said you'd say that! He also said if that be the case, you'll be dining with the crew, and you'll be naked.
Angry, Elizabeth holds out her hand. Ragetti's grin fades.
PINTEL (CONT'D)
(hands it over)
Fine.
He exits, pouting. Elizabeth examines the dress. Pulls a hairpin out of her hair. Starts to take off her dressing gown. There is a SQUEAK SQUEAK sound from the door
65 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK EVENING
Ragetti crouches at the door, squinting into the key hole ¬- using his wooden eye.
PINTEL
You're an idiot.
Suddenly, he jerks back Elizabeth's hairpin pokes through.
RAGETTI (CONT'D)
Ow! Me eye!
Ragetti's eye bounces on the deck, rolls away
RAGETTI (CONT'D)
Don't let it drown!
He scrambles after it it is stopped by the toe of a boot. Ragetti looks up at the Bo'sun. Behind him are more pirates, bearing trays of food.
BO'SUN
If ye like, I'd be happy to nail it in place.
RAGETTI
That's all right, sir.
He presses down on the eye; it rockets out from beneath his boot; Ragetti chases it. The Bo'sun and pirates move past
8. Aztec Gold
66 INT. BLACK PEARL CAPTAIN'S CABIN NIGHT
The Bo'sun supervises as the PIRATES set out trays of food, wine, table setting, etc. Barbossa enters. The Monkey scrambles off his shoulder to a perch. Barbossa appraises Elizabeth in the dress lovely.
BARBOSSA
Maid or not, it suits you.
ELIZABETH
Dare I ask the fate of its previous owner?
BARBOSSA
Now, none of that. Please dig in.
Elizabeth sits, cuts a tiny piece of meat, eats it daintily.
BARBOSSA
No need to stand on ceremony, and no call to impress anyone. You must be hungry.
Elizabeth drops the pretense: she's starving, and begins to eat like it. Barbossa watches her intently.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
Try the wine.
Elizabeth does, a huge swig; tears off a hunk of bread.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
And the apples one of those next.
She starts to bite into the apple stops. She is suddenly aware that Barbossa is staring at her. So are the other pirates. So is the Monkey.
ELIZABETH
You eat it.
BARBOSSA
Would that I could.
ELIZABETH
It's poisoned.
She shoves her plate away and takes the opportunity to palm her knife. Barbossa LAUGHS.
BARBOSSA
Oh, there would be no sense to be killing you, Miss Turner.
ELIZABETH
Then release me. You have your trinket. I am of no further value to you!
Barbossa dangles the medallion.
BARBOSSA
Do you not know what this is, then?
ELIZABETH
A pirate medallion.
BARBOSSA
This is Aztec gold. One of eight hundred eighty two identical pieces they delivered in a stone chest to Cortes himself. Blood money, paid to stem the slaughter he wreaked upon them with his armies.
(beat)
But the greed of Cortes was insatiable. Thousands more fell to blade and ball, their voices crying out for vengeance as their blood stained the Earth. And so the heathen gods placed upon the gold a terrible curse.
Elizabeth is intrigued, but refuses to admit it.
ELIZABETH
I hardly believe in ghost stories any more, Captain Barbossa.
BARBOSSA
Aye! That's exactly what I thought when we were first told the tale!
(dismissive)
Buried on an Island of the Dead what can't be found 'cept by those who know where it 'tis.
Barbossa remembers...
BARBOSSA
Find it we did, and there be the chest, and inside be the coins. Each man to his share and we took 'em all. We spent 'em and traded 'em and frittered 'em away for drink and food and pleasurable company. But the more we gave 'em away, the more we came to realize: the drink would not satisfy, and the food turned to ash in our mouth, and all the pleasurable company in the world would not slake our lust. We are cursed men, Miss Turner. Compelled by greed we were, but now we are consumed by it.
The monkey SCREECHES; Barbossa consoles it.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
There is one way to end our curse. All the scattered pieces of the Aztec gold must be restored, and the blood repaid.
(beat)
Ten years we searched, looting ship and port, sifting through our plunder for it all. Eight hundred and eighty-one of 'em we found, despairing of ever finding the last. And all the while you fancied it a trinket 'round that pretty neck or to stash beneath your pillow while you read your pirate fairy tales.
(beat)
But thanks to you, we have the final piece. Once we've reunited it with its mates, we are free.
ELIZABETH
And the blood to be repaid? What of it?
BARBOSSA
That's why there's no sense to be killing you. Yet.
Elizabeth is horrified. With the toe of his boot, Barbossa flips an apple up off the floor, catches it, offers it.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
Apple?
Elizabeth slowly reaches for the apple and then comes up out of her chair, trying to run around Barbossa. They struggle briefly, and then suddenly he shoves her away
Elizabeth's stolen KNIFE is buried in Barbossa's chest
Barbossa is completely unaffected. He opens his shirt to get a better look at the knife, pulls it out with little effort. There is BLOOD on the blade, but none anywhere else.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
I'm curious -- after killing me, what is it you planned to do next?
Elizabeth backs away, whirls and barrels out the door --
67 EXT. BLACK PEARL MAIN DECK NIGHT
- blindly, Elizabeth races forward then stares, her jaw working, trying to scream but unable to
The pirate crew works at their stations coiling lines, navigating the ship, swabbing decks they sing a sea chanty as they work but where the moonlight falls across their bodies, they are naught but SKELETONS.
Elizabeth turns away, runs gets caught in the turning capstan, where two skeleton pirate musicians (violin and squeeze box) ride the capstan as it turns
Elizabeth jumps away, falls into a cargo hold, bounces back up off a sail. She evades a pirate, hides beneath the steps to the aft deck ...
Suddenly, the SKELETAL MONKEY drops into frame with a SCREECH, clutching the medallion. Elizabeth bolts
Barbossa grabs her roughly by the shoulders and jerks her back around Elizabeth shuts her eyes
BARBOSSA
Look! --
(shakes her)
LOOK!
Elizabeth looks the pirate crew are silent, now, all of them motionless, all of them staring straight at her.
He spins her back around to face him he leans forward, putting his face in the moonlight, turning it into a gleaming SKULL with gold and silver teeth
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
The moonlight shows us for what we really are! We are, not among the living, and so cannot die -- but neither are we dead! For too long I have been parched of thirst, and unable to quench it! Too long, I have been starving to death -- and haven't died!
(raises his hand)
I feel nothing ... Not the wind on my face, nor the spray of the sea ...
(reaches toward Elizabeth)
... nor the warmth of a woman's flesh.
His reaching hand becomes skeleton in the moonlight.
Elizabeth flinches away. He leans forward into the moonlight.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
You'd best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one.
He grabs a wine bottle from a case, uncorks it with his teeth, gives her a little toast, and then drinks. The wine runs through his jaw and rib cage, drenching his clothes.
Elizabeth darts around him, back into the cabin, and shuts the door. Barbossa hurls the bottle away.
68 INT. BLACK PEARL CAPTAIN'S CABIN NIGHT
Elizabeth huddles in the far corner of the cabin, terrified.
59 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
The Interceptor cuts across the waves. Jack at the wheel; Will tightens a line, moves back astern.
70 EXT. INTERCEPTOR MAIN DECK DAY
Will sharpens his sword with a whetstone: shhhk shhhk ...
JACK
For a man whose made an industry of avoiding boats, you're a quick study.
WILL
I worked passage from England as a cabin boy.
(an attempt at guile)
After my mother passed, I came out here ... looking for my father.
JACK
Is that so?
WILL
My father. Bill Turner?
(Will drops his attempt at guile)
I'm not a simpleton. At the jail - ¬it was only after you learned my name that you agreed to help.
(a smile)
Since that's what I wanted, I didn't press the matter. But now
(an accusation)
You knew my father.
Jack considers his reply settles on 'truth.'
JACK
I knew him. Probably one of the few who knew him as William Turner. Most everyone just called him Bill, or 'Bootstrap' Bill.
WILL
'Bootstrap?'
JACK
Good man. Good pirate. And clever ¬- I never met anyone with as clever a mind and hands as him. When you were puzzling out that cell door, it was like seeing his twin.
WILL
That's not true.
JACK
I swear, you look just like him.
WILL
It's not true that my father was a pirate.
JACK
Figured you wouldn't want to hear it..
WILL
He was a merchant marine! A respectable man who obeyed the law -
JACK
(laughs)
You think your father is the only man who ever lived the Glasgow life, telling folk at home one thing, and then going off to do another? There's quite a few who come out here, hoping to amass enough swag to ease the burdens of respectable life. And they're all 'merchant marines.'
WILL
My father did not think of my mother his family as a burden.
JACK
Sure, because he could always go pirating.
WILL
My father was not a pirate!
Will's sword is out, levelled at Jack. Jack gives him a disbelieving look.
JACK
Put it away, Will. It's not worth getting beat again.
WILL
You didn't beat me. You ignored the rules of engagement. In a fair fight, I'd kill you.
JACK
Then that's not much incentive for me to fight fair, is it?
He turns the wheel hard. The sail boom whips around and slams Will in the chest; Will is swept off the ship. Jack picks up Will's sword, pokes at Will with it. Will hand over hands to the end of the boom, out over the water.
JACK (CONT'D)
As long as you're just hanging there, pay attention. On a pirate ship, every man has an equal vote. Every man has an equal say in the rules he has to live by. Should, do, don't, shall, shall not those are mere suggestions. The only rules that really matter are these:
(ticks them off on his fingers)
What a man can do. And what a man can't do. For instance: you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man ... or you can't. But pirate's in your blood, boy, so you're going to have to square with that some day. Now, me, I can let you drown ...
(Will looks alarmed)
But I can't land this ship at Tortuga without your help.
Jack swings the boom so Will is safe on the deck. Jack flips the sword, offering it to Will.
JACK (CONT'D)
So can you sail under the command of a pirate or can you not?
Will grabs the sword from him. A beat as he considers then he turns and goes back to where he was sitting and resumes sharpening his sword.
Jack's relieved; he looks at his still shaking hand, and smiles.
Will looks up suddenly.
WILL
Tortuga? When did we decide on that?
71 EXT. TORTUGA NIGHT
A dank, dirty port, where the tides have swept together the scum of the Caribbean. Pirates dunk a merchant for sport. Painted ladies display their wares. A Donkey bellows.
JACK (O.S.)
Sailing between islands is one thing, but I'll not risk the open sea without an able crew.
Jack and Will walk through the streets. Will studies the environment with a dubious expression.
JACK
Besides, no one should go their life without breathing deep the bouquet of¬ Tortuga!
(breathes deep)
What do you think?
A woman dumps a thunderpot from a second story window; Will sidesteps the, er, thunder.
WILL
It'll linger.
JACK
Aye, unforgettable. I tell you, Will, if every town in the world was like this one, no man would ever feel unwanted.
A REDHEAD in a scarlet dress chatting up two sailors spots Jack. She strides up to him
JACK (CONT'D)
Scarlett !
SLAPS him hard, and stalks off.
JACK (CONT'D)
I didn't deserve that.
He turns back, just as a SMILING BLONDE WENCH plants herself in front of him. Jack smiles back.
JACK (CONT.'D)
Giselle!
SMILING BLONDE WENCH
(pointing after the redhead)
Who was she?
Jack looks after the redhead, then back in time to receive another SLAP! Giselle stalks off.
JACK
I may have deserved that.
WILL
How many women are there in this town?
JACK
Point taken. The quicker we get our crew and away, the better. Fortunately for us, the finest sailors in the world be found in Tortuga.
72 EXT. THE FAITHFUL BRIDE REAR NIGHT
A DRUNKEN MAN lays in the mud, having a friendly conversation with two pigs. He wears an old tattered Navy jacket. WATER splashes across his face, revealing: this is old JOSHAMEE GIBBS. He sputters and roars:
GIBBS
Curse you for breathing, you slack¬ hawed idiot!
(recognizes Jack)
Mother's love, Jack, you know better than to wake a man when he's sleeping. It's bad luck!
JACK
Well, fortunately, I know how to counter it. The man who did the waking buys the man who was sleeping a drink, and the man who was sleeping drinks it while listening to a proposition.
GIBBS
Aye, that'll about do it.
Jack helps Gibbs to his feet and then Gibbs is hit with a second wave of water. Will stands there with the bucket.
GIBBS (CONT'D)
Blast it, I'm already awake!
WILL
That was for the smell.
Gibbs starts to retort angrily, re considers, shrugs: 'Fair enough.'
73 INT. THE FAITHFUL BRIDE NIGHT
Jack and Gibbs sit in the shadows, lit by a single candle. Will stands away from them, hand on sword, keeping a lookout. Two tankards are set down. Gibbs lifts it to take a swig
JACK
Just the one.
Gibbs pauses. He takes a dainty sip.
GIBBS
Make it last, then. Now, what's the nature of this venture of yours?
Jack leans forward. Gibbs leans forward.
JACK
I'm going after the Black Pearl.
Gibbs straightens up like he's been hit. Picks up his drink - ¬thinks better of it, puts it down. Jack has not moved.
GIBBS
Say again?
JACK
I'm going after the Black Pearl. I know where its going to be, and I'm going to take it.
GIBBS
Jack, it's a fool's errand. You know better than me the tales of the Black Pearl.
JACK
Aye, and that's why I know where it's going to be, and that's why I know what Barbossa is up to. All I need is a crew.
GIBBS
A fool's errand. And from all I've heard of Captain Barbossa he's not a man to suffer fools, nor strike a bargain with one.
JACK
Then it's a good thing I'm not a fool.
GIBBS
Prove me wrong. What makes you think Barbossa will give up his ship to you?
JACK
It's just a matter of having the right leverage.
He jerks his head toward WILL, standing vigilant just out of earshot or he is within earshot, and listening?
GIBBS
The kid?
JACK
That is the child of Bootstrap Bill Turner. His only child.
Gibbs' eyes widen over the edge of the tankard.
GIBBS
(musing)
Is he, now? Maybe Barbossa will strike a bargain with a fool, at that ...
(he's on board)
Leverage, says you. I think I feel a change in the wind, says I. I'll find us a crew. There's bound to be a few sailors on this rock crazy as you.
Jack lifts his tankard in a toast.
JACK
Take what you can.
GIBBS
Give nothing back!
They drink, SLAM down their tankards.
Will whirls at the sound, sword out, kicks over a table, and searches for an opponent.
GIBBS (CONT'D)
The kid's a bit of stick, eh?
JACK
You have no idea.
74 EXT. TORTUGA DOCK DAY
A weatherbeaten group of swabs stand in a ragged line up.
GIBBS
Feast your eyes, Cap'n. All of 'em faithful hands before the mast, every man worth his salt
(sotto, making his point)
and crazy, to boot.
Will is not impressed.
WILL
You, sailor ¬-
GIBBS
Cotton.
JACK
Mr. Cotton. Do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death?
(looks at Will, waits for the answer; none comes)
Mr. Cotton? Well? Answer, man!
GIBBS
He's a mute, sir. Poor devil had his tongue cut out ...
Cotton opens his mouth to show this Jack grimaces.
GIBBS
So he trained the parrot to talk for him. No one's yet figured how.
Jack gets it. Tries again:
JACK
Mr. Cotton 's Parrot. Same question.
COTTON'S PARROT
Wind in your SAILS! Wind in your SAILS!
GIBBS
Mostly, we figure that means 'yes.'
JACK
Of course it does.
(raises his voice)
I put it to all of you: we're venturing a rescue here, and if any man is unwilling to face the perils of Isla de Muerta and the Black Pearl
(a quick, low aside)
-- and for the purposes of this interrogatory, presume that all stories you've heard are true --
(loud again)
- then let him leave now!
He waits, watches. Some of the sailors exchange nervous glances, others look more determined than ever, but none leave to Jack's relief and partial, amazement.
JACK
Still here.
(to Will)
Satisfied?
WILL
You've proved they're crazy.
ANAMARIA (O.S.)
What is the benefit for us?
Jack turns at the sound of the voice as pirates murmur agreement. Jack moves along, stops in front of a hunched sailor, eyes downcast, face shaded by a buckled tricorn hat.
Jack leans to the side, trying to peer beneath the hat. The sailor looks up it's ANAMARIA. And she's angry.
JACK
AnaMaria?
Really angry. She SMACKS Jack with a hard right cross.
WILL
You didn't deserve that, either?
JACK
No, that one I deserved.
ANAMARIA
You stole my boat!
JACK
Actually
AnaMaria SMACKS him again, sending him sprawling.
JACK
Borrowed. Without permission. But with every intention of bringing it back.
ANAMARIA
But you didn't! The Jolly Mon was my livelihood! How am I to catch fish with no boat to fish from?
JACK
You'll get another one!
ANAMARIA
(a threat)
I will.
WILL
A better one.
(points at the Interceptor)
That one.
Jack snaps a wide eyed look at Will ("What are you talking about?") Will gives him a hard look in return ("Get with the program!"). Jack realizes it's a good plan.
JACK
Aye, that one! All of you! Sail under my command, and at voyage's end - the Interceptor will be yours! Elect your own captain, go out on account, and live the lives of free men. What say you?
The sailors respond: "Aye," "I'm in," etc., Including AnaMaria, satisfied with that; she nods.
COTTON'S PARROT
Anchors Aweigh!
GIBBS
Just a mention, sir, a friendly remainder, as it were, but it's frightful bad luck to bring a woman aboard, sir.
Jack glances up at the sky, back to Gibbs. ¬
JACK
It'll be far worse not to have her.
He moves away. Gibbs and Will exchange a puzzled look --
75 EXT. H.M.S. INTERCEPTOR NIGHT
A FLASH of lightening. CRACK of thunder. Canvas is stretched taut. The ship rocks into a swell, climbs up the other side.
The crew are excellent, practiced sailors, but it still takes everything they have to keep the ship afloat.
AnaMaria is at the helm. Will looks forward, to where Jack, out near the prow, faces the storm head on. He glances down at his compass, nods.
WILL
How can we find an island no one can find with a compass that doesn't
work?
GIBBS
Aye, the compass doesn't point north.
But we're not trying to find north,
are we?
The ship tilts; AnaMaria fights the wheel.
ANAMARIA
That fool will have us lose the sails, and the masts besides!
Gibbs nods, moves away
ON JACK, a ROARING wind blowing back his hair, eyes intent on their course. Gibbs climbs the tilted deck toward him.
GIBBS
We'd best drop canvas, sir!
JACK
She can hold a bit longer.
The wind picks even more, HOWLING. Jack smiles.
GIBBS
(shouts)
What's in your head as puts you in
such a fine mood, Captain?
JACK
(shouts)
We're catching up!
Jack check his compass again, looks back to sea, enjoying himself. Gibbs stares at him like he's a crazy man.
9. The Treasure Of Cortez
76 INT. BLACK PEARL CAPTAIN'S CABIN DAY
Elizabeth kneels in prayer. She looks up at the sound of a latch: Koehler and Twigg stand in the doorway holding rope; Pintel is behind them.
PINTEL
Time to go, poppet.
77 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
Twigg tightens a gag roughly over Elizabeth's mouth. Her hands are bound behind her back.
Elizabeth jerks away as Barbossa drapes the Medallion around her neck. He tilts her chin to judge the look of it, smiles.
78 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA LAGOON DAY
Elizabeth sits in the prow of a longboat, one of several rowing away from the Black Pearl, all laden with booty. Behind them, the ship fades into the fog.
Ahead of Elizabeth, a dark sea cave opening looms. The longboats glide in, and are swallowed by darkness.
CAMERA RISES, up through the fog, and revealed below is the entire Isla de Muerta shaped roughly like a human skull. FOG swirls in, covering the island in grey
COTTON'S PARROT (O.S.)
Dead men tell NO tales!
Suddenly, Cotton's PARROT flutters down into frame
COTTON'S PARROT (CONT'D)
Dead men tell NO tales!
The bird is perched on a railing, fog behind it; we are
79 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DECK – DAY
-- as the ship slips through the sound-deadening fog. As the bird squawks, the crew become watchful and tense.
A SHAPE emerges from the fog, huge, reaching the wreckage of a ship dashed on the reefs. One of many. A graveyard of ships that never returned from Isla de Muerta.
Suddenly there is a low SCRAAAPE. At the wheel, Jack shuts the compass, concentrates on navigating the graveyard
80 EXT. UNDERWATER – DAY
The mast of a sunken ship grazes the hull of the Interceptor.
81 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DECK DAY
Dead ships continue to more past. Gibbs and Will lean on the rail, watching them go by.
GIBBS
Puts in a chill in the bones, how many honest sailors have been claimed by this passage.
Will nods in silent agreement. Turns and looks speculatively at Jack, at the wheel checks the compass, makes a slight correction
WILL
How is it that Jack came by that compass?
GIBBS
Not a lot's known about Jack Sparrow 'fore he showed up in Tortuga with a mind to go after the treasure of Isla de Muerta. That was before I'd met him, back when he was captain of the Black Pearl.
WILL
What?
(suspicious glance at Jack)
He neglected to mention that.
Gibbs realizes he's made a small faux pas, hides it with --
GIBBS
He plays things close to the vest now. Hard learned lesson it was. See, three days out on the venture, his first mate comes to him and says, everything's an equal share, that should mean the location of the treasure, too. So Jack gives up the bearings.
(shakes his head)
That night, there was mutiny.
Gibbs' voice is a whisper, now, so Will has to lean closer.
GIBBS (CONT'D)
They marooned Jack on an island, and left him to die. But not before he'd gone mad from the heat.
WILL
Ahh. And that's the reason for all the ...
(imitates Jack)
GIBBS
Reason's got nothing to do with it. Now, Will, when a pirate's marooned, he's given a pistol with a single shot. One shot, that won't do you any good hunting, or to be rescued. But after three weeks of a starving belly and thirst that pistol start to look real friendly.
Gibbs mimes helpfully: Gun to the head, pull the trigger.
GIBBS (CONT'D)
But Jack he escaped the island. And he still has that single shot. He won't use it, though, save on one man. His mutinous first mate
WILL
Barbossa.
GIBBS
Aye.
WILL
How did Jack get off the island?
GIBBS
I'll tell ya. He waded out past the shallows and waited there, three days and three nights, 'til all manner of sea creatures 'came acclimated to his presence. And then he roped himself a couple of sea turtles and lashed 'em together and made a raft.
Will can't believe he heard that. He peers at Gibbs. Gibbs holds his gaze steady.
WILL
He roped a couple of sea turtles.
GIBBS
Aye. Sea turtles.
Will's not quite buying it. Gibbs doesn't finch. Jack has ambled over during the story; Will Looks at him. Jack nods, confirming the account.
There are so many problems with the story, Will has trouble settling on which to start with, finally settling on the simplest question:
WILL
(to Jack)
What did you use for rope?
Gibbs starts to answer then realizes he doesn't know. But Jack now stands near them, and supplies the answer:
JACK
Human hair.
Gibbs knew there was a perfectly logical answer. Will's not buying it. Jack holds his gaze with a poker face – then:
JACK (CONT'D)
(to the crew, cutting off any further questions)
Weigh anchor and lower the boat! Will and I are to go ashore.
Gibbs steps close to Jack, unaware Will is listening.
GIBBS
And if the worst should happen?
JACK
Keep to the Code. You know that.
GIBBS
(agreeing)
The Code.
They part. Will watches Jack speculatively.
82 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA LAGOON POINT DAY
THROUGH A SPYGLASS, the Black Pearl lies at anchor. Mostly empty, movement of a few pirates on board.
WILL (O.S.)
Is she there?
Jack lowers the spyglass. He and Will are in a longboat just off a rocky point.
JACK
No.
Jack continues to gaze at the ship. Will looks from him to the Pearl, back he's putting the pieces together and doesn't like the picture he sees.
WILL
Where is she?
JACK
(grabs the oars)
It's begun.
83 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING DAY
Barbossa steps smoothly from his boat onto shore as Elizabeth is yanked roughly from hers. Barbossa continues directly into the main cavern. Pirates use double oars to carry chests and other booty. Pintel and Ragetti haul a large hope chest between them.
PINTEL
Ten years of hoarding swag
RAGETTI
(way too excited)
and now we finally get to spend it'
They dump the chest, pick through it. Ragetti finds a parasol.
PINTEL
Aye, once we're quit of the curse - ¬ we'll be rich men, 'n you can buy yourself an eye what actually fits - and's made of glass.
Ragetti is genuinely moved. He reaches up to wipe a tear.
RAGETTI
This one does splinter something terrible ...
PINTEL
(genuinely sympathetic)
I know
(slaps his hand away)
Don't rub it!
Ragetti slaps back with a parasol. Pintel parries with his own parasol. Ragetti opens his with a FOOMP! To use as a shield. They look over the Bo'sun stares at them darkly.
Twigg shoves Elizabeth roughly forward into the caves
84 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA MAIN CAVERN DAY
revealed is the spectacular treasure: piles of coins, gold and silver ingots, jewelry, objects d' art, jade and ivory, brightly colored silks, furniture, jewels and pearls, mirrors and swords ...
At the center, a hole in the ceiling lets in a column of sunlight, which illumines: an Aztec stone chest. Filled with coins similar to the gold center of the medallion; across them lies an Aztec stone knife.
85 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES TUNNEL DAY
The tunnel is illumined by a lantern on a pole. Jack rows, back to Will. To one side, Will spots
a SKELETON, face down and half buried in the sand; its rib cage partially stove in, a SWORD stuck in its BACK. A crab clicks its claws in the light. They drift past.
WILL
What code is Gibbs to keep to, if the worst should happen?
JACK
Pirates' code. Any man who falls behind is left behind.
WILL
No heroes amongst thieves.
JACK
You know, for having such a bleak outlook on pirates, you're well on your way to becoming one.
(intentionally goading)
Sprung a man from jail, commandeered a ship of the fleet, sailed with a buccaneer crew out of Tortuga ...
Suddenly, several small bright CIRCLES appear on the cave walls and roof and then dozens more. They're everywhere. Will glances down beneath the water, THOUSANDS OF COINS reflect light onto the cave walls.
JACK (CONT'D)
... and you're obsessed with treasure.
They pass through, approach the landing area where the pirates' boats are moored
86 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING
Will pulls the boat ashore; Jack hops out.
WILL
That's not true. I am not obsessed with treasure.
Jack leads up a short rise.
JACK
Not all treasure is silver and gold.
They climb to a cave opening
and beyond it there's ELIZABETH, being shoved to the top of the central treasure pile by Twigg and Koehler, where Barbossa waits beside the stone chest at the top. Pirates surround the scene.
BARBOSSA
Our torment is near an end!
87 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN DAY
BARBOSSA
For ten years, we've been tested and tried and every man jack here has proved his mettle a hundred times over, and a hundred times again!
Some pirates voice their approval: Yeah! Aye! etc.
BARBOSSA
Punished we were, the lot of us, disproportionate to our crime!
A louder response: Aye!
The stone chest is opened. Inside are hundreds of gold coins, identical to the medallion. A stone knife lays atop them.
BARBOSSA¬
Here 'tis, the cursed treasure of Cortes himself! Every piece that went astray has found its way home save for this!
(points to medallion around Elizabeth's neck)
The pirates including BO'SUN now CHEER.
88 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING
Will scrambles for the cave opening
WILL
Jack!
JACK
(restrains him)
Not yet!
89 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN
Stones clatter down the embankment. The monkey twists around, suspicious ... then his head swivels back to the ceremony.
90 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING
As Jack moves away from the cave opening:
JACK
Wait for the opportune moment.
Will hesitates a moment, then follows
90A INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN
Barbossa picks up the stone knife, raises it high.
BARBOSSA
Who among us has paid the blood sacrifice owed the heathen gods?
ALL PIRATES
(thrust fists in the air)
AYE!
90B INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING
Back near the boats, Will catches up to Jack.
WILL
When's that? When it's of greatest profit to you?
JACK
Listen, squire, have I ever given you any reason not to trust me? I know it's difficult for you, but, please, don't do anything stupid and wait here.
Jack moves away
90C INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN
BARBOSSA
And whose blood must yet be paid?
ALL PIRATES
(point to Elizabeth)
HERS!
90D INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING
Jack comes around a cave wall.
WILL (O.S.)
Sorry Jack but I'm not going to be your leverage.
Jack's eyes go wide he turns, rolls to defend himself - ¬too late. Will brings an oar down across Jack's head. Jack slumps. Will slips away
91 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN DAY
Barbossa steps toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth shrinks back, but is held by Twigg and Koehler. Barbossa leans close to her.
BARBOSSA
You know the first thing I'm going to do after the curse is lifted?
(grins)
Eat a whole bushel of apples.
Twigg and Koehler grin at that. Barbossa raises the knife - ¬Elizabeth turns her head away, shuts her eyes
Barbossa grabs her wrist and SLICES HER PALM. He claps the medallion into her hand and closes her fist around it, then removes it, now stained with Elizabeth's blood.
ELIZABETH
That's it? That's all?
BARBOSSA
Waste not.
He holds the medallion above the chest
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
Begun by blood, by blood undone!
and drops it into the chest. The pirates tense, waiting, expectant. A long beat. They all look at each other, look at themselves. Nothing happens.
KOEHLER
Did it work?
RAGETTI
I don't feel no different.
PINTEL
How do we tell?
Barbossa frowns, draws his pistol, and SHOOTS Pintel square in the chest. Pintel grabs his chest ... but doesn't die.
KOEHLER
You're not dead.
PINTEL
No.
(realizes)
He shot me!
TWIGG.
It didn't work! The curse is still upon us!
Barbossa searches for an answer ... turns to Elizabeth.
BARBOSSA
You. Maid. Your father. What was his name?!
(grabs her roughly)
Was your father William Turner?!
Elizabeth takes time to smile before answering:
ELIZABETH
No.
The pirates cry out. Barbossa gathers himself, getting his rage under steely control.
BARBOSSA
Where's his child? The child that sailed from England eight years ago, the child in whose veins flows the blood of William Turner?! Where?
Barbossa SLAPS her hard, sending her sprawling.
BO'SUN
(to Pintel & Ragetti)
You two. You brought us the wrong person!
Pintel grabs the bloody medallion, holds it up as proof.
PINTEL
No, she had the medallion! She's the proper age!
RAGETTI
(bursts out)
She said her name was Turner! You heard her!
(suddenly realizes it)
I think she lied to us.
Twigg whirls on Barbossa.
TWIGG
You brought us here
(slaps away the Medallion)
for nothing?
The Medallion bounces, rolls toward the water's edge - ¬ underwater, we see WILL, waiting for his moment.
BARBOSSA
I won't take questioning or second guesses, not from the likes of you, Mister Twigg.
KOEHLER
Who's to blame him? Every decision you've made's led us from bad to worse!
BOSUN
It's you who sent Bootstrap to the depths
TWIGG
It's you what brought us here in the first place
The pirate argument grows. Suddenly a hand comes over Elizabeth's mouth; she has the presence not to scream. It's Will, soaked. He nods toward the water.
They crouch down and Elizabeth sees the medallion on the water's edge. She grabs it. Takes a breath, slips underwater. The Monkey spots them and SCREECHES
BARBOSSA
If any coward here dare challenge me, let him speak! Any more talk, I'll chain ye all to a cannon and send ye to the watery depths!
The Monkey's SCREECHING echoes
KOEHLER
I say we cut her neck and spill all her blood, just in case
He turns Elizabeth is gone. The Monkey jumps and HOWLS, pointing toward: Will and Elizabeth, just disappearing out of the cavern. Barbossa looks around, sees
BARBOSSA
The medallion! Get after them! Fetch it back!
The pirates race out of the main cavern to
92 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING DAY
The pirates scramble to launch their boats, reach for the oars and then realize:
BO'SUN
The oars've gone missing, too! Find 'em!
The pirates search the cave, overturning chests and upsetting piles of treasure.
Jack wanders out into the middle of this, dazed, holding the oar Will hit him with. He looks around without comprehension. Ragetti notices him, and blanches.
RAGETTTI
You.
Jack looks behind him, then back at Ragetti.
JACK
Me.
PTNTEL
You're supposed to be dead!
JACK
I'm not?
Pintel draws his pistol, so do the other pirates. Jack's eyes go wide. He thinks, tries to remember something - got it
JACK (CONT'D)
Parlay.
(nods; that's it)
Parlay.
The pirates lower their weapons -- except Pintel, who really wants to shoot this guy. He hurls his pistol to the ground.
PINTEL
'Parlay'! Damn to the depths whatever muttonhead thought up 'parlay'!
10. Keep to The Code
93 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DECY DAY
Elizabeth is helped from the boat as Will throws the last of the pirates' oars overboard, joining a long trail of oars leading away from the island.
GIBBS
Welcome aboard, miss Elizabeth.
(reminding her)
You used to be a lot more mini'ture.
ELIZABETH
Mr. Gibbs! I didn't know you were still in the Navy.
GIBBS
I'm not.
ELIZABETH
But this is a Royal Navy ship!
MARTY
Used to be.
Elizabeth takes in the rest of the crew for the first time
ELIZABETH
Pirates. Not more pirates.
Will climbs aboard.
GIBBS
Hey, boy -- where be Jack?
And here Elizabeth thought she couldn't be more perplexed.
ELIZABETH
Jack? Jack Sparrow?
WILL
(with finality)
Fell behind.
He moves away. AnaMaria glances questioningly at Gibbs.
GIBBS
Keep to the Code.
ANAMARIA
(an order to the crew)
Weigh anchor and hoist the sails! Split quick, you dibbis!
Gibbs looks after Will speculatively.
94 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES LANDING DAY
Jack leans on the oar, the pirates eyeing him. They part, and Barbossa steps out to see what they've found. He stares.
BARBOSSA
How the blazes did you get off that island?
JACK
When you marooned me on that God¬ forsaken spit of land, you forgot one thing. I'm Jack Sparrow.
BARBOSSA
Ah, then I won't be making that mistake again. Gents, see that man there? He's Jack Sparrow! Kill him.
He turns away. Pintel is happy, grabs his pistol, aims it
JACK
The girl's blood didn't work, did it?
Barbossa snaps back around.
BARBOSSA
Hold fire.
Pintel reacts with silent exasperation. So close. Barbossa glares at Jack, working it through and then he's certain:
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
You know whose blood we need.
JACK
I know whose blood you need.
Barbossa clenches his jaw. He hates this guy.
95 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
The Interceptor on the open sea under full sail.
96 INT. INTERCEPTOR - CABIN DAY
Elizabeth's frustration at trying to wrap a bandage around her hand only adds to her anger.
ELIZABETH
What sort of man would trade a man's life for a ship?
WILL
(shrugs)
Pirate.
It's a botched job on the bandage; Elizabeth lets out an
exasperated sound and yanks it off.
WILL
Here ... let me.
She lets him take over the task.
ELIZABETH
Thank you.
He begins to gently wrap her hand.
WILL
(suddenly)
You said you gave Barbossa my name as yours.
No response; Elizabeth keeps her eyes fixed on her hand as he wraps it.
WILL
Why?
She looks up into his eyes levelly, but can't quite bring herself to say what she's thinking.
ELIZABETH
(she knows exactly why)
I don't know.
They hold the gaze; a slight smile begins to play on Will's lips, matched by Elizabeth she WINCES, pulls her hand back slightly.
WILL
I'm sorry blacksmith's hands. I know, they're rough ...
ELIZABETH
No ... I mean, yes. They are. But --
She considers, smiles to herself: anything she says will reveal the truth ... and so she says the truth.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Don't stop.
They lock eyes. Will ties off the bandage, but doesn't drop her hand. He runs his palm up her forearm –-
-- passion takes them. They are in each other's arms, Will sweeps Elizabeth back, pressing her against the bulkhead, suspending the exquisite anticipation of the kiss. Her hand runs up his back, clutches at his hair. His hand on her waist slipping down to the swell of her hip. He breathes in the smell of her hair, her neck.
WILL
Elizabeth ...
She takes his hand from her face ... brings it down to her neck then down her chest ...
... and then, despite not wanting to ruin the moment, she moves his hand across, over the medallion. She tugs it out and lays it in his hand.
ELIZABETH
This is yours.
He gives it a glance, a puzzled look.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Don't you recognize it? It's yours.
Will looks again then does remember.
WILL
I thought I'd lost it the day in the attack
(beat)
It was a gift from ...
ELIZABETH
From your father. I know.
WILL
This is part of the treasure.
ELIZABETH
(unlatches the chain)
I took it. I had to tell you.
WILL
Why?
ELIZABETH
I wanted there to be no secrets between us.
WILL
No. I mean, yes, but ... why did you take it?
ELIZABETH
(reliving the memory)
Because I was afraid you were a pirate.
That hits Will hard. He steps back away from Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
... and that would have been awful.
Will stares at the medallion. He realizes:
WILL
It wasn't your blood they needed. It was my father's blood. My blood. The blood of a pirate.
She lays a hand on his arm. He does not react.
ELIZABETH
I'm sorry, Will. Forgive me.
He still does not look at her. He closes his fist around medallion, turns away; her hand falls from his arm. She watches him for a moment ... turns away and leaves.
97 INT. BLACK PEARL CAPTAIN'S CABIN DAY
Jack prowls the cabin, notes the sorry state of the fixtures. Barbossa stands next to his desk.
JACK
I'm disappointed, Barbossa. I expected you to take better care of my ship.
BARBOSSA
It's not your ship.
JACK
The very issue we need to rectify.
BARBOSSA
That's the terms you're negotiating for? You get the Pearl?
JACK
That's my terms and no negotiating.
BARBOSSA
You expect to leave me standing on some beach with nothing more than a name and your word it's the one we need, and watch you sail away on my ship?
Jack takes an apple from the bowl.
JACK
Oh, no. I expect to leave you standing on some beach watching me sail away on my ship and then I'll shout the name back to you.
BARBOSSA
Which still leaves us the problem of me standing on the beach with naught but a name and your word it's the one we need.
JACK
Well, of the two of us here, I'm the only one who hasn't committed mutiny ... so my word's the one we'll be trusting.
He sits down, puts his feet on the desk.
JACK (CONT'D)
Though I suppose I should be thanking you ... if you hadn't betrayed me and left me to die, I'd've had an equal share in the curse, same as you. Funny old world.
Jack takes a big bite of the apple. Barbossa glares. Jack remembers his manners, offers a bite to Barbossa: 'Want some? No?' He shrugs, takes another bite
BO'SUN
(from the doorway)
Captain we're coming up on the Interceptor.
98 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
Barbossa stares at the horizon, intent on his prey. Jack appears beside him; he doesn't like the look of things.
JACK
I'm having a thought here, Barbossa. We run up a flag of truce, I go over to the Interceptor and negotiate them returning your medallion. What say you to that?
Barbossa's just been waiting for him to stop talking.
BARBOSSA
Bo'sun! Lock him in the brig.
(to Jack)
Now, see, Jack. That's exactly the attitude that lost you the Pearl. Bodies are easier to search when they're dead.
11.The Battle
99 EXT. INTERCEPTOR MAIN DECK DAY
Elizabeth emerges on deck. Crewmen work fast and focused.
GIBBS
Hands aloft to loose ta'gallants! With this wind dead astern, she'll carry every sail we've got!
Elizabeth hurries toward astern. AnaMaria is at the wheel.
ELIZABETH
What's happening?
And then she sees the Black Pearl, on the horizon.
ANAMARIA
The Black Pearl. It's gaining.
ELIZABETH
But this is the fastest ship in the Caribbean!
ANAMARIA
You can tell them that, after they've caught us.
Elizabeth thinks; Gibbs joins them.
ELIZABETH
We've got a shallower draft, right? We handle quicker on the turn?
ANAMARIA
(surprised)
Aye.
ELIZABETH
Then can't we lose them among the shoals?
Ahead on the horizon: the indistinct shapes of islands.
GIBBS
We don't have to outrun 'em for long, just long enough ...
ANAMARIA
Lighten the ship! Stem to stern!
GIBBS
Anything we can afford to lose, see it's lost!
100 INT. BLACK PEARL BRIG DAY
The door slams shut, is bolted. Jack looks around the cell.
He notices a crack in the bulkhead. Peaks out through it. But
he can see only empty sea
101 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
Jetsam from the Interceptor splashes down into the water: barrels, heavy fittings, crates, cannon balls.
102 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
PUSH IN on Barbossa a predator bent on its prey. His voice carries the length of the ship:
BARBOSSA
Raise the flag, and run out the guns! Haul on the mainsails and let go! Let go!
Behind him, the Jolly Roger is hoisted on the ensign staff
102A EXT. INTERCEPTOR FORWARD DECK DAY
Will emerges from the forward compartment, drawn by the commotion. He sees the crew dumping stuff overboard, the Black Pearl in pursuit. He climbs out on the rigging for a better vantage point
Will sees something that makes his face go ashen
102B EXT. INTERCEPTOR DECK DAY
Marty and another crewman dump a cannon barrel overboard; they move to the next one, pull the pins, tip it
Will's foot comes down on the cannon, keeping it in place.
WILL
We're going to need that.
He points astern
103 EXT. INTERCEPTOR STERN DECK DAY
Cotton, parrot on his shoulder, drops a heavy cannonball overboard, looks up his expression reads: "Uh oh"
104 EXT. - BLACK PEARL DAY
Hatches slide back on the hull, and galley OARS extend out each side. In unison they catch the water; the ship shoots forward
105 EXT. INTERCEPTOR STERN DECK DAY
Cotton hasn't moved.
COTTON'S PARROT
Ohship!
106 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
The Interceptor cuts through the chop. The Black Pearl enters the frame, gaining once again
107 EXT. INTERCEPTOR – DECK DAY
Elizabeth looks stricken as she stares at the pursuing ship.
ANAMARIA
It was a good plan, up 'til now.
Will makes his way to the wheel.
WILL
We'll have to make a stand! We have to fight!
(no one moves)
Load the guns!
ANAMARIA
With what?
A beat as they all realize the cannonballs were among the first things over the side. Then:
WILL
With anything! ... we have left.
GIBBS
(moving, hollering to the crew)
Load the guns! Case shot and langrage! Nails and crushed glass!
WILL
Pieces of the deck, if we must!
GIBBS
Let's wait on that one, eh?
108 EXT. BLACK PEARL DAY
CLOSE ON: Jack's eye, peering through the crack in the hull. PAN OVER to see the ship's oars, rowing in unison
108A EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
Barbossa seems to inhale, smelling the victory at hand
109 INT. INTERCEPTOR GUN DECK DAY
Gibbs supervises the gunnery crew as they load anything and everything into the cannons: silverware, jugs, Gibbs' flask
Gibbs grabs that, gives it a shake: there's a bit left. He takes a swig, pockets it on his way up to
110 EXT. INTERCEPTOR WHEEL DECK DAY
Gibbs joins Will and AnaMaria, who eyes the Black Pearl.
ANAMARIA
Can we give them a broadsides?
GIBBS
We could but won't have the chance. The Pearl's going to luff up on port quarter! She'll rake us, without ever presenting a target!
Elizabeth sees the problem. She looks up toward the bow of the Interceptor. Gets an idea.
ELIZABETH
Drop the anchor! On the right side! Starboard side!
The three look at her in dismay. She nods her head vigorously "It's a good idea." She looks to Will for support:
WILL
('what the hell')
It certainly has the element of surprise.
ANAMARIA
You're daft, lady! You both are!
GIBBS
Daft like Jack! DROP THE STARBOARD ANCHOR!
Crewmen give him the same look Elizabeth got.
GIBBS (CONT'D)
Do it, you gobs! Or it's you we'll be loading into the cannons!
111 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DAY
The anchor splashes into the water, cable uncoiling
112 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
Barbossa squints; cocks his head ... What the hell?
113 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA UNDERWATER DAY
The anchor hits bottom, drags, catches on a reef the cable goes taut ¬-
114 INT. INTERCEPTOR CABIN DAY
The Medallion, on a table top, slides forward and off - ¬
115 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DAY
Elizabeth turns back to AnaMaria at the wheel
ELIZABETH
Let go!
AnaMaria releases the wheel just as it starts to SPIN with a vengeance
116 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
The Interceptor, bow low in the water, comes around very quickly, forward anchor acting as a pivot her cannons coming round, brought to bear on the Black Pearl
117 INT. INTERCEPTOR ANCHOR HOUSING DAY
The anchor cable spool creaks and cracks under the strain
118 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
Barbossa realizes what's happening
BARBOSSA
They're club hauling! Hard a port! Ship the starboard oars!
119 INT. BLACK PEARL BRIG DAY
POV JACK he looks through the peephole as the bow of the Interceptor appears as it comes round, then the first cannon port, where Cotton and Nameless stand ready with a lit punk
120 EXT. BLACK PEARL DAY
The cannon doors swing up
121 INT. BLACK PEARL GUN DECK DAY
Pintel and Ragetti stand ready to fire, and they see: Cotton and Nameless and the mouth of their cannon a dozen feet away.
122 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DECK DAY
GIBBS/ELIZABETH/ANAMARIA
Fire all!
A quick look between the three
123 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
Barbossa raises his scabbard
BARBOSSA
Fire!
124 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA DAY
All hell breaks loose as the two ships fire all guns at once. The Interceptor takes far more damage than the Black Pearl
125 OMITTED
126 INT. BLACK PEARL BRIG DAY
A shot crashes through the brig, blasting the door off its hinges; Jack spins away, taking cover –
127 INT. BLACK PEARL GUN DECK DAY
Pintel looks over to see a SPOON imbedded in a post beside his head. He frowns, looks to Ragetti
Ragetti turns toward him, revealing: A FORK sticks from his wooden eye. He yanks the fork out, and the eye comes out as well. The two pirates stare at each other, fuming
PULL BACK through the blast hole to reveal: SILVERWARE embedded in the hull all around the blast hole.
128 INT. BLACK PEARL BRIG
Another BLAST rocks the ship
JACK
Stop putting holes in my ship!
Jack sloshes through waist deep water. Floating on top is Gibbs' FLASK.
JACK (CONT'D)
That's it, I'm putting an end to this.
Jack takes a swig from the flask, pushes through the door -
129 INT. BLACK PEARL GUN DECK DAY
CLOSE ON: A CHAIN. It links together two cannonballs, which Pintel and Ragetti lug toward the cannon. They exchange matching revenge smirks as they load the chain shot
130 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK DAY
BARBOSSA
Strike your colors, you blooming cockroaches!
(to his crew)
Hands! Grapnels at the ready! Prepare to board!
131 EST. INTERCEPTOR DECK DAY
Elizabeth, Will, AnaMaria, Gibbs and the rest of the crew use the gunwales as cover from the pirates' small arms fire
GIBBS
We could use a few more ideas, lass!
ELIZABETH
Your turn!
GIBBS
We need us a devil's dowry!
ANAMARIA
We've got one
(grabs Elizabeth by the hair)
We'll give 'im her!
WILL
She's not what they're after!
GIBBS
Then what is?
Will cuts his eyes to Elizabeth -- they both believe the pirates are after him. Elizabeth clutches for the medallion around her throat but it's not there. Simultaneously:
WILL/ELIZABETH
The medallion!
Will sprints for the forward hatch, drops inside.
131A INT. INTERCEPTOR - CABIN - DAY
- into a foot and a half of water, and still rising. Not good. He starts searching for the medallion --
132 EXT. SEA/INTERCEPTOR/BLACK PEARL
Pintel sparks the cannon - it FIRES. The chain shot flies across, SMASHES the main mast of the Interceptor -
132A INT. INTERCEPTOR CABIN - DAY
The impact causes the hatch to fall shut, a large beam cutting Will off from the exit.
132B EXT. INTERCEPTOR/BLACK PEARL DAY
The Interceptor's mast LEANS and FALLS --
The mast CRASHES down on the deck of the Black Pearl right next to Barbossa, who doesn't flinch.
BARBOSSA
Pistols and cutlasses, men! Koehler, Twigg it's the powder magazine for you! The rest of you -- find me that medallion!
The Monkey scampers across on the fallen mast, now a bridge between the two ships. Pirates swarm across, jumping from deck to deck and swinging from the rigging.
One pirate misses his landing on the Interceptor, swings back toward the Black Pearl. Jack, on a boom, catches the rope -the pirate continues his swing, now ropeless
JACK
Thank ye!
and Jack swings out, the two crews locked in battle on the decks of both ships pass below him
Gibbs faces a pirate on either side of him Jack takes one of them as he swings through and then swings back, backwards, taking out the other. He drops to the deck.
GIBBS
Jack! You're alive!
Already on the move, Jack tosses the flask over his shoulder to Gibbs, who catches it, surprised. Behind him, Koehler and Twigg descend to the Interceptor's magazine
133 INT. INTERCEPTOR CABIN DAY
Will struggles to get out the water is rising fast
A SCREECH Will looks up the MONKEY is at a hole in the bulkhead holding the MEDALLION it leaps and is gone
134 INT. INTERCEPTOR BELOW DECK DAY
Koehler and Twigg pour a fuse from a keg of gunpowder, away from a pile of explosives
135 EXT. INTERCEPTOR MAIN DECK DAY
Jack grabs Elizabeth by the shoulders
JACK
Where's the medallion?
ELIZABETH
I gave it to Will!
JACK/ELIZABETH
Where's Will?
The Monkey races past with the Medallion. Jack sees it, gives chase. Elizabeth darts off in the other direction, for the hatch but is grabbed by two pirates, lifted off her feet.
ANGLE FORWARD HATCH Will's fingers grip the grating, then slip off
136 INT. INTERCEPTOR CABIN DAY
Water fills the cabin nearly to the roof. Will takes a breath and submerges ¬-
137 EXT. INTERCEPTOR DECK DAY
Pirates throw Cotton to the deck. AnaMaria loses her sword. Behind them, Jack dashes after the Monkey. Gibbs signals their surrender
The Monkey dashes across the broken mast, still clutching the medallion. Jack scrambles across after it the Monkey pauses at the far end Jack reaches for the medallion
But another hand grabs it first. Jack looks up to see Barbossa eyeing the Medallion.
BARBOSSA
Why thank you, Jack!
JACK
You're welcome.
BARBOSSA
Not you. We named the monkey 'Jack.'
The Monkey chitters, gloating. Barbossa grins, raises the Medallion, yells to all:
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
THE PRIZE IS OURS!
138 EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK LATER
Jack's crew are tied to the mast by Ragetti. Pintel eyes them, pistol drawn.
PINTEL
Any of you so much as thinks the word 'Parlay' I'll have your guts for garters.
Behind him, in the distance, the Interceptor suddenly EXPLODES. Elizabeth twists free
ELIZABETH
Will!
The wreckage lands. Elizabeth rushes Barbossa he grabs her wrists.
BARBOSSA
Welcome back, Miss. You took advantage of our hospitality last time. It holds fair now you return the favor.
He shoves her to some pirates; they hoot their approval -
WILL (O.S.)
Barbossa!
He's standing on the rail, soaking wet. He holds a pistol, taken from a pirate who lays crumpled on the deck.
WILL (CONT'D)
She goes free!
Elizabeth is overcome to see him. Jack, less so.
BARBOSSA
What's in your head, boy?
WILL
She. Goes. Free.
JACK
(under his breath)
Don't do anything stupid.
BARBOSSA
You've got one shot - and we can't die.
WILL
You can't. I can.
Will puts the muzzle under his chin.
JACK
(he should've seen it coming)
Like that.
Barbossa is perplexed. The pirates and crew are, too.
BARBOSSA
Who are you, boy?
JACK
He's no one. A distant cousin of my aunt's nephew. He's a might touched.
Elizabeth glances narrowly at Jack, realizing he has his own agenda.
WILL
My name is Will Turner. My father was Bootstrap Bill Turner. His blood runs in my veins.
Barbossa and the pirates react with surprise. Jack shakes his head; he just can't catch a break here.
RAGETTI
It's the spittin' image of old Bootstrap, come back to haunt us!
WILL
(cocks the pistol)
And on my word, do as I say or I will pull this trigger, and be lost to Davy Jones' Locker!
BARBOSSA
Name your terms, Mr. Turner.
WILL
Elizabeth goes free!
BARBOSSA
Yes, we know that one. Anything else?
Will hadn't thought that far ahead. Jack tries to signal him surreptitiously: don't forget about me.
WILL
The crew. They're not to be harmed.
BARBOSSA
And ..?
Jack gestures a bit more frantically.
WILL
And that's all. Agreed?
Jack slumps. Barbossa smiles.
139 EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - DAY
The Black Pearl lies at anchor, closer to the small island.
140 EXT. BLACK PEAS MAIN DECK DAY
A plank comes down. Elizabeth, wrists bound, is lifted onto the end. Jack is next in line. Will shakes loose of the pirates holding him, spits out his gag
WILL
Barbossa, you lying bastard! You swore she'd go free!
BARBOSSA
Don't dare impugn my honor, boy! I agreed she'd go free, but it was you who failed to specify when nor where!
He shoves the gag back in Will's mouth, and turns back to Elizabeth. The storm has passed; Barbossa is once again his gentlemanly self.
BABBOSSA
Though it is a shame to lose something so fine.
Elizabeth feels the slightest hope of reprieve
BARBOSSA
So I'll be having that dress back before you go.
Elizabeth hesitates ... then strips it off, leaving her in a silk slip. She throws it at him.
ELIZABETH
Here. It goes well with your black heart!
Elizabeth moves stoically out to the end. She pauses, looks back; Will's eyes lock with hers. She is about to say something --
BO'SUN
Too long!
He slams down on the end of the plank; Elizabeth plunges off the other end, into the sea.
The pirates laugh and so does Jack. But his laughter is cut off then he's lifted up onto the end of the plank.
JACK
(to Barbossa)
I really hoped we were past all this.
Barbossa steps up onto the plank beside him, throws an arm around his shoulders.
BARBOSSA
Jack, Jack ... Now, didn't you notice? That's the same island we made you governor of on our last trip.
JACK
I noticed.
BARBOSSA
Oh, don't be like that ... by whatever miracle you escaped before, maybe you'll be able to conjure again. But I doubt it.
He draws his sword and prods Jack out to the end of the plank. Jack hesitates -- he really doesn't want to do this.
JACK
Last time you left me a pistol, with one shot.
BARBOSSA
By the Powers, you're right! Where's Jack's pistol? Bring it forward!
Twigg hands Jack's pistol to Barbossa.
JACK
Seeing as there's two of us, a gentleman would give us two pistols.
BARBOSSA
It'll be one pistol, as before, and you can be the gentleman, an' shoot the lady, and starve to death yourself!
Barbossa tosses the pistol high over Jack's head. It splashes into the sea. Jack goes wide eyed, then DIVES in after it
141. EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA UNDERWATER DAY
-- The pistol FLOATS DOWN onto some coral. Jack's hands appear, cutting his bonds on the coral. He grabs the pistol, pushes for the surface
12. Stranded Again
141A EXT. ISLET BEACH DAY
A wave pounds the sand, washes back ... Jack and Elizabeth have made it to the beach. They stand. Jack looks back out to sea:
The Black Pearl, under full sail, but listing badly to one side, moves away.
JACK
That's the second time I've had to watch that man sail away with my ship.
Elizabeth gives him a dark look, turns and strides off.
142 OMITTED
CLOSE ON: The surf line. Elizabeth's feet walking, leaving prints ... and meet up her own footprints going away.
JACK (O.S.)
Not all that b1g, is it?
Jack reclines on the beach. The pistol in parts, drying on his bandana. He starts to reassemble it.
ELIZABETH
If You intend to shoot me, please do so without delay.
JACK
Is there a problem between us, Miss Swann?
ELIZABETH
You were going to tell Barbossa about Will! In exchange for a ship!
JACK
We could use a ship. Fact is, I was going to not tell Barbossa about Will in exchange for a ship, because as long as he didn't know about bloody Will, I had something to bargain with -- which now no one has, thanks to bloody stupid Will.
ELIZABETH
Oh.
JACK
Oh.
Pistol reassembled, Jack heads inland. Elizabeth follows.
ELIZABETH
Still ... Will risked his life to save ours
JACK
Ha!
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
So we have to rescue him!
JACK
Off you go, then. Let me know how that turns out.
ELIZABETH
But you were marooned on this same island previously weren't you? We can get off the same way you did then!
JACK
(whirls to face her)
To what point and purpose, girl? The Black Pearl is gone. And unless you have a rudder and a lot of sails hidden in that bodice
(a glance)
unlikely your young man will be dead long before you reach him.
He turns and continues on his way. She stares after him, anger building. He starts scuffing at the sand with his feet, searching for something. Elizabeth finally explodes:
ELIZABETH
Blast it!
(growing more accusatory)
You're Captain Jack Sparrow! You vanished from under the noses of seven agents of the East India Company! You sacked Nassau port without firing a shot! Are you the pirate I've read about or not?
(grabs his shoulder, spins him back to face her)
How did you escape last time?
JACK
Last time, I was here a grand total of three days. All right? Last time, the rumrunners who used this island as a cache came by, and I bartered passage off.
He jumps into the pit and disappears into the tunnel. It's filled with barrels and bottles of rum, all long abandoned.
JACK
But from the looks here, they've long been out of business.
He grabs as many bottles as he can carry and emerges.
JACK (CONT'D)
We probably have your bloody friend Norrington to credit for that.
He pulls the cork out of a bottle with his teeth, swigs, climbs out of the pit and heads past Elizabeth for the beach.
ELIZABETH
So that's it, then? That's the secret grand adventure of the infamous Jack Sparrow? You spent three days lying on the beach drinking rum?
JACK
(turns to her, arms wide)
Welcome to the Caribbean, love.
He heads on. She gets in front of him, walking backwards.
ELIZABETH
Is there any truth at all to the other stories?
JACK
Truth is like brandy ... Something to be shared with friends, and then only on special occasions.
ELIZABETH
You are far less intoxicating than you believe.
JACK
Oh, come, now. Look at our contretemps this way: we've got shade trees, thank the lord. We've got some food on the trees, thank the Lord again. And we've got rum, praise the Lord. We can stay alive a month, maybe more. Keep a weather eye open for passing ships, and our chances are fair.
Even he doesn't believe that; maybe another drink will help.
ELIZABETH
But what about Will? We have to do something!
JACK
You're right.
(tosses her a bottle, toasts)
Here's luck to you, Will Turner!
He drinks. Elizabeth frowns at the bottle. An idea occurs. She sits down, glances at Jack, then sings softly:
ELIZABETH
Drink up me hearties, yo ho ...
JACK (CONT'D)
What? What was that, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH
Miss Swan. It's nothing. A song I learned about pirates. When I was a child. When I thought it would be exciting to meet a pirate.
JACK
I know a lot of songs about pirates, but none I'd teach a child. Let's hear it.
ELIZABETH
I've outgrown such romantic fictions.
JACK
Come on. We've got the time.
ELIZABETH
No. I would need a lot more to drink.
JACK
More to drink!
He looks at her and takes a swig.
144 EXT. ISLET – BEACH – LATER – NIGHT
A fire BLAZES. Jack and Elizabeth are roaring drunk, arm in arm, singing the song all the way up to the stars –-
JACK/ELIZABETH
We're rascals and scoundrels and villains and naves. Drink up me hearties yo ho, we're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs. Drink up me hearties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!
JACK
Really bad eggs, I LOVE this song.
They hoist their bottles, but only Jack drinks. He drains the bottle, then tosses it away.
JACK (CONT'D)
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er do well cads, Drink up me hearties, yo ho!
(a touch of Irish ballad)
Aye but we're loved by our mums and our dads. Drink up me hearties, yo ho!
JACK
When I get the Black Pearl back, I'm going to teach it to the whole crew, and we'll sing it all the time!
ELIZABETH
You'll be positively the most fearsome pirates to sail the Spanish Main.
Elizabeth salutes the idea with her bottle. Jack takes her bottle and salutes back -- and keeps the bottle. He sits.
JACK
Not just the Spanish Main. The whole ocean ... the whole world. Wherever we want to go, we go. That's what a ship is, you know. Not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs ... but what a ship is what the Black Pearl really is ... is freedom.
Elizabeth lays her head on his shoulder.
ELIZABETH
Jack, it must be terrible for you to be trapped here.
JACK
Ah, well ... the company is better than last time. And the scenery has definitely improved.
ELIZABETH
Mr. Sparrow. I'm not sure I've had enough rum to allow that kind of talk.
JACK
Have some more.
Elizabeth shrugs with a sleight but promising smile. She picks up the empty bottle from the ground, holds it up.
ELIZABETH
To freedom!
JACK
To the Black Pearl!
They tap bottles. Elizabeth feigns a drink as he chugs --
145 EXT. ISLET – BEACH - MORNING
CLOSE ON – JACK'S FACE, dead asleep, lying in the sunlight. His nose twitches. A bit of SMOKE drifts by. His nose twitches again. His eyes open.
Jack groans and sits up. He rubs his head, looks over
all of the foliage in the middle of the inland is ON FIRE: smoke rises high up into the clear blue sky.
Jack leaps to his feet. He sees Elizabeth pour out the last of the rum. Dowsing a scrub brush near a palm tree. It goes up in FLAMES. She rolls the barrel in – it BURNS merrily.
Jack can't believe his eyes.
JACK
What are you doing? You've burned our food, the shade –- the rum!
ELIZABETH
Yes, the rum is gone.
She wipes her hands. A rum barrel in the fire EXPLODES.
JACK
Why? Why is the rum gone?
ELIZABETH
One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into scoundrels. Two –-
She points to the sky.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
That signal does up a thousand feet, which means it can be seen for two hundred leagues in every direction. The entire Royal Navy is out looking for me do you think there is even a chance they could miss it?
JACK
You - you burned up the entire island, for a one-time chance at being saved?
ELIZABETH
Exactly. Just wait, Captain Sparrow. In an hour, maybe two, keep a 'weather eye open' and there'll be white sails on that horizon!
She sits down and stares out to sea. Jack throws up his hands, stalks up the sand dune, just to get away from her.
146 EXT. ISLET – LEEWARD SHORE – DAY
At the crest of the dune, Jack stops, stares, incredulous –-
Past Jack, white sails glorious against turquoise waters, is the Dauntless. A longboat is headed toward them.
JACK
There'll be no living with her after this.
13. The Curse
147 EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS – MAIN DECK – DAY
Swann addresses a very determined Elizabeth. Norrington and Jack look on. Gillette, Murtogg, Mullroy, others in b.g.
SWANN
No. I won't have it. Elizabeth, if anything had happened to you ... You're safe now, and we will return to Port Royal immediately -– not go gallivanting after pirates.
ELIZABETH
Then we condemn Will to death!
SWANN
The boy's fate is regrettable ... But so was his decision to engage in piracy.
ELIZABETH
To rescue me! To prevent anything from happening to me!
Norrington reacts, re considering Will's motive. Jack notices, sees an opening, plays devil on Norrington's shoulder.
JACK
The Pearl was listing near to scuppers after the battle. Unlikely she'll make good time. Think about it, Norrington ... Barbossa, The Black Pearl ... the last real pirate threat in the Caribbean. How can you pass that up?
NORRINGTON
By remembering I serve others, Mister Sparrow, not only myself.
ELIZABETH
Commodore, I beg you -- please do this ... for me. As a wedding gift.
That takes everyone by surprise, even Jack. Norrington keeps his eyes on Elizabeth, weighing her words.
SWANN
My dear ... are you accepting the Commodore's proposal?
ELIZABETH
I am.
JACK
A wedding! I love weddings! Drinks all around!
(off Norrington's look)
Clap him in irons, right?
NORRINGTON
Mister Sparrow. You will accompany these men to the helm, provide ¬us with a bearing, and then spend the remainder of the voyage contemplating all possible meaning of the phrase 'silent as the grave.' Am I clear?
Jack gets it: Norrington is deadly serious.
JACK
Inescapably.
Gillette and several others escort Jack away. Norrington crosses toward Elizabeth
SWANN
Commodore, I must question the wisdom of this.
NORRINGTON
With all due respect, Governor ...
(checks himself; continues)
Mr. Turner is a subject of the British crown, and therefore under our protection.
Swann doesn't like it, but he knows it's right.
SWANN
Rightly so.
(an entreaty)
Keep her safe.
Norrington nods. Swann moves away.
NORRINGTON
Elizabeth -- Miss Swann. I find myself ... worried that your answer is perhaps ... less than sincere.
ELIZABETH
I would not give my word lightly.
NORRINGTON
I know. But is it wrong for me to wish it given unconditionally?
ELIZABETH
It is not a condition. It is a request. Your answer would not change mine. You are a fine man ... James.
For a brief moment, Norrington breaks into a wide, boyish smile. His military bearing reasserts itself, but only just.
NORRINGTON
Well. Very well. Excellent.
ELIZABETH
Now, I wonder if I could trouble you for something to wear.
(off Norrington's quizzical look)
Or I suppose it could be heaving bosoms and bare ankles the rest of the voyage.
148 INT. THE BLACK PEARL BRIG NIGHT
Pintel and Ragetti mop tar onto the interior of the hull. A few inches of water still stand in the brig. Jack's crew are crowded into Jack's cell (now repaired) including Cotton and his parrot.
COTTON'S PARROT
Shiver me timbers!
Gibbs helpfully translates:
GIBBS
Cotton here says you missed a spot. Don't want to be letting the damp in, do you?
Pintel slaps his mop against the cell. Gibbs takes the hint. Will is alone in the other cell, watching the pirates.
WILL
(suddenly, to Pintel)
You knew William Turner?
Any excuse not to work. Pintel leans on his mop.
PINTEL
Ol' Bootstrap Bill. We knew him.
Ragetti keeps working.
RAGETTI
Stupid blighter.
Will frowns at Ragetti; Pintel explains:
PINTEL
It never sat well with Bootstrap, what we did to Jack Sparrow. The mutiny and all. He said it wasn't right with the Code, and Bootstrap was always a man of the Code. That's why he sent off a piece of the treasure to you, as it were. He said we deserved to be cursed, and remain cursed.
Will never suspected this. He furrows his, brow, only half-¬listening now, as he considers his father in a new light.
RAGETTI
Stupid blighter.
GIBBS
Good man.
Pintel lifts the mop in threat; Gibbs backs away.
PINTEL
Well, as you can imagine, that didn't sit too well with the captain.
RAGETTI
Not too well at all! Tell 'im what Barbossa did!
PINTEL
I'm telling him! So what the Captain did, he strapped a cannon to Bootstrap's bootstraps, and last we saw of Bill Turner, he was sinking to the crushing black oblivion of Davy Jones' locker.
The Crew all look a bit sick at the idea of it.
PINTEL (CONT'D)
'Course, it was only after that we learned we needed his blood to lift the curse.
RAGETTI
That's what you call 'ironic.'
The pair glance at each other and laugh, gallows humor. Barbossa appears behind Pintel, flanked by several other pirates. He regards Will for a moment, then:
BARBOSSA
Bring him.
149 EXT. DAUNTLESS HELM NIGHT
Passing through the graveyard of ships. Jack stands on the bridge. Elizabeth appears, dressed in sailors clothes, to excellent effect. She moves beside him. Conspiratorially:
ELIZABETH
You didn't tell him about the curse.
JACK
I noticed neither did you. For the same reason, I imagine.
ELIZABETH
He wouldn't have risked it.
JACK
You could have gotten him drunk.
(off her look; reassuring)
We had no choice. Not if we want to save Will.
ELIZABETH
You're a smart man, Jack ... but I don't entirely trust you.
JACK
Remarkable how those two traits coincide.
Norrington strides up. Notes Elizabeth's clothing with dismay.
NORRINGTON
Trousers?
JACK
Scandalous isn't it?
NORRINGTON
Sparrow. You're with me.
Norrington gives Elizabeth a brief backwards glance and he's gone.
150 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA LAGOON NIGHT
THROUGH A SPYGLASS: The Black Pearl. Apparently abandoned.
Norrinton lowers the spyglass. He and Jack share a boat.
NORRINGTON
I don't care for the situation. Any attempt to storm the island could turn to an ambush.
JACK
Not if you do the ambushing. I'll go in, and convince Barbossa to send his men out leaving you to do nothing but stand on the deck of Dauntless and holler "Fire cannons!" What do you have to lose?
NORRINGTON
(looks at him)
Nothing I'd lament being rid of.
JACK
I'll be honest with you, though ... there's still a risk for those aboard the Dauntless.
He watches Norrington as he considers that --
151 INT. DAUNTLESS CABIN NIGHT
Elizabeth struggles as she is hustled inside by Gillette and two marines.
GILLETTE
Sorry, but it's for your own safety!
ELIZABETH
I don't care what the Commodore ordered! I have to tell him -- the pirates -- they're cursed! They can't be killed!
GILLETTE
Don't worry miss, he is fully informed of that. A mermaid flopped up on deck and told him the whole story.
Snickering with the marines, he shuts the door. Elizabeth turns away, angry.
ELIZABETH
This was Sparrow's doing.
152 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA - NIGHT
Jack smiles as he rows a small boat away from the Dauntless.
153 EXT. DAUNTLESS – MAIN DECK - NIGHT
Norrington watches from the rail, weighing the situation ...
NORRINGTON
Mr. Gillette, prepare the long boats.
154 INT. CAVERN BEACH NIGHT
Lit by torches and shafts of moonlight. PIRATES move through the caves climbing over rocks and through water, toward the center. An air of grim anticipation.
Will, hands bound behind his back, is shoved along.
PINTEL
No reason to fret. It's just a prick of the finger and a few drops of blood.
TWIGG
(moving past)
No mistakes this time. He's only half¬ Turner. We spill it all.
Pintel finds a good amount of delight in this.
PINTEL
I guess there is a reason to fret.
154A EXT. DAUNTLESS MAIN DECK NIGHT
Swann approaches the door, nods to the guard. The guard departs. Swann knocks lightly on the door.
SWANN
Elizabeth?
He waits for an answer. None comes. He sighs, soldiers on.
SWANN (CONT'D)
Dear. I just want you to know .. I believe you made a very good decision today ... And I couldn't be more proud.
155 INT. DAUNTLESS CAPTAIN'S CABIN NIGHT
Elizabeth stands before the open stern window knotting together several sheets. She winces a bit at her father's words, but that does not stop her from tossing the sheet-line out the window --
155A EXT. DAUNTLESS STERN - NIGHT
One end of the makeshift rope plummets down to the sea, trailing next to the small rowboat.
155B INT. DAUNTLESS - MAIN DECK NIGHT
Swann is still at the door. He misinterprets the silence.
SWANN
But even a good decision made for the wrong reasons could be a wrong decision. Not that you've made a wrong decision. But you're setting the course for your entire life, and you must please yourself, not others, not even me. Which is not to say that I'm not pleased.
(beat)
Elizabeth, one has dreams, ambitions. It was long before I met your mother in the summer of my nineteenth year...
155C EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA LAGOON NIGHT
Elizabeth rows through the water, the Dauntless receding behind her. She looks over her shoulder
Ahead of her is the dark silhouette of the Black Pearl.
156 INT. CAVERNS MAIN CAVERN NIGHT
In the center of the cavern, Will is pushed close to the stone chest by Koehler and Twigg, then shoved to his knees. Koehler pushes Will's head forward directly over the chest, the medallion hanging below his throat. Barbossa takes the stone knife from atop the chest of gold. He thumbs the blade: sharp enough.
JACK (O.S.)
Excuse me. Pardon me. Beg pardon.
Jack emerges from the crowd of pirates. Barbossa stares.
BARBOSSA
Not possible.
JACK
(correcting him)
Not probable.
WILL
Jack!
He raises his head, but it is immediately shoved back down:
WILL (CONT'D)
Where's Elizabeth?!
JACK
She's safe, just like I promised. She's set to marry Norrington and live happily ever after.
(brightly)
And you get to die for her, just like you promised. So we're both men of our word.
Pirates surround Jack; Barbossa points a knife at him --
BARBOSSA
You're next!
He again puts the knife to Will's throat
JACK
You don't want to be doing that.
Barbossa glances back at him.
BARBOSSA
No, I really think I do.
Jack gestures: "All right, you're funeral." Barbossa presses the blade to Will's throat he wants to do it goddammit! He whirls back on Jack.
BARBOSSA (CONT'D)
Why don't I want to do this?
Jack shrugs away from the pirates. He steps forward --
JACK
Because the H.M.S. Dauntless, pride of the Royal Navy, is floating right off shore, waiting for you.
Barbossa hesitates.
KOEHLER
I don't trust him. He's up to something!
BARBOSSA
Of course he is.
(locks eyes with Jack)
He wants the Pearl.
Jack smiles.
JACK
I want the Pearl.
156A OMITTED
156B OMITTED
156C OMITTED
156D OMITTED
156E OMITTED
156F OMITTED
156G OMITTED
156H OMITTED
156I OMITTED
157 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVE ENTRANCE NIGHT
Seven long boats full of marines are positioned on either side of the cave mouth. Murtogg and Mullroy are in Norrington's boat, directly behind him.
MURTOGG
(a whisper)
What are we doing here?
MULLROY
(whispers back)
The pirates come out, unprepared and unawares we catch 'em in a crossfire and send 'em to Ol' Hob.
MURTOGG
I know that's why we're here ... I meant, why aren't we doing what it was what Mr. Sparrow said we should do? With the cannons and all?
NORRINGTON
Because it was Mr. Sparrow who said it.
A beat.
MULLROY
You think he wasn't telling the truth?
MURTOG
He doesn't tell the truth even when he's telling the truth.
158 INT. CAVERNS MAIN CAVE NIGHT
Barbossa listens as Jack argues his case:
JACK
Norrington believes he's facing normal pirates – cruel, demented and vicious pirates to be certain, but cruel, demented, vicious pirates who can't be killed?
(shakes his head: no way)
Ragetti, offended, mouths the word Demented? to Pintel. Pintel thinks it suits him.
BARBOSSA
That's a lot of brass your hauling, Jack. It's liable to drag you under.
JACK
So you order your men to row out to the Dauntless, they do what they do best, and there you are! With two ships. The makings of your very own fleet. Of course, you'll take the grandest as your flagship, and who's to argue? But what of the Pearl?
Jack smiles and spreads his hands: me. As he talks, he strolls toward Will and the chest.
JACK (CONT'D)
Name me Captain, I sail under your colors, I give you ten percent of my plunder, and you get to introduce yourself at tea parties and brothels as 'Commodore Barbossa.'
BARBOSSA
(re: Will)
And in exchange, I suppose you want me not to kill the whelp?
Jack scoops up a handful of coins, examines them nonchalantly.
JACK
Not at all. Just not yet. Wait to lift the curse until the opportune moment.
Will looks up at him, scowling: he recognizes the familiar phrase. Jack gives him a shrug, then continues:
JACK (CONT'D)
For instance: after you've killed Norrington's men ...
(drops the coins into the chest, punctuating his words)
Every ... Last ... One.
Barbossa gives the proposal some thought.
WILL
You've been planning this from the beginning. Since you learned my name.
JACK
Please. Do I really seem that clever?
BARBOSSA
I want fifty per cent of your plunder.
JACK
Fifteen.
BARBOSSA
Forty.
JACK
Twenty five, and I'll buy you the hat.
BARBOSSA
(smiles)
We have an accord.
He and Jack approach ... and shake hands. Jack turns toward the pirates, says in grand fashion:
JACK
All hands to the boats!
Barbossa shoots him a glare.
JACK
(off Barbossa's look)
Apologies, faux pas, mea culpa. You give the orders.
He indicates 'Please, go ahead.' Barbossa steps forward as Jack grins, knowing that Barbossa is going to repeat what he said
BARBOSSA
All hands take a walk!
Jack's grin vanishes.
JACK
Not to the boats?
Barbossa's turn to grin as the pirates leave the cavern
158A INT. CAVERNS LANDING DAY
Pirates toward the boats, and then past them. Pintel and Ragetti are among them suddenly, Bo'sun snaps across their chests, stopping them: A PARASOL. Bo'sun smiles.
14. The Trojan Horse
A159 EXT. DAUNTLESS NIGHT
The moon appears from behind the clouds.
159 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA UNDERWATER NIGHT
Moonlight shines down into the shallow waters. Suddenly all the fish SCATTER.
Distant FIGURES appear, wavering in the shifting current. They move into the shadow of the Dauntless' keel. It's the PIRATES, walking across the ocean floor.
The first figure, Twigg, steps from the shadow into water-¬filter moonlight, transforming to SKELETAL
159A INT. DAUNTLESS MAIN DECK NIGHT
Swann, still at the door, has taken his wig off.
SWANN
... And that's why I will never willingly go back to Paris.
(a sigh)
But I digress.
(no response)
Elizabeth are you there? Are you even listening to me?
He frowns. Puts his wig back on. Pushes the door open
Inside the captain's cabin Swann enters; a quick scan of the empty cabin. He registers the open window and the knotted sheets. Rushes to the window.
Glances out, glances up, looks out at the black sea
SWANN
What have you done?
159B EXT. BLACK PEARL NIGHT
Elizabeth jumps from the tiny rowboat to Black Pearl. Climbs up, toward the gun port. She can hear voices
159C INT. BLACK PEARL GUN DECK NIGHT
Two Pirates, MALLOT and GRAPPLE, set out a feast: wine and rum, jerky, cakes, apples, biscuits.
MALLOT
What would you pick to eat first? We should decide now, so we're ready, when the time comes.
GRAPPLE
I was thinking ... Cake.
MALLOT
(with menace)
I was thinking cake too.
They stare at each other. Lightning quick, Grapple slams a knife into the table between them, his hand going skeletal in the moonlight. A tense moment.
Then Grapple leans the handle of the knife toward Mallot.
GRAPPLE
You cut, I choose.
Mallot gives a single sharp nod. Elizabeth climbs past as Mallot reaches for the knife
159D EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK NIGHT
Elizabeth climbs over the gunwale. Sneaks along the deck. Suddenly THE SKELETAL MONKEY DROPS DOWN, screeching!
Elizabeth starts slightly, but is mostly annoyed
159E INT. BLACK PEARL GUN DECK NIGHT
Mallot & Grapple are still focused on their mock feast; the Monkey SCREECHES as it drops past the gun port; a SPLASH follows.
159F EXT. BLACK PEARL DECK NIGHT
Elizabeth looks over gunwale two pirate heads stick out, looking down at the splash. They turn to look up, but she is gone from view. The pirates draw back inside to give chase
159G INT. BLACK PEARL GANGWAY NIGHT
Elizabeth races down stairs, hides: Pirates race past, headed up to the deck.
159H INT. BLACK PEARL BRIG NIGHT (THIS IS THE OLD 156G)
Jack's crew, waiting in the dark. Gibbs tilts his head.
GIBBS
Shh! Do you hear something?
159J INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN NIGHT
Jack examines the pirate treasure; Barbossa fixes him with an appraising look.
BARBOSSA
I admit, Jack: I thought I had you figured. But turns out, you're a hard man to predict.
JACK
(shakes his head: "nah.")
I'm dishonest. A dishonest man can always be trusted to be dishonest. It's the honest ones you can't predict. You can only lay out a course, and hope for the best.
With his toe, Jack flips a beautiful sword up off the floor - ¬to Will. Despite his surprise, Will catches it (behind his back, his hands still bound).
JACK (CONT'D)
Use it well.
BARBOSSA
Dammit, Jack I was almost liking you!
Jack and Barbossa square off; Jacoby slashes at Will, who turns and parries so that his hands are freed by the cut. The other two pirates attack him; he fights back
160 EXT. DAUNTLESS NIGHT
Twigg breaks the surface near the Dauntless, climbs the anchor. More skeleton pirates follow
Twigg peeks over the rail onto the deck of the Dauntless.
A few lone sentries patrol. He gestures down to his comrades to follow him. Twigg and all the other pirates begin climbing onto the deck of the Dauntless.
Koehler sneaks up behind the first Sentry and slits his throat. Bo'sun strangles another sentry, he falls to the deck. The pirates advance towards the stern of the ship.
161 OMITTED
162 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVE ENTRANCE NIGHT
Gentle SPLASHING echoes from the cave mouth. The marines in the longboats on either side raise their rifles
A BOAT EMERGES
Norrington's men stare
In the boat are two WOMEN Pintel and Ragetti in drag. A SHAWL shades Pintel from the moon; Ragetti holds the PARASOL he found in the treasure.
Well, that's weird. Norrington signals his men
NORRINGTON
Hold Fire. Hold position ...
163 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVE ENTRANCE PINTEL & RAGETTI
Pintel and Ragetti row past, toward the Dauntless. Ragetti plays with the parasol.
RAGETTI
This is just like what the Greeks did at Troy. 'Cept they wore a horse n'stead of dresses. A wood horse.
Pintel glowers at him to shut up, glances over his shoulder toward the Dauntless
163A EXT. LAGOON NEAR DAUNTLESS NIGHT
Pintel and Ragetti near the Dauntless, parasols protecting them from the moonlight. They've been spotted; they hear the sounds of catcalls from the Royal Navy sailors.
Ragetti waves and 'yoo hoos' up to the ship: Pintel is livid.
PINTEL
Stop that! I already feel like a fool.
RAGETTI
Look nice, though.
Pintel takes offense at that
164 EXT. DAUNTLESS – DECK NIGHT
Gillette looks through a telescope; he and the crew of the Dauntless are transfixed and puzzled at the bizarre sight.
165 THROUGH THE TELESCOPE
Pintel SLUGS Ragetti
166 IN THE BOAT
Ragetti drops his parasol; Pintel's shawl falls, and the two are revealed as SKELETONS
167 ON THE DAUNTLESS
Gillette gasps at the sight
168 IN THE BOAT
Pintel realizes they're exposed; he pulls a pistol, FIRES
169 EXT. DAUNTLESS DECK NIGHT
Gillette's hat is knocked off by the shot, he looks back ¬too late
SKELETON PIRATES ATTACK!
They drop down from the rigging like spiders.
Swords clash, pistols are drawn -
169A INT. DAUNTLESS CAPTAIN'S CABIN NIGHT
Swann, despondent, opens the door
A body plummets to the deck in front of him.
Marines and sailors vs. Skeletal pirates melee!
Swann shuts the door gently, trying to go unnoticed.
170 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVE ENTRANCE NIGHT
The smalls arms fire has alerted Norrington.
NORRINGTON
Men make for the ship!
Quickly, his men are rowing for the Dauntless
171 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN NIGHT
Will holds off three pirates
Jack and Barbossa duel furiously; Jack drives Barbossa back and Barbossa begins to LAUGH.
He drops his guard, lets his sword drop from his hand. Jack takes the opportunity to slash at Barbossa
Barbossa catches Jack's blade with both hands. Jack tries to pull it away - but Barbossa hangs on.
BARBOSSA
You can't beat me, Jack.
Barbossa twists the sword from Jack's grip, reverses it
and drives the sword into Jack's chest.
Will stares, shocked.
Jack stares down at the sword jutting from his chest. He staggers a few steps backward, into the moonlight and JACK BECOMES SKELETAL.
JACK
Well, isn't that interesting.
Skeleton Jack pulls the sword from his chest. He pulls something from his pocket: one of the Aztec coins.
JACK (CONT'D)
That curse seeming to be so useful, I decided to get one all to myself.
Barbossa grabs up his sword, and rushes Jack. Both men are in moonlight now, two skeletons in pitched battle --
172 OMITTED
172A EXT. BLACK PEARL MAIN DECK NIGHT
Pirates sneak along, wary, listening ... searching. The pirates whirl at a sound of that just as BOOM! They're hit by a boom, swept off into the water.
The boom was shoved by Gibbs, AnaMaria, Cotton, Elizabeth, and the rest of the crew. The Black Pearl is theirs. Elizabeth steps away from the others.
ELIZABETH
All of you! With me! Will is in that cave, and as long as we've a chance to save him, we must act! And Jack, too!
She grabs the gunwale of the boat
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Heave!
The boat doesn't budge. The help she was expecting is not forthcoming.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Please, I need your help! Come on!
The crew look at her, not moving.
COTTON'S PARROT
Any port! In a storm!
GIBBS
Cotton is right. We've got the Pearl.
ANAMARIA
Jack owes us a ship. He owes me two.
GIBBS
There's the code to consider ...
ELIZABETH
The code? You're pirates! Hang the code! Hang the rules! They're more guidelines, anyway!
Gibbs looks away he knows that, but ...
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Listen to me. This is right. This is necessary. And it must be done by all of us!
The crew considers -
172B EXT. ROW BOAT - LAGOON NIGHT
Elizabeth is alone in a rowboat, the Black Pearl, behind her under sail and moving away.
ELIZABETH
(rowing hard for the island)
Bloody pirates ...
173 INT. DAUNTLESS GUN DECK NIGHT
Pintel and Ragetti climb onto the ship through a gun port as other pirates swarm the deck, taking on the sailors.
173A INT. DAUNTLESS – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – NIGHT
Swann peers out the glass window at the mayhem on the deck.
Swann drops down below the window he peeks up again as a face of a dead marine slams on the glass right next to him.
Swann looks up and sees a pirate looking at him. Swann cowers and begins backing away below the window. Pirate hands reach through the windows, grabbing at him. One of the pirate hands grabs Swann's wig and pulls it off his head. Swann refuses to let it go and has a tug of war with the pirate over his wig. Swann grabs a bull horn off the table behind him and whacks at the skeleton arm, which falls off on the floor. Swann scrambles away from the arm as it crawls after him. He stands and watches the arm in horror and then grabs a map off the table and begins beating the skeleton arm. He then picks it up and struggles with it, turns and shoves it in a bureau drawer. He backs up against the chest as it rattles, the arm struggles to get out.
173B INT. DAUNTLESS SUN DECK NIGHT
Pintel, Ragetti, and other pirates fire a cannon at Norrington and his men.
174 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA – LAGOON NIGHT
The cannons BOOM! Near Norrington, one of the longboats is blown out of the water.
NORRINGTON
Marines arms!
The Marines begin firing at the pirates on the Dauntless.
175 EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVE ENTRANCE NIGHT
Near the cave entrance, Elizabeth turns sees the Dauntless under attack. A moment of decision and she rows hard into the cave.
176 INT. DAUNTLESS DECK NIGHT
Ragetti notices; eyes fixed on the ship as it sails past, he taps Pintel on the shoulder.
PINTEL
What?
RAGETTI
Is it supposed to be doing that?
Pintel looks where Ragetti is looking, registers what's happening:
PINTEL
(hurt, indignant)
No! They're stealing our ship!
More pirates turn their attention to the rail. Ragetti shakes his fists impotently, gripped with rage. He spits out:
RAGETTI
Bloody pirates!
PINTEL
(rallying the pirates back to the fight)
No matter! We'll have a better now!
177 OMITTED
178 OMITTED
179 OMITTED
180 OMITTED
181 OMITTED
182 OMITTED
183 OMITTED
183A EXT. DAUNTLESS NIGHT
Norrington's boats have arrived at the ship. He and his men climb up the side.
183B EXT. DAUNTLESS DECK NIGHT
The battle rages.
Norrington and his men arrive on the deck. Behind him, Koehler swings an axe at his neck Norrington looks like a goner ¬-
but he whips his sword up, blocking the handle, the blade just inches from his throat. He spins and goes after Koehler with a vengeance ¬-
184 EXT. DAUNTLESS DECK
Officer Gillette stands up on a railing and swings a large block and tackle across the deck at the Bo'sun. Bo'sun sees it and dunks and then takes off after Gillette. The block and tackle swings back and hits Ragetti in the head. Ragetti's eye pops out. He chases it.
185 OMITTED
186 OMITTED
187 OMITTED
188 OMITTED
189 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVES MAIN CAVERN NIGHT
Barbossa and Jack duel in and out of moonlight.
BARBOSSA
So what now, Jack Sparrow? Are we to be two immortals, locked in epic battle 'til Judgment Day and the trumpets sound?
JACK
Or you could surrender.
Barbossa smiles not likely and attacks
Will is cornered, slides between two pirates on a silver tray. But then a projectile thrown by Jacoby EXPLODES near him
Will is thrown to the ground, losing his sword. He climbs a pile of treasure, reaches for it but it slides away out of his grasp.
Jacoby laughs, raises his sword.
Will is thrown to the ground, loses his sword. He's at a disadvantage, trapped.
Jacoby laughs, raises his sword.
JACOBY
I'll teach you the meaning of PAIN!
ELIZABETH (O.S.)
You like pain?
Jacoby turns. From out of the smoke ELIZABETH appears she swings a long gaffe, knocking Jacoby aside.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Try wearing a corset.
WILL
Elizabeth?
She looks at him, smiles. He grins back she pulls him up with the gaffe. Turning, Elizabeth notices Jack (skeletal) dueling with Barbossa. Her smile is gone.
ELIZABETH
Whose side is Jack on?
WILL
At the moment?
Elizabeth, nods ('with Jack; who can tell?') The two pirates attack; Will and Elizabeth dart away
Jacoby recovers, prepares another bomb
Will gets an idea. Moving between the pirates and parrying¬ their blows, he helps Elizabeth thrust the gaffe, using it to hook all three pirates together, Jacoby in the middle, one facing backwards.
Will grabs one of Jacoby's bombs and yanks it free, sparking the fuse. He shoves it up inside Jacoby's rib cage, and shoves all three out of the moonlight
Jacoby clutches at his now flesh chest no way to get to the lit bomb. The backward pirate tries to turn around to see what's happening, turning all three completely around
Jacoby looks at Will, mouth agape SMOKE issues out
JACOBY
No fair!
Will grabs Elizabeth, dives away with her as the bomb EXPLODES.
Jacoby's skeletal head and spine crashes down in a nearby pool of moonlight. The head turns to Will:
JACOBY (CONT'D)
That's cheating!
WILL
I didn't have much incentive to fight fair.
He moves away purposefully.
Elizabeth gingerly picks up Jacoby by the spine with two fingers, flings it into the water (like it's a diseased rat). She shudders, wipes her hands fervidly on her jacket.
Barbossa slashes at Jack, frustrated beyond measure. He drives Jack backwards, towards Elizabeth.
As he fights, Barbossa notices Will's movement on the other side of the cave. He glares at Jack, suspicious
BARBOSSA
What's your play, Jack? You're too clever for this. You can't kill me, I can't kill you
(an inspiration)
But I can take my satisfaction elsewhere
He breaks off the fight, pulls his pistol. Aims it at Elizabeth. She registers her danger.
A shot ECHOES in the cavern
Barbossa looks surprised. Barbossa looks down at the hole in his shirt. He can't believe it. Jack, pistol raised and aimed, still smoking, has shot him.
Barbossa looks up.
BARBOSSA
Ten years you carry that pistol, and now you waste your shot?
WILL
He didn't waste it.
Will stands over the Aztec chest, holding the knife, his left hand in a fist. He opens the fist
the medallion drops from his hand, revealing the cut in his palm ~ the bloody medallion LANDS
Barbossa looks down at his chest. Blood blossoms on his shirt around the bullet hole.
Jack tosses his pistol away.
Barbossa stares at the blood ... Looks up at Jack, at Will, at Jack. Anger, dismay ... and even relief color Barbossa's features.
BARBOSSA
I feel ... cold.
Barbossa falls to one knee ... Then collapses forward. Dead.
15. The Curse is Lifted
190 EXT. DAUNTLESS DECK NIGHT
CLOSE ON: Norrington, sword flashing, a THRUST finds its mark, and he pulls it back
Koehler is surprised. He registers the pain and realizes he is flesh. He cries out and falls.
Twigg, who has been fighting nearby, seen Koehler fall and looks in surprise at Norrington. He then looks up at the full moon and realizes what has happened. Norrington puts his sword to Twigg's throat. Twigg drops his weapon.
One by one the other pirates drop their weapons also.
Bo'sun, who is holding Gillette up above his head, spins around as a large number of Bayonets are pointed at him.
Ragetti still chasing his eyeball manages to grab it and put it back in. He looks at Pintel who is standing with his hands in the air and then turns and looks down the barrel of a gun. The weapons are held by Murtogg and Mullroy.
PINTEL
Parlay?
NORRINGTON
The ship is ours gentlemen.
The soldiers and sailors all cheer.
Swann peeks out of the cabin window and sees the battle is over. He comes out of the cabin and joins the cheers, congratulating marines.
190A INT. DAUNTLESS CAPTAIN'S CABIN NIGHT
The desk is no longer rattling. Swann puts a hand on the pull, hesitates then pulls the drawer open. His expression tells us everything we need to know about the state of the drawer's contents.
191 INT – ISLA DE MUERTA MAIN CAVERN NIGHT
Jack stands away from the moonlight. He draws his knife, cuts his arm, and then wipes the blood from the blade onto the coin.
Will, at the chest, has lifted the lid up, half covering the chest, coins still showing.
Jack arrives, now a skeleton, and holds the bloodied coin over the chest but does not let go. A beat; he is aware of Will watching him.
JACK
The Immortal Captain Jack Sparrow: It has a ring ...
Jack sighs 'oh, well,' and releases the coin. The bloody coin lands in the chest. Jack's arm is normal.
Will starts to push the lid closed
With surprising force and speed, the lid moves ON ITS OWN, the SOUND of stone grinding on stone - it's shut.
Will smiles, turns away - and sees Elizabeth, standing past the water, watching. Their eyes meet.
Will scrambles down the side of the treasure pile. Elizabeth moves on stepping stones across the water -
They meet and embrace now is the time for the kiss ...
They gaze at each other ...
There is a crash; the SOUND of Jack gathering up pieces of treasure, including large gold object d'art.
Will and Elizabeth look at each other. The moment is broken. Back to the real world. Elizabeth averts her gaze.
ELIZABETH
We should return to the Dauntless.
Will understands, nods sadly.
WILL.
Your fiance will want to know you're safe.
She looks up at him sees that he knows about the engagement. This time he cannot maintain eye contact.
Elizabeth turns, and heads out of the cave.
Jack nonchalantly strolls up beside Will.
JACK
You know, if you were waiting for the opportune moment ... That was it.
Will knows.
Jack hoists a bag filled with swag onto his shoulder.
JACK
Now, if I could be troubling you to drop me at my ship ...
191A EXT. ISLA DE MUERTA LAGOON NIGHT
Problem: The Black Pearl is not there. Jack stands, scanning the area. No good; it's gone. Jack sits back down.
In the rowboat: Elizabeth sits at the bow, facing forward; Will at the oars, facing backwards; Jack in the stern, facing Will. Jack has a large sack filled with treasure.
ELIZABETH
Jack ... I'm sorry.
Beyond them, the Dauntless looms in the distance.
JACK
They did what's right by them. Can't expect more than that.
Will snaps him a look, then looks away, scowling as he decides: Goddammit, you can expect more than that.
192 OMITTED
193 EXT FORT CHARLES DAY
A HANGMAN'S NOOSE. The sound of DRUMS.
Jack stands on a gallows, wrists bound. An EXECUTIONER checks the mechanism of the trap door with a sandbag. An OFFICIAL drones on recounting a list of Jack's crimes.
The parade ground is crowded. Swann stands beside Norrington and Elizabeth. All resolutely watch the proceedings.
Will stands at the back of the crowd. He glances around the square, clearly watching for something.
ELIZABETH
(eyes on Jack)
This is wrong.
Norrington does not respond. Swann speaks for him:
SWANN
Commodore Norrington is bound by the law. As are we all.
Will is getting impatient. Then he spots: COTTON'S PARROT. It lands on a flag pole held by Murtogg. Murtogg surreptitiously tries to dislodge the bird.
That's the signal. Will heads into the crowd. His route takes him past Swann, Norrington and Elizabeth. He pauses.
WILL
Governor. Commodore.
They glance at him. Elizabeth does not.
WILL
Elizabeth.
She looks around Norrington at him, surprised.
WILL
I should have told you a long time ago ... I shouldn't have ...
(just says it)
I love you.
Now she's shocked, as are Swann and Norrington. Will seems if he's going to say more but then nods, satisfied that he's said all that's necessary. He continues on his way.
Elizabeth looks after him: he's pushing through the crowd towards the gallows
where the noose is put around Jack's neck.
Elizabeth spots Cotton's Parrot. She puts it together.
Will throws open his cloak, puts a hand on his sword hilt --
Norrington moves past Elizabeth, staring at Will
NORRINGTON
Marines! --
Elizabeth suddenly staggers away from Norrington and Swann --
ELIZABETH
I can't breathe!
-- and FAINTS. Swann and Norrington react to her plight.
SWANN
Elizabeth!
The commotion has distracted the crowd: Will has a direct line of sight to the gallows
The Executioner grips the release lever --
The DRUM roll ends. Will draws and throws his sword. The executioner pulls the lever. The trap door opens. Jack drops. Will's sword embeds in the door. Jack balances on it.
Swann fans Elizabeth. She sits up suddenly she was faking.
Will races up the steps of the gallows. Jack still balances, the sword bending, noose tightening. The Executioner slashes an axe at Will, knocking his sword away. Will ducks another swing, the axe inadvertently cutting Jack's rope.
Jack drops to the ground below the gallows.
Will knocks the Executioner off the gallows platform. The Executioner falls into the crowd on top of Norrington and his men.
Jack stands and slits the rope that binds his hands on the sword that is sticking in the trap door.
Jack races from under the gallows as Will leaps down.
Jack pulls off the noose, tosses one end of the rope to Will. They trip some Marines coming down the steps as they run up.
Will and Jack go left. Marines, led by Gillette, cut them off. They whirl right more Marines.
Rifles are brought to bear. They are cornered.
Norrington strides up, followed by Swann and Elizabeth. Norrington holds his sword on Will and Jack.
NORRINGTON
I expected some manner of escape attempt.
(to Will)
But not by you.
SWANN
I granted you clemency, and this is how you thank me? You throw in with him? He is a pirate!
WILL
And a good man.
(throws his sword aside)
If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead of one ... So be it. At least my conscience will be clear.
NORRINGTON
You forget your place, Turner.
Will pointedly glances down, back up; a small smile:
WILL
It's right here between you and Jack.
Mate.
Elizabeth steps beside him.
ELIZABETH
As is mine.
She links her hand in Will's. Norrington takes this in, realizing the deeper truth behind her actions.
SWANN
Lower your rifles! Down!
Norrington's glances from Elizabeth to Gillette, nods almost imperceptibly. Gillette gestures for the marines to lower their rifles. They do.
NORRINGTON
This is where your heart truly lies, then?
ELIZABETH
It is.
He looks at Will narrowly. Swann realizes what Norrington has already figured out. Elizabeth stands defiantly beside Will. A tense stand off.
Jack is worried about the outcome and then he spots Cotton's Parrot. He smiles.
JACK
I'm feeling good about this. I think we're all in a very good place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically ...
(to Norrington)
I was rooting for you, mate.
Elizabeth, darling, it never would have worked between us. I'm sorry.
Will ...
He throws up his hands ('What's there to say?') and springs up the steps to the wall.
JACK
Friends! This is the day you will always remember as the day you almost hung Captain Jack Sparrow!
He slips, losing his balance and is gone ¬-
193A EXT. PORT ROYAL BAY DAY
Jack plunges, turning his fall into a passable dive –-
and hits the water.
193B EXT. FORT CHARLES PARAPET DAY
Everyone rushes to look over the wall ¬-
193C EXT. PORT ROYAL BAY WATER DAY
Jack surfaces, does a quick mental check of his exit.
JACK
Still memorable.
193D EXT. FORT CHARLES PARAPET DAY
GILLETTE
Idiot. He's still nowhere to go but back to the noose.
Not quite a cry goes up from the crowd
VARIOUS
Look! A ship! The Black Pearl! It's the Black Pearl!
193E EXT. PORT ROYAL BAY WATER DAY
Sailing into view, sails full, getting its long overdue beauty shot is the Black Pearl.
Jack smiles at the sight.
193F EXT. FORT CHARLES PARAPET DAY
Norrington watches the scene below, sword at parade rest on his shoulder.
GILLETTE
What's your plan of action, sir?
Norrington does not respond, dealing with all the ramifications of the last few minutes.
193G OMITTED
193H EXT. FORT CHARLES PARAPET DAY
Swann recognizes his dilemma.
SWANN
Perhaps it is possible that on the rare occasion when pursuing the right demands an act of piracy, piracy can be the right course?
Norrington looks at him. He nods - and then turns from the wall, to Will and Elizabeth.
NORRINGTON
(gestures with the sword, for Will to join him)
Mister Turner.
Will starts toward him. Elizabeth grips his arm, concerned for his fate.
WILL
(low, to Elizabeth)
I will accept the consequences of my actions, good or ill.
Elizabeth understands, admires that; she releases his arm. Will joins Norrington, who still holds the sword. A private moment between the two men.
NORRINGTON
This is a very nice sword. I expect the man who made it to show the same care and devotion in all aspects of his life.
(beat)
My compliments.
Will is surprised; then nods to Norrington: they understand each other.
WILL
Thank you.
Norrington turns away, toward Elizabeth. A moment as they gaze at each other
NORRINGTON
Miss Swann. Best of luck to you both.
She gives him a look of appreciation and gratitude. He starts down the stairs.
GILLETTE
Commodore? What about Sparrow? Shall we prepare the Dauntless for pursuit?
NORRINGTON
(smiles, anticipating)
Oh, I think we can afford him one day's head start.
Gillette watches him go, confused.
SWANN
(to Gillette)
More sporting that way.
Gillette gets it.
ON NORRINGTON, as he comes into the parade grounds.
NORRINGTON
(to himself)
Shame to waste another perfectly good gallows.
ON THE PARAPET, Elizabeth and Will lock eyes, and then move together into each other's arms. At last
SWANN
So this is the course You've chosen, is it? You're certain, then? He is a blacksmith ...
ELIZABETH
No ...
(smiles wide at Will)
He's a pirate.
Will smiles, turns and they KISS a kiss that makes up for everything ever held back between them
Swann smiles, turns away to give them a bit of privacy, looking back out to the sea
193J EXT. PORT ROYAL MAST DAY
Cotton, high atop the aft mast, throws a line
193K EXT. PORT ROYAL BAY WATER DAY
In the water, Jack catches the line as it sweeps by, and climbs as Cotton reel it in. Jack is lifted up and around the fantail of the Black Pearl and onto the deck. He pauses, looks around him, taking it all in.
16.End Credits
194 OMITTED
194A OMITTED
194B EXT. BLACK PEARL DAY
A Crew Member holds out Jack's coat, welcoming him aboard. Jack shoulders into it, takes his hat from Cotton, smiling and nodding. Cotton's parrot lands on Cotton's shoulder.
Jack nears Gibbs who actually SALUTES him. Jack pauses.
JACK
Thought you were supposed to keep to the code.
GIBBS
We figured they're more actually guidelines.
Jack smiles. He continues up the steps to the stern deck, where AnaMaria stands at the wheel. She steps away.
ANAMARIA
Captain Sparrow ... the Black Pearl is yours.
Jack runs a hand lovingly along the rail, then takes the wheel. It feels good right in his hands.
He opens the compass, takes a reading, and adjusts the course.
Opens up a bottle of rum, takes a swig. Begins to hum to himself ... Drink up me hearties, yo ho ... yo ho, yo ho, a
pirate's life for me
The orchestra takes over, and the Black Pearl sails away, into the sun ...
195 INT. ISLA DE MUERTA CAVERNS MAIN CAVE NIGHT
The MONKEY emerges from the water, near Barbossa's hat. A GRINDING SOUND, stone on stone, catches its attention; it looks up
The Monkey climbs the treasure pile, to the chest. The lid is partially open. The Monkey grabs out a coin
The Monkey SCREECHES as the moonlight turns it SKELETAL
CUT TO BLACK as CREDITS and pirate song continues on ...
