Pirates of the Caribbean – the Curse of the Black Pearl
PINTEL (CONT’D) We must honor the code. Smoldering Pirate concedes the point, sheaths his dirk. He grabs Elizabeth roughly by the arm – EXT. PORT ROYAL – STREET – NIGHT Will races along, momentarily free of the pirates. He spots the Governor’s Mansion in the distance. There are FIGURES moving away from it-Elizabeth, forced by the two pirates. Will hurries forward – Suddenly a PIRATE jumps out from the shadows, slashes; Will defends himself. The pirate has one arm and wears a yellow bandana. Will hesitates-didn’t he already kill this guy? The hesitation is just enough for another PIRATE, swinging a flaming torch, to SLAM Will in the head from behind. Will crumples. The pirate lights a second torch, hands it to One-arm; they hoot with delight and head off, setting fires as they go. On the ground, Will doesn’t move.
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.
PRISIONER Praise be! He and the other two scramble through.
PRISONER (CONT’D) 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 here, boy. Come here, Spot. Rover. Fido? To his surprise, the dog crawls out from under the bench. Jack continues to coax him closer. The key ring is nearly within Jack’s reach-suddenly, the dog’s attention goes to the door into the cell block. He BRISTLES, GROWLS. He backs away from the door, whining.
JACK (CONT’D) What’s the matter, boy? The dog bolts, through the bars, into the cell, then out through the breached wall-taking the keys with him. 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 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. I’d heard you’d gotten off, but I didn’t believe it.
KOEHLER Did you sprout little wings and flyaway?
TWIGG His fortunes aren’t improved much. The two laugh. Jack doesn’t. He steps forward, close to the bars. This puts him in a spill of moonlight. He is tight with fury.
JACK Worry about your own fortunes. The lowest circle of hell is reserved for betrayers … and mutineers. Koehler and Twigg don’t like hearing that. Koehler lashes out, grabs Jack by the throat through the bars. Jack clutches the pirate’s wrist, looks down – Where they enter the moonlight, Koehler’s wrists and hands are skeletal. Jack’s eyes go wide-he is holding a skeleton arm.
JACK (CONT’ D) You are cursed. 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.
EXT. PORT ROYAL – NIGHT
Amid the thunder of cannon fire, a longboat slips through the fog. Elizabeth sits in the prow. Columns of water from cannon balls geyser up around the boat. 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 beautiful woman, arm held high, a small bird taking wing from her outstretched hand. The longboat makes for a pair of lines dangling from a winch.
EXT. BLACK PEARL – MAIN DECK – NIGHT
Lit by lanterns; no moon is visible beneath the fog. Smoke hangs heavy above the deck. Elizabeth’s longboat is raised above the deck rail-pirates spot her, and stare. One polite fellow steps forward to offer his hand. She takes it and steps down. She huddles, self-conscious in her nightgown and dressing robe.
BOSUN 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 silhouetted 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 clothing, definitely not a man you’d want to meet in a dark alley-or anywhere, for that matter. Elizabeth, more terrified than ever, cannot look away from his eyes. But she musters her courage – ELIZABETH I am here to-The Bosun SLAPS her.
BOSUN 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.
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 is both impressed and amused.
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 and the pirates laugh.
BARBOSSA I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means’ No. ‘
ELIZABETH Very well. She quickly slips the medallion off, darts to the side rail, dangles it over the side of the ship. 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 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. I’m a maid in the governor’s household. Barbossa reacts to the name Turner: it confirms what he has suspected. The other pirates surreptitiously exchange glances and nods.
BARBOSSA You’ve got sand, for a maid.
ELIZABETH 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. 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 hesitates, but she has no choice. She holds out the medallion. He grabs it, clutches it in his fist like hope.
ELIZABETH Our bargain. . ? Barbossa grins devilishly-but then nods to the Bosun.
BOSUN Still the guns, and stow ’em! Signal the men, set the flags, and make good to clear port! For the first time since the attack began, the BOOMING of the guns ceases. Elizabeth is surprised-and relieved. The pirates hustle to follow orders. 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.
BARBOSSA 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. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Turner. Elizabeth stares in speechless terror – EXT. PORT ROYAL – HARBOR – PRE-DAWN As the Black Pearl turns out to sea, Elizabeth is led back along the deck to the captain’s cabin. The fog starts to dissipate, turning to a light mist; through it, the Black Pearl makes for the scarlet glow of dawn.
EXT. PORT ROYAL – STREET – PRE-DAWN
Will comes to, still where he fell, gets 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. The aftermath of hell on earth. Will turns, and runs for the Governor’s Mansion.
INT. GOVERNOR’S MANSION – MORNING
Will races past the smashed doors, into the foyer. Calls out:
WILL Miss Swann! Elizabeth! A terrible silence answers him. He spots an overturned chair, fallen bookshelf – 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: Swann, Norrington, and Gillette among others, gathered around a map. The map is so large it drapes over the Governor’s desk, the far end supported by a chair.
NORRINGTON We’re aware of the situation.
WILL We have to hunt them down-and save her! Swann’s worry has made him short-tempered.
SWANN Where do you propose we start? If you have any information that concerns my daughter, then share it! If anyone does, tell me! 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 We can ask him where it is-maybe he can lead us to it!
SWANN That pirate tried to kill my daughter. We could never trust a word he said!
WILL We could strike a bargain – NORRINGTON No. The pirates who invaded this fort left Sparrow locked in his cell. Ergo, he is not their ally, and therefore of no value. We will determine their most likely course, and launch a search mission that sails with the tide. Will slams the boarding axe into the desk, through the map.
WILL That’s not good enough. This is Elizabeth’s life! Norrington is quick to react; he throws a strong arm across Will’s back, and guides him roughly to the door.
NORRINGTON Mr. Turner, this is not the time for rash actions. Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only man here who loves Elizabeth. Now, go home. He opens the door, and then turns away. Will watches him walk back to the desk. Will’s face sets in resolve, and he leaves.
INT. FORT CHARLES – JAIL CELLS – MORNING
Jack strains, trying to budge one of the bars. Even with the damage from the cannon ball, it won’t move. He hears the sound of the door latch – The door opens, and Will slips in. Looks around. Jack lounges on the floor of his cell, apparently relaxed and unconcerned. Will marches straight up to the bars.
WILL Are you familiar with that ship? The Black Pearl?
JACK Somewhat.
WILL Where does it make berth?
JACK Surely you’ve heard the stories? The Black Pearl sails from the dreaded Isla de Mureta… an island that cannot be found-except by those who already know where it is.
WILL The ship’s real enough. So its anchorage must be a real place. Where is it?
JACK Why ask me?
WILL Because you’re a pirate.
JACK And you want to turn pirate yourself?
WILL Never. They took Miss Swann.
JACK So it is that you found a girl. Well, if you’re intending to brave all and 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 slams his fist against the bars in frustration. Jack is surprised at the outburst. Will thinks … makes a decision.
WILL I can get you out of here.
JACK How? The key’s run off.
WILL I helped build these cells. Those are hook-and-ring hinges. The proper application of strength, the door’ll lift free. Just calls for the right lever and fulcrum. . . Jack watches Will as he speaks, and it dawns on him-Will is the spitting image of someone he’s known in the past.
JACK Your name is Turner. Will gives him a puzzled look.
WILL Yes. Will Turner. Jack grins.
JACK Will Turner… I’ll tell you what, Mr. Turner. I’ve changed my mind. You spring me from this cell, and on pain of death, I’ll you to the Black Pearl. Do we have an accord? Will gives him a suspicious look. The deal seems too good. Jack keeps his hand out, still smiling. Will shakes it.
WILL Agreed.
JACK Agreed! Will looks around, figures out what he needs. He makes a chair his fulcrum, and levers the long bench under the door. Pushes down-it’s hard work-but the cell door rises, and then falls forward, CRASHING down on the bench and chair. Jack is impressed. He steps out of the cell.
WILL Someone will have heard that. Hurry. Will heads for the door. Jack searches the desk, cupboards.
JACK Not without my effects.
WILL We need to go! Jack finds his pistol, sword belt, and compass. Straps on the belt, checks the shot in his pistol.
