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 the 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
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
(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. I’d
heard you’d gotten off, but I
didn’t believe it.
KOEHLER
Did you sprout little wings and fly
away?
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
pirates wrist, looks down-
Where they enter the moonlight, Koehler’s wrists and hands are
skeletol.
Jack’s eyes go wide-he is holding a skeleton arm.
JACK (CONT’D)
You are cursed.
Koehler sneers, shoves Jack bakwards, 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 the
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-
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 gold and silver 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.
(helpfully)
Means ‘No.’
ELIZABETH
Very well.
She quickly slips the medallion off, darts to the side of the
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
(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: it confirms what he has
suspected. The other pirates surreptitiously exchange glances
and nods.
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.
(offended)
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 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 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 Brethen-
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.
(grins gold and silver)
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 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 suppose we start? If
you have any information that
concerns my daughter, then 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
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.
(through with Will)
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.
(low)
Do not make the mistake of thinking
you are the only man here who loves
Elizabeth.
(firm)
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.
(beat)
They took Miss Swann.
JACK
(he was right)
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 furstration. 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
(examines his cell)
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
You’re name is Turner.
Will gives him a puzzled look.
WILL
Yes. Will Turner.
Jack grins.
JACK
Will Turner…
(he stands)
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 take you to the Black
Pearl.
(sticks out his hand)
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.
WILL (CONT’D)
Why are brothering with that?
JACK
My business, Will. As for your
business-one question, 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.
JACK
Good.
EXT. PORT ROYAL – DOCKS – MORNING
The Jolly Mon, four inches of water in the bottom, squats low
in the water, heeled to one side, creeking on its lines.
JACK (O.S.)
Ah, now there’s a lovely sight!
Jack hops down into the boat. Prepares to make way.
JACK (CONT’D)
I knew the Harbormaster wouldn’t
report her. Honest men are slaves
to their conscience, and there’s no
predicting ’em. But you can always
trust a dishonest man to stay that
way…
Jack notices that Will is standing, frozen on the dock, staring
at the boat in dismay.
JACK (CONT’D)
Come aboard.
WILL
I haven’t set foot off dry land
since I was twelve, when the ship
I was on exploded.
(regards the boat)
It’s been a sound policy.
JACK
No worries there. She’s far more
likely to rot out from under us.
Will steels himself, steps into the boat as if it’s going to
capsize with the slightest movement. Jack hoists the sail.
JACK (CONT’D)
Besides, we are about to better our
prospects considerably.
He nods toward the H.M.S. Dauntless, looming in the harbor.
Will whiteknuckles the gunwales.
WILL
We’re going to steal a ship? That
ship?
JACK
Commandeer. We’re going to
commandeer a ship. Nautical term.
WILL
It’s still against the law.
JACK
So’s breaking a man out of jail.
Face it, Will: you may say you’ll
never be a pirate, but you’re off
to a rip-roaring start.
(smiling)
My advice-smile and enjoy it.
EXT. PORT ROYAL – MORNING
The Jolly Mon bobs its way across the bay, dwarfed against the
H.M.S. Dauntless. Will holds a stay line with iron fists.
WILL
This is either crazy, or brilliant.
JACK
Remarkable how often those two
traits coincide.
The Jolly Mon nears the rudder of the much larger ship-
EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS – MAIN DECK – MORNING
There’s been a breakdown in discipline; about a dozen Navy
sailors are gathered together on the main deck, playing dice.
Murtogg and Mullroy among them.
Suddenly, Jack and Will jump out, into the open-brandishing
pistols.
JACK
Everybody stay calm. We’re taking
over the ship!
WILL
(a beat)
Aye! Avast!
Jack gives him a look, shakes his hand: don’t do that.
The sailors all look at them-and then burst out LAUGHING.
They grin, shake their heads. Jack stands there, grinning with
them-but his gun is still level. The Lieutenant, GILLETTE,
steps forward.
GILLETTE
You’re serious about this.
Jack moves his pistol across, points it at Gillette.
JACK
Dead serious.
GILLETTE
You understand this ship cannot be
crewed by only two men. You’ll
never make it out of the bay.
JACK
We’ll see about that.
More guffaws from the crew. A couple sailors more forward,
hands on swords-Gillette holds up a hand.
GILLETTE
Sir, I’ll not see any of my men
killed or wounded in this foolish
enterprise.
JACK
Fine by me. We brought you a nice
little boat, so you can all get
back to shore, safe and sound.
GILLETTE
(a curt nod)
Agreed. You have the momentary
advantage, sir. But I will see you
smile from the yard arm, sir.
JACK
As likely as not.
(calling)
Will, short up the anchor, we’ve
got ourselves a ship!
EXT. DAUNTLESS – STERN – MORNING
Sailors make their way down a rope ladder, crowd onto the Jolly
Mon. Will pushes hard against the windlass, to no avail … the
anchor is too heavy for one man. Jack notices.
JACK
A little help?
Gillette shrugs, gestures to Murtogg and Mullroy. The three men
throw their weight into the windlass, and it turns. Jack’s
pistol is on them the whole time.
MURTOGG
I can’t believe he’s doing this.
The windlass turns, bringing Mullroy into view.
MULLROY
You didn’t believe he was telling
the truth, either.
The windless turns some more, and there’s Gillette.
GILLETTE
(over his shoulder,
to Will)
Do you have any idea, boy, what
you’re doing?
Another quarter turn-
WILL
No.
EXT. DAUNTLESS – FORECASTLE – DAY
Jack and Will crank a capstan, raising the forward jib sail. It
luffs and billows out. The huge ship inches forward slowly,
pulled by just the one sail. Jack grins.
JACK
Lookee there, mate! We’re
underway!
EXT. PORT ROYAL – DOCK – DAY
Norrington moves along, concentrating on a manifest. Alongside
him is Governor Swann, who glances over-
Sees the tiny Jolly Mon headed toward them, riding low in the
water, overloaded with sailors. Beyond that, the Dauntless
sails-albeit slowly-for open waters.
SWANN
Commodore-
NORRINGTON
A moment.
SWANN
But-
NORRINGTON
Please.
SWANN
Dammit, man, it appears someone is
stealing your ship!
Norrington glances out at the bay. Sure enough, the Dauntless
is on the move. Norrington takes a brass telescope from his
belt, opens it, trains it on-
The main deck. He picks out Will-
NORRINGTON
Rash, Turner, too rash.
-then spots Jack, at the wheel. Lowers the telescope.
NORRINGTON (CONT’D)
That is, without a doubt, the worst
pirate I have ever seen.
EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS – DAY
Out in the open sea, Jack leans on the wheel, relaxed; not much
sailing to do with a following wind. Will looks back-
WILL
They’re coming!
He points: the sails of the Interceptor fill out, and the ship
cuts through the water toward them-
EXT. H.M.S. INTERCEPTOR – DAY
Norrington’s smaller ship quickly comes alongside the
slowmoving Dauntless. Its decks appear empty. Grappling hooks
are thrown, and sailors draw the two ships together.
Norrington’s men swarm across.
NORRINGTON
Search every cabin, every hold,
down to the bilges!
PULL BACK, away from the Dauntless, and past the railing of the
Interceptor, where a single SENTRY stands watch-and we find
a soaked Jack and Will as they climb up over the side of the
smaller ship, unseen.
Jack tackles the Sentry from behind, covers his mouth.
JACK
Can you swim?
(the man struggles)
Can. You. Swim?
Jack removes his hand.
SENTRY
Of course, sir. Like a fish. I
grew up summers living in Dover,
with my uncle-
JACK
Good.
Jack lifts the man up, throws him overbroad. Quickly unties the
ropes to the grappling hooks. Will cranks the capstan bars,
raising the foresail-
EXT. H.M.S. DAUNTLESS – DAY
Norrington emerges from a gangway-and sees his other ship
moving away.
NORRINGTON
Sailors! Back to the Interceptor!
But the distance is already too great. One brave sailor tries
to swing across on a rope, Errol-Flyn style, but falls short
with a splash.
Jack waves, and shouts across the distance-
JACK
Thank you, Commodore, for getting
our ship ready to make way!
We’d’ve had a hard time of it by
ourselves!
Norrington seethes, but his order to Gillette is measured:
NORRINGTON
Raise the sails.
GILLETTE
The wind is quarter from astern …
by the time we’re underway, we’ll
never catch them.
NORRINGTON
We need only to come about, to put
them in range of the long nines.
Gillette looks surprised at the order-but relays it.
GILLETTE
Hands! Come about! Jackets off
the cannons!
(to Norrington)
We are 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. The Dauntless’ course does not
change one whit.
STEERSMAN
Captain, there’s a problem.
The Steersman spins the wheel. It goes round and round, with no
signs of slowing.
STEERSMAN (CONT’D)
He’s disabled the rudder chain,
sir.
NORRINGTON
So it would seem.
The Interceptor dwindles with distance. Gillette watches it go,
with some degree of admiration.
GILLETTE
He’s got to be the best pirate I’ve
ever seen.
Norrington reaches out, stops the spinning ship’s wheel.
NORRINGTON
So it would seem.
The Interceptor makes for the horizon line. A SLOW DISSOLVE and
with the time passage, the ship is gone; the sky turns a deep
twilight blue-
EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA – EVENING
-with the fat white moon riding just above the horizon.
Suddenly, the edge of a black sail cuts into the foreground,
accompanied by the ROAR of the wind and the SNAP of canvas-
INT. BLACK PEARL – CAPTAIN’S CABIN – EVENING
Elizabeth stalks the cabin. Pintel enters, carrying 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 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. Pintel’s grin fades.
PINTEL (CONT’D)
(hands it over)
Fine.
He exits, pouting. Elizabeth examines the dress-
INT. BLACK PEARL – CAPTAIN’S CABIN – NIGHT
Barbossa enters, followed by PIRATES carrying trays of food,
wine, table setting, etc. Elizabeth stands at the small table
in the dress-lovely.
BARBOSSA
Maid or not, it fits you.
ELIZABETH
Dare I ask the fate of it previous
owner?
BARBOSSA
Now, none of that. Please dig in.
The table is set. Elizabeth sits, cuts a tiny piece of meat,
eats it daintily.
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
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 whine.
Elizabeth does, a huge swig; she tears off a hunk of bread,
devours it.
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
And the apples-one of those
next.
She starts to bite into the apple-stops. She is suddenly
aware of Barbossa’s gaze-and that he is not eating.
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 in
killing you, Miss Turner.
ELIZABETH
Then why aren’t you eating?
BARBOSSA
Would that I could.
He produces the medallion, lets it dangle from his fingers.
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
Do you not know what this is, then?
ELIZABETH
It’s a pirate medallion.
BARBOSSA
It’s a piece of the treasure of
Isla de Muerta.
Elizabeth gives an infinitesimal shrug, intrigued despite
herself.
BARBOSSA
Ah, so you don’t know as much as
you pretend. Back when Cortes was
cutting a great bloody swath
through the New World, a high
priest gave him all the gold they
had, with one condition: that he
spare the people’s lives. Of
course, Cortes being Cortes, he
didn’t.
(nods)
He’d’ve made a great pirate, that
one.
Barbossa stands, moves to a shelf. Puts a key to a medium-sized
polished wooden box-the Captain’s chest. Opens it.
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
So the priest, with his dying
breath, called on the power of the
blood of his people, and put on the
gold a curse. If anyone took so
much as a single piece, as he was
compelled by greed, by greed he
would be consumed.
Inside the chest are charts, some gold, a sextant-and a few
pages of a Mayan CODEX, pieces of tree bark inscribed with
Mayan glyphs. Barbossa removes them carefully, sets them on the
table. Pours over them.
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
Within a day of leaving port for
Spain, the treasure ship carrying
the gold … something went wrong.
The ship run aground, every man
aboard dead, save one. He
survived long enough to hide the
gold ashore.
(beat)
Over time, the dark magic of the
curse seeped into the place, making
it a cursed island. An island of
death. Isla de Muerta.
He looks up. Elizabeth has been rapt, involved in the story-but feigns a dismissive attitude.
ELIZABETH
That’s all very interesting, but I
hardly believe in ghost stories
anymore.
Barbossa is angry. He stands, sweeps the food off the table.
BARBOSSA
You idiot girl! It’s no make-
believe! My crew and I, we found
the gold, and we did more than take
one piece, we took it all. Rich
men we were and we spent it and
traded it and gave it away in
exchange for drink and food and
pleasant company. But we found
out: the drink could not sate us,
and the food turned to ashes in our
mouths, and no amount of pleasant
company could ease our torment.
(regains his
composure)
We are cursed men, Miss Turner,
condemned, to be forever consumed
by our own greed. Gold calls to
US, always, and we are driven,
always, to find more, and add it
to the treasure.
Barbossa picks up the priceless Codex. Crushes them in his
fist.
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
There is but one way to remove the
curse. All of the scattered pieces
of the treasure must be restored in
full, and the blood repaid.
(he throws the pages
aside)
We’ve recovered every piece-save
for this.
(holds up the
medallion)
And as for the blood repaid …
that’s what we have for you.
(pleasant, finally
getting to his
point)
And that’s why there’s no sense
killing you. Yet.
Elizabeth stares at him, horrified. Using the toe of his boot,
Barbossa flips an apple up off the floor, catches it, extends
it to Elizabeth.
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, to the
hilt-
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 were planning to do
next?
Elizabeth backs away, whirls and barrels out the door-
EXT. BLACK PEARL – MAIN DECK – NIGHT
-Elizabeth comes to a dead stop. She stares, her jaw working,
trying to scream but unable to-
The pirate crew works at their stations, coiling lines,
navigating the ship, swabbing decks-but where the moonlight
falls across their bodies, they are naught but SKELETONS.
Elizabeth turns away from the sight-
Barbossa stands just inside the doorway, out of the moonlight.
He grabs her roughly by the shoulders and jerks her back
around-Elizabeth shuts her eyes-
BARBOSSA
Look!
(shakes her)
LOOK! The moonlight shows us for
what we really are! We are not
among the living and so we cannot
die-
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)
-but neither are we dead! We
have all the desires of the living,
but cannot satisfy them! Ten years
I have parched of thirst, and able
to quench it! Ten years, I have
been starving to death-and
haven’t died!
(raises his hand)
And I have not felt anything for
ten years … Not the wind on my
face, nor the spray of the sea …
(reaches toward
Elizabeth)
… nor the flesh of a woman …
Elizabeth flicnhes away from the skeletal hand. It drops away -he takes a bottle of wine from the opened case beside the
cabin door, uncorks it with his teeth, raises it-
BARBOSSA (CONT’D)
You’d best start believing in ghost
stories, Miss Turner. Because now
you’re in one.
He tilts the bottle and drinks-it runs over his jaw, through
his rib cage, drenching his clothes.
Elizabeth darts around him, back into the cabin, and shuts the
door. Barbossa hurls the bottle away.
INT. BLACK PEARL – CAPTAIN’S CABIN – NIGHT
Elizabeth huddles in the far corner of the cabin, terrified.
EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA – DAY
The Interceptor cuts across the waves. Jack at the wheel; Will
tightens a line, moves back astern.
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. William Turner?
Jack says nothing. Will has lost his patience for guile.
WILL (CONT’D)
I’m not a simpleton. At the jail
-it was only after you learned my
name that you agreed to help me.
(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 relpy-settles on ‘truth’.
JACK
I knew him. Probably one of the
few he 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
(angry)
That’s not true.
JACK
I swear, you look just like him.
WILL
It’s not true my father was a
pirate.
JACK
Figured you wouldn’t want to hear
it.
WILL
He was a merchant marine! He was a
respectable man who obeyed the law,
and followed the rules-
JACK
(laughs)
You think your father is the only
man who ever lived the Glasgow
life, telling folk one thing, and
then going off to do another?
There’s quite a few who come 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, sighs.
JACK
Put it away, Will. It’s not worth
getting beat again.
WILL
You didn’t beat me. You ignored
the rule 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 kicks a lever on a wench. The sail boom whips around and
slams Will in the chest-sweeping him off the ship. His sword
clatters onto the deck. Will dangles above the water.
Jack slips a loop of rope around the wheel to hold the course.
Picks up the sword-and pokes at Will with it. Will hand-
over-hands away from the blade, to the end of the boom.
JACK (CONT’D)
As long as you’re just hanging
there, pay attention. Must,
should, do, don’t, shall, shall
not-those are just mere
suggestions. There are only two
absolute rules.
(ticks them off on
his fingers)
What a man can do. And what a man
can’t do.
Will looks away, not interested.
JACK (CONT’D)
For instance: you can accept that
your father was a pirate and still
a good man … or you can’t. Now
me, I can sail this ship to Turga,
by myself …
(Will looks alarmed)
But I can’t just let you drown.
Jack swings the boom back in. Will drops to the deck. Jack
holds the hilt of the sword out. Will takes it. Glares at Jack,
considers what he’ll do next. Jack watches him coolly.
Will turns and strides to his spot on the deck, sits down, and
resumes sharpening his sword: shhhk-shhhk-shhhk …
Jack breathes a silent sigh of relief. Notices his shaking-he takes the wheel.
WILL
Tortuga?
JACK
Oh-did I forget to mention that?
EXT. TORTUGA – DAY
A dank and dirty port, where the tides seem to have swept
together the sum of the Caribbean-pirates, privateers,
prostitutes, theives, and drunkards.
With its cantered, rotting docks, weatherbeaten buildings,
and odd assortment of livestock running free-a donkey,
chickens, etc.-it is far less civilized than Port Royal.
Jack and Will move through the crowd. A REDHEADED woman turns
her head-she has noticed Jack.
JACK
We need a crew. We can manage the
ship between islands, but the open
sea, that’s another matter-
Suddenly the Redhead SLAPS Jack, hard. Satisfied, she turns and
strides off. Will ignores her.
WILL
Just do it quickly.
JACK
(rubbing his jaw)
Don’t worry. I’ve already got a
Quartermaster-there!
Jack leads Will toward the pub: the Faithful Bride, the emblem
over the door a politically incorrect painting of a smiling
woman holding a bouquet in her chained-and-manacled hands.
Jack pulls open the door; Will goes inside passing a pretty
ASIAN woman coming out-she sees Jack and immediately SLAPS
him, cursing something in Chinese. Jack backs away-
INT. FAITHFUL BRIDE – DAY
Jack closes the door on the woman, joins Will. They take in the
place-it is populated with slightly higher class of scum.
Jack spots a BARTENDER, smiles, moves forward–and is suddenly DECKED by a waitress. This is ANAMARIA,
tall, strong, tough; she didn’t spill a drink off her tray.
ANAMARIA
You stole my boat.
JACK
AnaMaria! Have you seen Gibbs? I
need to put together-
She SLAPS him again. Will shakes his head, heads for the bar.
Jack gets up.
JACK (CONT’D)
Borrowed. Borrowed your boat.
(off her look)
Without permission.
AnaMaria charges; Jack backs away, puts a table between them.
She chases him around the table, still carrying the tray.
ANAMARIA
My dory. The Jolly Mon. Where is
it?
JACK
Safe! At Port Royal. With the
Royal Navy.
ANAMARIA
That boat is my livelihood!
JACK
You’ll get it back. Or one better.
ANAMARIA
(a threat)
I will.
Away from them, a PATRON calls for his food. AnaMaria scowls
at Jack, moves away-comes back for one more SLAP!
WILL
Jack! Over here!
AT THE BAR, Will has spoken to the Bartender. Jack arrives,
rubbing his chin.
WILL (CONT’D)
He knows Gibbs.
The Bartender nods ‘yes.’ Then nods ‘out back.’ Then produces
a water bucket from behind the bar.
Jack and Will exchange a look-and Jack takes the bucket.
EXT. FAITHFUL BRIDE – REAR – DAY
A drunken man lays in the mud, having a friendly conversation
with two pigs. He wears an old tattered Navy jacket.
A sudden SPRAY OF WATER splashes across his face, revealing:
this is JOSHAMEE GIBBS (the man who told pirate stories to
Elizabeth when she was a child). He sputters and roars:
GIBBS
Curse you for breathing, you slack-
jawed 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 it 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
I know. That was for the smell.
INT. FAITHFUL BRIDE – DAY
Jack and Gibbs sit at a table in the shadows, a single candle
illumining them, speaking in hushed voices. Will is away from
them, at the door, hand on sword, keeping a look-out.
A tankard is 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
First-have you found me a crew?
GIBBS
Oh, there’s a hard tale, Jack.
Most of the decent pirates in town
won’t sail with you-seem to
think you’re a jinx.
JACK
Now where, I wonder, would they
have gotten that idea?
Gibbs evades answering him by taking a long sip. Jack leans
forward. Gibbs leans forward.
JACK (CONT’D)
I’m going after the Black Pearl.
Gibbs straightens up like he’s been hit. He stares. He reaches
for the drink as if to down it-but then sets it back down.
He leans forward again. Jack has not moved.
GIBBS
Say again?
JACK
I’m going after the Black Pearl.
I know where it’s going to be, and
I’m going to take it.
GIBBS
Jack, it’s a fool’s errand: You’ve
heard the tales they tell about the
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
(shakes his head)
A fool’s errand.
JACK
Not if the fool has something
Barbossa wants. Something he
needs.
GIBBS
And you’ve got that, have you?
ANGLE ON: Jack, as he smiles enigmatically, and shifts his eyes-behind him, Will, still on guard, glares a sailor away from
the table.
JACK
Back there, guarding the door is
the son of old Bootstrap Bill
Turner.
Gibbs’ eyes widen over the edge of the tankard. Peers at Will.
Then smiles, with more missing teeth than good ones.
GIBBS
Well, lookee there. I’ll allow you
may be onto something, Jack.
(considers, nods)
There’s bound to be sailors on this
rock crazy as you. I’ll find some
men.
Gibbs downs the drink, SLAMS the tankard on the table.
Will reacts to the sound, draws both sword and dagger, kicks
over a table for cover, and whirls on anyone who moves.
GIBBS
Kid’s a bit of a stick, isn’t he?
JACK
That he is.
EXT. TORTUGA – DOCK – LATER – DAY
On the docks, a disheveled, motley and weather-beaten group
of about a dozen swabs stand in a ragged line-up.
GIBBS
Feast your eyes, Cap’n. All of ’em
good sea-faring men, faithful hands
before the mast, every one worth
their salt- (sotto, making his
point)
-and crazy, to boot.
Jack holds up a hand-enough. He moves down the line, Gibbs
at his side. Then he notices AnaMaria in line, dressed like a
man. He raises an eyebrow.
ANAMARIA
You owe me a boat.
Jack nods, continues. One sailor is quite fat, another thin and
sickly. Jack is not happy with his choices.
He stops in front of COTTON, a short sailor with a large,
colorful PARROT on his shoulder. Jack raises an eyebrow.
GIBBS
Cotton here is mute, sir. Poor
devil had his tongue cut out-
Cotton opens his mouth to show this-Jack grimaces.
GIBBS (CONT’D)
-so he went and trained the
parrot to do the talking for him,
nobody knows how. Nobody knows the
parrot’s name, neither, so we just
call it ‘Cotton’s parrot.’
Jack decides to test this.
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?
Cotton lifts the parrot off his shoulder, raises it-
COTTON’S PARROT
Wind in your SAILS! Wind in your
SAILS!
GIBBS
Mostly, that seem to mean ‘yes.’
Cotton nods vigorously, lowers the parrot, and it goes silent.
Jack shakes his head. Steps back.
JACK
That goes for the rest of you!
Danger and near certain death.
(turns away)
For we are to sail for the Isla de
Muerta, to rescue the daughter of
Governor Swann. An equal share of
the reward shall be-
Jack hears movement, looks back-several potential crew
members back away in fright; first one, then another, turn and
run, followed by more.
Soon just a half dozen are left, including Cotton (with parrot)-and AnaMaria.
WILL
Shut up, before you lose them all!
JACK
These are the only ones worth
having.
(glances at the sky)
And we’re going to need them-
EXT. H.M.S. INTERCEPTOR – DAY
A FLASH of lightening and the CRACK of thunder. The canvas of
every sail is stretched taut. The ship rocks as it drops into
the valley of huge swell, climbs up the other side.
On board, the new crew members scurry about with their tasks,
pulling lines and trimming sails. Excellent sailors, it takes
everything they have to keep the ship afloat.
AnaMaria is at the helm. Gibbs staggers along the deck.
GIBBS
That fool will have us lose the
canvas, and the masts besides!
On Jack, a ROARING wind blowing back his hair, eyes intent on
their course. Gibbs climbs the tilted deck toward him.
GIBBS (CONT’D)
We’d best drop canvas, sir!
JACK
She can hold a bit longer.
The wind picks up, howling. Jack smiles.
