Pirates of the Caribbean – the Curse of the Black Pearl
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?
