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