EXT. HAI PENG - DECK – NIGHT
Gibbs at the helm. Barbossa reads the charts. Gibbs tries to peek but Barbossa pulls them away.
BARBOSSA
Come about full, and set your heading due north.
Gibbs frowns, doesn't move the wheel. Barbossa raises an eyebrow.
GIBBS
We just spent three days and nights sailing due south.
BARBOSSA
I don't have a need of you questioning my orders, Mister Gibbs.
GIBBS
Aye, you give the orders, now, is that how it is?
Will cuts in between them.
WILL
Gibbs, by my authority, you're to follow the heading suggested by Mister Barbossa, in his official capacity of - - navigator.
Barbossa gives Gibbs as angelic smile. Gibbs turns the wheel.
WILL
Mister Barbossa, on the charts, I was struck by a curious phrase. "Capsized into the mirrored sea, the sunrise sets at the flash of green." Do you care to speculate on that for me?
BARBOSSA
Ever gazed upon the green flash, Mister Gibbs?
GIBBS
I reckon I've seen my share.(explains, for Will's benefit) It's quite a sight. Happens at the last glimpse of sunset, on rare occasions, a green flash shoots up. Some go their whole lives and never see it, many claim to have seen it who never have. Sailors say it signals when a soul comes back to this world from the dead.
WILL
(to Barbossa) What are the implications to our journey?
BARBOSSA
I reckon it will be clear enough when the time comes.
WILL
I am interested in your present day speculations.
BARBOSSA
I reckon I'll keep my speculations to myself for now, and that way you'll have good reason to keep me around the entire journey.
GIBBS
A prudent strategy, says I.
Barbossa glares at Gibbs. Will decides not to push the matter.
WILL
Carry on, then.
Barbossa bows and turns away. Nearby, Pintel and Ragetti swab the deck, obviously listening in. As they speak, FLAKES OF SNOW start to drop down around them.
Ragetti leans over to Pintel as if he has a great secret.
RAGETTI
It's a riddle.
PINTEL
I know it's a riddle. They know it's a riddle. They don't know what the riddle means. I don't like riddles.
RAGETTI
Riddles are fun. "Capsized into the mirrored sea, the sunrise sets"
PINTEL
Riddles are not fun! The way it always works is some poor bloke don't understand what it means, and then he ends up dead. He realizes no, I wasn't supposed to listen to the singing of the sirens, I wasn't supposed to take the pot o'gold and make that fourth wish, but by then it's too late and he dies in a horrible and ironical manner, and in this case, you and I be the poor bloke!
RAGETTI
Riddles are fun.
PINTEL
Right, it's all fun and games 'til somebody loses an eye - -
Pintel goes pale, realizes what he has just said.
RAGETTI
Now, there was no call to get all personal!
PINTEL
I didn't mean it!
They are interrupted SCRAPING SOUND along the keel of the boat. Pintel and Ragetti look out
EXT. OCEAN – DAY
Where a huge ICEBERG floats past in the water. The Hai Peng sails amid the snow and icebergs, beneath white-blue sheen of glaciers.
PINTEL
Where on God's green earth is he taking us?
EXT. HAI PENG - DECK – NIGHT
Tia Dalma measures out rum to the crew. Barbossa downs his right away.
Gibbs nurses his. Elizabeth cups her hands around hers as if it will keep her warm.
TIA DALMA
We sail into dangerous waters together. I wonder which of you are up to the task? You will survive if your motives are strong.
She turns to Will.
TIA DALMA (Off Screen)
What brings you on this voyage?
WILL
There is what a man can do, and what a man can't do. Jack Sparrow died saving my life. I can't leave it at that.
ON ELIZABETH - - she knows that's not true, but keeps it to himself. Tia Dalma turns to Barbossa.
Barbossa answers with great conviction and sincerity and a lowered head:
BARBOSSA
To atone for my many and varied sins, ma'am.
Gibbs laughs. Barbossa looks hurt.
BARBOSSA
And because you kindly asked me to come on this voyage, ma'am.(explains) Seeing as she did me the great service of restoring my life, I am of course overcome with gratitude, and offer to be of service in any way I can.
GIBBS
I wondered about that. How exactly were you delivered from your fate?
Barbossa smiles, sticks his knife into an apple slice, bites into it and chews.
Silence is his only answer.
TIA DALMA
And you, Elizabeth? What lies in your heart on this trip?
Elizabeth jerks her head at the word "lies" Will watches her.
She considers, and finally settles on:
ELIZABETH
Jack Sparrow did not deserve the fate the world gave him.
TIA DALMA
Ah, and what man does?
ELIZABETH
To punish the wicked, I leave as God's work. But at least we can try to reward the good, don't you think? (beat) What about you, Tia Dalma? What makes you risk such a dangerous journey?
TIA DALMA
The world is a lesser place without Jack Sparrow.
ELIZABETH
To be sure. But that doesn't answer the question, does it?
WILL
Leaving me all the more curious as to your response.
Tia Dalma looks slyly between them. She answers enigmatically:
TIA DALMA
I am owed many debts, with Jack Sparrow not the least among the debtors. I can hardly collect from a man not of this world.