CUT TO THE PEARL
-----
*The Pearl is leading the group of pirate ships away from Tortuga. So far, all the pirates have remained together, and are willing to follow Jack's lead.*
CUT TO THE DECK OF THE PEARL
*Ragetti and Pintle are goofing off after a hard day's work*
Ragetti: *is gazing at the sea with a spy glass* I see a mermaid!
Pintle: Don't be daft. Mermaids don't swim so close to the surface.
Ragetti: They do so! I'm seeing one right now!
Pintle: You sure you ain't using your wooden eye to look through that spyglass?
Ragetti: *scowls* I have perfect vision in this eye, I'll 'ave you know!
*Pintle moves to take the spyglass, and a small wrestling match ensues between the two pirates. They both lose their grip and the spyglass flips out of their hands and flies through the air. They wince, expecting to hear a crash, but when they look over, Jack has caught it.*
Jack: What are you two doing?
Ragetti: There's a mermaid off the starboard bow!
Jack: *snorts and uses the spyglass* Well I'll be...and here comes another ship. Run up our colors and be prepared for battle...
----
I know that Jack's last line is so weak...but I'm too lazy to go look up piratey lingo. 😛
Spoon needs to talk to Jack about where the GOOD merpeople are supposed to go to help fight in the up-coming battle.
----CUT TO THE FLYING DUTCHMAN ---- LATE MORNING
*James is sitting up, groggy but somewhat aware of his surroundings. Davy and Beckett are engaged in a heated argument.*
Beckett: You can't send him over for Sparrow! If they find James there, they'll kill him. I need him here to lead the battle.
Jones: Without Sparrow though, there won't BE a battle. Kill Sparrow, kill the Turner boy, and you remove the main threats. Without the two of them, the pirates will turn against each other and tear themselves apart.
Beckett: *snorts derisively* And how is it that the Turner boy can lead men?
Jones: *shrugs* Some people are born with that ability. I've seen him lead men into battle before. He should not be underestimated.
Beckett: *sighs and looks at James* What do you think, James?
*James blinks dazedly over at Beckett and drops his head slightly, gritting his teeth with pain.*
Jones: Stop fighting them, lad. You're only hurting yourself.
James: *shoulders sag slightly and he seems to give in* Sending me to kill Sparrow would be a mistake. If you want him dead, you'll need to lure him to you. Ambush him, force him aboard for negotiations. Kill him then.
*Beckett and Jones exchange glances, both of them pondering James' words.*
Jones: We'd need to lure Jack somewhere, where he'd be likely to come alone, or to come with only a small escort for an ambush to work.
Beckett: Any ideas on what we can use for bait?
----
And that is all my poor brain can think of for tonight. I am going to bed. 😄
No, I understand it, surfchik. I think we've been very good to Will in this one. He's lost Liz, yeah, but he's really come into his own and I like how everyone kept him a strong, proactive character. I really like him here too. I don't know where you're getting the W/E vibe, though. lol.
CUT TO WILL AND ELIZABETH
Will: Turn us around.
Liz: Is it the Dutchman?
Will: No mistake about it. Turn around! Now!
(Liz begins to steer the ship around, but Spoon pops up)
Spoon: I said to follow me.
Liz: You're going to have to take us a different way.
Spoon (looks behind her): Are you afraid of that? There's no need. This is all how it is supposed to happen.
Liz: We can't go that way. I'm sorry.
Spoon: You have to! That's where James is! You said you would save him.
Will: We don't have enough weapons with us to fight the entire crew.
Spoon: You're not supposed to fight, not yet anyway. You're meant to be the first ones there, and others will come.
Will: What others?
Spoon: Your father, the pirates. You'd swear you'd never imagined a battle as big as what's going to happen.
Liz: Spoon, if we go on that ship, we'll be captured, and we won't be able to help James at all. So you're telling us we must just wait there because the pirates will know we're there?
Spoon: Yes.
Liz: Pirates don't want anything to do with us anymore.
Spoon: They do!
Will: They do (pats his pocket) Head towards it, Elizabeth.
Liz: Will.
Will: They won't kill us. They'll be more likely to use us for bait at first. (sees Liz about to speak) Who do you think Davy Jones would rather kill?
Liz: Jack.
Will: Jack. And he'll come with a crew and with weapons. (holds her hand) Head towards it, Elizabeth.
Liz: For James. (heads straight for the Flying Dutchman)
----THE FLYING DUTCHMAN ---- NOON
*The whole crew is gathered on the deck. James is standing next to Davy Jones. Beckett is giving a lecture of some sort, about duty and what happens to those who betray him.*
Beckett: Someone stole something from me last night. I intend to find out who it is, and to make an example out of them.
*Davy's sailors all seem amused by this. Obviously Beckett can do nothing to them. James' men all stare straight ahead, and none of them appear to be nervous.*
Jones: *quietly, to James* Your men are quite protective of you.
*James doesn't respond, but he is watching his men carefully, especially his officers.*
Beckett: *pulls a gun out and points it at Murtogg's head*
Beckett: Whoever stole from me had best speak up now, before you lose one of your comrades.
*All the men tense, including James.*
Jones: Relax James. Just wait.
*Against his will, James relaxes, his eyes losing focus as the spell works on him.*
*Beckett's finger tightens on the trigger, and Murtogg is moving his mouth in a silent prayer. Just then, a shout goes up that a ship is approaching*
Jones: *pulls out his spyglass and looks at the ship* Small clipper, looks like there's only two people aboard.
*Jones glances over at James.*
Jones: Go to your cabin and wait for me.
*James fights the order for a moment, but eventually he gives in and goes belowdecks.*
Jones: *to the crew* Run out the guns, hoist the sails and wait for my orders to board!
*Beckett reluctantly lowers his gun as the men scurry to obey Jones' orders.*
Beckett: *coming over to Jones* Any idea on who they are?
Jones: *pausing a moment, a mixture of relief and irritation in his voice.* Bait.
------
CUT TO WILL'S SHIP --- NOON
Spoon: They see you. Remember, as long as you don't do something stupid, you are valuable to them.
Elizabeth: Where are you going?
Spoon: I have to find Jack Sparrow and talk to him. Good luck!
*Spoon dives into the water*
Will: Here they come.
*They drop canvas and stand on deck together as the Dutchman draws closer. Will puts his arm around Elizabeth's waist.*
Will: Are you read?
Elizabeth: Always.
*The two smile at each other for a moment, gaining strength from being together, and watch as the Dutchman moves to intercept them.*
-----
Now we just need Spoon to talk to Jack. Anyone want to do that? 😄
Surreal, that was some of your best work. Really, it flowed really well, the pacing was great, and putting Murtogg in danger- who'd have thought I would get so anxious for his life? hahaha.
I dont know about the next bit... I've been having a really hard time writing Jack lately. Let me think about it for a few minutes.
CUT TO the Pearl. The Pirate Fleet is hiding in a bay a short distance from Tortuga, probably at Jack or Anamaria's orders. Anamaria is on the Pearl, looking busy--- preparing to go after Will and Elizabeth, as Jack wanted. However, she begins to hear something... a hypnotic song weaving itself up from the sea beneath them. She goes to the rail and peers over, and sees Spoon. She immediately draws her gun and points it at the mermaid.
Anamaria: What side are you on?
Spoon: (laughing a delightful, playful laugh) Yours, of course! You think I would side with slimey Beckett?
Anamaria: (still suspicious) What are you doing here?
Spoon: I must speak with Captain Sparrow. It's urgent.
Anamaria: He's sleeping. And trust me, I doubt you'd be able to wake him.
Jack: (suddenly walking up) No need. I don't sleep through mermaid songs. (grins)
Spoon: Jack Sparrow! (laughs again) It's been too long!
Jack: Urgent you say? Better make it fast, we're just about to be underway.
Spoon: To where? The ocean is filled with Beckett's army. They'll be here by dawn.
Jack: Bugger. Well it can't be helped. We're going after two of our crewmates.
Spoon: No, you musn't! They're quite safe. No, not safe, but in the right place. You mean the tall boy and the girl with the sad eyes?
Jack: The eunuch and the beauty, yes, that'll be them.
Spoon: They're with Beckett.
Jack: (whipping out his gun) What?!
Spoon: Bait! He's going to use them as bait. For you. Now you must think- be smart, don't be rash. They're trying to save James.
Jack: I'm confused. They're trying to save the man who killed Lizzie's father, by turning themselves in to the enemy so he can use them as bait to kill me, thereby wrecking hope for the battle and putting the Goddess in a very bad position of having to rescue everyone?
Spoon: (hissing softly in frustration) Something like that, yes.
Jack: Ah. And what's it you want us to do, then?
Spoon: While they're with Beckett, Will's got a chance to stab the heart, and if they're lucky they might just be able to kill the evil queen who's got James under control.
Jack: I'm a bit fuzzy on my palace intrigue... so if you'll just skip all the details and tell me what I'm supposed to do, I'd be very happy.
Spoon: How do you feel about fighting about a hundred ships?
Jack: I've felt better about things.
Spoon: My people are coming, they'll help, and the goddess, she's bringing something special. But you have to prevent them from reaching Beckett's ship.
Jack: A blockade?
Spoon: Something like that...
Now I'm confused...
In one of my posts, Pintle and Ragetti had already spotted the mermaid, and Jack was already up. He saw the mermaid and Will and Elizabeth's ship, which means that he's fairly close to the Dutchman as well.
Weren't we trying to get Jack to the Dutchman? 😄 And are we really having Will stab the heart? I blame the fever for my confusion. 😄
my bad. i have no idea. i must have missed Jack seeing the mermaid, sorry! skip the beginning of my post.
No, i dont really want Will to stab the heart, but I figured we could sort of push him in that direction a bit, and then have him pull out at the last minute because Davy does something noble. 🙂 is that okay?
plus, what was Spoon supposed to talk to Jack about? hahaha clearly i got a little confused. not because things arent clear, (they are) but because i need to turn down my music and get off the phone when i am trying to write here. LOL.
Your post is fine. That's pretty much what I had in mind for Spoon to talk to Jack about. 😄
The main thing I am confused about is where Jack and his ship are supposed to be...like is he going to try to negotiate with Beckett and then escape, and then we have the big battle?
And your idea about Will and DJ is good too. I like the idea of Davy doing something noble, since he seems sort of on the fence as far as evilness goes in this fic. 😄
I'm sorry, I'm so foggy from a fever this morning that it's hard for me to think. Does my post make any sense?
yes.
🙂
okay. battle. i was thinking they would probably end up going into battle fractured- everybody sort of everywhere, and come together in the middle of it, that type of thing. so I guess Jack doesn't have to go bargain right away. it might be fun for Beckett to pull out the bait in the middle of the battle, just to up the tension.
the way i see it, Beckett and the dutchman are chilling offshore tortuga, Jack and the pirate army are a little further offshore, and Beckett's army is coming in from beyond Jack's army. so Jack's army will have to fight both sides, essentially.
At some point Beckett is probably going to command Jones to kill Tia (since we put in that bit about Davy being the only one who could kill a goddess, and she'll probably be helping the pirates by blasting Beckett;s men to bits) and thats when he gets noble.
hmm what else?
Maybe we can have a scene with James/Will/Liz before the big battle.
And then we have to put James out there, ordering his men around and so forth. And in order to kill the queen, maybe it would be easier if some of the battle takes place on the beach of Tortuga.
What do you think?
Ok, I'm a gonna take a nap and hope my fever breaks. 😄 I'll post later on today. 😄
Good ideas all around. May I ask where is the heart? Last I knew, Anamaria had it and Davy was pressuring her to stab it. Did he take it?
CUT TO FLYING DUTCHMAN
(A strange-looking crab-like guy pulls Will and Elizabeth onto the deck. They both are uniquely unafraid.)
Davy: Turner! And guest! That was almost too perfect.
Will: It's going to be too perfect when you finally learn this is the beginning of the end for you.
Davy: The end for Beckett and the lovely East (slaps Will across the face) India (slaps him the other way) Trading Company. He'll be out of the picture all in good time.
Liz: You're not....?
Davy: Completely in league with him? Now, young miss, that's not the pirate way. He's brought me this far, and that's all well and good, but I have my own plans for the future.
Liz (deciding to strike a nerve): Plans with Calypso.
Davy: Don't you utter that! Not here. I suppose you both be wantin' to see your friend.
(Will and Liz seem hesitant to answer, afraid of what they might see)
Davy: He's alive to be sure, but maybe if we're lucky, I can eventually get the same loyalty out of the two of you.
Liz: You heartless bastard! I'll get you for what you've done.
Will: Elizabeth.
(Liz lunges at Davy and takes him down to the ground)
Liz: Help me, Will! He has it somewhere.
Will: What?
Liz: The heart!
(Will runs over to her side and stabs the first crewmate that comes near Liz.)
Liz: (takes out a knife) Maybe you can't die, but you can feel pain (prepares to stab him)
(Will hoists her off of Davy and holds the knife to her throat)
Will: No one else move!
Davy: Confused what side you're on, boy?
Will: I'll do it. I'll kill her.
Liz: Will!
Will: You're going to want both of us alive, Jones. We'll be your bait for Jack Sparrow, but on our terms.
Davy: Say what it is you want and why I should keep you alive.
Will: She knows where the Pieces of 8 are.
Davy: Why would I trifle with those?
Will (tries again): She's another goddess!
(The crew laughs, Davy just seems slightly skeptical)
Davy: Goddess you say? Surely not another goddess of the sea.
Will: Not goddess per se, but Calypso created her.
Liz: Nymph
Will: Yes, nymph (holds her tighter) She can rival Calypso in power by now. All she needs to take her immortal form at the right time.
Davy: Why should I believe you?
Liz: Have you ever known a mortal to live through so many disasters?
(Davy considers this)
Will: Why do you think Jack has been so concerned about her? You can't think he actually has a heart.
(Davy considers this even more)
Davy: She has a father.
Liz: Of course! What female creature, mortal or not, could resist my father's charms? (she feels horrible and stupid for saying that but Davy is at least intrigued)
Will: Your loss, Jones. You could have another immortal on your side to help you, or she could die and you'd never know.
Davy: She's to be my bait to catch a bloody captain. Fine. She lives. (Will lets go of her. The crew points swords and pistols at him) So why should I keep you alive?
Liz: Because I demand it!
Davy: You, oh lovely goddess, shall remain up here. Take the boy down to Norrington. Maybe he'll finish him off. Maybe he won't.
Liz: No!
(Will is taken away)
Davy: (turns to her) I don't know if you're really going to take an immortal form or not, but we're going to find out. (the crew engulfs her and takes her to the mast where Davy chains her) You'll stay silent if you really want your immortal body.
Beckett (coming on deck): Jones. What the devil is all this? Where did Ms. Swann come from?
Jones (winks at Liz): Just a nice piece of bait for Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner too.
Beckett: Ah. Good.
Jones: Yes. (whispers in Liz's ear) Good for everyone but him and Jack, eh?