Well your post cheered me up!!
Tortuga? Tortuga! Such a wonderfully classic line that one.
The bit with Jack and Elizabeth was well done too. Sea turtles? You're brilliant mate! Mermaids of the coast of Havana? Classic Jack!
I'm so curios...what did Lizzie see??? Must know! You should write more VERY soon mate.
Cut to... Tortuga. Norrington is walking amidst the crowded, rowdy streets, his arm slung over Giselle and Scarlet, laughing and giggling. Barbossa walks behind him, muttering and rolling his eyes. Pintel and Ragetti both follow, ill at ease. Their group of ships can be seen behind the port.
Norrington: So then I said to him, 'pirate? he was a monkey!'
Scarlet and Giselle laugh like it's the funniest thing they've ever heard.
Barbossa: I hate to ruin so splendid an evening, but think it's high time we said goodnight.
Scarlet: (to Norrington) Well, why don't we go upstairs and you can tuck us in?
Barbossa: (muttering) he's in no condition to climb any stairs.
Norrington: I have a better idea. There's a cozy little spot just a little ways out to sea... what say you to a midnight swim, ladies?
Giselle: (pouts with a sly look on her face) But I have nothing to wear!
Cut to the Beach, with Tortuga in the background. Barbossa is sitting glumly next to Pintel, Ragetti, a pile of clothes. Norrington, Scarlet, and Giselle and swimming a hundred or so feet away, splashing each other. They are moving steadily to the outside of the bay, and soon disappear from Barbossa's sight.
Norrington: Just a little further this way...
Giselle: Ouch! I just stepped on something sharp!
Norrington: I'm taking you somewhere very special.
Scarlet: Well, wherever it is, it's awfully deserted.
Norrington begins leading them towards shore, and the screen shifts to a gathering of trees onshore, where a dark pair of eyes is watching the threesome. The figure sees them approaching land, and turns, running madly into the jungle. It seems to know it's way well, and within moments arrives at a small hut, where a thin trail of smoke emerges from between the banana-leaf roof. The figure clears it's throat, and then steps into the light--- it's a beautiful young woman, clearly native to the island, draped in pearls and shells. Suddenly, a hoarse voice calls to her.
Voice: Ima'ka, how swiftly you run to come home to me. Anxious are we?
The girl steps inside, where dim lighting reveals a man with long gray hair and blue eyes. He's ragged and beside him is a bowl of fruit.
Ima'ka: He's here. On the beach.
Man: What? Why didn't you kill him?!
Ima'ka: He's not alone. He brought two young women. Both young and beautiful.
The man pauses and licks his lips, his eyes narrowing.
Man: Young and beautiful? Well, well. I suppose we shall have to invite them all inside.
CUT TO a very dark room, possibly a cave, with stone floors and walls. Anne is sitting in the center next to a lone, flickering candle, her arms wrapped around her knees, softly weeping. Footsteps are heard, and Anne snatches the candle and holds it up--- it's Beckett.
Beckett: Well, my dear, I'm sorry I can't offer you more comfortable accommodations, but that can't be helped now. Have you made a decision?
Anne: (refusing to meet his eyes) If I do as you ask, you must promise you will keep him alive. Do not harm him.
Beckett: Of course, of course. He's not the prize I'm after, merely a tool to accomplish a bigger plan.
Anne: And I'll be sent back to England, as you promised?
Beckett: Aboard my finest ship.
Anne: (purses her lips and nods) Very well. We have an accord.
Beckett: Excellent...
I've had a violent and godawful flu. I'm back in a manner of speaking. I'll catch up in a bit. 😄 I didn't leave, I've just decided to stay away while I've been sick, since I'm snappish and plain nasty when I don't feel good.
Willo is going to try to come back when she has free time. I know I PM'd her a while ago and her life is just super-busy right now. I don't know when she'll be back, however.
I'm going to be a nerd and am going to a Harry Potter party tonight. 😛
I sent you a PM Kate. It is not nasty, or at least it isn't for me. You know how terribly blunt I am. There's an apology and explanation, and some questions in it for you.
So I shall wait for your response and ponder a bit about what to post.
Alright, I'll go on, as long as someone tells me what happens in Harry Potter. lol.
Cut to... the hut in the jungle. Norrington is sitting comfortably at the table with the old man, while the two random whores he picked up in tortuga (scratch Scarlet and Giselle, as they are unfortunately dead.) preen and giggle behind. Ima'ka brings a pot of some steaming liquid over.
Old Man: (heavy with sarcasm) Well, well, James, it seems you've done pretty well for yourself. Here you are, scruffy as ever, with two common wenches and two empty pockets. Mr. High and Mighty isn't so mighty now, is he? Or have you come to arrest me?
James: (voice strained, but trying to hide it) Nonsense. I just wanted to see if you'd really make good of your promise to kill me on sight next time you saw me.
Old Man: I thought I'd spare the ladies the gore.
The strumpets both giggle and shrug.
James: How kind of you. Though, you always were something of a leche.
The reaction is instantaneous- the old man throws the table over in a rage and leers over James.
Old Man: You worthless boy! You've always been worthless, and disrespectful to your elders. I'll not stand for it a moment longer. I've left you alive longer than is necessary.
James: Father, you really should calm yourself. This can't be good for your health.
Ima'ka, the two strumpets, and the old man gasp.
Old Man/ James' father: I'm not your father.
James: (maintaining composure) Well, technically you are. I don't think disowning me can quite erase that fact.
James' Father: This is getting us no where, boy. Why have you come? Be straight and talk fast, as I tend to enjoy hitting things after tea.
James: (suddenly serious, and contrite) I need your help.
James' father: Ha! An unsurprising though delicious development. What makes you think I'd ever help you?
James: You were right... about some things.
James' father: (now confused and wondering where the catch is) Go on...
James: I'm a pirate. I threw away my career and everything that went with it to join them. In the end, that was where my heart belonged.
James' father: (whispers, suddenly vulnerable) With freedom?
James: It was a choice of conscience. The pirates and the thieves, the beggars and the outcasts, they are hardly admirable. But the real villains made themselves clear in the name of Cutler Beckett and the East India Trading Company. I will not be counted one of them.
James' father is incredulous. He turns around and strokes his chin, his eyes wide. Finally he embraces James in a bear hug.
James' father: Well I'll be! This is an end I could never have expected! I was so ashamed of you, all these years, ashamed that you were the one roping in my friends and comrades, sentencing them... but that's all finished now. Now you understand boy, don't you? Now you can forgive me?
James: (sighs) The past is in the past. We're both better off leaving it there.
Ima'ka: Edward, it's nearly time for the ritual.
James' father: Ah, yes. We cannot risk making her angry now.
James knows what they are talking about.
James: Father, you stay with my, er, friends. I'll perform it.
James' father: (grins) You sure you remember how?
James: Always.
James and Ima'ka walk into the jungle, a fair ways away.
Ima'ka: I didn't know he had a son.
James: I didn't know he had a... a you.
Ima'ka: He doesn't have me. I have him, as I choose. I am here to do her bidding.
James: Ah yes, her. There's been much afoot from her camp lately. Part of the reason I've come.
Ima'ka: (slyly) Really?
James: I have a deal to make with her.
Ima'ka: (laughing) The sea goddess has many duties. She seldom visits, James.
James: She will tonight.
Cut to Jack and Elizabeth. They are walking across an ash gray beach under a full moon, their longboat hidden behind some rocks near shore. Elizabeth is adjusting her weapons at her side, and Jack is counting paces quietly.
Jack: forty five, forty six. Stop! (Elizabeth does, and nearly runs into him). Now look 45 degrees to your right... or was it your left?
Elizabeth: Jack!
Jack: Alright love. I'm sorry. Are you really that eager to go to your death?
Elizabeth: (gives him a dark look) Eager for someone else's death.
Jack: Like mine perhaps? You've killed me once and you seem to be intent on making sure I die again.
Elizabeth: Jack, don't be ridiculous. It'll be my life on the line. You can get back in the boat and sail off if you like.
Jack: What, and leave you to fight the baddies all by your onesy? Not a chance, love. I've written up a new section of the pirate code.
Elizabeth: Cheeky!
Jack: Yes well. You know that bit about "any man who falls behind, is left behind?"
Elizabeth: Of course.
Jack: I've added a bit. The line now reads, "any man who falls behind, is left behind, unless said man is actually a lovely young lady is desperate circumstances, in which case you stand by her until you can talk some sense into her."
Elizabeth laughs warmly.
Jack sighs and then takes Elizabeth's hand, pulling her to the cover of some dark trees.
Jack: Revenge isn't worth giving your life for. I know I'm no giver of great wisdom, but I can say that with a fair amount of confidence.
Elizabeth: I don't like it when you are serious, Jack.
Jack: (smirks) I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'll do my best to be utterly trivial from now on. Though, you ought to listen to me.
Elizabeth: I seldom do what I ought.
Jack: (grins slyly) That's my girl. (turns to study the dark, swampish landscape) I've a feeling this is going to make or break the legend.
Elizabeth: Legend?
Jack: The legend of Captain Elizabeth Turner, bravest sea lass to ever defend the ones she loves, with the help of the magnificant Captain Jack Sparrow of course. Or, quite possibly (and probably) The legend of Captan Elizabeth Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow, the most foolish pirates to ever attack an armed camp with no help and the fastest pirate deaths of all time.
Elizabeth: Jack, I'm not changing my mind.
Jack: Stubborn as ever. Well, that's that. On we go.
Jack and Elizabeth move out of the cover of the trees and Jack begins counting paces again, leading them furthur from shore. Soon they encounter a small ring of stones.
Elizabeth: A ruin?
Jack: An underground fort, if you will. A volcanoe buried the previous fort years ago, but Beckett has taken to remodling it. This was once the rowdiest port in the Caribbean, and a haven for pirates, until Beckett took it back for the crown.
Elizabeth: And how do you know about it?
Jack: Well love, if you must know, the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow was once a humble sailor who did errands for important men in wigs.
Elizabeth: (hiding a smile) You don't say.
Jack: I do say. Only, you shouldn't say anything about it to anyone else. Ever.
Elizabeth: Very well...
Jack: He kept me here, after I... disobeyed orders.
Elizabeth: And you escaped?
Jack: After a while... after Beckett got tired of torturing me. (Jack smirks again, to put Elizabeth at ease) But the mark he gave me, it turned out to be the start of my career.
Elizabeth: What did you do?
Jack: Set some cargo free. Human cargo. Just my nature I guess... to spread the good name of freedom to my fellow creature.
Elizabeth laughs. Jack suddenly pushes her down and flattens himself on the sand.
Jack: (whispering) Lookout. Don't move.
The troop of soldiers comes marching towards them...
Jack: (whispering to Elizabeth) If they see us, let me do the talking.
Elizabeth: (also whispering) I'm very capable of incriminating myself, thank you.
Jack: I don't doubt that, but I...
Jack looks up. The soldiers are next to them, looking at them with their weapons raised.
Jack: I... I found it! (holds up one of his rings)
Elizabeth: Thank God! That ring has been in the family for years.
Jack: Well, madam, shall we be off?
Soldier: I don't think so. This island is off-limits to civilians.
Elizabeth: We're terribly sorry, we didn't know. If we see any, we shall inform you immediately.
Jack: (pointing) Look! There's one over there! (The soldiers look, and Jack shoves Elizabeth, whispering 'run!' Elizabeth shakes her head.)
Soldiers: You are now in the custody of Lord Cutler Beckett, for trespassing and... (gives them a look over) more than likely, piracy.
Jack: Alright, alright gentlemen, you've caught us. Now go easy. We've been up all night and can't find that buried treasure anywhere.
Soldier: (perks with interest) Buried treasure?
Jack: Aye, supposedly the largest buried treasure Blackbeard ever buried. We could split it, mate. 60% 60%.
The soldier goes cross-eyed trying to figure out that math.
Jack: (getting closer) Think about it, mate. We'd be the richest men in the Spanish Main.
Elizabeth: Not just the Spanish Main... the entire ocean! The entire world!
Soldier: Very well, pirates. You have 5 minutes to find this treasure, or I'll shoot you where you both stand.
Jack gulps and looks at Elizabeth. He begins scratching around in the soil.
Jack: Ah! Here it is!
The soldier bends eagerly to look, and Jack quickly throws a punch in his face. The soldier goes down, but the others draw their weapons. Jack whips out a sword and a pistol.
Jack: Run, Elizabeth! Get in the boat and get away from here!
Elizabeth: (pulling out her weapons) Don't be absurd. (starts to fight)
Jack: Beckett gives prisoners no mercy, Elizabeth. You'll never accomplish what we set out to do this way. What you'll be is a very legendary but very dead pirate. And how am I supposed to explain that to your father?
Elizabeth: I'm not leaving you, Jack.
More soldiers can be seen running towards them. Things look desperate. Suddenly, one of the soldiers takes aim at Elizabeth. Jack sees, and throws himself in front of the bullet, collapsing to the ground. His shoulder begins to bleed profusely.
Elizabeth: (screaming) Jack!
One of the soldiers grabs Jack, who has collapsed, and begins to drag him towards the fort.
Jack: (softly) Elizabeth, Keep to the code...
Elizabeth fights for a moment longer, a distraught look on her face, then overwhelmed as more soldiers approach, runs back towards the boat.
Cut to.... James and Ima'ka, who have waded out into the ocean and are lighting small candles, floating them on the water.
James: I always thought this was an absurd ritual.
Ima'ka: Don't! You will offend her.
James: (laughing) I hope so.
Ima'ka: (darkly) Then you will face her wrath.
James: Undoubtedly.
Ima'ka shrugs and goes back to lighting the candles. A full moon is rising above them. Ima'ka begins to hum an eerie tune. The water ripples, then waves, and a strong wind begins overhead. James puts his hand over Ima'ka's mouth, then begins to sing an old song about Davy Jones. The wind grows harsher. Suddenly, Tia Dalma appears before them, now Calypso of course.
James: Ah! Right on time.
Calypso: You overstep your mortal bounds, James Norrington.
James: Listen to me... for the sake of your friends, you must help us.
Calypso: I do not make mortals my friends.
James: But you make them your lovers? (pauses) William Turner is dead, and our band has scattered. Beckett is taking over the ocean, even without the help of Davy Jones. Will you allow him to have it?
Calypso: The ocean is mine.
James: Then help us fight for it! Help us destroy Beckett...
Calypso: How? (lifts her hand to caress James' face) I have struck a bargain with Beckett, and I'll not go back on that bargain.
James: (truly shocked) You? Made a deal with Beckett? Have you gone mad?
Calypso: He has something of great value to offer to me.
James: And what is that?
Calypso: I'm sorry James Norrington, but you cannot win this time. Your friends have either joined Beckett or been captured by him. Your fleet is small and now, at my mercy. Thank you for bringing them to me.
James: (it's one of those moments of complete despair) What have I done?
Calypso looks ready to strike James where he sits, but suddenly, James' father bursts into the water, wielding a small knife.
James' father: Back! Back, Calypso! You'll not lay a hand on my son.
Calypso: Your son?
James' father: Aye. You know what this weapon is capable of.
Calypso: I do. (looks furious) You will all regret this night... (she vanishes into the ocean, leaving James, his father, and Ima'ka stunned)
James' father: Bloody hell.
James: Yes precisely.
Ima'ka: You have incurred her wrath... now you shall pay--
James: Will you stop the doomsday talk? We're quite aware of what's just happened.
James' father: You and your fleet have to get away from here. Quickly. She moves fast but not instantly.
James: And go where? She's right. We're lost.
James' father: Not quite. I know where Beckett is.
James: What? Bloody hell!
James' father: Come with me.
They rush back to the hut, and James' father quickly produces a map.
James: (sarcastically) Buried treasure? This is hardly the time, father.
James' father: Forget the treasure. It's the island you want to get to. Beckett has a fortress there, where he keeps prisoners. If you want any chance to destroy him, save your friends and then work on your relationship with the goddess.
James takes the map and pauses to look at his father.
James: Thank you.
James' father: (grins) You'd better get going!
James turns and rushes away.