Surrealkatewillomina's AWE: Final Cut

---TWO DAYS LATER – WILL’S SHIP – CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS--

(Will is seated at his desk, a worried frown on his face. There is a knock at the door.)

Will: Enter. (the door opens and James walks in)

James: I need to speak with you, Will.

Will: I know. I wanted to speak to you too. Please sit. (he waits until James is seated) You want to talk about my…destiny.

James: Will –

Will: (gets up, begins pacing.) I didn’t want this.

James: (hesitates) Tia told me that you could be a danger to us. I want to know what your ‘destiny’ is.

Will: (looks out the window) To become the next captain of the Dutchman.

James: (shakes head in denial) I don’t believe that. Tia is just trying to use you to get what she wants, although I’ll be damned if I know what that is right now.

Will: Is it so far-fetched? Look at how many shipwrecks I’ve survived. When I said that it should have been me instead of Marty, I meant it. I should have died then, but I didn’t. (bitterly) Of course, there IS another way.

James: (urgently) Will, tell me what’s going on. Tell me what you know.

Will: (throws himself down into the chair) I can destroy the heart with fire. (sighs) But I don’t know if I’m willing to do that.

James: Why not? I could help you.

Will: (suddenly angry) No you can’t. You can’t because this is my destiny and only I can fulfill it!

James: (holds up hands in calming manner) All right…you have to do it alone. But surely there’s something--

Will: There isn't anything! Don't you understand? (shoulders slump) I only have two choices. Become captain, or destroy the captain. My fate is tied to the Dutchman and it's captaincy, James. If I destroy the captain, then I have to destroy myself.

James: (sharply) No! You can’t do that. And what about Elizabeth?

Will: (obviously wrestling with his emotions) Elizabeth is strong. Although…

(Will seems to change before James’ eyes, the soft brown eyes growing hard, a bright, almost insane excitement bubbling beneath the surface.)

Will: I could stab the heart and make her come with me. We could be together, always.

James: Will! (Will glares at him) Get a hold of yourself, Captain Turner!

Will: (blinks, and suddenly he seems himself again) Damn. (bows head) I was warned that would happen. I can’t…I can’t let myself become like Jones, can I?

James: (gentle understanding) No…you can’t. There is no choice. I see that now.

(They sit in silence for a few moments. Will finally stirs and looks up at James.)

Will: There is something I could use your help with…

(An hour later James leaves Will’s cabin. He looks steady and stern, but as soon as he’s outside he leans against the wall and covers his eyes with his hand. He straightens when he hears footsteps, and to his horror, it’s Elizabeth. Unable to meet her questioning gaze, he mutters a brief greeting to her and goes to the longboat.)

Elizabeth: (shrugs) Men. (she enters Will’s cabin to see him seated with his head in his hands. She approaches him and he looks up at her, pulling her close to him with near desperation.)

Elizabeth: What’s wrong?

Will: Nothing. I’ve just missed you, that’s all.

(Elizabeth smiles and brushes a strand of hair away from his face, and kisses him passionately, her fingers working to unfasten the buttons of his shirt as the scene fades out.)

DAWN – CAPTAIN’S CABIN

(Will wakes and looks at Elizabeth beside him in bed. He watches her sleep for a moment, and toys with a strand of her hair, a small smile on his face. Gradually the smile fades and he leans down to kiss her lightly on the lips and gets out of bed, careful not to disturb her.

He dresses quietly, goes to his desk, and begins to write a letter. He finishes, puts it off to the side, and begins another one. All of the letters are brief, except for the final one, which he spends considerable time on. When he is finished, he carefully folds the last letter, and writes Elizabeth’s name on it. After a moments thought, takes his necklace off and wraps it around the parchment.)

Will: (softly) It’s time.

(Reluctantly, Will goes over to Elizabeth, and for a moment he looks as if he might wake her. Instead, he leans down and presses his lips to hers, a soft, lingering kiss. He stays for a few seconds longer, soaking in this moment, then finally he manages to pull himself away from his wife’s side and sets the letter and his necklace inside one of her boots. One last look, and then he’s gone.)

--

ON DECK – WILL’S SHIP

Will: (approaches James) Are you ready?

James: (grimly) No. Are you?

Will: (gallows humor) Always ready to die for a good cause. I’m too rash, remember? Here…(he holds out the other letters he’d written) Could you make sure that everyone gets these?

James: (reluctantly takes them) Only if you’re certain –

(Their eyes meet, and James sighs and dips his head.)

James: Tia is preparing to summon the Dutchman. She said it would take twenty minutes to a half hour. That gives you time to get to the Intrepid. I chose ten able-bodied lads. They know already how this is probably going to turn out.

Will: (stunned) You--They shouldn’t have done that. They have families.

James: No…no they don’t. No one is waiting for them, and they know what they’re getting into. This is their choice; don’t demean it by telling them it isn’t worth it. This is what they do.

Will: (can’t argue with that) Thank you, James. It's been an honor working with you.

(Will offers his hand, and James shakes it, a mixture of emotions on his face.)

James: The honor has been all mine, Will. I'm proud to have sailed this journey with you.

(Will spares one last glance toward the cabin, then he straightens and smiles, as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He looks ready now.)

Will: See you on the other side. Do your best to keep me waiting, aye?

James: (smiles back, nods) I'll try. Godspeed, Will.

(He helps Will to lower the longboat into the water, and watches him row away. When Will is nearly at the Intrepid, James goes belowdecks to Tia to buy Will more time.)

TWENTY MINUTES LATER – A LONGBOAT

(Will is seated at the head of the longboat. There are ten of Norrington’s sailors with him, and four barrels of gunpowder.)

Will: It’s not too late for you to go back.

Nathaniel: We’ve made our choice, as have you. (there is a murmur of assent from the others) We proudly follow you into battle.

Will: (nods, a small smile on his face) Then let us fight well.

(The Dutchman bursts from the water not so far away. Already, there are shouts of alarm from the other ships, and a call to battle stations.)

Mathias: ‘We who are about to die…’

Will: (takes a deep breath) We wait until they are engaged in combat. Then we give them hell.

(The men cheer as the scene fades out)

--

(The scene fades back in as Will and the men have just finished securing the longboat so that it sits against the Dutchman. The Intrepid and Will’s ship have made themselves major targets of the Dutchman, firing often and heavily at the ship to keep the focus on them.)

Will: Up to the balcony! Quickly!

(A grappling hook and rope are tossed up to the lowest balcony and secured. Will goes first, and the others quickly follow him up the rope. One man, Michael, remains behind, and begins to secure a fuse to the barrels of powder.)

Bootstrap: (pops out of the wall as Will and the others enter the ship from the balcony) Who goes there?

Will: (cautiously, stunned at how inhuman Bootstrap appears to be) Father?

Bootstrap: (squints, looks at Will, is shocked) Son? (excited) You’ve come back!

Will: I promised you, didn’t I? (urgently) Father, where’s the heart?

Bootstrap: What? (sudden understanding) It’s you…you’re the one Jones has been – No! Leave now, Will. I won’t allow this!

Will: (softly) I can’t. I have to find the heart and destroy it. It’s my destiny.

Boostrap: No!

(The men are getting restless, worried as time drags by.)

Will: (looks agonized, but then shakes his head) I don’t have time for this.

Bootstrap: (He goes to push past his father, but Bootstrap grabs his arm.) Wait. I can help. Just tell me what to do.

Will: (relieved) Take five of the men, get to the powder stores.

Bootstrap: You’re going to blow the ship.

Will: Yes. The Dutchman must be destroyed.

(Bootstrap pulls Will to him in a tight hug, trying to convey by this small action all that he can’t put into words. Will is the one to pull away after a brief time, an expression of regret on his face.)

Bootstrap: Mercer is in Jones’ cabin above. The heart is with him.

Will: Thank you, father.

(Will hurries off, four men trailing after him. Bootstrap brings the remaining five with him to the the lower levels of the deck.)

--

DUTCHMAN – JONES’ CABIN

(Will makes his way up to Jones’ cabin, Nathaniel, Timothy, Sam, and Vincent following him. Mercer wheels around.)

Mercer: Ah, Turner. We were expecting you.

(Four of Jones’ men come out of the hull of the ship.)

Sam: I had been hoping that you exaggerating how ugly these guys were.

Will: (grins faintly) Unfortunately, I wasn’t. I’ll get the heart.

(The four soldiers begin engaging Jones’ men, fighting skillfully against the undead pirates. With the pirates focused on them, they begin to fight more defensively, simply trying to deflect blows and dancing out of the way of the sea-encrusted weapons.)

Mercer: (fighting Will) You shouldn’t have come, Turner. Jones has been expecting you.

Will: Good to know. He and Tia Dalma are up to something. (he dodges a blow from Mercer and brings his sword up to deflect another.)

Mercer: The sea witch? (he barely manages to deflect a blow by Will.)

Will: The very same. (Mercer trips him and Will almost falls over, but he skillfully defends himself from a slash from Mercer’s sword. He uses his momentum to bring the sword up and slash Mercer across the chest.)

Mercer: (touches wound, then admiringly) Where did you learn that?

Will: (grunts as he is nicked in the right bicep by Mercer’s sword.) Trade secret. (grins, enjoying the battle with a worthy opponent) Would share it, and ask for pointers from you, but no time.

Mercer: (also enjoying the battle) So we’re all going to die? (spins around, blocking Will’s next thrust, and feints to the left. A rare smile crosses his face as Will doesn’t fall for the trick.)

Will: Pretty much. Why?

(He is surprised when tackles him to the floor – just in time to avoid having his head sliced off by one of Jones’ men. Mercer brings his sword up, defending Will from the crewmember while Will scrambles to his feet.)

Mercer: I would rather die by your hand, Turner, or kill you myself, but it seems we’ve run out of time.

(Nathaniel is dead, his throat slashed and his gut torn open. Sam is badly wounded but still fighting. Vincent and Timothy are battling more of Jones’ crew near the steps.)

Will: (begins fighting with Macchus) The heart?

Mercer: On the table. The key is in it.

Will: (slashes Macchus’ arm off, somersaults to the table and opens the chest.) Oh, that is disgusting…

(Sam goes down. He’s still alive but is unable to get back up. Mercer drives Kalineko back. Will grabs the heart and, not knowing what to do with it, puts in his coat pocket.)
--

CUT TO ON DECK OF THE DUTCHMAN

Jones: (has been shouting orders, but senses something is different) He’s here.

CUT TO… Will’s ship

(Elizabeth is startled awake by shouting and canon fire. She sits up in the bed and looks over to where Will should be, but he isn’t beside her. In fact, the cabin is empty. There are more shouts, and she recognizes James’ smooth voice calling out orders.)

Elizabeth: What--? (Elizabeth throws back the sheets and climbs out of bed, shrugging out of Will’s old shirt that she’d been wearing as a nightdress. She shoves her culottes on and ties them at the waist, and quickly puts on her tunic, leaving the overcoat and armor behind. Elizabeth grabs her boots and goes to put them on her feet, but she discovers a piece of parchment, and Will’s necklace inside the right one.)

Elizabeth: No. (plucks up the necklace. Despite the urgency of the sounds of battle, Elizabeth is unable to prevent herself from opening the parchment and reading it. Her brown eyes widen, then fill with tears. Clutching the necklace and the letter, Elizabeth runs out of the cabin barefoot, her boots forgotten.) Will?

CUT TO…Deck

(Elizabeth rushes to James)

Elizabeth: James, have you seen Will? (sees grim expression on his face)

James: (reluctantly) He’s on the Dutchman. (Elizabeth rushes to the railing, but James holds her back.) You’re not even armed, Elizabeth. Do not be foolish.

(Realizing that she is close to being hysterical she attempts to calm down. It’s at that moment that she realizes James is again on Will’s ship. She opens her mouth to question him, but James has to tackle her to the deck, and just in time too, as a canon whistles over their heads.)

CUT TO…The Flying Dutchman

(Will exits the captain’s quarters, intent on making his way to the powder stores, but he finds his way blocked by Jones’ men. There seem to be many new crew members, more than he recalled from his past ‘visit’ to the Dutchman, and they swarm about him and his men. As he engages yet another enemy, Will gets a sinking sensation in his stomach. The plan was going to fail. Unless…his eyes meet his father’s.)

Will: Father!

(Bootstrap roughly shoves one attacker away and slices neatly through another in order to reach his son’s side.)

Will: Father, you have to promise me – (Will is cut off as a saw-toothed blade bites deeply into his arm. Cursing, Will fumbles and drops his sword.)

(Bootstrap knows what his son is asking of him, and although his whole heart wishes he could say no, he accepts that they have run out of options. As Will scrambles on the floor for his sword, Bootstrap fights off the attackers, although for the moment there seems to be a small lull, as many of them are still trying to search the floor for missing body parts.)

Bootstrap: I promise.

(Unaware of his father’s thoughts, Will smiles faintly at him and takes the time to gingerly examine his freshest wound. It’s deep and painful but not life threatening. There’s no time to bind it, however, as the press of Davy’s crew suddenly becomes stronger and he is forced to defend himself once again. He is pushed backwards toward the stairs leading up to the deck – away from his father, and from the powder stores.)

(Bootstrap watches in horror as his son is forced to flee up the stairs. Mercer and four men follow to help defend Will.)

Marine: Sir? We’re running out of time. (Bill nods reluctantly. Will had made him promise, and he would make certain that he kept it.)

Bootstrap: Follow me. (leads the men deeper into the interior of the ship.)

CUT TO…James’ and Elizabeth’s Ship

Elizabeth: James, look out! (quickly runs through one of Jones’ crew who was about to stab James in the back. They had gotten closer to the Dutchman thanks to James’ careful orders, but as soon as they had been in boarding range a whole slew of the fearsome undead sailors had appeared on the deck of Will’s ship.)

CUT TO...Barbossa's ship.

(Barbossa is at the helm. He sees Will on the Dutchman and the Dutchman coming close to the ship Elizabeth and James are on. He spins it quickly to maneuver to them.)

Barbossa: Prepare for battle, boys! The other ships'll follow!

(The crew scrambles. Murtogg and Murray scurry to some rifles.)

Barbossa: Aim straight and true! They'll be comin' over! (As soon as he finishes, a slew of Davy's monsters invade the ship, two of which come at Barbossa from both sides. Barbossa rams his sword straight into the one on his right and then shoots the one on his left. He lets out a hearty laugh.)

CUT TO...Jack's ship

(Gibbs is at the helm. Jack runs over to the side of the deck. He first spots Will on the Dutchman)

Jack: Bloody hell...? Gibbs!

Gibbs: Aye!

Jack: Hard to port! Now! (starts climbing up the rigging)

(The ship, followed by Groves' and Qiao's, move over to the Intrepid. Jack's ship actually bumps into Elizabeth and James ship, interrupting Jack from swinging across. He falls from the rigging onto the deck of the Intrepid. Scrambling to his feet, he runs across the ship onto the Dutchman. He looks every which way, as if searching for something. He draws his gun.)

Davy: Looking for something?

(Jack turns to see Davy Jones with a sword drawn)

Jack: Certainly wasn't you. (lunges his sword at him)

Davy: (goes on the offensive) Well, well, a lost bird who never learned to fly. I'll enjoy ordering you about for the rest of eternity.

(They parry, each one's thrusts growing in intensity)

(Will sees Jack on the Dutchman.)

Will: (softly) No. (shouts) Jack! Jack, get off the ship! Get off – (One of the pirates attacks him, and Will is thrown hard into the railing, his head slamming into it, and he crumples to the deck, unmoving.)

Jack: (sees Will fall, but can’t get away from Jones, who laughs triumphantly. Jack shouts to the other ships.) A little help here!

Elizabeth: (hears the call and sees Will slumped on the deck of the other ship.) Will!

(Elizabeth rushes across the deck, James following her quickly.)

James: Stay here!

Elizabeth: I won’t leave him behind!

James: (an odd look crosses James’ face) He’s injured. If he can’t walk you won’t be able to help him. I’ll go; you give the orders for the ship!

(Elizabeth looks like she’s ready to argue, but another pirate attacks and she has to defend herself, and James uses her distraction as a chance swing himself onto the Dutchman.)

--

CUT TO THE LONGBOAT

(Michael is climbing the rope to get onto the balcony of the Dutchman. Below him, a fuse connected to the barrels of gunpowder has been lit. A sudden noise from above startles Michael, and he looks up to see some of the Dutchman’s crew staring down at him.)

Michael: Damn!

(The crew is staring down at him in confusion for a moment, then they see the boat with the barrels and the fuse, and they begin to move into action. One of them raises an axe over his head, intending to bring it down on the rope Michael is hanging onto. Another one has vanished but reappears on the outside hull of the ship.)

Michael: I really didn’t want to have to do this…

(He pulls out his pistol and fires into one of the barrels just as his rope is cut. He has time to see that his aim was true; the boat explodes as Michael falls towards it. The explosion tears a huge hole into the side of the Dutchman.)

CUT TO THE DUTCHMAN’S DECK

Jones: (snarls as he feels the damage to the Dutchman) What are you playing at, Sparrow?

Jack: (startled) I don’t know what you mean, mate.

Jones: Oh don’t you! (he lunges and attacks Jack with more vigor.)

(Jack grabs a rope and swings himself up into the rigging, but by the time he reaches the top, Jones is already there. They continue to fight, but Davy pulls a dirty trick and knocks Jack off-balance. Jack manages to snag yet another line and he slides back down onto the deck.)

--

(James staggers as the ship beneath him shudders. They’re running out of time. He runs across deck, and jumps over the body of one of his men. The only person left fighting is Mercer, but suddenly the man is run through both in the front and the back by two of DJ's crew. James watches in horrified fascination, but then shakes himself, finally managing to reach Will. He kneels beside the younger man, who is still unconscious.)

James: Will! (gently shakes his shoulder, looks around to make sure no one is attacking them.) Will, wake up.

Will: James? (Will rolls onto his back, revealing his bloody, bruised face. He looks confused for a moment, then he sits up with James’ help) Jack?

James: Still fighting Jones.

Will: (blinks, looks slightly confused) I got the heart, James.

James: (softens) Good…good. On your feet then…

(He helps Will to stand. Will sways slightly and looks around, trying to get his bearings and plan all at the same time.)

Will: Can you distract Jones for just a moment for me?

James: (uneasily) Of course. What are you planning?

Will: Just do it!

(Together James and Will race over to where Davy and Jack are still fighting.)

--

CUT TO BELOWDECKS

(Bootstrap makes his way to the gunpowder stores. He is the only man left standing out of Will’s group, the bodies of the other men littering the planking of the deck. Powder room is almost overflowing with gunpowder from ships that they’ve taken the past few months. Blowing up the ship shouldn’t be a problem.)

Bootstrap: Now I wait.

(Three of Jones’ crew come out of the walls and attack Bootstrap, and he begins to fight them.)

--

CUT TO WILL’S SHIP

(Elizabeth is fighting off some undead crewmembers when she is joined by her father. He is not very skilled with his sword and he looks terrified, but he is determined to stand by his daughter. Pixie, James’ hideous orange cat, is on deck swatting at undead pirates and tripping them up. Some of the crew not busy fighting has begun to adjust the sails. The Intrepid is also beginning to pull away from the Dutchman as well.)

Elizabeth: Why are we moving away from the Dutchman? What’s happening?

--

CUT TO THE DUTCHMAN

Jones: Looks like your crew is abandoning you, Jack.

(Jack is surprised and looks over in time to see that the ships are in fact moving away from the Dutchman. He grins then as he sees James pop up behind Jones.)

Jones: What’s so –

(James stabs Jones with his sword, and rams a broken shaft of wood through Jones’ torso, pinning him to the railing. Jones knocks James aside with his clawed hand hard, and James hits the capstan face first. Jack is about to help James when an oar suddenly swings out of nowhere and hits him in the back of the head. Jack drops like stone and doesn’t move.)

Will: Sorry, Jack. You can’t save me this time. (Will’s gaze meets Davy’s)

Jones: You.

(James gets up unsteadily and limps over to Jack, dragging the smaller man up in his arms.)

James: Will! Leave him. Come with us!

(Will looks uncertain, hesitating. It’s only a brief moment, but it’s long enough for Davy to pull the wood from his own body and slam it into Will’s chest. James’ green eyes widen with horror as Will slowly crumples to the deck, gasping for air.)

--

CUT TO VARIOUS SHIPS

(Almost all the crews see what happens to Will. Elizabeth screams and tries to dive over the edge of the ship, but her father and one of James’ marines restrain her. Barbossa looks stunned, but soon realizes that James isn’t moving to get off the ship.)

Barbossa: (shouts to James) Get movin’ boy! (he grabs a line and swings over to Will’s ship and helps to restrain Elizabeth, who is fighting violently against everyone.)

(Barbossa’s voice seems to shake James from his daze, and he grabs the rope, still holding Jack’s limp body, and swings himself off the Dutchman. He doesn’t have the strength to hold on for long, however, and he and Jack fall from the rope and into the water, landing near Will’s ship. The crew quickly begins to pull them from the water.)

James: (tries to stand and falls back, his battered body unable to support his weight.) I need to go back --

Barbossa: Ye can barely stand, lad. There isn’t anything you can do.

(James, kneeling on the deck of the ship, seems to shrink down a little as he bows his head. Anne rushes over to James and Jack. She touches James’ arm gently before she begins to examine the other captain.)

Jack: (opens his eyes slowly) What --? (he suddenly realizes he’s not on the Dutchman.) Where’s Will?

(Jack jumps to his feet and stares out across the Dutchman, shocked at what the image he sees. Will is kneeling at the feet of Davy Jones, obviously mortally injured. Jack is looking for a line to use to swing over to the cursed ship, but he realizes that they are pulling away. Elizabeth increases her struggles to free herself, Barbossa barely able to hold her.)

--
CUT TO THE DUTCHMAN

(Jones stands over Will, who is kneeling on the deck, gasping and moaning in pain. A small fire from wood and rope smolders near him. His eyes flicker from it to Jones, who is too busy gloating to notice where Will is looking.)

Jones: Did you think you could really win against me? Did you think you could replace me?

Will: (musters the last of his strength) No. Can….kill you though…

(Blood dribbles out of the corner of Will’s mouth and he coughs before he suddenly pulls the heart from his coat and shoves his entire hand into the flames. The heart immediately catches on fire, blazing up brightly on deck. Jones screams in agony and claws at his chest.)

--

CUT TO THE POWDER STORES

(Bootstrap is pinned to the wall by four swords. One of the men he was fighting twists the blade and Bootstrap groans. Suddenly, they all notice a change. Their wounds are no longer healing, and they are slowly turning back to human form.)

Bootstrap: (laughs, blood spilling over his lips) He did it!

(Then he frowns, realizing that there’s still one thing he needs to do. He ignores the other mens’ gasps of amazement at being human once more, and instead he uses the last of his strength to lift his pistol. He points at a barrel and cocks the hammer.)

--

(Will slides down to the floor of the deck and closes his eyes, blocking out the image of Jones. Instead, he thinks of Elizabeth when he first met her, of Elizabeth on their wedding day. The pain and screams fade, and he thinks he can catch her voice, her scent on the wind.)

Will: (sighs) Elizabeth…

(He thinks of Elizabeth –

And then his world explodes around him.)

CUT TO...Will's ship

Elizabeth: Will! (gets loose of Barbossa long enough to run to the rail of the deck. The sudden burst of movement catches James' eye. Still kneeling, he grabs her legs as Barbossa reaches her.)

Elizabeth: Let go! Let go! I need to get to him!

Barbossa: He's gone, Elizabeth! He's gone.

Elizabeth: NO! No, no, no...

(The fire on the Dutchman persists. Jetsom floats towards them. Elizabeth is finally overcome and faints. Barbossa barely catches her limp body.)

(Jack stands nearly frozen, staring straight at the sight of what is left of the Dutchman.)

James: (straining to stand upright. To Barbossa) Take her to her cabin. We need to make some distance between ourselves and...this. (gestures to Anne) I'm all right. (face pales. He closes his eyes and steadies himself) Let's go.

(Barbossa carries Elizabeth away)

Jack: (gaining back his alertness) Bring out the nets! Clear past the wreckage. Start looking for survivors!

James: What are you doing?

Jack: (ignoring him. Continues ordering the crew) Spread them out! It's a lot of water to cover.

James: Captain Sparrow, you are not captain of this ship. (hobbles over to him)

Anne: (to James) And you need to get back to your own ship. (sees Barbossa coming back) Barbossa, talk some sense into them.

James: Sparrow, Will is dead.

(Jack looks at him, at first in horror and then suspiciously. His breathing a little more shallow, we can almost see on his face the realization that what James is saying is true. He turns and heads for his ship.)

Anne: (to James) You're next. Where's Swann?

Swann: (shaking) Here. I'm going to my daughter's cabin. She, she shouldn't wake up alone. (exits)

Barbossa: Orders, captain?

(James gives him a blank look)

Barbossa: I can take it from here, Commodore. (sees James give him a disoriented look) You ought to be looked at, don't ya think? (to crew) The rest of ya, find the physicians in shifts. You (points to a group) go first. Everyone else, more distance. Make haste!

(James nods. Barbossa raises an eyebrow at James' compliance. As he starts to go, he sees Tia Dalma walk up on deck. She sees the Flying Dutchman, what is left of it, and lets out a piercing shriek. Everyone stares at her. Walking like a zombie, she turns and gives James an anguished look and drops into the ocean. A few crew members run over to see, but she has disappeared.)

2 days later

CUT TO…(Elizabeth’s cabin on The Empress. She lies on her bed with an empty look on her face, stroking her letter and Will’s necklace. The rest of the cabin does not looked lived-in anymore, as if Elizabeth has not moved from that exact position. Will’s few possessions remain untouched. A sudden knock at the door wakes her from her solace.)

Barbossa: (from other side of the door) Turner! (pounds harder) Turner! Got business to share with ye.

Elizabeth: (sits up. She wipes her cheeks) Enter.

Barbossa: (entering) Somethin’ about seein’ one’s captain every once in a while makes a crew member feel a little safer in the dangerous waters, if ye get my meaning.

Elizabeth: Is that all?

Barbossa: No. It’s been two days, Captain. Time to bury the dead, don’t ye think?

Elizabeth: (looks at him in horror) What?

Barbossa: Funeral. Burial at sea so to speak. The crew’ll be expectin’ it.

Elizabeth: What are you talking about? Get out! (stands. Her body looks stiff as she does)

Barbossa: It be for the best, Turner. Let everyone say goodbye.

Elizabeth: There is no reason to say goodbye to anyone. I thought I told you to get out.

Barbossa: (eyes her strangely) I see. (long pause) I tell you what I’ll do, given the fact I’m so nice. I’ll make the arrangements me-self. (bitterly) No one takes the initiative around here, let the old man do it.

Elizabeth: (sits back on her bed, looking as if she is fighting off the urge to retch. She takes several deep breaths.) Very well, Barbossa.

(Barbossa looks relieved she seems more lucid)

Elizabeth: I give you full charge of the affair. Inform me when it is to take place.

Barbossa: That be the smartest thing you’ve said in a while. Or has it been the only thing you’ve said in a while?

Elizabeth: I thought I told you to get out! (watches him leave)

funeral scene

(Scene cuts to the fleet of ships anchored in fairly shallow water. The captains form a small circle around a small box. Behind them, rows and rows of crew members stand, heads bowed. The camera close ups to Anne, among the crew, wiping tears from her eyes.)

Barbossa: He was a brave soul, William Turner. Heroic, and yet a pirate, true to his conscience till the very end. (takes a step back to wait for the others to speak) Cunning lad, too. Surprised everyone.

(Elizabeth closes her eyes to prevent herself from crying. We see her eyebrow raise.)

Gibbs: Aye. No one even knew he had heard the riddle of the heart, let alone he solved it. (places a seashell in the box) Sorry, Will. We got no flowers for you.

Elizabeth: (looks up suddenly) Why were you on Will’s ship? What were you doing outside the cabin the night before, James? (notices his guilty eyes, glares at him, her eyes empty) You knew! You knew, didn’t you? Did Will tell you, or did you figure it out all on your own?

James: (expecting it) Elizabeth—

Elizabeth: Answer me, you bastard! (takes a step towards him)

Swann: Now, (tries to take her shoulders but she’s just out of his grasp) James. Be good enough to explain yourself.

James: I, I, Elizabeth, (resolute but unsure where to look) Please. I can explain.

Jack: Better do it quickly. (has taken out his pistol and points it straight into James’ face. The crew gasps.)

James: I swear before God, Sparrow, if you fire that shot, someone, someone will find you guilty of mutiny and not even you can escape death forever.

(Jack points the gun even closer at him)

Gibbs: Jack! (rushes and grips the barrel of the pistol)

Elizabeth: You let him die! (runs at him. Swann and Barbossa hold her back) Shoot him, Jack!

Anne: No! (pushes her way through the crowd. She grabs Jack from behind. Her weight crashes into his back. He loses balance slightly, giving Gibbs the perfect opportunity to wring the pistol from Jack’s hands.)

Barbossa: For God’s sake, Jack! This is a funeral!

Elizabeth: Shoot him! (struggling to get free) Somebody shoot him!

(Jack wildly pounces on James, just as James is reaching for his own pistol. As James is knocked to the deck, the contents of his pockets spill out, most importantly the letters Will gave him. Jack thrusts a punch right into James’ eye socket. He grunts in pain. Jack’s entire being seems to take a large amount of pleasure in the violence. Furiously, Jack pounds James more. In a split second, he takes James by the hair and rams his head into the deck. Barbossa makes an attempt to restrain Jack, but one man is not enough. Groves, Murtogg, and Mullroy drag Jack off of him and restrain him.)

(James staggers to his feet. A few drops of blood are left on the deck. James makes an attempt to stand on his own. Anne rushes to him and helps him up. He closes his eyes and tries to orient himself. His eye is already swelling. His lip is cut and bleeding, along with smaller cuts all across his face. He sees drying blood on Jack’s bruised knuckles and rings. He contemplates accosting him, but takes a deep breath instead.)

James: (licks the blood on his face. His left eye won’t close all the way) He meant to save all of us, Elizabeth. (looks back at Jack) Jack, it was to make sure Davy Jones would never make anyone suffer again.

Jack: I think he suffered plenty at the hands of Davy Jones, don’t you? (enjoying the cuts and gashes on James’ face)

Elizabeth: Let go of me!

Swann: Elizabeth, daughter, please. (Elizabeth breaks free and rushes to James, but Gibbs manages to hold her.)

James: (picks up the letters. He extends one to her.) Try to understand, Elizabeth. It was for the best. He wanted me to give this to you. (sees Jack. His fingers naturally slide to his pistol, but he does not pull it out. He extends Jack’s letter to him but hands it to Groves instead.) He’ll give that to you when you’ve come to your senses. We’ve both lost a dear friend, but…

Jack: But what?

Jack: Heartless commodore to the very end.

(Elizabeth freezes at the words. She stops struggling against Gibbs. She extends her arm and takes the letter.)
Elizabeth: (slaps him hard across the face) What have you lost? Did you lose your husband? (Taking a breath, she strides to the box and drops to her knees. She gently places her shell in the center of the box. She brings a finger to her lip and then touches the shell with it. Rising slowly, she moves past the others and stares long and hard at James. She marches into her cabin and shuts the door behind her)

(James watches her go. He deals out the rest: one to Swann, one to Barbossa.)

Barbossa: One for me?

(James nods. He throws in his shell silently.)

Swann: She’s going through a hard time— (James shakes his head to interrupt him. He stands stoic, staring out into the ocean. Anne studies his face. He then retreats to his own cabin and shuts the door behind him)

(Jack stares down in the box and drops his shell inside.)

Jack: Here’s luck to ye, Will Turner. (louder) My crew, back to the ship!

Gibbs: Cap’n?

Jack: Have somethin’ to say? (Gibbs says nothing. Jack leaves the funeral, holding his letter close to his person)

(Barbossa looks at the box with sad eyes. He quickly opens his letter. The message is brief, but Barbossa nods in approval. Without saying a word, he places it back into its envelope and tucks it away into his coat pocket. He nods to the crews, who all drop shells into the box. When everyone finishes. Barbossa places a cross inside it and shuts the lid. With a heave, he pushes it overboard into the ocean. A few crew members with horn pipes play a slow tune.)

Cut to....Beckett's ship

(Beckett is at his desk, fidgeting.)

Beckett: Mr. Mercer! Mr. Mercer!

(a young officer walks in)

Man: Sir, the, the body count is still be added up, but...

Beckett: Unless you have something constructive to say in the next five seconds, you're advised to leave.

Man: (nervous) Mr. Mercer was among the dead. Apparently when Will Turner destroyed the Dutchman, some--

Beckett: I don't want to hear anymore about Will Turner. (suddenly, it is as if a lightbulb has gone on over his head) Bring me that ring over there.

(The man scurries to the ring and brings it to him.)

Beckett: Ah, this is what I can use. Now, (turns to the man. An eager, helpful expression is on the man's face) get out.

(Beckett is left alone. A smirk spreads slowly on his face.)

THE EMPRESS -- EVENING (SAME DAY AS THE FUNERAL)

(Anne comes below deck in search of James. She finds him in the hold, near the rum cache. He is seated on a crate, a bottle in his hands, his shoulders slumped in dejection and exhaustion.)

Anne: James? (He doesn’t respond so she walks over to him and seats herself on a spare crate.) You’ve been hiding from me all afternoon.

James: (wearily) I haven’t been hiding. I’m just…(he can’t think of anything to say, so he falls silent.)

Anne: Let me look you over.

(James doesn’t argue as she begins to examine the injuries to his face. He has a nasty gash across the temple, a gouge in his cheek and his lip is split open. His eye is nearly swollen shut, and the skin around the eyebrow has split slightly.)

Anne: You should have let me look at this earlier.

James: (winces slightly as her finger brushes over his lip) It wouldn’t have mattered.

Anne: (pries the bottle from James’ hands) Don’t be absurd. You sitting in the dark and drowning yourself in rum will not solve anything.

(James doesn’t rise to the bait. Instead he simply looks perplexed for a moment before shaking his head and looking away. Anne sighs and opens the bottle, then pours some of the alcohol onto the end of her sash and dabs the dampened cloth on the cut above James’ eye.)

James: This really isn’t necessary.

Anne: Why? Because you don’t need it, or because you don’t think you’re a good man?

(James gasps and tries to pull away, but Anne holds his face between her hands and forces him to look at her.)

James: (gaze searches her face) Anne…

Anne: You are a good man, James Norrington. (thumb brushes across his cheek) But you don’t believe that. You’ve lost yourself in the commodore for so long, do you even know who you are?

(James looks at Anne intently, then he leans forward and captures her lips with his. She gasps in surprise but does not pull away, but instead draws him closer. Emboldened by her response, James deepens the kiss and cups her face with his hands. Anne moans softly as he nips her lower lip with his teeth. She slides her hands down his chest and she begins to unbutton his shirt.

James pulls back slightly and looks at her searchingly before gently tips her head back so that he can kiss her neck. Anne peels his shirt away from him, her fingers softly stroking his heated flesh while his mouth travels down her throat, nipping and licking her soft skin, his fingers working to unfasten the belt around her waist.)

CUT TO...Jack's ship

(Gibbs is walking on the deck to Jack's cabin. He knocks, no answer. He tries once more, but there is no answer. Shaking his head, he opens the door and walks in.)

(Inside are several empty rum bottles on the desk and on the floor. The cluttered space is a mess.)

Gibbs: Cap'n?

(Jack has a slight stagger getting up from his bed. His eyes are bloodshot, but he appears more hungover than drunk.)

Jack: Tell me, do all old salts like yourself enter rooms when your knocking goes unanswered?

Gibbs: Cap'n, I was thinkin' since it's after the funeral and all, that we need a plan.

Jack: And?

Gibbs: And I have one.

Jack: (sputters out a laugh) Really? (crosses arms) Do share.

Gibbs: We have to find out first what happened to Calypso, by my reckoning. (sees Jack nod but doesn't catch it's mocking) Then, we best be findin' a way to keep Beckett off our backs. He won't be givin' up even with the Dutchman no longer on his side.

Jack: All spot-on points, Mr. Gibbs. Really. Now, what should the very first thing we do be?

Gibbs: That's where you come in. We figure you're so good with the details...

Jack: We?

Gibbs: We meanin' myself and the crew.

Jack: Ah. Well, (escorts him to the door) I'll leave you and the crew to your thoughts.

Gibbs: Jack! We need you out there. The captains need you. It's... (places his hand on the cluttered desk. He looks down on it and sees a familiar letter) Is this...is this Will's note to you?

Jack: Maybe.

Gibbs: It's not even opened! (picks it up) You have to read it. It might be important.

Jack: I'd rather not.

Gibbs: Are you afraid he'll tell you? (sees Jack's annoyance begin to boil) But, all fears aside, you have to read it.

Jack: The addressee determines when parcels and the like shall be opened, not shameless ne'erdowells who come up with half-done plans. Shoo! Off you go! (waves at him to go)

Gibbs: Jack. (shoves the letter in front of him) It was a dyin' man's wish you read what's on here. It can't be that long, can't take too much of your time.

Jack: Fine. (opens it and takes out the letter, sees it's not an exceptionally long letter. He looks up and sees Gibbs lingering)

Gibbs: Got to make sure it don't get lost in the mess.

(Jack pushes the mess on the desk aside and sits on top of it. He reads silently, but we can hear Will's voice)

Jack,
By now, if you're reading this, it means I have died. Hopefully you have spared James' life, at least long enough to allow him to hand out the letters I entrusted to him. Don't be too hard on him. Everything he did- I take full responsibility.
I knew he could probably restrain Elizabeth if she were able to come onto the Dutchman, but I am sure you will make an attempt to help me. You have been quite a handle to help, but then again you always manage to help me to some degree. I meant what I said that day at Port Royal when I said you were a good man, and you are, just an impossible one as well.

(Jack flashes a small smile. We haven't seen a smile on his face for a while. He continues to read)

Your friendship has meant more to me than I care to let on, and with that said, I feel I know you on a level most people do not. For example, I know you're in love with Elizabeth.

(Jack coughs. He almost fumbles the letter)

Gibbs: What is it?

(Jack lifts a finger to shush him. The letter continues)

If there is a person whom you've been there for more than me, it's her. I don't blame you. In fact, I compliment your taste. I've finally had the pleasure of being her husband, even if it was only for a little while. I know she's been faithful to me in mind and body, but I know she feels a closeness and devotion to you. I entrust her protection to you, even though she rarely needs protecting, and even though you're a self-serving, manipulative ass. If you wish to pursue a relationship with her, and if she comes to love you, I give you my blessing.

Take care of her and yourself and the crews. I thought I would never wish good fortune to a pirate, but if one needs to have it, it is certainly you.

(Jack folds the letter and sits with wide eyes. We can almost see the wheels turning. He leaves the desk and begins to pace around the room. Gibbs follows him around the cabin.)

Gibbs: What is it? Is it good news?

Jack: In a way.

Gibbs: What did it say?

Jack: Shh! Thinking... (dashes out of the cabin. Gibbs follows him out. Jack shouts orders to the crew.) Bring us around to the co-captains' ship.

Gibbs: Ah! A captains' conference. This is a good start.

Jack: You're in charge until I get back.

Gibbs: Can you at least tell me the gist of it?

Jack: Permission. It's new. Never usually have permission.

CUT TO...James and Elizabeth's ship

(James shifts slightly, his arms still around Anne. They are silent, but share warm carresses and, well, snuggling. James traces her hairline with his fingers as they lock eyes.)

Jack's voice: Commodore! Lizzie!

James: (furious) What the bloody hell does HE want? (starts to get up)

Anne: You don't have to speak to him if you don't want to.

James: (putting on his pants) And then he'll come looking for us and I'd rather the whole crew not...(looks back at her. His face softens somewhat as Anne scrambles to her clothes)

Anne: Run up before I do. I'll come up later. (she rushes to him to give him a short but passionate kiss and watches him go to the deck)

ON THE DECK

James: What do you want, Sparrow?

Jack: Ouch. What happened to your face? You look bloody awful.

James: I swear to God...

Jack: Was I interrupting something? (can somehow see the signs) Or were you still being a smug, self-righteous git?

(James starts for him. Elizabeth finally comes out of her cabin.)

Elizabeth: James. (to Jack. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. It is worse than how she looked at the funeral only earlier that day) Did you come for a purpose?

Jack: Just the captain I wanted to see. (to James) Fare thee well. (back to Elizabeth) I had a thought.

(Anne rushes up. She is fully clothed, but her hair is disshelveled)

Jack: Ahhhh, hello. (Anne looks flustered) Grief feels so good, doesn't it, Annie?

Elizabeth: Back to that thought.

Jack: Cabin?

Elizabeth: (weary) This way. (looks back at James. She bites her lip, a hard decision on her mind. A thousand thoughts are in her head) James, are you coming?

(She and James share an understanding but hesitant smile as he approaches her)

James: I couldn't ask you to forgive me.

Elizabeth: Someday I will. Not today, though.

In the Cabin:

Jack walks in. The cabin is a wreck, to say the least. Empty rum bottles litter the floor. Elizabeth kicks a few out of her way, then pauses, troubled.

Elizabeth: The rum is gone. Rum first, then we talk.

James nods and ducks out, to get more rum. Elizabeth turns to Jack, her eyes suddenly glittering.

Elizabeth: How do you feel about embarking on a dangerous mission?

Jack: If it’s into your corset, I’d rather not this time.

Elizabeth: (doesn’t even bother to acknowledge the joke) I’m going after Beckett.

Jack: Really? The brave commodore and I were just discussing a way to avoid him for good.

Elizabeth: Why avoid what you can kill… slowly?

Jack: (sighs) Because, darling, I’m not about to let you risk your life for something as empty as revenge.

Elizabeth: (a slow smile) Empty? Jack Sparrow, you of all people should know that revenge is sometimes all you have to live for.

Jack: (winces) Is that all you have to live for? A bit harsh on your poor father, don’t you think?

Elizabeth: Stop trying to get me to be reasonable, Jack. It won’t work.

Jack: (hears James returning) They’d never allow it, Elizabeth. The crew…

Elizabeth: I don’t want any of them involved in this. It’s just you and me, this time, Jack. What do you say?

James walks in the room, holding three bottles of rum. He hands one to Jack, then holds one out to Elizabeth. She takes it, and then grabs the last bottle as well.

James: What does he say to what?

Jack: (with a significant glance at Elizabeth) I think it’s a mighty fine idea, lass… to get the crew and all the ships as far away from Beckett as possible. After all, you’ve never been to Havana.

Elizabeth: Excellent. We’ll set sail within the next few days, as soon as we can get our supplies in order. Now if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen… (begins to chug her rum)

James: (watching her with concern) Elizabeth, perhaps you’d like to…

Elizabeth: Perhaps I’d like to what?

James gets the picture and backs out of the room. Anne jumps back, clearly she’s been eavesdropping. Jack watches him go.

Jack: I always was rooting for him. Glad to see he’s finally found someone.

Elizabeth collapses into a chair, cradling her two bottles. Jack sits on the bed and holds out his own bottle to her.

Elizabeth: (weakly) Thank you, Jack.

Jack: People always tell me I have quite a good bedside manner.

Elizabeth: We should leave as soon as possible…

Jack: You’re in no condition to do anything but sleep. (leans in for a sniff) And maybe think about having a bath.

Elizabeth: Suddenly, personal hygiene doesn’t seem so important.

Jack: Ah. My little Lizzie. What a long way you’ve come.

Elizabeth: I need to kill someone, Jack.

Jack: Are you sure that’s what you really want? I can take you away. We’ll go to Tortuga and drink until we can’t walk. We’ll find some island and hide out. I’ll take you back to England. Anything you want… just let me take you away from this. You don’t have to risk your life this way.

Elizabeth shakes her head.

Cut to… LATER.

It’s night. Elizabeth walks out to the deck of the ship, where the stars cast a silver glow around. She smiles faintly, enjoying the breeze. Suddenly, a noise startles her. She whirls around to see Tia, leaning casually against the wheel.

Tia: A beautiful night.

Elizabeth: What are you doing here?

Tia: I thought you might like some company in your grief. We’ve both lost our loves, haven’t we?

Elizabeth: Yes. And yet… it’s not over, is it?

Tia: Maybe not for you. But I see a darkness over your father’s life, on the life of your friends. If Beckett be not stopped…

Elizabeth: I intend to stop him, by any means.

Tia: Den you’ll be needing my help…

A little while later, Tia slips away and climbs off the ship, where a longboat awaits her below. A shrouded figure removes his hood: it’s Beckett.

Beckett: Well, that was easy.

Tia: The vulnerable are easily managed.

Beckett: She’s sure to come, then?

Tia: Yes, and the other. Now, to what you owe me…

Beckett: (smiling) I assure you, I will keep my end of the bargain. (the sound of someone struggling behind him is heard) Oh, and I nearly forgot. We picked up some cargo, just in case things don’t go according to plan. (the figure, though tied and gagged, struggles to sit up… it’s Anne.)

Cut to Jack and Elizabeth, climbing into a longboat. As Elizabeth unties the ropes, Jack checks his compass and then holds up a telescope to peer around in the dark. He spies something, and pauses to gaze at it for a moment.

Jack: Well that’s interesting…

Elizabeth grabs the telescope and looks herself.

Elizabeth: Interesting… and convenient.

Cut to Beckett’s longboat.

Beckett: Now there’s no need to be like that, my dear. It’s business and politics, nothing personal.

Anne: It would be hard for someone with no heart whatsoever to make things personal.

Beckett: A pretty metaphor, but if you’re referring to Jones, his day has passed.

Anne: I was referring to you.

Beckett: Tsk Tsk, my dear. Your late husband enjoyed sailing under my colors, as I recall.

Anne gives him a look.

Beckett: I needed some security. Our last attempt didn’t go quite according to plan. I’ve fought many noble adversaries, but these pirates are frustratingly creative. Or desperate. I can’t quite decide.

Anne laughs quietly to herself.

Beckett: You seem to have entangled yourself in their midst quite well. So tell me, what are their weaknesses? If you were planning on destroying them, how would you begin?

Anne: I wouldn’t.

Beckett: Use your imagination.

Anne: I’m sure you don’t need the help of a simple girl like me to plot the downfall of your enemies. Your evil genius has become quite a legend around these waters.

Beckett: Ah, but I had some help in my latest endeavor. Your friend, the former commodore, was all too happy to turn you over to me.

He’s struck a nerve. Anne stutters for a moment, shocked.

Anne: What do you mean?

Beckett: James Norrington made a deal with me. And that deal included you. Why do you think it was so easy for me to sneak aboard a guarded ship? Why do you think no one came to your aid when you screamed?

Anne: You’re lying!

Beckett: ‘She was your problem to begin with, Beckett’, that’s what he said to me. Though I’m sure you were a pleasing distraction to him, for a time.

Anne: It’s not true… it can’t be…

Cut to Norri’s ship. Norrington is walking, exhausted, towards his own cabin. He knocks softly.

Norrington: Anne...

No response. He knocks a bit louder.

Norrington: Anne, it's me.

Still no response. Norrington finally pushes open the door to a deserted room. He looks puzzled. He briefly scans the room, which is muddled and scuffed, as though a struggle happened. A bottle of ink has spilled across the floor. Norrington begins to look alarmed. He rushes back out, and sees Pintel and Ragetti both sleeping at the watch.

Norrington: Sailors! (they jerk awake) How long have you been asleep?!

Pintel: Just barely shut my eyes…

Ragetti: Dark already? Night comes fast these days!

Norringtons moans and runs off to search the ship.

Cut to... James Norrington, standing alone at the helm of his ship. It's dawn, the sun is rising, James looks overcome with exhaustion and anguish. Barbossa approaches him.

Barbossa: Not easy, being captain?

James: (softly, wearily) Not easy being a friend, not easy being a lover. Not easy being alone.

Barbossa: And what do you plan to do?

James: (a brief smiles touches his face, as the sun warms across the deck) Exactly what any man in my position would do.

Barbossa: Yes?

James: I'm going to down a bottle of rum and head to Tortuga.

Barbossa: (completely taken aback) Tortuga?

James: (clearly, he's got a plan) Tortuga.

Cut to... Jack and Elizabeth. Morning on the ocean. Both are sprawled on their backs in the longboat, which is drifting along at quite a humorously quick pace. Both look drunk, though whether they actually are is questionable. Elizabeth is humming. The shot pans out to show two giant sea turtles, roped to the longboat and pulling it along with all their might.

Jack: Did I ever tell you about the time...

Elizabeth: I think so.

Jack: You didn't let me finish.

Elizabeth: (drapes her hand over the edge to trail in the water) I've heard this one before.

Jack: I almost-but-not-quite guarantee you haven't. (she raises her eyebrows, he continues) This was back, far back, way back, many years ago, when I was a young lad of twenty short years and wasn't exactly the awe-inspiring legend you see sitting before you today. (Elizabeth giggles and Jack pauses to eye himself, barefoot, fuzzy, on his back in a leaky longboat, and frowns). Er, well, there I was this magical day, swimming with a pair of mermaids off the coast of Havana, when I saw a speck of land approaching in the distance…

Elizabeth: Land…

Jack: That’s right, land—

Elizabeth: No, Jack. Land! Ahead.

Jack tumbles around until he can sit up, and sure enough, in the distance, is land. Jack checks his compass, checks his telescope, looks back at Elizabeth, and swallows hard.

Jack: We’re here.

Elizabeth: Here?

Jack: This was your idea, love. Just remember that.

Elizabeth turns back to look ahead, and her face changes…

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...

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.