The Broken Tide
by Missgroovychick (aged 14)
Act I
Scene I
It's a beautiful day in Port Royale, and a fairly tall lady with medium length brunette hair hums quietly to herself as she puts away some books in her very well kept little shop.
Rosalyn (thinking): Not only do I sell books or read books, I write them. My new one Broken Tides is out now, it is selling quite well. Of course I write under a different name, and no one knows that I write. Even if I did decide to tell someone, no one would believe me. [pauses, hesitant] I am...well, considered sort of an outcast here. I'm different to the people here, for my mind isn't set on money and status. Rather, it is set on books, romance, and friends.
Friends...
She sighs and places the last book in her hand onto a shelf nearby, and smiles contentedly, goes over to her notebook, flicks through the pages.
Rosalyn (thinking): Will Turner. Every time that name comes up I always smile. The mans name alone makes my heart soar [frowns] What am I saying? He'd never like me! His heart is set on the Governors daughter; I could never compete to that. She's perfect in almost every way, and…he's my best friend but he probably thinks the same thing everyone else does in this town. [mimics] She's a total bookworm, and most certainly doesn't have a social life [real voice] Of course that isn't true…at least I hope he doesn't think so… [makes way to the counter and looks as if she is daydreaming.]
Outside a group of women are standing whispering and gossiping among themselves, they walk into the shop.
Rosalyn: [politely] Good afternoon.
Women: [Wrinkle their nose in disgust and look away, chatting to each other as if Rosalyn ceased to exist]
Woman # 1: Have you bought that new book, uh...what is it... Broken Tides?
Rosalyn: [hides a grin, knowing a lot about that particular book. She wrote it]
Woman #2: [impatiently to Rosalyn] Well, do you have it?
Rosalyn: [points] To the left, second shelf on your right, [not looking up from the paper she is writing on]
They soon disappear behind the shelves and Rosalyn sighs, rubbing her forehead. As she put her pen down, she hears someone walk through the door.
Rosalyn: Good afternoon- oh! Will!
Will: Good afternoon! And how is your day so far?
Rosalyn: Oh...uh...lovely
Will: [Gives disapproving look]
Rosalyn: I don't want to talk about it, Will. But what brings you here?
Will: Just thought I'd say hello! It's what friends do from time to time you know
Rosalyn: [coughs nervously through the silence].
Will: But I've got to go back to the shop, make some more swords, we're quite a bit behind. But we'll see each other soon?
Rosalyn: I'm sure of it [slightly smiling and waves as he leaves, gives out a breath of relief when he is completely gone]
Women: [all advance to the counter]
Rosalyn: Is that all?
Women: [nod, and make the transaction]
Rosalyn: [calls out as the women leave] Those books are very good! You'll enjoy them!
Woman #3: We should take her word for it you know, she's practically read every book that's been written! [they laugh]
Rosalyn: [grips pen angrily] One day I'll prove them wrong! One day!
A man falls to the ground from being kicked out from a building.
Man: [fists raised] And if I ever see yer face in there again, I'll kill yer! [grunts and walks away]
Jack: [groans and gets up shakily, clutching his chest] No big deal I've gotten into a fight with a few enemies, no big deal. But I'll get 'em back. Oh yes, I will! [tries to walk, and falls] ...just as soon as I get my vision back…
Rosalyn: [In shock puts her hand over her mouth as she hears shouting outside.]
Oh no! Damn brawls! [grabs a very, very thick book]
Jack makes his way off the ground, he stumbles to the bookstore nearby. He hears the man coming back with more and he quickly makes his way inside.
Jack: Sure, he needs back up…I can deal with two, but I just had to piss of four of 'em! I'm Jack Sparrow, CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow, not bloomin' God!
He sighs thankfully as he hears their footsteps fade and enters shop, grinning. His head is met with a rather large book and he is knocked out.
Rosalyn: [grins victoriously as she sees the man black out, but then feels guilt run through] The man was trying to get AWAY from the men, not trying to get me!
Rosalyn: [mutters] Bloody hell! [drags his limp body to the table, and props him up on a chair]
Rosalyn: Uh, sir? [shakes him, but he does not wake]
Rosalyn:[shouts] SIR!
He still does not wake. She slaps him and he falls off the chair, and she groans in frustration.
Rosalyn: I guess that wasn't the smartest move. [Her eyes travel to his chest, where blood seems to be flowing freely]. Oh my! [she helps him back on the chair and she runs to get bandages upstairs.]
Jack: [eyes open as he is being treated and screams in pain] AHHH!
Rosalyn: [screams and almost drops the bottle of alcohol she was using and shouts] You scared me! [glares].
Jack: [glares back at her] I scared YOU? Yer the one that hit me with a bloody-ah...what did ye hit me with?
Rosalyn: I'm so sorry! I-err- hit you with a book…
Jack: What book?
Rosalyn: [points to the thickest one nearby the dictionary, and his eyes widen.]
Jack: Ye hit me with THAT?!
Rosalyn: I thought you were trying to kill me!
Jack: [snorts] Yer a bit violent for a female, aren't ye? [he glances at his shirtless form, and winks.] If ye wanted me that bad, luv, all ye had to do was ask. Yer not too bad lookin' yerself.
Rosalyn: [blushes as she starts to continue to dab him with the alcohol]
Jack: OW! Bloody 'ell woman! That hurt!
Rosalyn: Serves you right. I was not trying to...to...well, you know...and stop grinning like that when I'm talking! I was simply attending to your wounds that you have recently received.
Jack: Ye didn't have to do that. Ye know, clean me up.
Rosalyn: Ah, well, after beating you senselessly I thought it was the least I could do.
Jack: [chuckles softly, but then winces as she cleans another wound]
Rosalyn: So, if you don't mind me asking, why were those men after you?
Jack: Ah, long story.
Rosalyn: Then tell me the short version.
Jack: Well, I stole some things from them, and they got angry.
Rosalyn: Ah, I see. Well, uh... [she stares at his chest for a moment, and then at his cocky grin]
Rosalyn: Do you always grin like that?
Jack: Only around women! [stares at her drunkenly, and then winks] I think ye fancy me.
Rosalyn: Don't make me whack you with my book again!
Jack: [laughs and slowly rises from the chair and leans against the table] Thanks miss-?
Rosalyn: Macaw, Rosalyn Macaw. May I inquire as to yours?
Jack: Captain Jack Sparrow, that's me!
Rosalyn: [incredulously] Your parents named you Captain?
Jack: No, no, you see-
Rosalyn: Because if they named you Captain, then wow, you're the first-
Jack: I'm a CAPTAIN of a ship I'll have you know. [puts on shirt]
Rosalyn: Ah, pardon me for my mistake...
Jack: [finishes putting on shirt] Well, luv, I'd love to stay and chat a bit, but I've got places to go, people to- [He takes one step forward and falls flat on his face, and into a drunken unconsciousness. She stares at his limp body on her floor, and shakes her head.]
Rosalyn: People to see [sighs] I know…[grunts as she drags Jack upstairs, his head hitting each step with a loud thud.]
Rosalyn: [after each step] Sorry-
Rosalyn: Sorry-
Rosalyn: Sorry- [makes it to the top and places him on a bed in the spare bedroom.]
Rosalyn: You're heavy!
Jack: [responds by snoring even more loudly]
Rosalyn: [takes off his coat and hat] Goodnight, Jack.
