The pub roared with noise - laughter, singing, the occasional fight, and what could only be described as general 'merriment' greeted the three companions. William sat on a rickety stall clutching his apple juice, whilst Elizabeth and Jack sat discussing their plans in hushed whispers on the other side of the table. Every now and again he could hear words such as 'Calypso', 'crew' and 'Will', but that was only if he strained his ears hard and the hubbub of the bar settled for a few seconds. It was loud, bright, raucous, and just how William had always dreamt it would be. The only thing that was missing from the scene was his father - he had always thought they would visit Tortuga together, but William was used to disappointments. He'd grown up with them. He had also never pictured Captain Jack Sparrow - a legend of the playground - being there, nor had he known his mother was acquainted with the pirate, let alone friends.
"Right, that's settled," announced Jack at last after downing another pint. "We will acquire a crew. We will head for the place on the map where no others have dared to venture and will find Calypso. We will head for the locker and bring back young Turner" he looked over his shoulder at William "not you lad," he muttered "and we will all return to Tortuga among much drinking, celebration and general frivolity. Savvy?"
"Exactly" agreed Elizabeth, downing a pint herself. William never knew his mother could be so care-free, but perhaps the sea air was doing her good - he knew she had missed the ocean, having to live on land after several years away.
"Right, now where to find a crew…umm." Jack seemed to almost sway, surveying the bar for what William only presumed must be some drunken fantasy - how was he planning on finding a crew amongst all the commotion?
"Gents!" He roared above the noise. "Shut it!" And just like that the pub ground to a halt. People paused, their drinks half way to their mouths, the music fizzled out and the barmen stood still, eyes fixed on Jack. William gaped up at the pirate in awe. That was impressive!
Jack cleared his throat, preparing to make a speech.
"Hmm hmm…I, Captain Jack Sparrow, am in need of a crew!" He announced boldly. A few people stirred, but the crowd remained silent. Jack raised an eyebrow before continuing.
"I is wantin' a crew to help me sail my ship to No Man's Land, off the edge of the map and on towards the stars. I want to find Calypso, rescue young Will Turner, Captain of the Flying Dutchman, and return 'im safely back to port, thus breaking all curses and spells et cetera et cetera…" He finished with a flourish of his hand and stood grandly for a moment. A tense silence filled the air, before it was permeated by the most tremendous laughter William had ever heard. The pirates practically fell about with it, and he glanced at Jack who looked slightly perturbed but not defeated by the reaction he had received. He merely stood still, majestically waiting for the masses to fall silent again. And sure enough they did.
"Savvy?" He asked carelessly into the crowd. No one moved, suddenly realising that he was quite serious, and one voice piped up - "And why, Sparra', would we wanna do that?" - as the laughter started again.
"Because I'm asking you to." Replied one lone voice. It had come from behind Jack, and all snapped their heads sharply, leaning to get a look at the mystery speaker, their mouths falling open in shock. William turned his head, following their gaze and found that his eyes came to rest on his mother, who had mounted the table and stood, feet apart, sword in one hand, pirate hat on her head and a steely glare in her eyes. He gasped. What was she doing?
No one spoke. The sound of the wind could be heard outside battering the sides of the pub, and a canon roared somewhere in the distance. Then William heard someone say "It's the King!". And with that the pirates all bowed their heads, muttering as they went "It's the King…the King!"
William didn't understand, where was the King? He looked around the room, trying to catch a glimpse of this pirate legend but he could see no one out of the ordinary anywhere around. Until it dawned on him. His mother? Were they all looking at his mother? He heard Jack say
"See, I told you, you was quite the celebrity dint I? And now for the last little bit of leverage…"
"No Jack" Elizabeth hissed. "We said we'd leave him out of this!"
"So we did…well I never was one to keep my word love was I?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes in frustration as Jack hoisted William quickly from his perch on the stall, up to his feet on the table next to Elizabeth. Now William was completely confused, and suddenly all eyes were on him. He didn't think he liked this anymore. A ripple went around the room and someone exclaimed
"It's Turner, back to haunt us!" Elizabeth clutched William's hand tightly, fire in her eyes.
"Pirates." She began. "Nine years ago my husband gave his life to ensure you all had a chance to live on after death, to ferry you and your ancestors safely in the land of souls, to free you from the chains of Davy Jones. Now, he is in trouble. You owe it to both him and his son," she raised William's hand into the air as realization dawned on the pirates, "…to help him now. I am asking you, as your King and as a fellow pirate, to do what's right." And with that she jumped down from the table, taking William with her, and hurried out of the bar, leaving Jack to add
"Any takers be down at the docks first daylight." And when no one moved he said "Well, drink up!", causing the party to resume and all memory of the evening's events to be drunk into the past.