Adapted from the screenplay by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio

(painter is painting world map mural as Beckett and Mercer are talking in Beckett's office; a guard brings manacled Will in: "Lord Beckett. The prisoner as ordered, sir.")

Beckett: Those won't be necessary. (pours some liquor as Will's manacles are removed)

The East India Trading Company has need of your services. (offers Will a glass of liquor)

Will: Is this on you?

Beckett: Why else would I be offering it to you?

(Will takes the glass, thinks about drinking it, then pours it on Beckett's head, and giggles)

Beckett: That's not funny! (uses cloth to dry himself)

Will: It is to me.

Beckett: Listen, Mr. Turner: we wish for you to act as our agent in a business transaction with our mutual friend: Captain Sparrow.

Will: More acquaintance than friend. How do you know him?

Beckett: We've had dealings in the past. (picks up hot brand with "P" on it) And we've each left our mark on the other.

Will: You mean he's the reason you're so short?

Beckett: I'm not short!

Will: Then what mark did he leave on you?

Beckett: By your efforts Jack Sparrow was set free. I would like you to go to him, and recover a certain property in his possession.

Will: Recover. At the point of a sword?

Beckett: Bargain. (opens wooden box on table) Letters of Marque. You will offer what amounts to a full pardon. Jack will be free, a privateer in the employ of England.

Will: Somehow I doubt Jack will consider employment the same as being free.

Beckett (disgustedly): Freedom. (closes box, steps out to look over dock) Jack Sparrow is a dying breed. The world is shrinking, the blank pages of the map filled in. Jack must find his place in the new world or perish. Not unlike you, Mr. Turner. You and your fiancée face the hangman's noose. (a giant clock is being hoisted behind them)

Will: That's a real big clock you got there.

Beckett (smiling): Thank you.

Will: But why would you want it when all it does is make you look even shorter?

Beckett: I'm not short!

Will: Okay, whatever helps you sleep at night.

Beckett: Yes, as a matter of fact, it does help me sleep at night.

Will: So you want both Jack and the Black Pearl.

Beckett: The Black Pearl?

Will: The property you want that he possesses.

Beckett: A ship? Hardly. The item in question's considerably smaller and far more valuable. Something Sparrow keeps on his person at all times. A compass. (Will changes his direction of gaze to the sea) Ah, you know it. Bring back that compass, or there's no deal.