Jack took great satisfaction in proving to the Commodore and his Lieutenant that the Pearl could, in fact, be crewed by three men. Norrington reflected that Jack was actually proving the Pearl's ability to be crewed by only two men, as Jack was barely doing enough work to be considered contributing the efforts of a full man.
Norrington was pleasantly surprised to find the pirate's ship in a state of relative decency and cleanliness. He had prepared himself for the worst. Of course the Black Pearl was hardly up to his and the Navy's rigorous standards, but it wasn't the abyss of filth and disorder that was typical of pirate vessels. And once he recovered from the excruciatingly humbling experience of being forced to take orders from Jack Sparrow, Norrington actually found himself glad for the chance to perform mindless manual labor, even with the wound on his ribs vehemently protesting such physical exertion.
Gillette was clearly not sharing in the Commodore's positive outlook, and was barely restraining himself from grumbling outright against his various assigned tasks. When Jack walked off to stand at the helm, Gillette finally gave up on scrubbing dirt from the staircase and walked over to where Norrington was busy winding a knotted mess of rope into a proper coil.
"He's mad," Gillette said. "He's mad if he thinks he can force us to do his dirty work."
Norrington only glanced at his lieutenant before returning his attention to the ropes.
"Sir, don't you find this sort of treatment... demeaning?"
Norrington finally abandoned the rope and faced Gillette. "Remember, Lieutenant, that you insisted on coming along on this voyage. I think our present situation is as favorable as could be expected."
Gillette sighed and squinted up at the sun, shielding his eyes. It was high overhead, and warm.
"Gentlemen!" Jack exclaimed, appearing quite suddenly. "I believe it is noon, and since you both have performed so admirably, and I would have expected nothing less from two fine representatives of the prestigious Royal Navy, I invite you to join me in a bit of lunch, what say you to that?"
They readily accepted, and Jack brought them down to his own cabin, where he had a relatively elegant meal set out on a small, rickety table.
"Do you always feast so magnificently?" Gillette commented, raising an eyebrow at the extravagant set-up.
"In fact I do," Jack said. He gestured grandly with both arms and a slight bow towards the chairs around the table, and invited the two officers to sit.
Norrington and Gillette obeyed, but exchanged a glance, silently asking each other if they should be wary of the pirate's hospitality. Jack plopped down in the third chair and immediately started eating. He paused after a moment when he noticed that his two guests had not followed his example.
Jack frowned quizzically at the Commodore and Gillette. "If you two aren't hungry you can go back to work," he said with his mouth full.
"Forgive us if we're a bit ignorant of your established procedures of dining," Norrington replied.
"Listen to you and your highfalutin presumptions," Jack said, waving a hand dismissively. "Established procedures? This isn't one of your fancy high-society banquets, mate, what with your funny rules and propriety and all sorts of utter nonsense. We're on a pirate ship, in case you hadn't noticed." He stuffed more food into his mouth, and washed it all down with a swig of rum.
"I hope you won't mind if we still choose to behave like civilized men," Gillette commented, but he helped himself to the food.
Jack shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Norrington found the pirate's meal surprisingly tasty, or perhaps he was just hungry. The three men ate in silence for a while, none of them knowing what to say in the way of idle conversation, and also painfully unsure of where to even focus their stray glances. Norrington and Gillette found it most appropriate to keep their eyes on the plates in front of them, but Jack seemed to have no qualms about watching the officers eat. More than once Norrington glanced up to find the pirate staring at him, and Jack only grinned in response to the Commodore's frowns.
Finally Norrington thought he had to make conversation. "Sparrow, I never took you for a man inclined towards culinary skill, but this meal has been quite enjoyable."
"Oh, it's not my doing, mate," Jack replied. "All this, thanks to the cook."
"I thought your cook was staying behind."
Jack frowned, his face contorting in confusion. "Eh?"
Gillette sighed. "The Commodore's asking how your cook could have prepared our lunch if he's not here," he clarified.
"Well obviously all this was prepared before the cook's departure from the ship." Jack looked as if he were having doubts about the two officers' mental capacities.
"That was over a day ago."
"Well, clearly."
Gillette dropped his fork. "I just lost my appetite."
Norrington only sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Don't complain, mates," Jack said, once again stuffing his face. "Cook doesn't take kindly to such lack of gratitude. Besides, 's not likely you'll be gettin' another meal so fine once we disembark."
"And just when, in your estimation, might that be?" Norrington asked pointedly, hoping to convey his serious doubts about having received no concrete information about the nature of the pirate's plan.
Jack thought for a moment, counted on his fingers, then replied, "This very afternoon, if I'm not mistaken. Likely within the hour."
Norrington frowned. "Just where have we been sailing to?"
"Only the other side of the little island you were so keen as to discover," Jack replied. "Didn't I tell you? It's the esteemed Lord Beckett what's taken Gibbs into his unfortunate custodial situation."
Now Norrington, too, felt his appetite vanish. "You failed to mention that."
"Oh," Jack said, as if he were genuinely surprised that he had left out such an important bit of information. "Must've slipped me mind."
Oh boy, more conflict! I hope this wasn't boring or weird. Let me know what you thought - your comments always make my day!