Chapter 3

"Checkmate," Jack declared, reclining in him comfortable chair and silently toasting his own successfulness. The pirate extended his hand in anticipation of more money from his opponent. The man across the table from him studied the board in disbelief as Bill looked on in awe. Jack had quickly defeated everyone in chess and Butch, a stern, heavyset man, was his latest victim. Unfortunately for Jack, Butch didn't take well to losing. realizing that he couldn't defeat Jack, the larger man turned and began to walk out of the bar.

"Mate, it seems you've forgotten to pay me as we agreed," Jack observed, rising from his chair. Butch stopped, but didn't turn around.

"I ain't paying," he declared in a sinister voice that made Bill's blood run cold. He put his hand on Jack's shoulder to stop him from doing anything foolish, but the pirate paid him no mind, stepping forward toward Butch.

"I think you will." Butch wheeled around quickly and a shot rang out as the huge man pinned Jack against a wall.

"That was just a warning," he whispered to Jack as he motioned to the bullet hole in the ceiling. "I suggest you let me go." Jack looked the taller man in the eye and considered his options for a moment. Then, in one swift motion, he jerked free of his captor and drew his sword. The crowd gasped in surprise, but an amused smile lit up Butch's face. Then he realized that Jack was holding a piece of fabric between his fingers. The fabric exactly matched that of Butch's shirt. He growled and glared into the pirate's smirking face.

"Just a warning," Jack assured him, in his carefree manner. "Now, give me what I want." Butch hesitated, and everyone waited with baited breath to see what the outcome would bee. With one final growl, Butch threw some money on a nearby table and stormed away. Jack cocked his head in triumph and went to collect his earnings. As he was doing so, one of the waitresses approached him.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave, sir," she said. Jack eyed her playfully, turning his attention away from his money for a while.

"Are you really?" he chuckled. "Why are you afraid? Do you think I'm going to kidnap you and take you off somewhere that no one will ever find you again?" Beside him, Bill was motioning vigorously for Jack to leave, but the pirate ignored him. He was having far too much fun turning this blonde-girl's attention to him.

"You didn't make a very complimentary impression," the lady replied, backing disgustedly away from Jack's outstretched hand that was reaching for hers. Jack looked a little hurt.

"Didn't I . . . Sandy?" he inquired, reading the name-tag that she wore. "Then I feel it's in my best interests to apologize." Just as he was about to grab Sandy's hand, Bill grabbed the American flag from a nearby corner and thrust it around Jack's head. It required the aid of a few innocent bystanders, but soon the pirate and the flag were both lying on the sidewalk with the door firmly shut behind them. Bill untangled the pirate, who was cursing up a storm.

"What was that for?" he demanded as soon as he was free of the stars and stripes. "She was just beginning to enjoy my company and you smothered me in a cloth!"

"You were being impertinent," Bill crisply replied. Jack's eyebrows shot up. He was used to this sort of comment from Will Turner, but it was hardly acceptable from a man he just met. Jack looked down in a stance of mimicked dejection.

"Wait here. I'll get your stuff," Bill offered. He disappeared into the building and Jack shrugged. He wasn't sure what his misstep in the bar had been, but at least he had his money. Jack started fiddling around with the flag that was still wrapped around his left leg. A moment later, Bill returned, Jack's sack of money held high.

"Let's go hit the movies," he suggested. Jack shrugged, not wanting to admit that he had no idea what a movie was.

"Off we go," he declared with a smile. With one final tug, Jack managed to rid himself of the flag, except a little piece that remained attached to his boot. As the pair walked away, Sandy emerged from the bar.

"That's utmost disrespect for our nation's flag!" she cried out, gesturing to the now ripped and stained flag lying on the pavement. Bill ignored her, rolling his eyes.

"American obsessive idealist," he whispered, accompanied by a few more insults under his breath. Jack chuckled and turned around to face Sandy.

"Sorry, love. T'weren't my fault," he shouted, adding his most sheepish grin.

"I don't want to hear it, you hooligan. You're the one who's dragging the shreds around with you and disturbing the peace," she hollered back angrily. Jack quickly turned his back to her. A few seconds later the bar door slammed and Sandy was gone, leaving the American flag in the street. Jack shrugged and he and a shred of Old Glory followed Bill down the sidewalk.