Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.
Chapter 30: A Meaningless Effort
After a few days, Camille had gotten her emotions (and her drinking) under control with the help of James and the Thatchers. Ana Maria was not to be found, but rumor had it that she was trying to avoid both of them for fear of getting in the middle of things. However it was, the five of them had been discussing their situation rather carefully.
It all came down to this: Jack's cabin had to be searched. There must have been something he was hiding from all of them which was causing the turbulent changes as of late. They had come to the conclusion that Jack had not been acting like himself at all as of late, and both of the tavern incidents just strengthened their theory. (Of course, it was mostly James who was able to put it all together from Camille's and Ana Maria's accounts).
But the task of sneaking into his cabin, much less searching for something unknown would be impossible to do since Jack was always in his cabin now if not at the helm. A very clever plan would have to be concocted to get him away quickly.
"It would have to be something important. Something that Jack would attend to. If not, he'll just send someone else to do it," Camille said.
"What if I started an argument with Ana Maria?" Gretchen suggested.
"But that's happened before. Actually, every day not that I think about it," Priscilla answered truthfully. "You'd have to make it violent. You would have to become rather physical with her."
"I don't think that's a good idea. With all due respect Gretchen, Ana could probably kill you with her bare hands. I don't think it would be wise too push her too far," Gabriel said.
"Perhaps I should do it," James spoke up. "After all, Captain Sparrow does carry a rather distinct disliking for me."
"But what could you do?" Camille. "Steal something, break something…"
"What if I were to begin an argument between Ana Maria and myself?" he suggested.
"That would be very unexpected," Gabriel pointed out.
"Yes, and Captain Sparrow would want to see that. He would love to see Ana Maria win in a fight against you," Priscilla spoke.
"Yes, and he's also want to protect Ana Maria if you were being too rough with her," Camille said. "And it would have the element of surprise. Ana will never think you to be so rash with her. I say we do it," Camille decided. Her heart still shattered into about a million pieces, but she did know the inside of Jack's cabin better than any of them. So being the one most suited for the job, she put her emotions aside for this.
They all agreed, and a few days later the plan was set in motion. Gibbs decided to help out as well, and he was no hindrance to the plan. The galley was the perfect place to pull it off. Many of the ship hands were there, and with a little luck this could escalate into an even bigger fight.
James sat with his back to Ana Maria, waiting for her to get up. When she finally did, James turned around and bumped right into her. She was a bit taken aback, and a couple of sailors turned their head. This was it.
James stood up straight and stuck his nose in the air. "I do suggest you watch where you are going. You've nearly messed up my trousers."
Ana Maria looked at him. "Excuse me? You're the one who should watch where you're goin', Norrington," she said a bit heatedly.
"That may be so. But I have every right to be out here to begin with, woman."
That did it. Ana Maria slammed her fist down on the table, causing some men to jump. "What did you just say?" she asked in a dangerous voice.
"I merely stated that you should learn your place," James said his hands folded behind his back and looking rather calm.
Then Ana Maria began yelling extremely unladylike things before throwing a punch at James, which he blocked. He didn't want to hurt her badly, so he simply shoved her into the table, causing the food to spill everywhere. Now, some more ship hands joined in. They were all in fairly foul moods to begin with, but now that their meal had been interrupted it was a dangerous thing to be in that galley. In minutes, food and tables and pieces of plates were flying everywhere.