A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry! I've been away for 3 weeks and unable to update. But now that I'm at home sweet home, I should be catching up fairly soon. I have two or three more chapters to post within the week, promise.
Disclaimer: Still don't own it.
CUT TO
The fab four, back in their rowboat, much in the same configuration as before, but all in a better state of face, the next morning.
Jack, absolutely refreshed after getting his plan into gear, sits in front, eyes squinted at the sun, while Antina glowers in the background.
Tortuga slowly comes into view, only slightly less noisy and violent at the top o' the morning.
JACK
(cheerful)
Now, it'll be no time at all till we've found Gibbs, so I expect—
ZELDA
Why we need to find this man?
JACK
(shrugs)
I suppose he's a bit old. He could use some youthy fountain.
CUT TO
The four climbing out of the longboat and onto an unsteady dock in bustling Tortuga.
Jack looks back out to see, where only an early shroud of mist hangs over the sea; no Dutchman is in sight.
JACK
Come along, now.
He sweeps Zelda along, his arm around her waist, one of her hands entwined with Kit's, the other clutching a ripped piece of paper.
JACK
(noticing the paper)
What you have there?
ZELDA
I am not being sure.
(holding it out to him)
Please could you read?
In relatively neat handwriting, Tina has spelled out:
Zelda;
Do not be showing this to Jack.
JACK
(reading)
Ahem. Zelda, here is your list of things.
First, a frying pan.
Second, a loaf of bread.
If you see any shoes, please thieve them for me. Please.
The rest of the list does seem to say as Jack read. He hands it back to Zelda Marie, nodding.
JACK
That be that. Send the Kit to get it.
ZELDA
(bending down to Kit)
Can you get them things?
Kit nods and darts off between the two or three early risers.
JACK
Come, darling, we have business to attend to.
ZELDA
(wary)
What sorts of business are you thinking of?
JACK
The good kind.
Zelda lets herself be led along, but her face betrays her true feelings.
CUT TO
Antina, scuttling down a deserted hallway into an ancient store hidden from an Oceanside view. While she moves assuredly, she doesn't look familiar with the place, and moves fast to get inside.
CUT TO
The interior of the shop. It is even darker and more decrepit than anything on her old island.
ANTINA
Anybody here…
She is met with a few creaks and groans, but no one appears.
She begins to examine the dusty antiques, most of them looking as if they came from an old ship; maps, a spyglass, a few whalebone fishing hooks.
An old man unfolds from behind the counter, surprising Antina and causing her to jump back a little.
ANTINA
(putting on a Spanish accent)
Senor.
OLD MAN
You'd do well not to touch the artifacts, madam.
ANTINA
Sorry.
OLD MAN
You look mighty familiar, lass.
They both look long and hard at each other, until Antina's eyes drop to the mess of antiques on the counter.
She picks up a gold coin inscribed with New Amsterdam, 16..
ANTINA
I know this voyage…
OLD MAN
(snatching the coin back)
It was a long hard one years before your time, I assure you.
ANTINA
Henry? Hudson, I presume?
HENRY
Mrs. Johnson.
ANTINA
Not anymore, I'm afraid I've married a few more times since then.
HENRY
(friendlier now)
What you be looking for, then?
ANTINA
Well, I were looking for a what, but a who'd be just as nice.
(looking back down at the counter)
Seen the ship called the…
(looking up at him)
Suppose it'd be the something-something Pearl?
HENRY
(eyebrows raised)
Black Pearl?
ANTINA
(eyes lighting up)
Probably!
HENRY
You're speaking of the ship owned by the late Jack Sparrow.
ANTINA
Late? For what?
HENRY
You know…
(he makes a vague hand gesture)
Dead.