Elizabeth Swann

Port Royal, Valentine's Day morning. The town awakens under a clear sky, streets adorned with red ribbons and heart-shaped decorations. In her room, Elizabeth looks out the window toward Will's forge. She has been waiting for years for the blacksmith to finally dare invite her to tonight's ball. But Will is shy, too shy. Enough waiting. Today, she will take matters into her own hands. With the unsolicited and probably disastrous help of Captain Jack Sparrow, who has taken up residence in the governor's garden, she will orchestrate a series of events to push Will to declare himself. Between misunderstandings, mix-ups, and moments of pure magic, this Valentine's Day will be unforgettable.

Scene 1: Jack's plan

(Jack is comfortably settled in Elizabeth's armchair, drinking rum stolen from the governor's supply)

Jack : "So, here's my plan: you make him jealous."

Elizabeth : "Jealous? With whom?"

Jack : (smiling) "With me, of course!"

Elizabeth : "You?"

Jack : "Look at me. Charming, mysterious, dangerous, with a touch of exoticism... Everything a blacksmith is not. When Will sees us together, he'll turn green with jealousy and come to claim you. It's foolproof."

Elizabeth : "That's the worst plan I've ever heard. People will think I'm associating with a pirate."

Jack : "But I am a pirate! That's the whole point!"

Elizabeth : "What if it doesn't work?"

Jack : "It always works. I've brought down more women than governments. Well, maybe not more, but it's only a matter of time."

Elizabeth : "You're impossible."

Jack : "Impossible? I'm unforgettable. Nuance."

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Scene 2: The "chance" encounter organized by Jack

(Jack has arranged a "chance" encounter between Elizabeth and Will at the port. He watches them from behind a barrel)

Elizabeth : (playing along, slightly uncomfortable) "Will! What a surprise to see you here!"

Will : (blushing immediately to his ears) "Elizabeth! Uh... Miss Swann! I... I came to get wood. For the forge. For the fire. To heat the metal. For swords."

Elizabeth : (smiling) "I see. You know, today is Valentine's Day. There's a ball tonight. At my father's house."

Will : "Yes, I... I heard. The servants were talking about it."

Elizabeth : "And do you plan to attend?"

Will : "Me? At a ball? At the governor's? No, no, I... I'm not invited. I mean, I'm not... I don't know how to dance, and I don't have a suit, and..."

Elizabeth : "Will. Look at me."

(Will looks at her, completely lost, eyes wide)

Elizabeth : "I'm inviting you. Personally. Tonight. To the ball. Will you come?"

Will : "You... you're inviting me?"

Elizabeth : "That's what I just said, yes."

Will : "But... what about your father?"

Elizabeth : "My father will deal with it. He'll survive the shame of having a blacksmith at his ball. So, are you coming?"

Will : (completely disoriented) "I... yes. I mean, if you want... well, if you don't mind..."

Elizabeth : (smiling) "Nothing would make me happier, Will."

(Behind the barrel, Jack nods, satisfied)

Jack : (murmuring) "Not bad. Not bad at all. That girl has talent. And what about me? Nobody ever invites me to balls. It's unfair."

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Scene 3: Getting ready for the ball

(Elizabeth is in her room, surrounded by dresses. Jack is settled in the armchair, feet on the ottoman, drinking rum)

Elizabeth : "The red one or the blue one?"

Jack : "The red. Definitely the red. Red is passion, danger, adventure. Will won't be able to take his eyes off you. Blue is for engagements. Too bland for tonight."

Elizabeth : "You think so?"

Jack : "I'm sure of it. And if he ever looks elsewhere, you can always use this."

(He pulls out a dagger from his pocket and twirls it elegantly)

Elizabeth : "A dagger? What for?"

Jack : "To threaten him, of course. Nothing like a little fear to rekindle the flame. 'Dance with me or I'll cut your fingers off, blacksmith!' Very romantic."

Elizabeth : "You're completely insane."

Jack : "Insane? I'm a pragmatic romantic. There's a difference. Fine, but it exists."

Elizabeth : "And you, what will you do at the ball?"

Jack : "Me? I'll be there. In disguise. As a French nobleman, perhaps. The Marquis de... something. With a wig. Wigs change everything."

Elizabeth : "My father will recognize you."

Jack : "Your father barely sees what's in front of his nose. He won't notice me. And if he does, I'll say I'm your cousin. Very distant. Really very distant."

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Scene 4: The ball

(Evening, at the ball. The atmosphere is elegant, musicians play, couples dance. Will has arrived, uncomfortable in his borrowed suit that's too tight. Elizabeth welcomes him with a radiant smile)

Elizabeth : "Will! You came!"

Will : (trying to breathe) "I... yes. I borrowed a suit. From a guy who's four inches shorter than me. It's a bit... snug."

Elizabeth : "It suits you very well. Really."

Will : "Really? Because I can't breathe and I feel like my arms are going to explode."

Elizabeth : (laughing) "Then don't breathe. Dance with me. It'll make you forget your suit."

(They dance awkwardly. Will steps on her dress three times, once on her foot, and almost makes her fall. But Elizabeth laughs heartily)

Elizabeth : "You're a terrible dancer, Will Turner."

Will : "I know. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth : "Don't be sorry. That's what I love about you. You're real. Not like all these nobles who pretend to be elegant."

Will : "Elizabeth... I wanted to tell you... all this time... I..."

(He searches for words, blushes, stammers)

Elizabeth : (encouraging him) "Yes, Will?"

Will : "I... I have something for you. For Valentine's Day. It's a pendant. I forged it myself. With my hands. At the forge. For weeks."

(He takes the pendant from his pocket, his hands trembling)

Elizabeth : (moved) "Will... it's beautiful."

Will : "There's an inscription inside. It says... well, you'll see."

(Elizabeth opens the pendant. Inside is engraved: "To Elizabeth, forever")

Elizabeth : (teary-eyed) "Will..."

Will : "I know I'm not good enough for you. I know your father wants better, a noble, an officer, someone of your rank. But I love you, Elizabeth. I've loved you since the first day I saw you on that beach. I've never stopped. I'll never stop."

(Behind them, Jack appears disguised as a noble with a ridiculous wig, handkerchief in hand)

Jack : (sniffling) "Beautiful. Truly beautiful. I'm crying. The inside of my heart is crying."

Elizabeth : (to Will) "Will Turner... you're the most foolish man I know."

Will : (confused) "Foolish?"

Elizabeth : "Foolish for waiting so long to tell me this. I love you too. I always have. I've kept your locket since childhood, the one you lost on the beach. I never gave it back because it was my only connection to you."

Will : "You... you had my locket? All these years?"

Elizabeth : "All these years."

(They kiss. The crowd applauds. Jack cries into his handkerchief, then into a nearby nobleman's wig)

Jack : "This is the best day of my life. And I haven't even stolen any silverware."

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Scene 5: The governor's intervention

(Governor Swann arrives, furious, parting the crowd)

The Governor : "Elizabeth! What is the meaning of this? Kissing a blacksmith in public? In front of all of Port Royal's high society?"

Elizabeth : (turning to him, proud) "Father, may I present William Turner. My fiancé."

The Governor : "Your fiancé? Never! I do not approve of this union! He has no title, no fortune, no..."

Elizabeth : "Nothing you consider important. But he has my heart. And that's all that matters to me."

The Governor : "I refuse! I... I forbid you to see him again!"

(Jack steps forward, majestic in his crooked wig)

Jack : "Ah, the dear papa! Always so charming and understanding. Tell me, Governor, do you remember that little matter of taxes you forgot to pay on the last convoy?"

The Governor : "What are you talking about, you...?"

Jack : "Oh, nothing. Just a small administrative detail. It would be a shame if that got out, wouldn't it? Especially on Valentine's Day, in front of all your guests. Reputation is fragile. Like a poorly secured wig."

The Governor : "You... you dare blackmail me?"

Jack : "Blackmail? Me? I'm a musician at heart, but I only sing in the shower. I'm negotiating, that's all. So, this wedding?"

The Governor : (defeated, red with anger) "It's... it's out of the question! Well... we'll see. Later. Perhaps."

Elizabeth : (to Jack, stunned) "You blackmailed my father?"

Jack : "I facilitated things. There's a difference. Subtle, but real. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a bottle of rum and a stolen cheese. Happy Valentine's Day, lovebirds!"

(Jack bows, his wig falls, he catches it, and staggers out)

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Scene 6: Epilogue at the port

(Later that night, Elizabeth and Will are alone at the port. The moon reflects on the water)

Elizabeth : "I can't believe Jack blackmailed my father."

Will : "Neither can I. But without him, I would never have had the courage to talk to you. I'd still be forging swords, dreaming of you."

Elizabeth : "Are you sure you owe that to him? I invited you to the ball, I made you dance, I listened to you stammer for an hour, I kissed you..."

Will : "That's true. You did all the work. Jack only... complicated things, as usual."

Elizabeth : "Exactly. So next time, don't wait for Valentine's Day to declare yourself. Or for Jack Sparrow to show up in a bush."

Will : "There won't be a next time. I have you now. I'll never let you go."

Elizabeth : (smiling) "That's better. Much better."

(They kiss. In the distance, Jack's voice is heard singing a drunken sea shanty)

Jack : (singing) "Oh love, oh love, when you hold us tight... Someone always ends up paying the price... In cash or in kind, depending..."

Elizabeth : "He's incorrigible."

Will : "That's why we love him."

Elizabeth : "We love him?"

Will : "Well, we tolerate him. That's already something."

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Scene 7: The next morning

(The next morning, Elizabeth is in the garden. Jack emerges from a bush, the wig still on his head)

Jack : "Miss Swann! What joy to see you again! So, these lovers? Still engaged?"

Elizabeth : "Still. Thanks to you, apparently."

Jack : "Thanks to me, yes. I'm a romantic hero. They should write songs about me. Poems. Entire books."

Elizabeth : "Maybe they should. Meanwhile, what are you still doing in my garden?"

Jack : "I... I'm gardening. The roses need me. Also, I heard your father has a very nice silver service stored somewhere. I just wanted to... check that it's well protected. For security."

Elizabeth : "Sparrow..."

Jack : "Fine, fine, I'm leaving. But remember: when you have children, name one Jack. In my honor. Or give him a boat. It's less commitment."

(Jack disappears into the bushes)

Elizabeth : (smiling) "Happy Valentine's Day, Jack Sparrow. Wherever you are."