Elizabeth Swann

Port Royal, Valentine's Day morning. Elizabeth is in her room, looking out the window toward Will's forge. She has been waiting for years for the blacksmith to dare invite her to tonight's ball. But Will is shy, too shy. Elizabeth decides to take her destiny into her own hands. With the unsolicited help of 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. But as always with Jack, things never go as planned.

Scene 1: Elizabeth decides to act

(Elizabeth goes down to the garden, determined)

Elizabeth : "Jack, you're right. Enough waiting. I'm going to see him myself."

Jack : "Now that's a smart decision! But wait, you can't go like that. You need a plan. A production!"

Elizabeth : "I don't need a production. I'll simply tell him that..."

Jack : "That you love him? Too direct. Men like Will need mystery. You have to keep him guessing, make him jealous, push him to act."

Elizabeth : "Make him jealous? With whom?"

Jack : (smiling) "With me, for example."

Elizabeth : "You?"

Jack : "Why not? I'm charming, mysterious, dangerous... Everything a blacksmith is not. If Will sees you with me, he'll turn green with jealousy and come to claim you."

Elizabeth : "That's the stupidest plan I've ever heard."

Jack : "Stupid or genius? The two often look alike. Think about it."

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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) "Will! What a surprise to see you here!"

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

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

Will : "Yes, I... I heard."

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..."

Elizabeth : "Will. Look at me."

(Will looks at her, completely lost)

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. 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."

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Scene 3: Getting ready for the ball

(Elizabeth is in her room, trying on dresses. Jack is settled in the armchair, 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."

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)

Elizabeth : "A dagger? What for?"

Jack : "To threaten him, of course. Nothing like a little fear to rekindle the flame. It's a metaphor."

Elizabeth : "You're completely insane."

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

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Scene 4: The ball

(Evening, at the ball. Will has arrived, uncomfortable in his suit. Elizabeth welcomes him)

Elizabeth : "Will! You came!"

Will : "I... yes. I borrowed a suit. It's a bit small."

Elizabeth : "It suits you very well."

Will : "Really? Because I can't breathe."

Elizabeth : (laughing) "Then don't breathe. Dance with me."

(They dance awkwardly, Will stepping on her dress several times. But Elizabeth laughs heartily)

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

Will : "I know."

Elizabeth : "But that's what I love about you. You're real. Not like all these nobles who pretend."

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."

(He takes the pendant from his pocket)

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 : "Will..."

Will : "I know I'm not good enough for you. I know your father wants better. But I love you, Elizabeth. I always have."

(Behind them, Jack appears, handkerchief in hand)

Jack : (sniffling) "Beautiful. Truly beautiful."

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

Will : "Foolish?"

Elizabeth : "Foolish for waiting so long. I love you too. I always have."

(They kiss. The crowd applauds. Jack cries into his handkerchief)

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Scene 5: The governor's intervention

(Governor Swann arrives, furious)

The Governor : "Elizabeth! What is the meaning of this? Kissing a blacksmith in public?"

Elizabeth : "Father, may I present William Turner. My fiancé."

The Governor : "Your fiancé? Never! I do not approve of this union!"

Jack : (stepping forward) "Ah, the dear papa! Always so charming. Tell me, Governor, do you remember that little tax matter you forgot to pay?"

The Governor : "What are you talking about?"

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."

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

Jack : "Blackmail? Me? I'm a musician at heart. So, this wedding?"

The Governor : (defeated) "It's... it's out of the question! Well... we'll see."

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

Jack : "I negotiated. It's different. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a bottle of rum. Happy Valentine's Day, lovebirds!"

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Scene 6: Epilogue

(Later that night, Elizabeth and Will are alone at the port)

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."

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..."

Will : "That's true. You did all the work."

Elizabeth : "Exactly. So next time, don't wait for Valentine's Day to declare yourself."

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

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

Elizabeth : "He's incorrigible."

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

Elizabeth : "We love him?"

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