Chapter 22: The Silver Pieces Of Eight

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The chapter opens up to shackled feet, chains dragging along the ground. A bunch of pirates were led to their final reward...the gallows. Footsteps climb the wooden steps, as an air of expectancy was felt.

A pirate cabin boy stands on the gallows, as a noose is fitted around his neck.

Among the pirates in line, a tune begins, hummed low, then the Cabin Boy begins to sing, low and wavering, focused only on the song and not those who have come see him hang.

Cabin Boy: Yo, ho, haul together, hoist the colours high....heave ho, thieves and beggars, never shall we die

The Cabin Boy closes his eyes just as a silver coin starts tumbling slowly. An irregular, golden light glints off its
rough surface.

Cabin boy: The king and his men stole the queen from her bed and bound her in her bones....

One pirate that was waiting for his fate, joins in and sings in a low tone.

Pirate: The seas be ours and by the powers where we will, we'll roam...

In the crowd stands Sir Cutler Beckett among Officers of the East India Trading Company. He frowns at the waiting prisoners, as more pick up the song.

Prisoners: Yo, ho, haul together, hoist the colours high....heave ho, thieves
and beggars, never say we die

Beckett gives a nod, and the gallows
trap-door opens. The silver piece of eight tumbles and turns, as the line of Pirates watch with dread and fascination as the young man dances his final dance.

Another Pirate is led to the noose.

Old Man: Some men have died and some are alive. And others sail on the sea, with the keys to the cage, and the devil to pay, we lay to Fiddler's Green!

At the gallows, another cry is heard as the helpless Pirate falls to his doom.

All Pirates: Yo, ho, haul together, hoist the colours high. HEAVE HO, THIEVES
AND BEGGARS, NEVER SHALL WE DIE...

A lever is pulled, and another pirate swings as a rope tightens. Another pirate hangs, with the next and the next, faster and faster. Beckett smiles as a dozen pirates now dangle at the end of their ropes.

A final pirate drops down, just as the silver piece of eight lands on a table, spins and wobbles to a stop. Teague, Pirate Lord of Madagascar, stares out a window, the weight of ill news in his eyes.

Behind him, on a table, lies the Silver Piece of Eight, next to a candle, an open envelope, and letter. Teague's hand picks up the coin, clutches it, and the candle goes out.

The scene changes, and a woman's voice is heard.....

Someone that...many might dislike....

Elizabeth Swann....

Elizabeth: The bell has been raised from its watery grave, do you hear its sepulchral tone?

A small boat emerges out of the gloom, Elizabeth moves it with a long pole through a maze of pylons. She was in Singapore, more specifically, the harbour at night.

Junks were crammed together around ramshackle docks. Criss-crossing shadows from hanging lamps could be seen, and under the docks, Elizabeth moves past raised platforms.

She sees an old lady, crouching and gutting fish, an Artisan blows glass over a coal fire, as a laughing boy outside a fireworks shed lights a pinwheel.

It spins, sparks flying, and the shadow of a monkey races past. Elizabeth's apprehension grows. It's all weird, surreal, but she keeps singing.

Elizabeth: A call to all, pay heed the squall...

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