Yes, I'm corny sometimes.
[[A brief note: I'm sorry this is so late (to think I expected to get this done by Christmas!). Why is it so late? Well, there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that I finally had to take the copy I was using back to the library (because I've had it for who knows how long), but the good news is that I ordered a copy off Amazon.com (why I didn't do that in the first place.... I have my moments). If you're reading this now, that means it came. Finally.]]
So in case you didn't remember from the last few posts, it's been all about Beckett. Part of me wants it to remain this way for the rest of the book, since he's such a great character, but I realize that if it WAS this way
So when we last saw Beckett, he was showing us how to take "sucking up" up to eleven. Now, we see that life continues at Beckett's station, and he gradually gets used to everything, much less fully incorporates into society there and becomes a pretty cool guy (arguably). He certainly became known as one of the nicest guys in town (paraphrased) and the one to go to when one needs help (paraphrased) and dating advice (not really). But suddenly, Beckett's world is shaken briefly because none other than the Fair Wind docks at the harbor. If you don't know what the Fair Wind is, then this is a good excuse to look at the Chapter One post.
So Jack ambles into Beckett's office (along with the other guy, Greene) looking as confident as ever. Beckett is intrigued by this gentleman (thus barely paying attention to whatshisname) and he patiently listens as both Jack and Greene retell the story from the first two chapters, highlighting the fact that Captain Bainbridge had an unfortunate death during the course of the... course. There is a brief dialogue about HOW Bainbridge died, involving Jack changing his story and Beckett wondering why he was reluctant to tell the truth about the Captain's death (he eventually tells). Beckett learns several things about Jack that could potentially be useful for him:
- Jack's charmisma
- Jack's confidence
- Jack's "way with women"
Why is the last one important? Well, Beckett seems to take a particular interest in this trait of Jack's.
.... No Speckett implied. Seriously.
So after the story is finished and both guests left, Beckett gets a few more perspectives of what occurred on the Fair Wind, before giving Jack's logbook (something he made Jack give him during the conversation) a quick look. Observant Beckett notices a prominent theme in Jack's recordings.
Captain Jack Sparrow.
"'Cutler Beckett counted. It had been written no less than twenty-three times, in various sizes and styles. Some of them were block letters, others in Sparrow's own rather nice penmanship. At least one of the names and its accompanying titles was not only in block letters, it was all in capitals.
Beckett pursed his lips, then laughed softly. 'Jack, Jack, Jack...' he said, 'I've caught you, Jack. I know what you want.'
Beckett took out his penknife, prepared to slice down the edge of the page, so he could remove it from the logbook. But after a second he stopped, then, smiling, he simply closed the logbook and tied it shut, wrapping it back in the cloth. Sparrow was an arrogant fellow, if an interesting one. Wouldn't hurt him a bit to discover at some point that he'd been outsmarted by his superior."
So Beckett, being the clever man he is, invites Jack to his office with the perfect offer:
"'However,' Beckett continued, 'I suspect there are things you would much prefer to have rather than a monetary bonus, if I judge your character correctly.' Beckett paused and saw a spark leap in Sparrow's dark eyes. 'So... how would a promotion to captain suit you, as well as a vessel to command?'"
To set the mood for this part of the passage, enjoy this short clip expressing what is most likely Jack's feelings at this very moment:
However, as good as this song is, this mood only lasts for a few minutes (so pause the song at about... a minute in), as there is a conflict between what Jack wants and what Beckett wants.
"But something wasn't right. Beckett watched as Sparrow's grin vanished, and the tense wariness reappeared. 'Refitting, Mr. Beckett? I thought you said she was brand new.'
'She is. But her cargo area needs to be refitted to handle her projected cargo. The shipwrights tell me she'l be able to haul nearly three hundred. With a cargo that size, you'll be sure to have at least two hundred arrive in Barbados alive and ready for sale.'
Sparrow looked at him, clearly understanding now what Beckett meant. Then, slowly, he shook his head. 'No.'
Wait, what?
Apparently, Sober Jack has some morals as well (although he uses the excuse that "they smell bad"), and Beckett realizes that if he doesn't do anything soon, then Jack is going to slip through his fingers and he'll have to settle with someone stupid like Greene. At the very last second, Beckett makes another offer:
"'I have another ship. It's one I actually own. It's an older ship. The shipwrights have told me that converting her hold to haul slaves would be expensive, and rather time-consuming, so I bought her for hauling other cargos.' Beckett looked up at Sparrow. 'She's called the Wicked Wench. Would you like to sail her for me, Captain Sparrow?'"
A lot of people might ask what someone like Cutler Beckett would be doing with a ship called the Wicked Wench. There really is no justification for that (just to add a small homage to the original ride, I was told), but in context? He's Cutler Beckett. He can do what he wants.
Naturally, we know what Jack's answer was.
So after the deal is sealed, Jack and Beckett... talk for a few pages. Just about stuff. Nothing really worth mentioning, except...
"Beckett followed his [Jack's] finger (those filthy fingernails!) and his eyes widened. 'You've read Captain Ward's book?'
'Aye, I have,' Sparrow was relaxing a bit, to let that 'aye' slip, Beckett noted. Up until now, his word choice and accent had been perfect, nearly as perfect as Beckett's decidedly upper-class speech.
'One of my tutors gave it to me, when I was just a boy,' Beckett said. 'He taught me Latin and Greek.'
'My fa-' Sparrow hesitated, then continued, smoothly, 'that's a coincidence, sir, because the man who taught me to sail eventually gave me his copy. I suppose you could say he was one of my tutors.'
Beckett sensed there was a story behind that hesitation, but he also knew that it wasn't one he was going to hear. Sparrow's expression was bland as he reached over and took down the volume in question. 'I used to imagine going after the treasures mentioned in this book.'
'So did I,' Beckett said. 'And here we are on the west coast of Africa.'"
We all know where it went from there. But before it had the chance to go anywhere, the conversation ended on a polite note, as Jack eagerly goes out to look at his new ship. leaving Beckett to reflect on what had just transpired.
Yet before the chapter ends, however, there is one more major event that happens, and boy, is it important. While Jack's off having fun on the Wench (shut up. just shut up), Beckett receives a special visitor, one whom one can't help but to recognize.
Spoiler alert. It's not Barbossa. Although another Barbossa entrance would have been cool at this point.
"The door opened, and Cutler Beckett's operative appeared. Rain glistened on his tricorne, which he doffed as he walked in. Ian Mercer was a slender man, not very tall, with a pronounced Scottish accent and the coldest eyes Cutler Beckett had ever seen outside of a corpse. He was also quicker with a sword or dagger than anyone Beckett had ever employed before."
So we have the second unexpected, dramatic entrance from a character we (or, most likely, just I) didn't really expect to see. In comes Beckett's main lackey (whose first name surprisingly suits him), and with him comes the subject of the upcoming interrogation - a man with a bag of jewelry.
But it gets better.
As the man is interrogated about the jewelry (in Portuguese, nonetheless, and soon Spanish), Beckett discovers that these pieces are more significant than even he thought. Apparently, the man had obtained these pieces from a slave trader, who in turn had confiscated them from a group of slaves. With a little help from Beckett's convenient pirate treasure book, he immediately has his suspicions, and then this happens:
"Cutler Beckett picked up the armlet and examined it, turning it very slowly in his fingers, scanning the entire object minutely. He put it back down, then took a deep, careful breath. 'I'll buy them. But only if he gives us every detail about that slaver who had them. Not just his name. I want to know where he lives, whom he deals with, where these slaves were captured, everything he remembers the slaver telling him. I must know every detail. Especially, I want to know what became of those captured slaves, the ones who were wearing these objects.'
Mercer's eyebrow lifted. It was clear that the operative realized that something highly unusual was going on. Beckett wasn't about to offer any explanation, however. He cleared his throat. 'Tell him what I said, Mr. Mercer.'"
We all know he's really doing this inside.
Why? Because after the man explains every single detail of everything, the suspicions are soon proven true, and Beckett has all the proof he needs to confirm that Zerzura is, indeed, real.
"Beckett's fingers caressed the cover of Captain Ward's book, and he smiled, thinking and planning.
Zerzura, by all that is holy. Captain Ward, you were telling the truth, bless you. It's real. It's all real. Zerzura, the Shining City, where the treasure lies at the heart of the labyrinth. Kerma, the lost island. It's real, by Jove. Finding Zerzura will bring me everything I've ever wanted. Power, wealth... I'll have it all. The Heart, the source of ancient power. The golden treasure. And don't forget the people. Black gold, they call slaves. All of Kerma, lying there waiting to be discovered! And it will all be mine..."
And so that ends the chapter. So what all happened?
Naturally, we know what Jack's answer was.
So after the deal is sealed, Jack and Beckett... talk for a few pages. Just about stuff. Nothing really worth mentioning, except...
"Beckett followed his [Jack's] finger (those filthy fingernails!) and his eyes widened. 'You've read Captain Ward's book?'
'Aye, I have,' Sparrow was relaxing a bit, to let that 'aye' slip, Beckett noted. Up until now, his word choice and accent had been perfect, nearly as perfect as Beckett's decidedly upper-class speech.
'One of my tutors gave it to me, when I was just a boy,' Beckett said. 'He taught me Latin and Greek.'
'My fa-' Sparrow hesitated, then continued, smoothly, 'that's a coincidence, sir, because the man who taught me to sail eventually gave me his copy. I suppose you could say he was one of my tutors.'
Beckett sensed there was a story behind that hesitation, but he also knew that it wasn't one he was going to hear. Sparrow's expression was bland as he reached over and took down the volume in question. 'I used to imagine going after the treasures mentioned in this book.'
'So did I,' Beckett said. 'And here we are on the west coast of Africa.'"
We all know where it went from there. But before it had the chance to go anywhere, the conversation ended on a polite note, as Jack eagerly goes out to look at his new ship. leaving Beckett to reflect on what had just transpired.
Yet before the chapter ends, however, there is one more major event that happens, and boy, is it important. While Jack's off having fun on the Wench (shut up. just shut up), Beckett receives a special visitor, one whom one can't help but to recognize.
Spoiler alert. It's not Barbossa. Although another Barbossa entrance would have been cool at this point.
"The door opened, and Cutler Beckett's operative appeared. Rain glistened on his tricorne, which he doffed as he walked in. Ian Mercer was a slender man, not very tall, with a pronounced Scottish accent and the coldest eyes Cutler Beckett had ever seen outside of a corpse. He was also quicker with a sword or dagger than anyone Beckett had ever employed before."
So we have the second unexpected, dramatic entrance from a character we (or, most likely, just I) didn't really expect to see. In comes Beckett's main lackey (whose first name surprisingly suits him), and with him comes the subject of the upcoming interrogation - a man with a bag of jewelry.
But it gets better.
As the man is interrogated about the jewelry (in Portuguese, nonetheless, and soon Spanish), Beckett discovers that these pieces are more significant than even he thought. Apparently, the man had obtained these pieces from a slave trader, who in turn had confiscated them from a group of slaves. With a little help from Beckett's convenient pirate treasure book, he immediately has his suspicions, and then this happens:
"Cutler Beckett picked up the armlet and examined it, turning it very slowly in his fingers, scanning the entire object minutely. He put it back down, then took a deep, careful breath. 'I'll buy them. But only if he gives us every detail about that slaver who had them. Not just his name. I want to know where he lives, whom he deals with, where these slaves were captured, everything he remembers the slaver telling him. I must know every detail. Especially, I want to know what became of those captured slaves, the ones who were wearing these objects.'
Mercer's eyebrow lifted. It was clear that the operative realized that something highly unusual was going on. Beckett wasn't about to offer any explanation, however. He cleared his throat. 'Tell him what I said, Mr. Mercer.'"
We all know he's really doing this inside.
Why? Because after the man explains every single detail of everything, the suspicions are soon proven true, and Beckett has all the proof he needs to confirm that Zerzura is, indeed, real.
"Beckett's fingers caressed the cover of Captain Ward's book, and he smiled, thinking and planning.
Zerzura, by all that is holy. Captain Ward, you were telling the truth, bless you. It's real. It's all real. Zerzura, the Shining City, where the treasure lies at the heart of the labyrinth. Kerma, the lost island. It's real, by Jove. Finding Zerzura will bring me everything I've ever wanted. Power, wealth... I'll have it all. The Heart, the source of ancient power. The golden treasure. And don't forget the people. Black gold, they call slaves. All of Kerma, lying there waiting to be discovered! And it will all be mine..."
And so that ends the chapter. So what all happened?
- Beckett appeared.
- Pages 91-97 became the most read pages in the entire book.
- Beckett is a slave trader, for.... some.... reason.
- Another Beckett flashback is foreshadowed
- He apparently has a PhD in sucking up
- Jack is still sober
- It is addressed that Jack and Beckett read the same book
- Mercer happened.
- Internal squee-ing happened.
Is it odd that Beckett's always going after some heart or another? It's a thing I've noticed between the book and the movie...
And what did I think?
- Hopefully this isn't like the Pirates sequels where this will be the only interesting part...
- asdfghjkkll FLASHBACKS. FLASHBACKS.
- Nothing else that I haven't already addressed several dozen times, now...
What is the next chapter? Is Jack in it? Is Beckett in it? I don't know. And now since I have my own copy of the book, there's only one way to find out.
So happy extremely belated holidays, happy new year, and let's hope 2012... doesn't bring us the apocalypse.
Might host Rocky Horror night while the apocalypse is *supposed* to be happening. Worked last few times.
So happy extremely belated holidays, happy new year, and let's hope 2012... doesn't bring us the apocalypse.
Might host Rocky Horror night while the apocalypse is *supposed* to be happening. Worked last few times.
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