For three days the Black Pearl had drifted in what Jack insisted was a "deliberate maritime meditation." Gibbs called it "forgetting to steer." Pintel claimed the ship was "thinking." Ragetti had fallen asleep twice while standing. Robin was cooped up in her library.
When the island finally emerged from the haze, Gibbs saw it first.
He lowered the spyglass slowly, expression tightening."This island," he said, voice careful, "is not friendly. I getting the bad vibes."
Jack leaned over the railing. "No islands are friendly to pirates."
Gibbs ignored him. "This is Gosparo Isle. Mafia controlled territory."
"By?" Jack asked.
"One of the five major mafia families," Gibbs said. "Capone Bege."
Pintel perked up. "That's a pirate?"
"No," Gibbs replied. "Mafia. You know, the underworld crime bosses and all?"
Jack straightened. "Then we stay away."
The three of them stared at him.
Jack held their gazes. "I do not wish to antagonize organized crime today."
"…You're serious," Ragetti said.
"Yes," Jack replied. "I'm tired."
"But you mostly slept." Pintel muttered.
Jack turned to Pintel and asked, "Did you say something?"
Pintel put his hands up and said, "Nothing. Must have been the wind."
Jack seemed to accept his answer, "Must have been the wind."
They docked soon.
The moment their plank touched the pier, a man stepped forward—thick neck, pressed coat, smug posture perfected through years of intimidation. Armed men flanked him, all smiles sharp enough to cut rope.
"Docking fee," the lackey said. "Paid in advance. Orders from Boss Bege."
Jack opened his mouth.
Pintel spoke first. "We're the Caribbean pirates."
The lackey looked bored.
"Our captain is the great Jack Sparrow," Pintel added, chest puffed.
The lackey paused. Squinted. "Who?"
Jack was suddenly in his face.
"Who?" Jack barked. "You've never heard of the famous Jack Sparrow?!"
The lackey blinked. "Am I supposed to?"
Jack recoiled like he'd been stabbed emotionally. "Do you… do you even know your famous people?"
The lackey crossed his arms. "I know all famous people."
Jack's eyes lit up. "All of them?"
"Yes."
Jack nodded slowly. "Then you must know that if you don't know Jack Sparrow, your knowledge is… incomplete."
The dock went quiet.
The lackey's jaw tightened. "Don't test my knowledge."
Jack smiled pleasantly. "I wouldn't dare. I'm just saying—if you don't know me, perhaps you think you know famous people."
The lackey bristled. "I know all famous people. Try me."
Jack waved dismissively. "Do you know famous marines?"
"Marine Admiral Sengoku, Marine Hero Garp, do you need to more names?"
"Overrated. Do you know famous pirates?"
"Pirate King, Big Mom, Whitebeard."
"Borrowed authority. You forgot one name- Jack Sparrow."
The lackey's eye twitched.
Jack leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "It's alright. Fame is complicated. Sometimes people miss things."
Silence.
The lackey inhaled sharply. "…Perhaps," he muttered, "I made an error."
Jack nodded solemnly. "Happens to the best of us."
"I will," the lackey said suddenly, pointing, "gather all information about Jack Sparrow."
Jack blinked. "All of it?"
"So much," the lackey declared, "that even you won't know yourself better."
Jack hesitated. "…That feels excessive."
But the lackey was already storming away.
They were not charged a docking fee.
Pintel stared after the retreating man. "Captain… that was incredible."
Gibbs rubbed his temples. "You bullied him into an identity crisis."
Jack smiled. "That is called charisma."
Gibbs shook his head, "That's not charisma."
Jack looked at Gibbs with a doubtful gaze, "It's not?"
Gibbs said no. Jack thought about it. Then he looked at Gibbs again and asked, "What's it called?"
Pintel, "I know! You should be what Ragetti called a politician."
Jack looked at Pintel, "And what is a politician?"
Pintel smiled, "I don't know."
Jack and Gibbs sighed.
Robin was disguised and taken ashore with Gibbs. Jack and Pintel, naturally, went to the tavern.
The tavern was warm and loud. Jack ordered rum. Pintel ordered meat. Jack ordered more rum.
They settled at a corner table.
Pintel chewed thoughtfully. "Captain, do you think we're that famous?"
Jack swirled his drink. "Fame is a state of mind."
Pintel nodded like that explained everything. "I once met a man who said he was famous."
"And was he?" Jack asked.
"No," Pintel said. "He got stabbed in the back by his own second in command."
Jack considered this. "Tragic. Remind me not to make Gibbs angry."
They drank.
Pintel leaned closer. "Captain… what if one day people tell stories about us?"
Jack smiled dreamily. "I hope they lie."
Pintel was confused, "Why should they lie about us?"
Jack smiled, "In truth we are dirty evil pirates. If they tell the truth about us, the children will be afraid. Mothers will warn their children using our names to make them sleep, saying 'Sleep otherwise Caribbean Pirates would come to get you'."
Pintel's eyes widened. "Captain.... you are so clever."
Jack took another sip. "Sometimes my genius... it's almost frightening."
They were halfway through another drink when the tavern door slammed open.
The lackey stood there, panting, eyes bloodshot, teeth clenched like they were holding back violence. He scanned the tavern before he saw Jack and Pintel.
"You."
Jack squinted. "Who?"
The lackey's face darkened.
Pintel leaned in. "The dock man. The one who said he knows all famous people and you schooled him?"
Jack snapped his fingers. "Ah! Did you learn?"
The lackey took several deep breaths. "My boss… wishes to meet you."
The tavern went silent.
Jack leaned back. "Tell him I'm busy."
The lackey's lips curled. "Boss Bege is very interested."
Pintel choked. Jack blinked.
"…I am that interesting?" Jack asked, then he stood up, "I am very interesting. Is there money and rum involved?"
"Yes. And," the lackey continued, "my boss believes you could be useful."
Jack stood. "Lead the way."