Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

economy and administration of every major port in the civilized world.
Any sailor that runs afoul of the EITC will soon discover that he’s run
out of ships to sail, not to mention ports of call where he can do
business. That goes double for captains, Jack.”
Jack swallowed, and looked genuinely intimidated, which at the
moment didn’t require a great deal of acting. It was a sobering thought.
“I grasp your meaning, Mr. Beckett.”
“Good. I’m glad we understand each other. It’s good when
business partners understand each other.” Beckett smiled again, a
return to the warm, approving smile he’d shown when Jack had
entered his office. “I know you like the Wicked Wench, Jack. Perhaps
you’d like her for your own some day?”
Jack managed to nod.
“That could certainly be arranged. But there’s no denying the
Wench has a few years on her, Jack. Don’t set your sights too low. As
my business partner, you could have any ship you wanted. Just think of
that, Jack. Any ship you wanted.”
First the stick, then the bloody carrot, Jack thought. He rose, and
nodded to his employer. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Beckett.” He waved
at Beckett as the man started to rise. “No, no, don’t get up. Thank you
for this opportunity, Mr. Beckett. I’ll see myself out.”
“Au revoir, Jack.”
As Captain Sparrow closed the door leading out of Mr. Beckett’s
office, Ayisha slowly rose from her cramped crouch before the keyhole,
careful not to lose her balance or make any betraying noise.
Straightening her back, feeling the muscles of her haunches and
thighs protest, she turned away from the door and walked back to her
seat at the sewing table to resume her work. Her fingers moved
automatically, stretching fabric, measuring, then marking lines to cut.
Occasionally she would rise and drape cloth across the carved
wooden clothing form standing in the corner of her room, not far from
where she unrolled her sleeping pallet at night.
While she worked, her mind was busy, going over the
conversation she had just overheard. So Mr. Beckett had given up on