Fanon or Canon?

[this_weirdness]

Does anyone know if there is any evidence (from the films, interviews with cast and crew, DVD extras, posts at Wordplay etc..) that Scarlett and Giselle are actually prostitutes, or is this something we have all just assumed?

Many thanks...

Comments

[veronica_rich]

I believe that's the presumption the filmmakers intended the adults in the audience to make, no doubt. It's never clearly stated. (Of course, it's never clearly stated that Jack's promiscuously bisexual, either, but that seems to be a widespread assumption as well. He could just as easily be a virgin. And Will could've been banging bakers' wives and daughters since he was 15. *G*)

[this_weirdness]

And Will could've been banging bakers' wives and daughters since he was 15.

Well, that would explain why Liz looked so glowy and dreamy after their 'wedding night' in AWE. ;)

[veronica_rich]

Considering it's always assumed he couldn't possibly be any good at it, that would make an interesting story for him having to explain where he's learned all these little tricks. LOL

gryphons_lair and I have discussed before how it's very possible a 16- or 17-year-old Will got lessons from the baker's widow, who would likely be in her mid-30s or so (but for the time, well preserved - and really not at all interested in remarrying). It would serve both their purposes and nobody would get hurt.

[this_weirdness]

My only issue with that idea is that Will seems ever so in love with Elizabeth at the start of CotBP. It seems unlikely to me that he would take 'lessons in love' from anyone else. He only has eyes for Miss Swann... but it would be very interesting to explore that idea. :)

[compassrose7577]

I guess it would be considered fanon, but the films did everything possible to make sure the assumption would be made that they were (Disney probably wouldn't allow them to come right out and say it). Considering that particular time, dressed as they were, with lip rouge and painted faces, unescorted at night (or any other time), and going out for a ride on Jack's 'boat' alone at the end of AWE, if they weren't they certainly would be treated as such.

If didn't want to give the impression that they were 'working girls' they were certainly going about it all wrong. The clothes make the.....whore.

[this_weirdness]

Yep. I'm not disputing that they most probably were 'working girls', but I'll be the first to admit that appearances can be deceptive. What got me thinking that there might be more to them than meets the eye, was the whole slapping thing. Why did Scarlett slap Jack? Of course, it might have been because he slipped out without paying, but there seems more to it than that. Why did Giselle slap him and ask "Who's she?"? That was jealousy right there. Why would Giselle be jealous of Scarlett if they were both prostitutes and Jack was just their customer? Of course, he might be more than just a customer to them both. He has obviously spun both of them a few lines over the years, and talk of love has clearly come up in conversation. They were both seem pretty angry with him all the time, and Jack admits that he might have deserved Giselle's slap. Something about their encounters with Jack seems personal, not professional, but then I'm sure that S & G wouldn't be the first prostitutes to form a personal relationship with one of their clients

[meowbooks]

And let's not forget the whole "We wants the redhead!" scene from the ride.

[this_weirdness]

I've never been on the PotC ride, but I'm told that Scarlet appears in an auction scene where "brides" are being actioned off, and pirates are shouting, "We wants the redhead." T & T also make mention of this in the DVD commentary of CotBP. I found this picture:

http://pirates.wikia.com/wiki/Image:Scarlet.JPG

Do you happen to know what Scarlett's role was in the auction? Was she up for sale, or was she involved in another way?

Thanks. :)

[meowbooks]

She's on auction, though she does seem to be enjoying the attention more than the other "brides". :D

[this_weirdness]

She certainly does seem to be enjoying herself. ;)

Potc wiki says this about the auction scene:

The "auction" scene in which women are offered for sale by the invading pirates has remained largely intact since the attraction opened, though the "Take A Wench For A Bride" banner comes and goes with some refurbishments.

Do you know whether Scarlett (and the other women) were being auctioned as a "till death do us part" bride, a "until I've had enough of you" bride, or a "paid by the hour bride"?

Thanks. :)

[justawench]

This seems like deja vu, because I know I've said this recently:

If they aren't, then why are they standing aimlessly around Tortugan streets at night? There's really no other explanation for them, so Occam's Razor makes me think yes.

[p0wdermonkey]

Scarlet and Giselle are actually Jack's sisters. They slap him because he said he was popping out for a pint of milk and he hasn't been back for three years.

Seriously, I agree with everyone who said they have to be prostitutes because there's nothing else they could in that place and time, acting and behaving like that.

But the fact that they sell sex for money doesn't have to be their defining characteristic. They could be pirates in their own right (think Anamaria fallen on hard times) or governors' daughters who failed to burn the rum in time for a quick rescue... And they could certainly have relationships with men that weren't - or weren't only - business.

[this_weirdness]

But the fact that they sell sex for money doesn't have to be their defining characteristic. They could be pirates in their own right (think Anamaria fallen on hard times) or governors' daughters who failed to burn the rum in time for a quick rescue... And they could certainly have relationships with men that weren't - or weren't only - business.

Absolutely. I've read a few interesting stories lately that offer some very plausible backstories for these two. I've got some Scarlett and Giselle plot bunnies of my own chasing me at the moment, and I just want to get the girls straight in my head. I like to know what's canon even if I decide not to stick to it! ;)

[mamazano]

It is a wide open field, open to all interpretations. The writers left many things ambiguous for a reason, to get us to think and use our imaginations.

I have been creating my own version of the two wenches, yet that is just one way to look at them. I look forward to seeing what you come up with as well. A nice thing about this fandom is the variety of visions that each of us brings to the mix. Adds a richness that extends beyond the end of the films.

Canon or fanon, I am sure whatever you write will be excellent, as always.