Disclaimer: These characters belong to someone else. I’m sorry if I offend…
Rating: L for Crude Language, yes I know the tv rating system…
What you need to know: It’s a mystery as to what happen on the night of Joey and Dawson’s kiss. They aren’t talking (to anyone or each other) and Jen and Pacey are clueless as to the fact that anything went on at all. Although I would bet that wily Jen has some idea.
*************
Dawson’s Room As usual Dawson is sitting in his room watching the television. There is a noise at the window…Pacey pokes his head through the window.
Dawson: Hey Pacey. I didn’t think you could get off work tonight.
Pacey: I didn’t.
Dawson: What!
Pacey: Hey look man I don’t need you to bust my ass. I get enough of that from my family. Anyway, Nellie left early and hey what she doesn’t know- can’t hurt her. Considering that though…she must be relatively devoid of pain. Although you’ve got to feel sorry for her-living without a brain must be a daily struggle.
Dawson: I wouldn’t know- however you might shed some light on that disability. Look Pacey, if you loose your job your father is likely to do something even he could get arrested for.
Pacey: Hey there’s no chance of that happening. I’m too smart for Nellie.
Dawson: Debatable.
Pacey: Anyway, don’t tell. I need the job- I still plan on moving out- that is when I get up enough money. But hey enough of my dysfunctional life, I brought some videos for “movie night”.
Dawson: Cool- what did you get?
Pacey: One of the comic greats- Jim Carrey. I brought Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber.
Dawson: Tell me you’re joking.
Pacey: (looking pained) What’s wrong with Jim?
Dawson: Besides the obvious? You might find comic genius in juvenile jokes about body parts and acting like an idiot- but I prefer a plot and a point in my movies.
Pacey: But I have to put up with your sorry self, so you can show a little gratitude and watch the movies I brought. I didn’t have to sneak away from work but I did it for you.
(He pretends like he is hurt.)
I bet if Joey had picked out these movies you would praise her in her ability to recognize the pain that lies behind the guttural facade of Carrey’s comedy.
Dawson: Give me a break. Anyway Joey would never ever pick out those movies. In fact I think Joey would rather die an extremely painful death than watch those movies.
Pacey: Well that can be arranged.
(He walks over and puts the tape in the VCR.)
Anyway you don’t have to put up with me for movie night much longer, she’s coming back next week.
Dawson: How do you know that?
Pacey: I talked to Bessie. Hey simple flattery- it works every time. Tell a women she looks pretty and she’ll give you the world- or at least the arrival time for flight 567 from Paris.
Dawson: But how..what…um..I thought she was staying for the whole year. When did she change her mind?
Pacey: How should I know? All I now is what Bessie told me. Joey is coming home next week.
Dawson: I can’t believe that she didn’t tell me, I talked to her just last week.
Pacey: Who? Bessie or Joey?
Dawson: Bessie, you know that Joey hasn’t talked to me since she left for Paris.
Pacey: Yeah you never told me why she was so upset when she left. Care to share? I’d love to understand the inner workings of the female mind.
Dawson: (He sighs) So would I Pacey…So would I…
*************
Cut to Capeside High. Students are roaming the hall. We see Dawson and Jen together next to her locker. Jen: What do you mean she’s coming back? I thought that the scholarship was for the full year?
Dawson: I did too. I thought I’d have more time.
Jen: For what? Shouldn’t you be excited that your best friend is coming back into town?
Dawson: You know its more complex than that.
Jen: Yeah right you seem to make everything “more complex” than it really is. Just tell her that we’ve been seeing each other. That’s it- she’ll get over it. You know I like Joey and I still want to be friends when she gets back… but if you don’t tell her the truth, it will just be worse when she finds out from someone else.
Dawson: How can I tell her anything…we’re not talking.
Jen: Just don’t put it off, I know you have a tendency to over think things, especially when you don’t want to face them.
Jen walks towards her class. Dawson stares down the hall after Jen turns the corner he bangs his head on the locker. *************
Pacey is in the English wing and running late for school. He suddenly stops abruptly and checks his backpack.
Pacey: Damn, the one time I do my damn homework I leave the damn assignment at my god damn house.
Girl at a locker nearby becomes interested in the situation.
Girl: And now you’ve got to go to that damn class and explain to the damn teacher where the damn thing is.
Pacey looks at her with confusion and irritation.
Girl: (she shrugs) Without the damn- a sentence just isn’t a sentence.
Pacey: (asks like she doesn’t have the right to comment) Do I know you?
Girl: No you don’t know me but I know of you.
Pacey: Really? So does everyone in this school. By the way- why are you still talking to me?
Girl: It seemed like a good idea at a time. But I can just as easily ignore you like everyone else.
Pacey: (seems more at ease) Well officially I’m Pacey Witter…and you are?
Girl: Officially going to be late for class.
She walks down the hall. Pacey just stares after her. Suddenly she turns around with a half smile on her face.
Girl: Have a good day Pacey Witter—(She turns as if to leave and then she stops.) Oh and one more thing… I’d think of a damn good excuse.
Pacey: (confused) For not having my homework?
Girl: No…(She points upwards, the bell rings at the same time. She smiles and runs towards her class.)
As the bell rings… Pacey: Damn!!!! (Pacey runs towards the class, forgetting about the girl in his hurry.)
************
Later in the day. Dawson and Pacey are seen in gym together sitting on the bleachers moving their heads back and forth like at a tennis match.
Dawson: I don’t get this game.
Pacey: What’s to get. It’s like tennis for girls.
Cut to a scene of six guys all trying to play badminton. No one can seem to figure out how to work the “birdy”.
Pacey: Why can’t we learn a useful sport?
Dawson: Like what?
Pacey: Take your pick. I’d rather be playing croquette, anything that has a ball. I mean who decided that they wanted to hit around a piece of plastic called a birdy. (he stands up and yells) Yeah that’s it Kenny just shoot him the bird!
Coach: Shut up Pacey and sit down it’s your turn next.
Pacey: I knew I should have joined the basketball team.
Dawson: Oh, I didn’t know that the team was looking for a new mascot.
Pacey: Funny.
The guys move down to the floor, as they go Kenny hands Pacey his racket. Another guy hands one to Dawson.
They continue to talk.
Dawson: I know that I’m asking for whatever evil thing happens to me but…Pacey I need some advice.
Pacey: Well you’ve come to the right man….We are talking about women, aren’t we?
Dawson: Yeah. Look, I’ve got a major problem.
Pacey: Your problems are always major.
Dawson: This time its colossal. (Pacey misses the birdy and goes to pick it up).
Pacey: O.K. Shoot.
Dawson: I talked to Jen this morning. She wants me to tell Joey that we’ve been dating while she has been in Paris.
Pacey: And…
Dawson: And I haven’t talked to Joey in three months. What am I supposed to do? Walk up to her when she gets of f of the plane- “Hey Joey I know we’ve been having some problems but hey I want us to be friends again. I’ve missed you, I’m glad your back and by the way, I’m dating Jen now. I know that we have unresolved feelings but hey, I’ve moved on, so should you. How was Paris?”
Pacey: Slow down- unresolved feelings? What might those be?
Dawson: Give it a rest.
Gym is over and the two head towards the locker room, getting rid of their rackets on the way.
Pacey: I know I really worked up a sweat.
Dawson: So…
Pacey: Just gradually ease it into the conversation. You didn’t have any relationship with Joey anyway. Did you?
Dawson: That’s not the point. But I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.
Pacey: And that would be?
Dawson: (he dithers and looks around) I mean Jen and I were lonely, we just starting spending time together. We aren’t really serious. I mean we haven’t… we aren’t serious.
Pacey: Wait a minute. Does Jen know this?
Dawson: What?
Pacey: That you are just dating her because you’re lonely.
Dawson: I didn’t say that. I have feelings for her.
Pacey: (realization dawns) …And for Joey too. That is why you don’t want to tell her.
Dawson: Gwwh…this is so complicated. What do I do?
Pacey: Look Dawson, I’d love to help you but, (he glances at his watch) it’s time for lunch.
Dawson: Wait. Slow down. (He chases after Pacey as they head towards the lunch room. Pacey stops abruptly.)
Pacey: Look Dawson, I can’t take another year of this…the last one was enough.
Dawson: Of what?
Pacey: Joey,Jen,Jen,Joey…Get over it.
Dawson: I need your help.
Pacey: This is the last time I’m going to say it and then I will never, ever mention this again. Choose. Blond, brunette…at this point I could care less. The only thing I am interested in now is a fruit cup. Do what you want, I’m going to lunch.
Pacey leaves and Dawson is left standing in the same hallway he was this morning. As he slams his head into the same locker he mutters to himself…
Dawson: Joey’s right. Everything is back to the way it was before…. the so-called cliffhanger.
*************
Pacey is working in the video store. The girl from this morning walks in.
She looks around and picks up some of the videos on the shelves. She has a guy with her who looks impatient. He starts to walk around.
Pacey hasn’t recognized her, he is busy watching a movie.
Guy: Come on, just pick one. I told you I didn’t care.
Girl: You don’t care now but as soon as we get back you’ll moan and complain. “That’s a chick flick- I’m not watching that.” And your definition of a chick flick is anything that doesn’t have oodles of blood and guts.
Pacey starts to listen to the conversation and decides to join in.
Pacey: That’s every guys’ definition of a chick flick.
Girl: But Greg here is not every guy (she whispers) in fact I think every guy would be insulted by the comparison.
Greg is at the back of the store and can’t hear what she said.
Pacey: Do I know you?
Girl: This conversation is starting to sound familiar. Remember this morning? The profusion of damns? You were running late for class?
Pacey: Oh yeah. Right. (He points to Greg.) If you feel that way why are you going home with him?
Girl: Well first of all I wouldn’t want to add to the homeless problem. Second I really like his parents.
Pacey: What are you talking about? What about him.
Girl: Well good looks seem to run in his family.
Pacey: Um..I don’t-
Girl: You look confused. O.K. I’ll take pity on you. He’s my brother.
Pacey: Oh.
Girl: Enough of that. I think I’ll take Dazed and Confused. It has drugs and football players in it-maybe he’ll watch it.
Pacey: O.K. (he goes to get the tape) Here.
Girl: Thanks, here’s my parents’ account. (she walks towards the door, her brother follows)
Pacey: Wait- Who are you?
Girl: I told you- I’m his sister.
Pacey: No I mean your name.
It’s too late, she has walked out the door.
************
Inside of an old looking brick building Joey is talking to an older looking woman with a French accent. Woman: You don’t have to do this Joey. We can work something out. It’s not as if your problems are new or impossible. We have seen everything here. Stay.
Joey: I can’t. This isn’t what I wanted and the past months have shown that I can’t handle it. You said yourself that I won’t be able to make up the time I missed. So It’s better if I go home and start over. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Starting over. Maybe this time I’ll get it right.
Woman: You’re running again Joey. You ran to us and now your running from us. You know it is all right to let other people help you out. That’s what we want to do.
Joey: No I can’t do this. I have to work on the problems that I have in Capeside before I’ll be free to start over, maybe then I’ll come back to France. That is, if you’ll have me.
Woman: Of course- both I and Sara have grown quite fond of you- despite the problems. It would be our privilege.
Joey: Thanks. (She gets up and goes to hug the woman, but thinks better of it and walks towards the door.)
Woman: Goodbye Joey. I hope you find what your looking for.
Joey: I do too.
She walks out, carrying her suitcase and proceeds to get into a waiting taxi.
Joey: To the airport- Merci.
*************
Dawson is sitting in his room, trying to concentrate on his homework. After a few moments he picks up a sheet of paper on his desk. It has Joey’s flight information.
Dawson: Joey… (this starts the beginning of a flashback)
*************
Dawson and Joey are seen kissing. Joey pulls away with a smile on her face.
Joey: Yeah, this growing up together thing works for me.
Dawson laughs.
Dawson: So I guess this means that you’re not going to Paris.
Joey: What? Paris? Where’s that?
Dawson: Good. I’m glad.
Joey seems to think for a second. Dawson backs up and goes over to play with his video tapes. He looks a little nervous.
Joey: Um- I guess this means we have to talk then.
Dawson: Yeah-but…um, I think we need to take this slow. I don’t want to loose you as a friend.
Joey: (getting impatient) Total honesty- remember? I mean what does this mean for us? I know how I feel and despite this little voice in my head that is telling me that you aren’t as ready for the honesty as you seem to think- I’m going to be honest. Because I’m beginning to feel that if I don’t get this off of my chest, there will always be some reason or some fear that will stop me from saying it. I love you, Dawson. I have for a long time and being friends isn’t enough anymore. It’s too painful to sit here night after night pretending that I don’t care…that everything is safe, secure…the way it always was.
Dawson: But Joey this is new, I mean you just decided to stay, we need to sit down and-
Joey: From the way you’re talking I’m beginning to think that the only reason you kissed me is so that I won’t leave.
Dawson: That’s not true. I’m just confused. This all happened so fast.
Joey: Fast? Maybe for you but…
Dawson: Give me a break. I’m trying to be honest.
Joey: If you really felt that way- you’d be able to say that you care about me.
Dawson: I do care.
Joey: How much?
Dawson: This is too complicated.
Joey: Life is complicated Dawson, deal with it. Tell me how you feel.
Dawson: Joey…
Joey: I can’t believe this. No wait I can- you were scared of losing a part of your perfect little world. I mean- how dare I think of leaving. I mean there would be no one to listen to you when you talk about Jen…no one you could force to watch Spielberg…or maybe you do care but your just not ready. But it’s not fair for you to hold me back- just because you need more time and aren’t sure. I need to know.
Dawson: Joey your being irrational. I would never kiss you just so you would stay here.
Joey: Maybe not, but your not ready for this and I can’t hang around here anymore waiting for you to get a clue.
Joey turns and walks towards the window.
Dawson: Wait!
This time Joey doesn’t stop.
*************
Dawson is still in his room starring at the sheet of paper.
Dawon: I should have told her.
Jen: Hey Daws- Tell who? What?
Dawson: (he jumps up from where he is sitting) Jen! What are you doing here?
Jen: What? I can’t visit you anymore.(she smiles) Anyway I missed you. I didn’t see you at lunch today.
Dawson: I was busy. Sorry.
Jen: That’s ok- if you kiss me.
Jen walks over to Dawson and puts her arms around him. He still looks preoccupied and she gets a little nervous.
Jen: You aren’t still thinking about Joey coming back- are you?
Dawson: No- I’m working on some tough homework.
Jen: Forget about it- I need your full attention.
Dawson: Well you’ve got it.
Dawson hugs Jen but he still looks like he is thinking about what happened between him and Joey three months ago. He shakes his head and looks at Jen.
Dawson: You’ve got it.