[Leery House – Joey and Dawson are walking up to the porch after school.]
Joey: I hate finals. I mean, what kind of a sadist bases 1/3 of the semester’s grade on whether or not you can recite the opening of the Canibury Tales in perfect (missed word?) English.
Dawson: Joey… We’ve been over this a thousand times. You pronunciation is flawless.
Joey: Well maybe so, but I’m still gonna continue torturing myself until test time. I just have to.
Dawson: Of course you will. I’m aware of the Potter neuroses.
Joey: I prefer to think of them as quirks!
Dawson: Do you?
Joey: Yeah.
Dawson: Well, whatever works for you.
Joey: I can get into the Leery neuroses.
Dawson: No, no, no, you don’t have to do that. Besides, umm, I’m nervous enough on my own.
Joey: Why?
Dawson: Uhh, well, there’s an event… looming on the horizon. And, uhh, I seem to recall a certain pact made my two freshman regarding said event.
Joey: Junior prom. We both agreed that if we didn’t have dates we’d go together.
Dawson: So you do remember.
Joey: Are you asking me to prom? Dawson: I don’t want to go with some random person and have it mean nothing. I want to go with my oldest friend… that would be something I’d want to remember.
Joey: Or we could both agree that it’s a meaningless event and not go at all.
Dawson: But it does mean something. I mean, there’s a million reasons why proms are ridiculous and stupid. But we made that pact because it obviously mattered to us. It’s a right of passage. And I can’t think of any better way to move forward, than to fulfill a pact made by two old friends and just have a good time.
Joey: Okay.
Dawson: Okay!
Joey: But I have two rules. No cheesy corsage for me and no blue ruffly tuxedo shirt thingy for you.
(Dawson nods. Just then Gail and Mitch open the front door and they are kissing. Gail is mumbling about having to go but Mitch is stopping her. They do not notice Joey and Dawson who stand there watching in shock. Suddenly Mitch and Gail notice they have company and stop. They look at Dawson and Joey and just smile uncomfortably.)
Joey: You know what? I’m not wearing a watch but I’m probably at least late for something that I should probably be at, so… see you guys later. (Joey walks off the porch and makes her way home.)
Dawson: See ya.
Gail: Uhh, sweet heart, we should probably talk about what you just saw.
Mitch: You know what, I’ll talk to Dawson. You should probably go ahead and get to the restraunt.
Gail: Okay. (she leaves)
Dawson: (going into the house) This should be good.
Mitch: You okay?
Dawson: You know what, yeah, I am.
Mitch: About what you just saw…
Dawson: What I just saw, Dad, is something I’ve seen about five million times over the course of my life.
Mitch: Under the circumstances, don’t you think we should talk about it?
Dawson: At this point, I’m numb.
Mitch: You’re numb?
Dawson: Yeah. You and Mom have always had a relationship that’s been a little dramatic. All the while I’ve been in the middle for all the backs and forths and ups and downs… And a little while ago, I realized I don’t need to do that. I can just kinda sit back unattached and watch from afar.
Mitch: Yeah, you can do that. But I think you should know that what’s going on between your mother and me is a lot more than casual.
Dawson: Are you saying that you and Mom are getting back together?
Mitch: No, we haven’t discussed that.
Dawson: In that case, I’d prefer that you left me out of it entirely. I’m enjoying the numbness right now. You haven’t talked to mom. You don’t know even what she’s feeling.
Mitch: I was married to your mother for twenty years. There are some things I know without having to ask.’
[Dougie’s House – Andie is sitting in the living room, I guess studying with Pacey. Pacey walks in from the kitchen and joins her.]
Pacey: How’s the studying going?
Andie: Fine.
Pacey: You want anything? I can get you water, lemonade…
Andie: No, I’m good. (flashing bottle of Canada Dry) Umm… do you want me to go?
Pacey: (sitting on the couch) Why would I want you to go?
Andie: I don’t know, I just get that feeling that you… want me to go.
Pacey: No, I don’t want you to go.
Andie: ‘kay.
Pacey: I just… sometimes I… I feel kinda…
Andie: Thirsty? Tired? Mad? Sad?
Pacey: Yeah.
Andie: Sad.
Pacey: Yeah. It’s something like that.
Andie: You know maybe it’s time that you come out of this cave. You know, just get back out.
Pacey: Back out where?
Andie: (pointing around her) Out there! Go to the prom.
Pacey: With who, Andie?
Andie: I don’t know, anybody. A girl. You could go with me if you wanted to.
Pacey: You don’t have a date to the prom?
Andie: I am currently sifting through offers. I have just yet to make my final decision.
Pacey: Do you want me to ask you to the prom?
Andie: I just want to see you happy again.
Pacey: I don’t think the prom is gonna act as some magical happiness elixir for me. You’re probably better off taking one of those other guys up on their offer.
Andie: Sure will.
[Potter B&B – Bessie and Joey are sitting on the couch at night.]
Joey: Dawson asked me to the prom and I said yes. Now I feel like I made a huge, horrible mistake. I mean, he assured me that it will only serve to recement our admittedly shakey friendship. But, I don’t know. I mean, what about the undeniable romantic implications? And not to mention Pacey, what about Pacey?
What did you think accepting Dawson’s prom invitation would do if not put you right in the middle of his tug-a-war with Pacey?
I know, it’s just… I’m trying! I’m trying so hard just to get things back to the way they were.
Come on, Jo. You are not that naïve.
I have to be. I’m backed up into a corner. I don’t have any choice.
You always have a choice.
No appealing choice.
So you’re looking to me to provide the magical key to this problem?
Yeah. I gotta say, you’ve been a little thin in the advice department lately.
Well give me a problem that actually has a solution and I’ll solve it.
You’re right. No matter what I do, someone gets hurt.
[Capeside High Cafeteria – Jack and Andie sit eating lunch. In the background, a girl sits at a table selling tickets to the prom.]
Andie: I hate the stupid prom. The stupid prom can kiss my ass.
Jack: What’s wrong with you?
Andie: I thought that Pacey was gonna ask me to the prom. But no, instead, I must humiliate myself and go alone.
Jack: It’s better than going with an ex-boyfriend that you’re not over yet.
Andie: I am so over him. I am! That’s why I want to go with him. Because it will be safe. What about you? Did you get your tickets yet?
Jack: I’m working on it. Did you see the theme this year? “Couples”. They’re gonna have every couples names on the balloons, on the little place cards, on the cheesy prom souveniers.
Andie: So?
Jack: So when you go to buy your tickets, you gotta say who you’re bringing. Which basically means I have to march over there and tell the world that I’m bringing a guy to the prom.
Andie: Don’t you think that when you show up with Ethan at the prom, they’re gonna kind figure out that he’s your date?
Jack: He’s not my date date. We’re just going as friends. He calls it taking it to the next step towards self acceptance and actualization. Whatever the hell that means.
Andie: I don’t see what you’re so worried about. I mean, it’s not like you to care what other people think.
Jack: Did you see who’s selling the tickets?
Andie: Barbara Johns?
[Capeside High Campus – Henry and Jen are just finishing lunch on a bench as the bell rings for class. They gather their stuff and get up to leave.]
Jen: So, you know what they’re having this weekend is the Junior Prom.
Henry: Really?
Jen: God, is there a more ridiculous and embarrassing ritual then the prom? The way it totally reinforces traditional gender roles, rewards the cool kids, punishes the geeks, and I mean… the pressure that this one single night exerts on the common teenager… to make hollow, awkward, romantic gestures like pinning a cheap corsage on taffita, having drunken sex with some guy who’s name you won’t even remember, and then puking in the back of some cheesy-ass rented limo. I mean, it’s all just so overwhelming.
Henry: You’ve never been to a prom before, have you?
Jen: Well, no. But I know enough about them to know it’s just a sad…
Henry: So in other words, you’re asking me to go.
Jen: (pause) Yeah.
Henry: I’d love to. (they smile at each other and kiss)
[Capeside High Cafeteria – Barbara Johns is at the table still selling prom tickets. Jack attempts to buy his.]
Barbara: The theme of this year’s prom is “Couples”. Please state your name as well as the name of your date.
Jack: Uhh, it’s uhh, Jack McPhee. And uhh, Ethan Brody.
Barbara: Excuse me?
Jack: Ethan Brody. E-t-h-a-n…
Barbara: No, no, no… A boy can not go to the prom with a boy. The definition of a prom date is a boy and a girl.
Jack: Yeah, well I don’t think that’s any of your business.
Barbara: To be honest, I don’t understand why you feel the need to cause a spectacle and ruin the prom for the rest of us. But, if you feel you have to do so, I can’t sell you a ticket until I talk to Mrs. Meyer, head of the prom committee.
Jack: So what, you’re not going to sell me a ticket?
Barbara: What exactly is it the two of you will do anyway? Take a nice prom photo for grandma’s photo album? Dance stubble cheek to stubble cheek? Share a romantic kiss under the moonlight? You mean, you don’t think that’s going to weird out even the ones who’s sympathetic to people like you?
Jack: You can’t do this.
Barbara: Like I said, Jack, I’ll check with Mrs. Meyer and you can come back and try again. Next!
Dawson: (walking up to the table and noticing Jack) What’s up, Jack? You okay?
Jack: Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I gotta go.
Barbara: The theme of this year’s prom is “Couples”. Please state your name as well as the name of your date.
Dawson: Barbara, you’re in my gym class. You know my name.
Barbara: Please state your name as well as the name of your date.
Dawson: Dawson Leery and Joey Potter. (Pacey is sitting at a table eating in the background and hears this.)
Barbara: Ohh, happy couple! Back together?
Dawson: Something like that, yeah. (He finishes paying for his ticket and turns to walk away. He sees Pacey watching him, looks at him, then continues on.)
[Capeside High Front Steps – Andie, Jack, Joey and Dawson sit in the steps. Jack looks utterly depressed. Joey and Andie flank Jack and try to console him. Dawson leans against the wall watching.]
Joey: They can’t do this to you, Jack. We won’t let them.
Andie: Yeah! Well, we’ll lodge a formal complaint! And not only will you get your ticket… for free… but we will get Barbara Johns to apologize in front of the whole school.
Joey: On her hands and knees.
Jack: Guys…
Andie: Or, we could just go straight to Mrs. Meyer and tell her exactly what Barbara did.
Joey: Yeah, I mean, she has to sell you the tickets, Jack. Otherwise it’s discrimination.
Jack: Guys! I appreciate the support, I do. It’s okay. I’m just not going to go to the prom.
Andie: What? You have to go!
Joey: At this point it’s political.
Jack: That’s just it. Okay, it’s a prom, it’s suppose to be fun. I mean, why is my entire life have to be a fight? Why is something that’s normal for someone else have to be so political for me?
Andie: That’s just the way it is, and until things change you have to fight.
Joey: And we’ll be there with you. All the way.
Jack: I just wanted to go to the prom.
Andie: Well, if you’re not going, I’m not going.
Joey: Me neither. (Dawson’s head perks up at this.)
Andie: Good, then we’ll boycott and we’ll organize.
Joey: Yeah!
Dawson: I got a better idea. Jack, you’re right. Let’s hold out own prom. Right? An alternative prom. I mean, think about it. Why are we paying 80 bucks a pop to sit where they tell us to sit, eat rubbery chicken and listen to a special selection of Barbara Johns favorite tunes, when we can hold the anti-prom? Where it’s not who you bring, it’s about who you are.
Joey: I like it.
Andie: Yeah, I think it’s a great idea, Dawson.
Jack: (everyone looks at him expectedly, waiting for an answer. After a long pause) Yeah. What would an alternative prom be without a couple of gay guys?
[Leery’s Fresh Fish – Dawson is trying to talk his parents into having the Anti-Prom at the restaurant.]
Dawson: If you guys choose to take me up on this proposal, I worked it out and the revenue from ticket sales will offset the cost. I’m telling you guys, we can totally make this work.
Mitch: You’ve obviously given this a lot of thought. I only have one questions – why?
Dawson: Well, big things are happening all around. I’m just kinda trying to facilitate one of those big things, if the answer is yes.
Gail: Well, should we say yes, or continue to torture him?
Dawson: Thank you! You guys will not regret this, I promise!
Gail: But you do realize this is my restaurant, so I will be here.
Mitch: And every prom needs a chaperone.
Dawson: Okay, great. I’m gonna go hang some flyers. (He leaves)
Gail: Well, he seems to have gotten through yesterday’s event unscathed.
Mitch: He says he’s numb at this point.
Gail: Oh, is that a good thing?
Mitch: I don’t know. But he did seem remarkably enough, totally okay.
Gail: Well, that’s a relief.
Mitch: Kinda got me to thinking, though…
Gail: (tasting from a pot, to the chefs) Mmm, who put cayenne pepper in this marinara sauce?
Mitch: Gail? I thought maybe we should discuss what we’re doing here.
Gail: (not really paying attention) What we’re doing where?
Mitch: This thing, you and I are doing. I thought maybe we should discuss what it means.
Gail: Can’t we just enjoy it and see where it leads? Why do we always have to analyze everything? (to the chefs) Umm, hello? I asked a question. Who put cayenne pepper in the marinara sauce? (Mitch looks disappointed that Gail’s mind is elsewhere.)
[Capeside High Cafeteria – Andie and Jack sit at a table next to Barbara’s. Over her table is a sign that says “Prom tickets” and over Jack and Andie’s table is a sign that says “Alternative Prom tickets”]
Girl: Two please. Thanks.
Andie: Here you go.
Jack: This thing could actually turn out to be a success.
Andie: In a manner of speaking. (to two punkers covered in piercings) Hi!
Barbara: Just because the dregs of society go to your prom does not make it a success. Nobody that matters would be caught dead there. I certainly wouldn’t go if you paid me.
Jack: Oh, that’s a good thing. Cause we don’t want your kind at our prom.
And what kind is that? The good Christian kind?
Jack: This is not about religion, Barbara. I mean, the kinds that hate people. You know, the intolerant, judgmental, hypocritical kind. Closed-minded, immature, bigoted kind.
Andie: With bad fashion sense.
Jack: Really bad.
Barbara: Look, at least I’m not going to hell.
Jack: That’s it? That’s your whole comeback?
Barbara: I’d say the threat of eternal damnation is a pretty good comeback.
Jack: Yeah, well, that threat is not yours to make. You just don’t get it, do you? You’re totally missing the point.
Barbara: Next!
[Gram’s House – Henry, Jen and Grams are in Jen’s room while Grams fits Henry for a suit.]
Grams: And to think I was going to give this to the Goodwill.
Jen: You’re gonna look great, Henry.
Henry: I feel like a busboy. (he IS a busboy!)
Grams: It’s the burden of men, dear. While out on town you must stand in the background and let your woman shine.
Jen: Oh, I think that Henry shines just fine on his own, Grams.
Grams: (a tea kettle whistles from the kitchen) He certainly does. Oh, there’s my tea. I’ll be right back. (she leaves)
Jen: I think that it’s time that you and I had the talk.
Henry: The talk?
Jen: Yeah, the prom sex talk.
Henry: The prom sex talk?
Jen: Come on, Henry. Like it wasn’t going to come up sooner or later.
Henry: Not necessarily.
Jen: Oh, okay, tell me you weren’t thinking of it. You, me and the prom didn’t mean the distinct possibility of a little drunken, backseat rented limo nookie.
Henry: I didn’t rent a limo…
Jen: Okay, that’s not the point. The prom puts a lot of pressure on kids to do it, just for the sake of it. And you end up doing it 15 minutes before curfew and it’s completely unromantic and it’s way too fast and it just generally sucks. And you can never take that back or change it. So I thought that we could make the decision right now, not to do it.
Henry: Umm, well, I’m in no race, and you know that. But, we are gonna do it eventually, right? (Jen smiles and kisses him)
[McPhee House – Andie’s Room. Pacey walks in with Andie. She goes back to her desk and sits.]
Andie: To what do I owe the honor of this visit?
Pacey: Umm, I’m just bored, I guess.
Andie: You always know how to flatter a girl.
Pacey: That’s right. So… umm, guess you’re probably going to be going to that whole alternative prom thing?
Andie: Mmm-hmm… Oh, you are not going to believe what I did today. I threw my ticket back in Barbara Johns’ face. Get what that witch said to me when I bought it. ‘Oh, that is so brave, Andie. A girl going to the prom alone.’
Pacey: Why would you go to the prom alone? I thought you were sifting through offers?
Andie: Yeah, well, it turns out that I didn’t have any.
Pacey: So why didn’t you just tell me that?
Andie: Because I didn’t want a pity ask, okay? And it doesn’t matter anyway because all of my friends are going to be there and at this point I’m just going to support the whole stupid alternative prom thing.
Pacey: Well, you should have been able to tell me. And it wouldn’t be a pity ask, because it can’t be pity if it’s an honor. Andrea McPhee, would you go the prom with me? (Andie smiles)
[Potter B&B – Dawson walks up the front yard to the house in his tux as Bessie walks up with a camera. Joey makes her way out of the house in a long black dress with spaghetti straps and a shawl.]
Dawson: Wow! You look…
Joey: It’s the dress, Dawson.
Bessie: Okay, picture time. (Joey and Dawson stand together as Bessie takes a couple pictures.)
Joey: We should probably go, we don’t want to be late.
Bessie: Oh, you’ve always hated having your picture taken. Well, so Dawson, where’s the corsage?
Dawson: Uhh, we made a deal. No corsage. But I had to bring something. (pulling a jewelry box out of his pocket and opening it) I thought you could wear (showing Joey the inside) these.
Joey: Diamond earrings?? Dawson, I can’t take these.
Dawson: Relax, they’re my mom’s. They’re on loan. Like the Academy Awards. I thought they would look amazing on you.
Joey: I can’t wear them. I mean, what if something happens?
Dawson: Something happens to what, you’re earlobes? Stop, put them on.
Joey: They’re beautiful.
Bessie: So put them on! And I’ll get one more picture. (Joey does so.) One. Two. Three. (she takes another picture)
[Leery’s Fresh Fish – the alternative prom has already started. Gail and Mitch notice the weird people that are showing up.]
Gail: An interesting crowd.
Mitch: Lock the cash register.
Gail: I’m on it.
(Jack and Ethan sit at a table alone. Jack watches the people around him. Ethan sits uncomfortably in silence. Trying to break the ice…)
Ethan: Hey, can you believe we wore the same thing? (Jack doesn’t laugh, Ethan does.) Yeah, well, I thought it was pretty funny. You know, Jack, I’m not expecting you to dance with me, if that’s what you’re worried about.
Jack: No… I’m not worried about anything.
(Jen and Henry walk up.)
Jen: Hi there!
Henry: Hey!
Jack: Hey!
(Dawson and Joey walk up.)
Dawson: Hey, Jack!
(They all take seats at the 4 empty chairs at Jack and Ethan’s table.)
Jen: Hey guys. Joey, I love those earrings.
Joey: Thank you.
(Andie and Pacey walk up to the table, but Joey and Dawson don’t notice.)
Jack: Hey, Andie. Hey Pacey.
Andie: Hey guys. What’s going on?
(Pacey stares at Dawson and Joey together. As Joey and Dawson notice Pacey there, they both look a little shocked. Joey looks uncomfortable and Dawson looks upset.)
Dawson: (to Joey) Shall we dance? (As Joey and Dawson get up, Joey steals a look at Pacey then continues out onto the dance floor.)
Jen: Come on, sit down.
Andie: Great. (Pacey pulls her seat out for her and she sits.) Wow, Jen, your dress is fabulous!
Jen: Thank you. So is yours.
Andie: Thank you. (Pacey takes a seat next to her and looks out onto the dance floor at Joey) Hey Ethan. Hey Henry. (Joey out on the dance floor notices Pacey watching her. She looks at him for a bit and then looks away. Later, Dawson and Joey continue to dance. Pacey dances with Andie and Jen dances with Henry.)
Jen: So, here we are.
Henry: Yup.
Jen: At the prom.
Henry: Yup.
Jen: So what are you thinking?
Henry: I wasn’t thinking about sex, okay?
Jen: Henry, sure, you’re allowed to think about sex.
Henry: I, I wasn’t.
Jen: No, I’m sure. I’m just saying if you were, it’s fine. I mean, you can think about sex. I can think about sex. It’s just that tonight it’s not a factor, right?
(Jack and Ethan are standing at the edge of the dance floor, watching people dance.)
Ethan: I’m glad, you know.
Jack: That I what?
Ethan: That you had the courage to bring me, Jack. I know it’s not easy. Even for me. When Brad and I first told people what was happening…
Jack: Could we maybe put a pin in the ‘when I was a young gay boy’ stories tonight? It’s not providing me with a lot of solace right now.
Ethan: What I was going to say, Jack, is that Brad and I never did anything together. In fact, for all my bravado, I’ve never asked a guy to anything like this.
Jack: You mean, all that crap about actualization? You mean you haven’t actualized?
Ethan: I guess I thought it was a hurdle we could jump over together.
Jack: At my high school prom, where you know no one and I know everyone? Tell me, how together is that, do you think?
Ethan: So you win in the courage department.
Jack: No, no, I don’t. Cause I was tricked into it. Courage would have been telling you that I’m not ready for this. That however healthy this might be for my sexual identity, I really don’t want to be here right now.
Ethan: Well, I’m sorry.
Jack: So am I.
Ethan: Where are you going?
Jack: I’m going to get a soda. You know, I was wondering, wise, gay sage that you are… Coke, Diet Pepsi, what’s better for my self-actualization? (he walks away)
(Jen and Henry continue to dance.)
Jen: You know, there are other things that we could talk about. I mean, besides sex.
Henry: Of course. I mean, we could talk about…
Jen: Summer. We can talk about what we’re going to do this summer. I thought that we could take a couple day trips up to Nantucket. Go see some concerts up in Boston…
Henry: Sure, when I get back from football camp.
Jen: What-ball camp?
Henry: Football camp. Cleveland, eight weeks. I leave at the end of June.
Jen: You’re leaving me for the whole summer to go to football camp and you tell me this now?
Henry: Well, what’s wrong with now?
Jen: You don’t devastate your girlfriend with the news of an impending two months separation in the middle of the prom. That kinda ruins the night.
Henry: I’ve ruined the night?
Jen: And as far as later goes, whatever slim possibility may have existed that you and I might actually have sex – well you can just forget about that now.
Henry: I thought we already established we weren’t gonna have sex tonight?
Jen: Oh, come on, Henry. That’s just what you say to alleviate the pressure and make it seem spontaneous when you actually do it. Of course there was a chance, it’s our prom. (Jen walks away. Henry seems a bit shocked at everything that just happened.)
Henry: Damn!
(Pacey and Andie are dancing and though he looks away occasionally, he spends most of his time watching Dawson and Joey dancing.)
Joey: Can I ask a brazen, but obvious question?
Dawson: Yeah, of course.
Joey: Why’d you bring me here tonight, Dawson?
Dawson: What?
Joey: Was it just so that you could throw jabs at Pacey?
Dawson: What are you talking about? I had no idea Pacey would be here.
Joey: You don’t think I get the subtext of every single one of those looks you keep throwing his way? I mean, you might as well go on the PA and scream, ‘She’s mine, Pacey. Ha!’
Dawson: Actually, that’s not what I’m thinking.
Joey: Then what are you thinking?
Dawson: I’m thinking, what right did he have to show up to my mother’s restaurant at a prom that I organized? What exactly is he trying to accomplish?
Joey: You know, given the circumstances under which this night originated, what right do you have to exclude anyone?
Dawson: I’m not excluded him. Joey, I haven’t said a word to him.
Joey: That hasn’t stopped you from parading me around all night like I’m some sort of a prize.
Dawson: Parading you? Joey, I’m not parading you around. Joey, you’re my date and I’m dancing with you. It’s not my fault if he keeps staring at us.
Joey: You’re right. None of it’s your fault. None of it’s anybody’s fault, it’s just happening. But who cares what it’s doing to me.
Dawson: Okay. You know, let’s just start over, okay? It’s just Dawson and Joey at the prom, having a good time. Okay? (Joey shakes her head as if that idea would never work. She takes one look at Pacey and then slaps Dawson on the chest.)
Joey: Look, I need a breather. (She walks off.)
(Outside on the pier next to the restaurant, Joey walks over to Jack who stares out over the water.)
Joey: Care to make a run for it?
Jack: Yes please.
Joey: So what are you hiding from?
Jack: I am hiding from Barbara Johns.
Joey: She’s here?!
Jack: No. Yeah, in a way, she is. She was right, Joey. I don’t belong here. I’m not gonna dance with Ethan, I’m not gonna have my picture taken with him. And whatever good time I was gonna have time, I just ruined it by the way I treated him.
Joey: You really like him, don’t you? I remember a conversation less than a year ago. Under these very stars. And all you could see was the pain and the loneliness that made your life different from everyone else’s.
Jack: As opposed to now, when all I can see is the pain and loneliness that makes our lives the same? Look, I know how sad it is to hide from something that you really want, Joey.
Joey: I just want everything to go back to the way it was, you know? All of us friends again and me not caught in the middle.
Jack: If you want things to get back to the way that they were, you have to set the example. Dawson and Pacey, those two just are not gonna do it themselves right now.
Joey: How about we hide out here for awhile first.
Jack: That sounds good to me. (they hold hands)
Joey: Thank you.
Jack: Thank you.
(Back inside, Mitch and Gail are out on the dance floor dancing.)
Gail: You know, this might be a tad presumptuous but, I took the liberty of packing a bag. I thought maybe I could stay over.
Mitch: I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Gail.
Gail: Mitch, what are you talking about?
Mitch: I’m not here just for your whim, Gail.
Gail: (laughing) Excuse me?
Mitch: Go ahead and laugh, but you know, we’ve finally gotten back to this point in our relationship by being honest with each other. I’m not going to stop that honesty now.
Gail: Okay, so the honest thing is to talk about it. Let’s talk about it.
Mitch: I can’t keep playing this game. Is it a slip up? Is it a relationship? Is it a Saturday night arrangement?
Gail: What do you want it to be?
Mitch: You know what, Gail? I’m sick of being the one always anxious to define our relationship, or lack thereof. What I want is for you to define it for once. (He walks away)
(Joey walks over to the table where Pacey is sitting. He has his back to her so he doesn’t notice.)
Joey: I’ve been meaning to ask you something all night, Pacey. (Pacey turns to look at her) Would you like to dance with me? (she takes his hand. Pacey looks at her hand in his for a moment.)
Pacey: Yes. (they move out to the dance floor and begin to dance) How come this feels do right?
Joey: It was those dance lessons. (they both smile. Andie walks back into the room and notices them dancing together.)
Pacey: (slightly caressing her ear as he pretends to touch her earrings. Joey looks up at him, obviously feeling something by his touch. He looks at the earring) Where did you get those? They’re not you.
Joey: (as Pacey pulls his hand away from her ear, he gently pulls on a wisp of hair that’s loose from her French twist) Why, because I’m just a poor tom boy, or…? Dawson gave them to me.
Pacey: Nah-uh… (raising her hand with the bracelet on it and caressing it softly) See this? This is you. (he moves the bracelet around on her wrist, rubbing her hand) It’s not showy or gawdy. It’s simple. Elegant. (taking her hand in his) Beautiful.
Joey: (a little taken aback) It’s my mom’s bracelet.
Pacey: I know.
Joey: (pulling her head back to look at him, a little surprised) How do you know?
Pacey: Well, because you told me. Six months ago. (caressing her arm) You were wearing that blue sweater with the snowflakes that you have. You were walking down the hallway at school. I was annoying you as per usual. (rubbing her wrist where the bracelet is) You said, ‘Look, Pacey, I just found my mother’s bracelet this morning, so why don’t you cut me some slack?’
Joey: (laughing slightly, like he’s weird) You remember that?
Pacey: (after a pause, whispering) I remember everything.
(They dance cheek to cheek now as Pacey rubs her back. Joey is definitely affected by his touch and sways gently with him. Pacey just can’t stop touching her skin. Andie watches from the side and it looks like she’s about to cry. Suddenly Joey is broken from her trance when she looks over Pacey’s shoulder and sees Dawson watching. He looks very upset. Pacey can feel Joey’s body stiffen in his arms. Dawson walks out, and Joey looks at Pacey with a sad look on her face. After the commercial, Joey rushes out after Dawson and catches up with him on the street.)
Joey: Dawson! Dawson, wait! Dawson, wait!
Dawson: How could you do that to me? Are you trying to hurt me??
Joey: No! I’m trying to set an example. I’m trying to get things back to the way they were.
Dawson: You can’t go back to the way they were. Joey, don’t you get it? You can’t climb through my window, pop in ET and have it be the same, okay? You can’t dance with him at the prom I organized and expect me not to be hurt.
Joey: You said tonight was about you, me and our friendship. If that was really the care, it wouldn’t matter who I danced with.
Dawson: I said tonight was about moving forward. What did you think that meant? You can’t have thought that’s all I wanted. The whole reason I suggested this whole stupid alternative prom, wasn’t about Jack. It was about you. And maybe I tried too hard, but I didn’t want to miss my chance to dance with you, to hold you, to make you remember what it was like. I thought maybe I could make it perfect…
Joey: And that I would pick you? Say it Dawson. You thought if you orchestrated this whole evening that I would be convinced in to picking you over Pacey, right?
Dawson: You have to pick somebody, Joey. I just wanted to remind you what you would be missing if you didn’t pick me. You’d be missing a lot. So would I. I’d be missing everything. (he kisses Joey softly) That’s how the evening was supposed to end. (He walks off leaving Joey on the street.)
[Gram’s House – Henry opens the porch door and Jen walks in.]
Jen: I think I can take it from here, thanks.
Henry: Wow. I think those were the most words you’ve said to me since I told you about football camp.
Jen: Henry, I’m not in the mood.
Henry: Fine. Than can we please talk about something else? Like why would you make such a big deal about there being no possibility of us having sex, if you were planning on doing it all along?
Jen: I wasn’t planning on anything. I mean, I thought that maybe if it happened, if it felt right and natural, than maybe we would. You know, it doesn’t even matter.
Henry: Cause of football camp? You know, I hate it when you do this. You get extreme about the future of our relationship at the first sign of one of your insecurities.
Jen: This isn’t about my insecurities. It’s about your cowardice. And the fact that I planned our entire summer together and you weren’t even thinking about spending any time with me. For the first time in my life I made myself vulnerable to somebody. And now I just feel stupid.
Henry: Jen, my decision to go, that’s got nothing to do with you.
Jen: Exactly. But if this were a real relationship, your choice for those 8 weeks, it would have had at least something to do with me. Goodnight, Henry. (she opens the door and walks inside)
Henry: Jen, I won’t go through this again. This time there won’t be any posters or grand declarations of my feelings towards you. You walk in that house, it’s not just goodnight. It’s goodbye.
Jen: Goodbye.
[Capeside Train Station – Ethan still in his tux carries his bag and is about to walk out to the train terminal. Jack, also in his tux, runs in to stop him. Everyone else in the room walks out, leaving them alone.]
Jack: Ethan, wait! Wait. What are you doing? Are you leaving?
Ethan: Are you kidding me?
Jack: Look, I’m sorry for the way that I acted tonight.
Ethan: No, Jack, I’m sorry. You clearly weren’t ready for this.
Jack: That’s just it. Because I don’t know what “this” is. So maybe we should define “this” before we decide who’s ready. (he takes a seat. Ethan drops his bag)
Ethan: What are you saying?
Jack: I’m saying… I’m saying that tonight… I don’t think that I was uncomfortable with bringing a guy to the prom. I think I was uncomfortable taking someone who doesn’t feel the same way about me as I feel about him.
Ethan: Jack, I really like you.
Jack: Then why all the hurdles? Why this whole journey for us to be together when all you have to do is lean over and…
Ethan: Kiss you.
Jack: Yeah, something like that.
Ethan: Cause, Jack. I don’t want to kiss someone who isn’t ready. And I don’t know if you’re ready, so I’m afraid you’re gonna have to kiss me first.
Jack: How do you know that I couldn’t?
Ethan: I don’t know. I’m guessing.
Jack: (standing up and walking up to Ethan) Well then maybe you’re guessing wrong. And maybe I’m ready.
Ethan: Okay. So here we are. A lone train station. No one around. No lights, no cameras, no network television to cut to commercial. Just you and me. So kiss me, Jack. I dare you. (Jack doesn’t move. Ethan grabs his bag and walks out.)
[Capeside Pier – Pacey is walking Andie home.]
Pacey: I honestly believed that when I came over to invite you to the prom, it was because I wanted to go to the prom with you. And I can’t tell you how much I wished that were the truth. But as soon as I got there, I realized that I wanted to go to the prom because she…
Andie: I know why you wanted to go to the prom, Pacey. And I’m sorry that it didn’t work out for you. But at least you got to dance with her.
Pacey: What can I do? Really, I’ll do whatever it takes to make this up to you, Andie.
Andie: What it would take is something that I don’t think you can give me right now. And I’m not mad at you, Pacey. Honestly, I’m not. I just… I really feel bad for you.
Pacey: Did I tell you what I’m gonna be doing this summer? I’m gonna sail “True Love” down to Key West. Just me and the sea. How’s that for Hemmingway-esk?
Andie: So when are you gonna leave?
Pacey: Right after finals.
Andie: Have you told her how you feel?
Pacey: Andie, she already knows how I feel.
Andie: I mean, have you really told her, Pacey? You can’t just leave without letting her know. I mean, that’s not like you. You don’t just stand and let things happen and you don’t run away, either. You have to tell her that you love her. (starting to cry) And you have to try to get her back. Because if you don’t, I promise you, you will regret it.
Pacey: Maybe.
Andie: No, Pacey. You will.
[Leery Residence – the next day Dawson sits out on the lawn chairs as Joey walks up. She’s carrying a jewelry box.]
Dawson: Hey.
Joey: Hey. I brought these back for you. (places the box on Dawson’s chair) They’re so beautiful. I’m not quite sure they’re me, but, I had a really fun time wearing them. So, I’m not going to deny that when you kissed me last night, I felt something. Something that I wasn’t expecting and something that probably will always be there. I can’t keep hurting people, Dawson. And I can’t choose. So I’m telling you the same thing I told Pacey. Please don’t make me. I’m not ready and I can’t do it.
Okay.
Okay?
I’ll wait. Call me an eternal optimist. But I have faith. This whole year has been a soul searching journey and I feel like I’ve finally come to the end. And what I found, was you.
(Gail runs past them and into the house. Joey looks up and watches her. Dawson sees this and turns to watch Gail, too. Gail rushes into the house.)
Gail: Mitch!
Mitch: What?
Gail: (taking his hands and leading him into the living room) Mitch! Come here
Mitch: What is it?
Gail: Just come here. Umm, sit down.
Mitch: (sitting down) What are you up to?
Gail: Just this… (she kneels in front of him) Last night you asked me to define this relationship, and I wasn’t ready to do it. (Dawson and Joey walk into the house and stand outside the living room watching Mitch and Gail) I had just been so afraid of screwing up, making the same mistakes twice. But I’m not gonna let that fear stop us from being together anymore. So, if our fate is to make the same mistakes all over again, than by God I hope we make those mistakes as well as we did the first time. (Mitch smiles at her) Is that a yes?
Mitch: Well, you didn’t ask me a question.
Gail: You know the question.
Mitch: (they stand up) You know the answer.
[The two begin to kiss. Joey and Dawson watch them for a bit. Joey smiles up at Dawson, and Dawson smiles as he watches his parents]
