(Dawson stands on his pier at night.)
Dawson: This year on Dawson’s Creek…
(“Like a Virgin” – Joey and Dawson are in his bedroom and she’s already taken her shirt off and prepares to kiss him, but he stops her. Joey and Dawson are sitting on the pier from the end of this episode.)
Joey: So we’re friends, then we’re a couple. Friends again, then a couple. What are we now?
Dawson: Dawson and Joey.
(“Homecoming” – Andie is holding Pacey’s hand after they broke up and Pacey removes her hand from his. He walks away from her as tears streak her face. “None of the Above” – Pacey is laying on her pier – where he fell drunk – and is watching his picture of him and Andie sink into the water. Joey is in her house and spins around to face Pacey. “A Weekend in the Country” – Pacey is covering Joey as she sleeps on the couch next to the fire. “Barefoot at Capefest” – Dawson and Joey have just hung his ‘Imagine’ poster. “Like a Virgin” – Pacey and Joey sit at the end of her pier – from the end of the episode.)
Pacey: You know, it’s a new year, who knows. You and I might even become friends.
(“Stolen Kisses” – Joey and Pacey are standing out by the fire. Joey grabs Pacey’s hand to stop him from leaving, pulls him back and kisses him. “Neverland” – Pacey and Joey are on the side of the road after they just finish kissing and Joey is pushing him backwards down the road. “The Longest Day” – Dawson looks outside his door to see Joey and Pacey arguing. Joey and Dawson are up in his room afterwards and it’s right after he tells her she has to choose. She begins to cry and he walks out. Pacey is sitting on the pier next to his boat after Joey tells him they have to break up. A tear gently rolls down his cheek. Joey turns around after she left and sees he’s not there. “The Anti-Prom” – Dawson is kissing Joey right before he leaves.)
Joey: 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.
[Capeside – Mitch and Dawson are walking out of a place of business as Joey and Gail come walking up. They carry bags as if they have just finished shopping.]
Mitch: Well, if it isn’t my blushing bride to be and her maid of honor.
Gail: (kissing Mitch) Hi. We just stopped by ‘C’est Magnifique’ and Debbie said the dresses will be ready tomorrow, but the cake’s ready right now and I want you to come and see it.
Mitch: Let’s go.
Gail: Bye honey. Thanks Joey!
(They walk down the street. Joey seems a bit uncomfortable by the previous scene and she watches Dawson nervously.)
Dawson: They are as happy as I’ve ever seen them. If you can believe that.
Joey: I can. How’s the ring?
Dawson: It’s beautiful. And the dresses?
Joey: Oh, your mother’s is gorgeous, however, I’m starting to believe everything I’ve heard about the unflattering nature of brides maids dresses.
Dawson: I’m sure you’ll look amazing. Joey, thanks for doing this again. I really appreciate it.
Joey: Dawson, it was an honor when your mom asked me. How could I refuse?
Dawson: I know it means a lot to her, but it also means a lot to me. I couldn’t imagine you not being a part of this ceremony. And despite any awkwardness this might stir up…
Joey: You know what? It’s an important day for your parents and I’m not counting on it changing either of our lives, so it’s not going to stir anything up unless we let it, right?
Dawson: My point exactly, yeah.
Joey: You know what, I have to go. I have something borrowed, but I don’t have anything blue yet.
Dawson: Shouldn’t be too hard. Seems to be a lot of that going around these days.
[Capeside Pier – True Love is docked. Pacey carries boxes down unto the boat as Dougie watches.]
Doug: Hey Pacey, you sure this trip is such a good idea?
Pacey: I already cleared it with dad, okay? Stay close to shore, call home every week, I know the drill.
Doug: That’s not exactly what I’m talking about…
Pacey: You going to miss me? Is that it, Doug?
Doug: You know what you think you’re leaving behind here is just going to be that much bigger when you’re out there alone. Does Joey know you’re leaving?
Pacey: If she knows, I didn’t tell her.
Doug: So I guess she really doesn’t know how you feel about her either, right?
Pacey: She knows how I feel.
Doug: Pacey, have you spelled it out to her, in clear unwavering terms? Have you done that?
Pacey: And what exactly do you think would happen if I did that, Doug?
Doug: Worst case, nothing. Best case, she gives you a reason to stay.
Pacey: See, that right there is what happens to the male mind when it’s exposed to too many Katherine Hepburn movies.
Doug: Every time you look at the stars, you’re gonna see her face. You can’t run away from her face.
Pacey: Well, I can try.
[Capeside High – Jen and Jack are in the hall cleaning their lockers – which are across from each other. A trashcan sits between them as they gather their things and toss papers away.]
Jen: You know, there really is a certain pleasing summitry to this. You, me, together again. President and vice president of the bitter club, reunited for one last session.
Jack: I’m not bitter.
Jen: Oh yeah, sure, everyone wants their prom nights to end with the person they are most attracted to in the whole entire world speeding away from them on a commuter train. (she walks back to her locker and notices Henry at the end of the hall. She turns back to Jack) Hey Jack, when he comes over here would you mind telling him that I still mean everything I said, that I haven’t changed my mind, and that I hope that football camp in Cleveland is sweaty, gross, girl-free, not to mention painful and debilitating.
Jack: Do you realize how mature this is?
Henry: (going over to talk to Jen, then turning away and going to Jack) Jack, could you do me a favor? Could you tell Jen that I left my copy of Sid Arthur in her locker and I want it back.
Jack: No.
Henry: Why not?
Jack: Because she’s standing right here.
Henry: Could you just ask her, please?
Jack: Henry, this is ridiculous. (giving in) Hey Jen, guess what? Henry’s come over here with this ridiculously lame, Sid Arthur related pre-text because he’s secretly hoping that you’ll give him another chance.
Henry: That’s not what I said.
Jen: Why don’t you tell Henry that if he would like his book back, he should probably start digging.
Jack: Translation? She threw it away because it’s a painful reminder of how much she regrets freaking out like a total drama queen and breaking up with you at the prom.
Jen: Okay, I’m not a drama queen and I’m not the only one who totally freaked out.
Jack: Personal front. Must be the going rate for converting young lover subtext to text these days.
Henry: She’s right, Jack. Neither of us is being very direct right now. So how’s this? (turning to Jen) I’m sorry.
Jen: You know what, Henry? I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry we ever met.
Henry: That’s too bad. Because… I’m not. You have nothing else you want to say to me?
Jen: Nope, nothing.
Henry: (walking off) I guess that finishes that.
[Leery Residence – the doorbell rings and as Dawson goes to it, a mover is walking out carrying some chairs for the wedding. Andie is at the door with her yearbook.]
Dawson: Andie!
Andie: Oh. Hey!
Dawson: Hey, come on in. It’s a little hectic around here.
Andie: Yeah, so I see. Guess that’s why you ran out of school without signing this. My yearbook.
Andie, as much as I admire your unswerving devotion to high school rituals, I can’t believe you paid $34.95 so that you can one day look back at the disaster otherwise known as junior year. (Dawson flips to a bare page to sign)
Andie: (stopping him) Oh wait, no, no, no. I marked a page for you. (she flips to a page of candid shots of people around campus. The top one is of Pacey and Dawson)
Dawson: Subtly is not exactly your fortay, is it?
Andie: He’s leaving. He’s gonna take this summer sailing trip, you know, some macho adventure.
Dawson: (flipping through the book) Well, good for him.
Andie: Yeah. So, uhh, well, we’re gonna have this little send off tomorrow night. You know, a picnic down by the docks.
Dawson: Tomorrow night is the rehearsal dinner, so even if I wanted to go, which I don’t…
Andie: Dawson, you do realize that one is gonna have to make the first move, don’t you?
Dawson: (signing the book) It’s not going to be me and it’s not going to be tomorrow night, so… There you go. I signed on the page with all the faculty headshots.
Andie: Dawson, for what it’s worth, I’m not over the pain of this either. Letting go isn’t a one time thing. Something you have to do over and over again, every day. Thanks.
Dawson: Sure.
[Capeside – Joey is driving Bessie’s truck when she hears a siren behind her. She pulls over and the cop car pulls in front of her and parks. Joey sighs and looks annoyed as Dougie approaches the car. He looks at her as if she’s any old speeding person he pulls over.]
Doug: Driver’s license and registration, please.
Joey: (shocked) You’re kidding, right?
Doug: Driver’s license and registration, please.
(Joey looks down surprised and reaches for her paperwork. She hands it to him.)
Doug: Miss Potter, I clocked you going…
Joey: You have a radar gun?!
Doug: Visual assessment. You were going 5 to 7 miles per hour below the posted speed limit on this particular Capeside thoroughfare, but I’ll let it go with a warning this time.
Joey: I promise to be careful.
Doug: It’s not that kind of warning. I just thought you might like to know, that unbeknownst to you a particular attitudedly challenged younger sibling is preparing to leave Capeside for the summer. Seems he’s going to sail himself down to the Florida Keyes for the next three months.
Joey: When does he leave?
Doug: In a couple of days. I just thought you might like to know about it before it was too late for you to say or do something.
Joey: Thank you.
Doug: It’s not a problem, Miss Potter. Passenger advisories is typical officer protocol.
[Capeside – Pacey walks out of a mini mart with a bag of groceries. He’s eating a Three Musketeer. Joey leans against the wall waiting for him.]
Pacey: (offering her some candy) Want a bite?
Joey: This is your solution?
(walking down the street. Joey follows behind) What are you talking about?
Joey: You’re leaving?
Pacey: Uh-huh.
Joey: Just when things get tough you’re gonna pack up and leave?
Pacey: That’s the general idea, yeah.
Joey: Oh, real mature, Pacey.
Pacey: Well what do you want me to do? Sit around all summer and watch from afar as you and Dawson attempt to resuscitate your ailing relationship. No thanks.
Joey: Well, I expect you to at least say goodbye.
Pacey: Oh, yeah, the goodbye scene. I’ve played that one over a thousand times in my head. I come to you, heart in hand, and announce my plans. You look at me, pained, but then of course, the Potter sarcasm kicks in and I leave never getting what I came for.
Joey: What is that, Pacey?
Pacey: You never asked me to stay. Ever.
Joey: That’s not my decision.
Pacey: (stopping and turning to Joey) Yes it is. It always has been. You may be too afraid to make it but let’s be honest with each other here, the decision to be together or not be together has always been yours.
Joey: All I asked for was time.
Pacey: And that’s exactly what you got. And you’re gonna get three more months of it.
Joey: You know, I maybe undecided, Pacey, but at least I’m not running away. You can dress it up anyway you want, it still comes down to the same thing. You’re giving up.
Pacey: I’m giving up?
Joey: Yeah. You.
Pacey: Me?
Joey: Mmm-hmm…
Pacey: (laughing) Turn around. (she does) It’s your wall. (the wall now has a blank white square where Joey planned to paint)
Joey: Mmm-hmm.
Pacey: It’s unfinished. Just like us.
Joey: (turning back to Pacey) You know, believe it or not, Pacey, this is not the ending that I asked for.
Pacey: Me neither, but, it’s the ending we got, isn’t it.
Joey: Yeah, I guess it is. (she gives him a cold stare and walks off. Pacey sighs and looks up at the wall.)
[Leery Residence – the rehearsal has started. They are outside in front of the creek. The priest goes over the ceremony with Mitch and Gail. Dawson and Joey stand behind them in their places.]
Priest: This time, Gail will begin her vows to Mitch. (Dawson smiles over at Joey, but Joey has a scowl on her face.)
Gail: No offence, Reverend, but I have at least 20 people coming for dinner in about an hour.
Mitch: And sees as how Gail and I have done all this before…
Priest: Go on. We’ll do the rest when it’s for real.
Gail: Thank you, Reverend. (Gail and Mitch go inside, the priest follows slowly. Dawson and Joey walks off a bit.)
Dawson: I haven’t finished my best man speech yet. Any thoughts?
Joey: Ugh, I don’t have much to say about relationships these days, Dawson.
Dawson: If you have some place else you’d rather be, why don’t you just go?
Joey: What are you talking about?
Dawson: Do I have to spell it out for you? Pacey’s going away party.
Joey: I’m here, aren’t I?
Dawson: Yeah, in body, but not in spirit. Joey, you’ve got nothing positive to say. You’re basically going through the motions with a scowl on your face.
Joey: Dawson, I’m doing the best I can, can you cut me some slack?
Dawson: Cut ME some slack, Joey. Don’t make me feel like this.
Joey: Like what?
Dawson: Like you’re stuck with me (she is). Alright, I don’t deserve that. (you do)
Joey: You’re right. You don’t. I’m… I’m sorry.
Dawson: Why don’t you just go? Alright, give the guy my best.
Joey: I’m staying. (she walks off)
[Capeside Pier – it’s night time and True Love is in the water. Grams, Andie, Jack, Pacey and Jen sit at a picnic table off to the side and eat.]
Grams: Oh look! Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. Okay, who wants to make the first wish?
Jen: Oh my… Oww… Oww, I just bit into a crab shell. Chip my tooth, great, great. Just what I need to keep men permanently away from me.
Andie: Well, if that doesn’t work you can always join me this summer in the nunnery.
Jack: Hey, at least you get to have relationships before they failed.
Grams: Good grief, you all sound like a bunch of old babies.
Andie: Grams, it’s been a tough couple of months.
Grams: You don’t know what tough is.
Jen: No offense, Grams, but you have no idea what our lives are like.
Grams: What, you think I’ve never been in love before?
Jen: Yeah, once. With one man your whole entire life.
Grams: You know, when I was just a few years older than you, I was working at (missed word?) Naval hospital and I met a boy who had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. He was leaving for Posan in the morning. But we had an entire, glorious day on the beach. And at the end of that day, he leaned in close to me and whispered, ‘Will you wait for me?’
Andie: So, what did you do?
Grams: I froze. I knew if I leaned just two inches closer, the world as I knew it would be changed forever.
Pacey: So you did nothing? You didn’t kiss him, you didn’t try to speak to him, you just did nothing?
Grams: Nothing.
Jack: Do you ever wonder what your life might have been like if you had kissed him?
Grams: That’s just the point. I don’t have to wonder. The very next day I got my best friend Sally to cover the shift for me. And after seven turbulent hours in the cargo hold of the C-130, I arrived in San Diego, went straight to the docks and in front of the entire crew of the USS Missouri, I kissed him.
Jen: That’s funny, I had no idea Gramps was in the Korean war.
Grams: He wasn’t. Thomas Coalpepper. The boy with the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen died in Pusan in shallow water, before he ever made it off the boat. Two years later, I married your grandfather. So I’ve had 46 wonderful years with one man and one perfect kiss with another. And I have no regrets. How many of you would be able to say that about your lives? (they all sit around the table thinking.)
[Leery Residence – the rehearsal dinner is underway. Gail walks into the house as Dawson walks out.]
Gail: Honey, have you seen your dad?
Dawson: No, have you seen Joey?
Gail: No. (she goes inside. Dawson sees Joey standing on the pier by herself. He walks out to her as she sits on the pier.)
Dawson: (sitting next to her) Bessie called. She said she wants you to stop by the store on your way home.
Joey: Thanks.
Dawson: Sure. Joey, about this afternoon… I don’t want to fight, that’s the last thing I want to do.
Joey: I don’t want to fight either, Dawson. I’m sorry. If we’re going to have an honest relationship, Dawson, there’s something you should know. I broke things off with Pacey, not entirely, but a large part because I didn’t want to lose you. I may have lived across the creek, but it was only when I was rowing in this direction that I actually felt like I was rowing home. When you’re so much of my life, Dawson, I mean… Your house is my house and your family is my family, and there’s not a single significant event I’ve experienced that you haven’t experienced with me. And… I was so afraid of losing that. But, if that wasn’t the choice… and if I thought there was a chance that you would forgive me, I may have chosen differently. And you deserve to know that.
[Grams’ car – Grams is driving Jen, Jack and Andie home after the going away party.]
Grams: Jennifer, what’s wrong?
Jen: I wish that I haden’t let Henry go without telling him how I really feel. Now it’s too late.
Grams: It’s never too late.
Jen: Yeah it is.
Grams: Because what I suppose… (she turns the wheel of the car suddenly and makes a U-turn in the middle of the street. She takes out a couple garbage cans while she’s at it. Way to go Grams!)
Jen: What on earth are you doing?
Grams: You’re going to catch that bus and you’re going to tell that boy exactly how you feel.
[Capeside – Joey’s wall. Joey is walking down the street with a bag of groceries. As she passes her wall, she looks up at it suddenly. Painted on the wall is the words, ‘As me to stay’. She stops and stares at it as Pacey walks up to her.]
Pacey: What took you so long? (he grabs a 1/2 gallon jug of milk out of Joey’s bag, opens it and takes a drink.) I got thirsty. I called Bessie, Bessie called you. I tell you, it is not easy work finishing things off.
Joey: Pacey, what does this means?
Pacey: It means you were right. That might leaving would be giving up on you and I’m not quite prepared to do that just yet. But it also means that I need to know that you’re not quite prepared to give up on me either. So, all that being said, I refer to the wall. With it’s hastily, yet adoringly written S.O.S. which I guess speaks for itself. I spent an hour and a half staring at this half painted wall after we talked last night. Just staring and thinking. So, the way I figured it, it’s your turn to stare now. (Pacey walks off)
[Leery Residence – the wedding is underway. Gail is in the middle of her vows.]
Gail: I do promise to love you, in good times and in bad. In sickness and in health. I loved you before I knew you. I will love you for all eternity. For you are my beloved Mitchell. You’re my best friend.
Mitch: I loved you before I knew you. I will love you for all eternity. For you are my beloved. You’re my best friend.
Priest: Now, with the power invested in me, I’m happy to pronounce you, husband and wife, again. Mitch, you may kiss the bride. (Mitch does)
(Mitch and Gail turn to their guests who stand and clap as they walk down the aisle. As Dawson and Joey turn to follow, they notice Pacey standing out in the crowd. They walk down the aisle.)
[Grams’ car – on the road. It’s day time now and they are still in search of Henry’s bus.]
Andie: Grams, we’ve been driving for hours. He could be anywhere by now.
Jen: Yeah, we could have missed him.
Grams: You can’t miss a giant gray bus filled with high school football players, (spotting the bus at a rest stop) like that one right there.
Jen: Where? Oh my goodness. Okay. (Grams speeds up and peels around the corner into the rest stop. Jen scrambles out of the car and rushed through the group of football players everywhere.) Henry! Umm, Henry! Henry Parker! Hey! Henry Parker! (pushing her way to the men’s bathroom door) Come on! (a coach comes out and Jen tries to push past him) Henry, you in there?
Coach: (Henry is standing looking out over the water and finally hears Jen, he turns to look at her) Whoa whoa whoa whoa! You can go in there! Have you lost your mind?
Jen: Quite possibly yes I might have lost it somehow. (she turns and sees Henry and goes to him. Grams, Jack and Andie get out of the car and watch from a distance.) Henry, 9 months ago you paid $500 to kiss me and I was too dumb to realize what that meant and what you were really offering me, but I know now. I mean, there really is such a thing as a second chance, and that no matter how old or how jaded you are, when you meet the person you’re suppose to be with everything’s going to be new. A sunset, a cheesy love song, and especially sex.
Football players: (all gathering around to listen) Ooooh!!!!
Jen: Henry, I’m the reason we didn’t have sex after prom.
Henry: Trust me, I know.
Jen: Not because I was mad at you but because I was more nervous than you are. I have been with guys before, but I have never been with anybody that I loved and… in that way I’m more of a virgin than you could ever be.
(The football players laugh.)
Henry: Thanks a lot.
Jen: Come on, what do you care? Come here. (she kisses him)
Football players: Yeah! (clapping) Oooooh!!! Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry!
[Leery Residence – the reception is underway. Joey stands at the edge of the reception which is in front of the house. She suddenly turns around to face the house and sees Pacey standing on the steps staring at her. She walks over to him.)
Joey: I can’t do it, Pacey. I can’t give you a reason to stay. I have so much junk to work through I don’t even know where to begin to process it all. I mean, how I feel about you and how I feel about Dawson…
Pacey: So you made your choice. Right there you made your choice.
Joey: I guess I have.
Pacey: Yeah. That wasn’t so hard, was it? You should have made it months ago. Saved us all a lot of time and energy. And hard ache.
Dawson: (walking out to join Pacey and Joey) (missed a couple words) present and accounted for.
Joey: Can I have this camera? I’m gonna go take some pictures.
Pacey: Jo?
Joey: Yup?
Pacey: I don’t even get a goodbye?
Joey: Goodbye Pacey. (she walks off)
Dawson: (moving next to Pacey) I was just wondering… What the hell are you doing here?
Pacey: Ease up, man. I’m here for the wedding.
Dawson: Last I heard you were sailing the 7 seas.
Pacey: As indeed I am. Tomorrow. Today I’m here for your parents.
Dawson: I’ll be sure to pass on your congratulations.
Pacey: Yeah, speaking of congratulations, I guess I should be passing some on to you.
Dawson: What are you talking about?
Pacey: She made her choice, Dawson. You’re it. You got what you wanted. Things are never going to be the same between us, are they?
Dawson: No.
Pacey: Yeah. Yeah, I didn’t think so.
[Rest stop – the bus is pulling away with Henry inside. Jen holds his hand through the window.]
Henry: I’ll write you everyday!
Jen: Just come back in one piece!
Football players: Whooo!!! (the bus leaves)
Andie: That was awesome.
Jack: Yeah, you gotta resign from that bitter club now.
Jen: Oh, I’ll still be there in spirit.
Grams: Oh, I’m so proud of you. You showed great, great courage today. How does it feel?
Jen: Well, I feel like an idiot. A happy idiot.
Grams: Did she say happy? Oh, you don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say that word.
Jen: Yeah, you and me both. I’ve been waiting a long time to feel it. Okay, okay, enough hugging for today. You know, I think we still have one thing to do on our Carpe Diem road trip. Jack, it’s your turn.
Jack: No, no, no way.
Jen: Our error of regret ends right now. What’s the fastest route to Boston?
[Leery Residence – Dawson and Joey are dancing on the dance floor. Joey is deep in thought.]
Dawson: You know, I used to be able to look into your eyes and know everything you were thinking. These days, I haven’t a clue.
Joey: I was thinking about this summer. How much there’s going to be today. I mean, we didn’t get a chance to spend last summer together, you and I. We’re gonna have a lot to catch up on. You know, there’ll be water skiing with your dad and fourth of July on Wildock island. And we could even go into Boston for a week. That would be fun.
Dawson: Yeah. (Joey looks like she’s about to cry but covers it up and continues dancing.)
[Boston – Ethan’s school. Grams pulls up and Jack gets out of the car.]
Jack: Wish me luck! (he rushes away from the car and through campus looking for Ethan. He finally spots him sitting at a table with another guy. Jack rushes over to him.)
Ethan: Jack!
Jack: Hey!
Ethan: Hey. What are you doing here?
Jack: I just drove a really long way to tell you, umm… More sort of try to explain, really. No, I don’t mean that. I want to show you. I want to show you that I can, that I’m not afraid to, well, this… (Jack kisses him. Ethan pushes him away)
Ethan: Jack, no.
Jack: Look, I know there’s people around but who cares, right? That’s the whole point, I finally have the courage to do this.
Ethan: Jack, this is Brad.
Jack: As in your ex-boyfriend, Brad?
Brad: No, as in his boyfriend, Brad. I think I’ll let you talk this one out. See you at practice. (he grabs his bag and walks off)
Ethan: Well, uhh… Hey, explanation time.
Jack: No, no explanations necessary. It’s very clear to me that I just inducted myself into the halls of the permanently pathetic.
Ethan: Please, Jack, just listen. The timing just isn’t there right now. And Brad and I…
Jack: I don’t really want to hear about the details of your joyful reunion, okay?
Ethan: Sure, Jack. I’m sorry. I really am.
[Leery Residence – Dawson clinks his glass with his fork to begin his speech.]
Dawson: The first time my parents got married, they were very young. They were just out of college. And umm, I remember looking at the photo album as a kid and wondering why I wasn’t in any of the pictures. It’s hard when you love someone that much to imagine them having this entire life that you weren’t even there for. And I have to say that being here today, experiencing this first hand, finally getting to be in all the pictures, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Cause I’d much rather be a part of what you have now than what you had then. That point where everything is forgiven. And I think that that’s really what love means. (Joey begins to think about what Dawson is really saying) That that you can forgive anything. So, to my parents, who taught me that love does not conquer all. That love ends and begins again. Cheers. (people clap and clink glasses)
[Dawson’s Pier – Dawson stands at the end as Joey makes her way over there.]
Joey: Hey. Your speech was beautiful.
Dawson: Thanks.
Joey: what you said, did you mean it, Dawson?
Dawson: Every word. Which is way you should turn around and go. To Pacey.
Joey: What?
Dawson: Last year you had the opportunity to go to Paris to study, because of me you didn’t.
Joey: Dawson, that wasn’t your fault.
Dawson: Yes it was my fault cause I should have made you go. But I was selfish and I didn’t want you to go. I wanted you to stay here with me. And I refuse to make that mistake again.
Joey: Well, Dawson, what if it’s my choice? I mean, what if I want to stay.
Dawson: Joey, come on. Even I can see it. Pacey is this year’s Paris. And this time you have to go. You have to see for yourself. I can stand here and tell you that it’s a colossal mistake and that all roads lead back to me, but that’s not going to make any bit of difference. Words and speechs sound great, but they don’t add up to anything. All that matters right now is what you want.
Joey: I don’t even know what I want, Dawson.
Dawson: Yes you do. You want him. (Joey begins to cry) You want him like I want you. You love him like I love you. The only difference is, he loves you back the same way. And you deserve that, okay? And I’m not going to be the one who stands in the way of you getting there. You’re free. Do can do whatever you want.
Joey: But, Dawson, I want us to still be friends and I want to know that you don’t hate me…
Dawson: They’re only words, Joey. Just words. Cause after you’re done dispensing your pleasantries here you’re gonna turn around and you’re gonna walk away from. Aren’t you?
Joey: I have to, otherwise I’ll never know.
Dawson: Just go.
Joey: Dawson…
Dawson: Joey, go! I’m telling you, before I take it all back, alright, just go. Go! (Joey nods and runs back towards the house. Dawson bursts into tears. Joey rushes through the crowd of guests who are waving to Mitch and Gail pulling away from the house. Joey rushes past them and down the road. Grams and Jen pull up home and Jen sees Joey rushing off. She looks out to the pier and sees Dawson collapsing to the ground in tears.)
[McPhee Residence – Jack walks through the front door as Mr. McPhee works on something in the kitchen.]
Mr. McPhee: Hey, Jack. Glad you’re back. I want to show you something.
Jack: I’m not really in the mood right now.
Mr. McPhee: What’s the matter?
Jack: (walking towards his bedroom) I just want to be alone.
Mr. McPhee: Hey, you can talk to me.
Jack: This is something you really don’t want to hear about, believe me.
Mr. McPhee: You don’t know that.
Jack: (coming back into the kitchen) Really? You wanna hear that I found out that Ethan got back together with his ex? You wanna hear that I found out after I kissed him?
Mr. McPhee: Well, that’s interesting.
Jack: Yeah, that’s interesting, right? Come on, admit it! The thought of me kissing another guy disgusts you. I disgust you.
Mr. McPhee: That is not true.
Jack: Yes it is.
Mr. McPhee: You’re angry, you’re hurting right now, but I will not let you pick an argument with me, just so you can vent your frustration.
Jack: Oh no, I spent an entire year developing this relationship. And working on it. Now it’s a wash. The whole year’s a wash. My whole life is a wash.
Mr. McPhee: Your life is not a wash. You hurt now because you had the guts to put yourself out there. To go after what you wanted.
Jack: I can’t… (squatting to the floor and leaning against the kitchen cabinet) I can’t keep going through this. It’s like having all the problems of a typical teenager and then there’s this whole other level of constant fear and pain. Do you know the anguish I went through over a kiss? One stupid little kiss. Most people don’t have to do that.
Mr. McPhee: You’re right, they don’t.
Jack: Then why me? I don’t want to be different. I didn’t ask to be gay.
Mr. McPhee: No more than I asked for a gay son. But, boy, am I glad that I got one.
Jack: You don’t mean that.
Mr. McPhee: Yeah, I do. (goes to Jack and hugs him. Jack begins to cry.)
[Leery Residence – Dawson walks through the empty wedding set up and into his empty house. He goes up to his room and finds Jen, Andie and Jack there waiting.]
Andie: Oh, behold! Your official pick-me-up posse.
Jen: Yeah, Andie and I were chatting and thought that maybe you could use a little company.
Andie: So then I took it upon myself to call Jack Attack here and tell him to come right over.
Jack: And then I took it upon myself to run over to the video store and grab some movies.
Dawson: Thanks, guys, I really appreciate you coming over, but… I really think what I need right now…
Andie: Sorry, Dawson, no can do.
Jen: Yeah, I think that the words ‘I want to be alone right now’ are used far too often around here.
Andie: Kinda ranks right up there with ‘Can we talk?’
Jack: Yeah, then there’s those countless references towards all things Freud and Spielberg.
Jen: Yeah, I’m pretty sure that we’re not in Capeside anymore, Toto. This is some alternate reality where our intellects are sharper, our quips are wittier and our hearts are repeatedly broken while faintly in the background, some soon to be out of date contempo pop music plays.
Dawson: So why does it hurt so much?
Andie: Because our pain makes us real, Dawson. We can’t do it alone. None of us can. Sit down.
Dawson: So, what did you guys do today?
Andie: Oh my gosh! You are not going to believe these two… (the camera moves to the painting of Dawson and Joey as kids that Aunt Gwen gave to him)
[Capeside – Joey is running as fast as she can. Though she had time to run home and change. She is running towards “True Love”, frantically looking for Pacey.]
Joey: Pacey! Pacey! Pacey! Pacey! (she climbs aboard the boat and looks inside) Pace? Pacey!
Pacey: (coming from around the other side of the pier with a drink) You want something, Jo?
Joey: I want to talk to you!
Pacey: No, nope. It’s a bit late for this now. I’m leaving, you can’t stop me, so don’t even try.
Joey: No, that’s not why I’m here.
Pacey: (climbs aboard True Love) So why are you here? Maybe you want to rub it in a little bit, huh? (he jumps off the boat and unties it from the dock)
Joey: Look, I don’t want to stop you, Pacey. And I don’t want to stop Dawson, and I don’t want to be stopped. Not by either of you, not by anyone. See, I mean, that’s what this whole year’s been about. We’ve been trying to stop each other from moving on and from growing up. But not you. You’re different. And you’ve challenged me every step of the way and you’ve been there every step of the way.
Pacey: (walking past her) Jo, departure time is in T-minus 30 seconds, so if there’s a point, I suggest you get to it. (he climbs back aboard. Joey thinks for a second, then turns around)
Joey: I think I’m in love with you.
Pacey: (with his back towards Joey) You think or you know?
Joey: I know. (Pacey turns to look at Joey) I’ve known it since the moment you kissed me and maybe even before that. As scary as it is, I don’t want to deny it anymore, Pacey. I don’t want to run from it and I don’t want to let it run from me.
Pacey: So… what are we going to do here, Jo?
Joey: I want to come with you.
Pacey: What? Are you crazy?
Joey: I want to stop standing still, I want to move forward, I want to come with you.
Pacey: What about Bessie and the B&B? They need you.
Joey: Not as much as I need you, Pacey.
(He smiles at her, she smiles back. She takes this as a yet and tries to climb aboard.)
Pacey: (stopping her) Uh uh uh uh!
Joey: (smiling, raising her hand up to his) Permission to come aboard?
Paey: Permission granted. (he takes her hand and she climbs aboard. They kiss.) You can swim, can’t you?
Joey: (taking a seat) Of course. I’m kinda worried about the next change of clothes.
Pacey: (getting the boat going) Nothing to worry about. We’re gonna hit the next port in a few days.
Joey: A few days?
Pacey: Yeah. Or a few days after that.
[The boat moves out onto the water. Joey watches as Pacey steers them off into the sunset. ]
