(Capeside High – Joey is painting a mural on a corridor – she wears a bandanna and headphones listening to music – she doesn’t hear Pacey as he approaches and stands with hands in pockets, appraising her work – she turns to find Pacey watching)

Joey: (taking off earphones) I don’t recall requesting the pleasure of your company, Pacey.

Pacey: (points towards some materials on a trolley) Rag?

Joey: Brush.

Pacey: (swaggers slowly over to Joey with several small paint brushes) You know, after Van Gough chopped off his own ear, there was a rash of copycat mutilations amongst the students.

Joey: (taking a brush) Your point being? (she goes back to painting)

Pacey: My point being that the whole world reveres the artists – envies their talent, wants to be just like them. So that’s what I’m doing here – I’m hoping some of your genius will rub off on me.

Joey: (matter-of-factly) You got kicked out of your house again.

Pacey: No... not exactly kicked out. It’s more like they’re filming a life-time original movie in my living room right now.

Joey: (turning and facing Pacey) And, uh, which one of the Witter sisters is in complete distress right now?

Pacey: That would be numero uno – left sergeant major for conduct unbecoming, fled back to the home front, and of course brought along my screaming nieces.

Joey: (moving trolley of materials) So I finally get my own room and you have been exiled to Silver City. Ouch.

Pacey: My sentiments exactly.

Joey: (stands back next to Pacey) So, uh, so what do you think?

(we see the mural is a bunch of Chinese writing)

Pacey: (looks at it for a moment) Is it done?

Joey: (impatiently) Yes, it’s done.

Pacey: I thought Principal Greene had commissioned you guys to do murals exemplifying school spirit and unity?

Joey: He did.

Pacey: Well, no offence, but this looks like something you’d find tattooed on Quai Cheng King’s forehead.

Joey: (sighs) You don’t like it.

Pacey: I didn’t say I don’t like it. I’m... pretty sure the rest of the murals will probably be a little more traditional...

Joey: (sarcastically) What, like football players and lighthouses? What do they actually say about the highschool experience?

Pacey: Jo, this is the US of A -- we’re a very prosaic nation, and when we have art in public places, we want it to be about as subtle as Godzilla.

Joey: Yeah, but Pacey, don’t you think that art can have this power? I—I mean, it can bring people together.

Pacey: Oh, yeah, absolutely... in museums – the thinking man’s pick up joint.

Joey: (laughs a little) That’s what I like about you, Pacey. You just go so deep.

Pacey: Thanks.

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Dawson walks along the hallway and comes up to Joey’s hidden mural – he goes to take a peek behind the covering)

Joey: (putting her hand over the mural cover) No peeking!

Dawson: What, I don’t get a preview?

Joey: No.

Dawson: Why not? Pacey did.

Joey: Dawson, the unveiling is a crucial part to any new work. I want you to have the complete experience. (frowning) He didn’t tell you what it is, did he?

Dawson: No. But he– but he said it was great.

Joey: (laughs) That means a lot coming from the world’s most discriminating art critic.

Dawson: Well, he– he knows what he likes.

Joey: Dawson, Pacey’s prized possession is a black velvet painting of the baby Elvis.

(Dawson goes to peek behind the mural cover and Joey puts her hand over his preventing him)

Dawson: (makes a disappointed sigh) So how’s your speech coming?

Joey: I don’t know why I even have to say anything. I mean, isn’t an artist just supposed to let her work speak for itself?

Dawson: Yeah, but when PTA’s and School Board’s let you paint something in the hallway of a public school they expect a little public ceremony in return.

Joey: (hesitantly) So are you going to be there?

Dawson: Of course! I mean, if you want me to?

Joey: (smiles, relieved) Yeah, I want you to.

Dawson: OK.

Joey: And whatever you think, be honest with me. You know, even if you hate it—

Dawson: Even if I hate... what makes you think I’m gonna hate it?

Joey: (pauses) Nothing. It’s just...

Dawson: Stepping out from behind the curtain?

(Joey nods)

Dawson: I can understand that, that can be terrifying. Up there with the lights, in front of all those people... being judged.

Joey: It’s even more than that, I mean, I fell like I’m declaring myself for the first time. What I really think about this place. With everyone staring at it, it’ll be like they’re all looking right into my soul.

(Dawson just smiles compassionately)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – the disciplinary committee comprising Principal Greene, Andie and a couple other students sit behind a series of desks – the student at the center of the hearing is none other than Matt Caulfield, looking smug and arrogant as per usual)

Matt: Give me a break, it was a joke.

Andie: There’s nothing funny about cheating, Matt.

Matt: Principal Greene, members of the Disciplinary Committee, I-- I admit it, I didn’t know the answer on the quiz, so-- so I did what any self-respecting kid would do in a cellular age. You know, I whipped out my (Star-Tak?), I dialled home, and-- and I asked my mom – how many justices sit on the Supreme Court? You know, call me crazy – you know, even Mr Higgins laughed.

(Mr Higgins, the teacher, looks down at the desk, embarrassed)

Andie: And you claim that your mother didn’t know the answer either?

Matt: (nods) Uh-huh.

Andie: OK, so how do you explain your perfect score on the quiz?

Matt: I guessed.

Andie: OK, well then, I guess my recommendation would be that you get a failing grade on the work at question, and a three hour detention.

Matt: Why don’t you just bust my kneecaps while you’re at it?

Principal Greene: That’ll be enough, Mr Caulfield. While your behaviour clearly violates the letter of the Honour Code, I do not believe it is in violation of the spirit.

Matt: Am I free to go then?

Principal Greene: Yes, you’re free to go.

(Caulfield goes to leave)

Principal Greene: Mr Caulfield?

(Caulfield pauses to look at Principal Green)

Principal Greene: Let this be the last time we see you before this committee.

(Caulfield merely smirks and leaves, followed my his minions)

* * * * *

(cut to Disciplinary Committee having broken up and Andie is about to leave)

Principal Greene: Uh, Andie, would you wait for me for a minute please?

Andie: Sure.

(a moment later Principal Greene comes up to Andie)

Andie: Um, Principal Greene, I’m really sorry about earlier. I overreacted to the whole—

Principal Greene: No, that’s not what this is about. Andie, I have news.

Andie: News?

Principal Greene: I was contacted this morning by the Educational Testing Service.

(Andie just nods nervously)

Principal Greene: Andie, your phenomenal PSAT result’s have placed you among the top 50,000 scorers in the country. You, young lady, have just taken one giant step towards a National Merit Scholarship. Isn’t that fantastic?

Andie: (not overjoyed) Fantastic.

Principal Greene: Andie, what’s wrong, you seem stunned?

Andie: No– no, no, it’s just, um... well it’s just– yeah, I’m a little stunned.

Principal Greene: (laughs, shaking her hand) Congratulations.

(Principal Greene pats her twice on the shoulder and leaves – Andie looks terribly guilty and ashamed)

* * * * *

(Pacey enters an apartment building carrying his bags and a container of food – Doug opens the door to find Pacey smiling like he wants something – Doug goes to shut the door but Pacey puts his foot out)

Doug: No, no, no. Look, Pacey, last time you were here you left water rings on my deco coffee table.

Pacey: Douggie, mom and dad just wanted me to bring you something, that’s all.

Doug: Yeah, what?

Pacey: (hands over the casserole dish then pushes past Doug) Me.

Doug: Look, what are you doing?

Pacey: I’m moving in, bro.

Doug: Why, excuse me?

Pacey: You heard me, I’m moving in. Oh, look, Dad gave me a cheque to give to you – it’s like a security deposit, in case I break your stereo.

Doug: (shakes his head in disbelief) Nah, you’re not going to break my stereo, because you’re not touching my stereo, ‘cause you’re not moving in with me. Not now, not ever. This is not Party of Five.

Pacey: (going through Doug’s CD’s) Come on Douggie, please, you can’t make me go back to that house. (walking around the lounge room) I mean, think about it. You’ve got this whole styling bachelor pad all to yourself, with the nice lighting and the fancy window dressings, and (whispering) all the other trappings of the modern extremely closeted homosexual male. (speaking normally) And I don’t even have a room to myself any more.

Doug: (sighs) Since when? (he starts putting the CD’s back in their alphabetical order)

Pacey: Well, since Kerry decided to take an extended leave-of-absence from Jerry. You remember Jerry, don’t you? Our favourite brother-in-law, the one with all the tattoo’s? And of course, she brought along the no-neck monsters who are currently residing in my room. So what do you say, man, can I stay here? Please.

Doug: (sighs again) OK, look. If I agree to this, and that is a very big if, there will be rules.

Pacey: I am your willing pupil.

Doug: Rule number one: we don’t eat anything that mom sends over. The woman thinks that iceberg lettuce is Au-cuisine.

Pacey: Agreed.

Doug: Rule number two: the coaster – live it, love it, use it at all times.

Pacey: Done.

Doug: You will keep the CD collection in alphabetical order – by last name, not first. Do you understand?

Pacey: Oh, yeah, perfectly. But I don’t foresee the need for me to dip into your diva collection any time too soon.

Doug: Oh, I think you would be surprised at how a tortured and passioned female voice can soothe an achy-breaky heart.

Pacey: My heart is just fine, thank you very much.

Doug: (knowing it isn’t) Oh, sure it is little brother. Sure it is.

Pacey: Look Douggie, if you’re referring to our brief jailhouse conversation the other night, you can just chalk it up to drunken rambling.

Doug: Well there won’t be any of that on my watch. And I won’t have any moping around like a love-sick puppy either. By the way, are you any good at decupage.

Pacey: (to himself) Oh God help me.

* * * * *

(Potter household – Joey is getting ready for the big mural unveiling)

Joey: You’re not planning on taking pictures?

Bodie: Don’t try and stop it, Joey. When a little sister accomplishes something impressive, it’s very important for a big sister to create a huge embarrassing fuss over her.

Bessie: Yeah, and the more embarrassing the better.

Joey: Thank you. I mean, I know it’s not going to be too fun for you to walk the halls of Capeside again seeing as though it wasn’t exactly your favourite place on earth.

Bessie: Yeah, but I’m older, remember, and that was a long time ago, and things are different now.

Bodie: Not that different. What, are there like, ten black kids in that school.

Joey: Eleven. (puts on her coat) And don’t try to rewrite history, Bess. I mean, I remember the days that you used to pick me up from kindergarten and complain the whole way home about some smug, two-faced idiots who thought they were better than you simply because you had the wrong kind of jeans.

Bessie: OK, I admit it – I hated highschool. But that’s why I’m so glad that it’s not like that for you, Joey. You’re talented. And everybody at that school knows it, they’ve known it for years, and today they’re going to see proof positive that Joey Potter is a force to be reckoned with.

(Joey just smiles)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – the unveiling of the murals – the one on screen is that of a lighthouse)

Girl: And I painted this so that we all can remember the beacon of knowledge that our teachers shine on us every day. In closing, I would like to thank Principal Greene and all of you for this opportunity to impart my message of unity.

(there is mild applause – Jack, Dawson, Pacey and Co look like they are about to gag)

(cut to Joey’s turn)

Principal Green: And now, the last of our Capeside High murals. I’d like to ask Joey Potter to step up, and grace us with a few words about her creation.

(Joey walks up the front next to her mural, which is still covered)

Joey: Well, Principal Greene said the mural should focus on what unifies us as a school. And if you think about it, nothing really unifies us. Even our mascot is divisive. The Minute Man – right there you’ve alienated half the student population. (light laughter) So, the only thing that I could think of that unites us all, that we all have in common, is that... well it’s that we all start off in kindergarten thinking that we can be anything that we want to be, and by the time we get here, we– we’ve somehow lost that feeling. We’ve all started to believe whatever our parents or friends have told us about what we can achieve and what we can be in life, and... and we’ve forgotten about that possibility we had when we were younger. And that‘s what I think we all have in common, and that’s what the symbol on my painting means – possibility. I painted it because I thought we could all use a daily reminder that, if you believe in yourself, even when the odds seem stacked against you, anything’s possible. So I hope you like it.

(Joey smiles at Dawson, who smiles back – Joey nods at Principal Greene who uncovers the mural – to everyone’s shock and horror the mural has been obliterated by black paint having been smeared all over it – there are gasps and murmuring amongst the crowd)

Joey: (whispers) Excuse me. (she runs off)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Joey comes out a door and jogs down the stairs and begins walking – Dawson follows)

Dawson: Joey. Hey, wait up. (he catches up with her) Are you OK?

(they are both walking briskly)

Joey: This is what I get for answering the call to public service – public humiliation.

(we see Pacey in the background jogging to catch up with Dawson and Joey)

Dawson: Nobody’s humiliated in there, except for maybe the person who did this.

Joey: Well it felt humiliating, Dawson. To me.

Dawson: L– look, it was a silly prank.

(they stop and face one another)

Joey: (sharply) You don’t know that.

Dawson: Look. Y– you put your heart and soul into that, and– and I– I don’t blame you at all for being angry, but don’t turn this into some sort of personal attack on you.

(Pacey has finally caught up)

Pacey: Well, not to stick my nose in here, but to just stick my nose in – of course it was a personal attack.

Dawson: What?

Pacey: Well, there are only three murals in that hallway. Yours was the only one that got touched.

Dawson: So?

Pacey: So, either someone didn’t like what Joey was trying to say, or someone just didn’t like you.

Dawson: Your logic leaves a lot to be desired.

Pacey: Dawson, we’re in highschool here. It’s a veritable society unto it’s own, OK, with a pecking order that makes the caste system look forgiving. Who knows what subtle line you may have crossed or what offence you may have given, without even knowing it.

Dawson: Paranoid much?

Pacey: You don’t think there’s a possibility that there’s somebody out there who hates Joey just for being Joey? Who hates the way she talks, the way she dresses, the way she chews on her lower lip?

Joey: (indignantly) Look, I don’t chew on my lower lip.

Pacey: OK, look, I’m just putting it out there. I mean, think about it. Does anyone come to mind?

Joey: (in a mix of anger and sarcasm) What, so we can all gang up on him, and call him dirty names? I mean, do me a favour – just stay out of this.

Dawson: (raising his voice) It was an act of vandalism, pure and simple. Some idiot trying to rage against the machine—

Pacey: This doesn’t make any sense.

Joey: Perfect – Heckyl and Jeckyl. I mean, this is exactly what a girl needs in the middle of an existential crises. You know what, it’s not helping. So thanks, but no thanks.

(Joey storms off – Pacey and Dawson just look at one another)

Pacey: Well, shouldn’t we, uh... (he motions at Joey)

Dawson: No, let her go.

* * * * *

(McPhee residence – Andie and Jack are in the kitchen – Andie is preparing a salad for dinner)

Andie: So, uh, have you heard any word on Joey?

Jack: Well, she’s pretty broken up about it.

Andie: Yeah, obviously. I mean, who wouldn’t be?

Jack: I’ll go catch they guy and you can have the last laugh.

Andie: Huh?

Jack: DC – throw the book at them.

Andie: Right. You know what, actually Jack, I’ve been thinking about quitting my position.

Jack: (surprised) On the Disciplinary Committee?

Andie: Hmm-mm.

Jack: Andie, you’re like the senior most student representative. I mean, that’s one step below the saviour for mankind – I mean, as far as college admissions are concerned.

Andie: I know. But you know what? It’s just been taking up way too much time. And besides that, my school work is starting to slip. And the more I think about it, the more uncomfortable I feel about sitting in judgement of others.

(Jack just stares at Andie uneasily)

Andie: What?

Jack: I– I’m just a little shocked.

Andie: Why?

Jack: (shrugs) It’s not like you to bail on a commitment.

Andie: Come on, Jack. A lot of things aren’t like me, but I’ve done them anyway.

(Andie goes over to stir some pots simmering away on the stove top)

Andie: Can you set the table?

Jack: (distractedly) Yeah.

* * * * *

(Potter’s B&B – Dawson rings the service bell – Joey approaches then shies away when she realises it’s Dawson – she goes about gathering plates from tables)

Dawson: Any room at the inn?

Joey: (guarded) Depends.

Dawson: On what?

Joey: Like the lecture I’m going to be forced to sit through.

Dawson: (walking over towards Joey) No lectures, I promise. Although I do want to say that I’m sorry that what happened today happened.

Joey: (walking over to the sink to begin washing the dishes) The whole thing was tragically lame to begin with. I mean, as if painting on a wall is going to make any change or the slightest bit of difference in school.

Dawson: Maybe. Maybe not.

Joey: For some reason I don’t like the sound of those "maybe’s", Dawson.

Dawson: Repaint the mural.

Joey: What?

Dawson: Do it tonight. Surprise that bastard when he shows up tomorrow morning.

Joey: You know, I would rather shove red-hot needles underneath my toenails, OK?

Dawson: So you’re going to let some highschool prank keep you from finishing something you obviously care about?

Joey: I finished it Dawson, OK? It’s not my fault that not everybody got a chance to see it.

Dawson: (incredulously) I can’t believe you’re being like this.

Joey: (defensively) Like what?

Dawson: Defeated. Dejected, demoralised.

Joey: (a little sarcastic) Newsflash, Dawson. I can’t always be your plucky little Joey Potter. I don’t have this unlimited reserve of goodwill and good faith in humanity, and– and sometimes I am going to be a little depressed.

Dawson: (frustrated) It’s not about demeanour. It’s about not being a victim.

Joey: (a touch annoyed) You know what? It took me a month to do that, Dawson. I had to conceive it, and I had to execute it, and you can’t just expect me to start over.

Dawson: Why not?

Joey: For the same reason you haven’t shot a roll of film since January.

Dawson: (sighs) Joey, this is completely different.

Joey: Really?

Dawson: Yes. I chose to quit film making – that was a personal decision.

Joey: It had nothing to do with the fact that it was poorly received at the festival?

Dawson: Truthfully? No.

Joey: (sarcastically) Well, then how convenient for you.

Dawson: What does that mean?

Joey: You have all of these choices, Dawson. You’ve all of these choices that you just take for granted. I mean, God... you know, one day you’re a filmmaker, the next day you’re not, and– and tomorrow you could wake up and you could decide that you wanted to be a sculptor, or you wanted to just backpack through Europe or– or climb Mount Everest, and you can do that.

Dawson: And you can’t?

Joey: No, I can’t!

Dawson: Why not?!

Joey: I can’t afford to waste the time to go find myself and be artistic, and I can’t afford to just reject reality and go off and chase my pipe dreams. I can’t do it, because that’s not my life – that’s your life.

Dawson: Do you know what I think this is about?

(Joey just turns away)

Dawson: I think you’re relieved.

(Joey just gives him a ‘what would you know?’ look)

Dawson: I think you’re relieved somebody painted over your mural. ‘Cause you never had to go through the hard part. You never had to show it to the world. Never had to hear what anyone else thought about it. You never had to decide for yourself, how good or talented you really are.

(Joey just remains silent)

Dawson: Look. You know why I came over tonight? (he pulls out a set of keys and holds them up) These are the keys to the school. Principal Greene gave them to me. (he throws them on the table) Do what you want.

(Dawson leaves – Joey is surprised with the keys and looks like she realised she acted like a cow)

* * * * *

(Capeside High cafeteria – Pacey comes up to a couple of guys waiting in line and looks at their tray which so far has potato and hamburger)

Pacey: Well, if it’s brown, it must be Tuesday.

Guy # 1: What do you call these things again, Witter?

Pacey: Elephant scabs. Packed with whole grain goodness. (pauses) Did you guys see the look on Principal Greene’s face?

Guy # 2: Huh?

Pacey: At the unity mural thing. I thought the guy was going to have a breakdown.

Guy # 1: Yeah, that girl Joey, she totally lost it. A classic.

Pacey: (softly) Yeah. Look, uh, I’m running myself a little pool here – guess the true culprit, winner takes all. You guys in?

Guy # 1: How much?

Pacey: It’s only a buck a pop.

Guy # 1: (handing over a dollar) Had to be Caulfield.

Guy # 2: (handing over another dollar) Yeah, definitely.

Pacey: What makes you guys so sure?

Guy # 1: ‘Cause there’s no other possibility.

Pacey: OK, Caulfield it is.

(Pacey moves away and then spots Caulfield walking over to his friends and sit down – Pacey walks over and pulls up a chair)

Pacey: Caulfield.

Caulfield: Do I know you?

Pacey: No, not really – thankfully for me. Look, rumour has it that you have this irrepressible urge to express yourself artistically?

Caulfield: What? That thing yesterday at the mural? That was pretty classic, huh? Too bad I can’t take credit for it.

Pacey: So you didn’t do it?

Caulfield: (coyly) I don’t know. I mean, everyone seems to think I did, so maybe I should just do the police thing and accept the credit and say thank you.

Pacey: Maybe. But look, I’m here to tell you that not everybody thinks what you did was funny.

Caulfield: Well, some people don’t have a sense of humour. Is that your problem?

Pacey: (nods) Yeah, that’s me. I’m humourless.

Caulfield: Hmm. (leans forward seriously) What do you want?

Pacey: I want you to apologise. And then I want you to turn yourself in. (he begins to stand) And I want you to do it before the day is done.

Caulfield: And why would I do that?

Pacey: Because this time you just happened to mess with somebody I care about.

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Dawson walks along the hallway to Joey’s covered mural and takes a peek – he let’s out a disappointed sigh then spots Andie walking past)

Dawson: Hey, have you seen Joey?

Andie: No, she wasn’t at home room.

(Dawson looks concerned then walks off)

* * * * *

(School parking lot – a nice black four-wheel-drive pulls into a spot and Matt Caulfield gets out – Pacey approaches him)

Pacey: That’s a nice rig.

Caulfield: A Christmas present.

Pacey: Man, that sucks, huh?

Caulfield: What’s that?

Pacey: Oh, your parents shorted you on the off-road package.

(Caulfield goes to leave but Pacey grabs his arm – sinister music starts playing)

Caulfield: Get your hands off me.

(Pacey grabs the front of Caulfield pullover and pushes him hard up against the side of the 4WD)

Pacey: Oh, come on, tough guy.

Caulfield: What the hell do you want?

Pacey: (shoves his hard against the car again – speaks threateningly) You know exactly what I want. (he pushes him again)

Caulfield: So what’s next, Whitter, you gonna sic your civil servant dad on me? Can’t you see, (pushes Pacey back) I’m fairly shaking in my boots.

Pacey: Well, you know my name. That’s a good starting place.

Caulfield: What I know is that I’m gonna count to three, and you’re gonna step aside.

Pacey: Dream another dream, cowboy. That’s not how this is gonna shake out.

Caulfield: One. Two. Three.

(Caulfield goes to push Pacey, but Pacey grabs him and pins him against the 4WD again)

Caulfield: What, are you whacked or something?!

Pacey: (menacingly) Oh no, not yet. Not by a long shot.

Caulfield: What? You want me to say I did it? OK, I did it. There, you satisfied?

Pacey: (still menacingly) OK, good. Now what are you gonna do about it, huh?

(Caulfield doesn’t answer)

Pacey: (throws Caulfield against the car again and yells) I said what are you gonna do about it?!!

Caulfield: I’m gonna go and apologise. OK?

(Pacey relents and it looks as if Caulfield is going to go apologise to Joey – but he swings around and punches Pacey in the face a couple of times – Pacey throws Caulfield over the hood of the next car then scrambles after him – Caulfield manages a couple of punches to Pacey’s stomach and puts him in a headlock before Pacey throws him to the ground and proceeds to punch Caulfield’s face repeatedly – a car horn blares)

Principal Greene: (yelling) Hey! On your feet, both of you!

(Pacey gets off Caulfield and stands)

Principal Green: Inside, now!

* * * * *

(Principal Greene’s office – he opens the door and speaks to the secretary – Pacey and Caulfield are seated in his office)

Principal Greene: Get me Dawson Leery and David Curran please.

Andie: Uh, Principal Greene, can I talk to you for a minute?

Principal Greene: Not now, Andie, I’m in the middle of something.

Andie: Please. It’ll only take a second and it’s really important.

Principal Greene: (impatiently) What is it?

Andie: I’d like to tender my resignation from the Disciplinary Committee.

Principal Greene: (surprised) What?

Andie: I think that you have this idea about me that I’m somebody I’m not, that I’m– that I’m somebody with unwavering integrity, and I can’t live up to that.

Principal Greene: Can we discuss this later, at length?

Andie: I don’t think that there’s anything more to discuss, Principal Greene. Thank you.

(she walks away leaving Principal Greene looking stunned)

(cut to Principal Green’s office where Dawson and David have arrived)

Principal Greene: Now since neither Mr Witter nor Mr Caulfield choose to clarify the meaning of their little title fight in the parking lot, I’m counting on their friends to look out for their best interests. Mr Leery?

Pacey: Don’t say anything, Dawson.

Principal Greene: Mr Curran?

Caulfield: Not a word, Dave.

Principal Greene: Well somebody better speak up, and you better speak up fast. (to Caulfield) Because a timely call to the Dean, over at Dartmouth, would trigger an immediate review of your early admission status. And Mr Witter, one more suspension on your record and you can bend down and kiss this whole higher education deal goodbye.

(a moment of silence ensues)

Principal Green: OK. I have no other alternative.

Dawson: It’s because of the mural.

Pacey: (angrily) Hey, shut up Dawson, this is not your fight!

Dawson: It’s not yours either.

Principal Greene: So what your saying is that the reason that Mr Witter picked a fight was because he believes Mr Caulfield had something to do with the vandalisation of the unity mural?

Caulfield: I went nowhere near that thing. As if I could give a rats ass about some stupid Chinese drawing.

Dawson: If you didn’t go anywhere near it, how did you know what it was?

(everyone looks at Caulfield)

Principal Greene: That’s a very good question.

Caulfield: (shrugs) Anyone could have taken a look. She’s been working on it for weeks.

Dawson: Yeah, at night and before school. But other than that, it’s been sealed up tight as a drum. I’m one of her closest friends – I didn’t even know what it was.

Caulfield: You know, this (pointing at Dawson), is ridiculous.

Dawson: Not to mention, if you didn’t as you say, give a rat’s ass, then why would you go to all that trouble of finding out what it was?

(there is a moment of silence as everyone looks at Caulfield – who himself look guilty as all hell)

Pacey: (smugly) Check the floor, Caulfield. I think you just painted yourself into a corner.

Caulfield: OK, you got me. (snaps his fingers) Busted. Yeah, I (words??) some meaningless mural. You know what, for one thing, it was ugly. You know, it was an eyesore. And not to mention, why do I have to look at some trivial girl’s little message to the masses every morning? Frankly, it offends me.

Principal Greene: (incredulously) "Possibility" is offensive to you?

(Dawson scoffs)

Caulfield: I’m white, I’m rich. That’s all the possibility I need.

* * * * *

(McPhee residence – Jack and Andie sit at the kitchen bench eating dinner)

Jack: (surprised) Say again?

Andie: (softly) You heard me. (pauses) The advance copy of the PSAT that Dawson had – I’m the one who stole it. That’s how I did so well on the test, Jack. That’s how I scored in the ninety-ninth percentile.

Jack: That was you? (sighs) Oh, Andie... (sighs again, speechless)

Andie: I know, it’s quite a surprise.

Jack: Well why? You knew that stuff cold – inside and out, backwards and forwards. If anyone was going to ace that test it was gonna be you.

Andie: It was just sitting there on the table like– like this piece of forbidden fruit, and... not a chance of getting caught. I don’t know, it just seemed like all the answers to my problems at the time.

Jack: What do you mean?

Andie: I thought that, you know, if I aced the test then everybody would think that I was OK again. You know, that that would somehow convince them. But now that I really am OK, I’m having a hard time living with myself.

Jack: Hence your resignation from the Disciplinary Committee.

Andie: (nods) Jack, the past six months I have been walking around feeling like the biggest hypocrite. I mean, don’t you see, I’ve been so hard on all these other people just as a way of punishing myself. (pauses) But now it’s time to make amends for that.

Jack: (raises eyebrows) Wait a minute, what– what are you planning on doing?

Andie: I’m going to tell Principal Greene tomorrow.

Jack: No, you’re not.

Andie: Yeah, I am.

Jack: No, no, Andie, look. Think about this, OK? You screwed up – fine, OK? It was a moment of weakness, but do you really want to get kicked out of school for cheating on something that has the word "practice" in front of it?

Andie: (sharply) Jack, you know what I want? (pauses) I want to be free of this thing once and for all. You know, I– free of what I did. And I– I want to be able to go to the mirror and recognise who I am again.

Jack: Andie, there’s got to be a better way.

Andie: Jack, I’ve thought long and hard about this, OK? There is no better way. Not for me.

* * * * *

(Doug’s apartment – Pacey lies on the couch with a steak over his eye)

Doug: (taking the steak away) Do you mind, I’m having that steak for dinner tonight with a nice barnaise sauce.

Pacey: Well what am I having?

(the door rings – Doug goes to answer it)

Doug: Bread and water.

(Doug opens to door and Joey enters)

Pacey: Doug, I’m a soldier here, returning from the killing fields. I mean, what– where’s my Purple Heart, my ticketape parade?

Joey: (sarcastically) Watch it on your black and white. You know, the one with the coat-hanger as an antenna at the Chevron station, where you’re going probably going to be pumping gas for the rest of your natural born life, Pacey. Of all the boneheaded moves!

Pacey: What are you talking about? I was right, it was Matt Caulfield.

Joey: Yeah, and that lets you off the hook how?

Pacey: Because, the guy deserves whatever he gets, OK? Preferable his silver spoon shoved up his ass.

Joey: That’s funny, Pacey, that’s really funny.

Pacey: Oh, this is rich. Here I am trying to do the right thing. (throwing his hands in the air) You know, sometimes a guy just can’t win.

Joey: No, he can’t. Not if he completely overreacts to a situation. If you’re gonna throw away your future, do it on your own account, OK?

Pacey: Oh, hey, don’t get me wrong. Don’t think I ever cared here. I was only doing Dawson a favour. (he crosses his arms)

Joey: Dawson?

Pacey: Yes, Dawson – looking out for ya.

(Joey gives him a quizzical look)

Pacey: Think back with me. Way back. You know, like the beginning of the school year? Dawson Leery returns from the big city a changed man, determined to sever ties with girl across the creek. So he asks trusted friend to look after said girl during the delicate transitional period. Trusted friend, of course obliges, and now his friends gets his head handed to him on a platter.

Joey: So you guys just traded me off like some sort of baseball card? Is that what this is about?

Pacey: What?

Joey: Us! You and me. I– I thought that...

Pacey: Thought what?

Joey: I guess I thought something else, Pacey.

(Joey storms out)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – sitting of the Disciplinary Committee – Caulfield is the object of current consideration – Pacey sits up the back waiting his turn)

Principal Greene: You have consistently flaunted my authority, Mr Caulfield. You’ve undermined my teachers’ ability to educate. And now, you challenge my commitment to reshape this school into a community.

Caulfield: Principal Green, it was only a mural.

Principal Greene: Yes, it was only a mural. But it was so much more than just a mural. You don’t fool me, Mr Caulfield. I know exactly who you are. You’ve been led to believe you’re untouchable, so you disrupt the school, disobey the rules. You serve to divide the student body with your arrogance and your attitude. Now you may be smart, and you may be rich, Mr Caulfield, but you are not above the law. And for that reason, it is my decision that you be expelled from Capeside High.

Caulfield: Expelled?

Principal Greene: You heard me.

Caulfield: For the rest of the year?

Principal Greene: For the rest of the year.

Caulfield: Principal Greene. Do you have any idea what my father’s going to say about this?

Principal Greene: Yes. I have a very good idea about what your father’s going to say about this.

(cut to outside the room where Dawson is looking in through the window at the DC hearing – Joey approaches)

Joey: (coolly) So what’s going on in there?

Dawson: I don’t know. It’s hard to tell.

Joey: (looks through the window) Well, no sign of birch cane or knuckle-wrapping.

Dawson: No, but let’s face it, Pacey’s going to be lucky if he gets off with just another suspension.

Joey: The way things are going, I mean, you should have just asked me to look out for him.

Dawson: Excuse me?

Joey: I know all about the little wife-swapping arrangement.

Dawson: Wife...? Joey, that’s not how it was, and you know it.

Joey: Then how was it?

Dawson: Well, first of all, it was months ago. I mean, things then were very different between us.

Joey: You’re right. Back then I felt like you still understood me.

Dawson: And I don’t now?

Joey: No. I never asked for your pity.

Dawson: Jo– Joey, it wasn’t about pity. I couldn’t be there for you, so I wanted someone you could turn to, someone you could talk to. Now tell me, where is the harm in that?

Joey: Well, it just would have been nice if that someone could have mustered a shred of genuine concern, Dawson—

Dawson: Joey, that someone is that room right now because he’s got a hell of a lot more than a "shred" of concern.

(Joey just shakes her head and gives Dawson an ‘as if’ look)

Dawson: (sighs) Joey, why are you doing this.

Joey: (sarcastic) Doing what?

Dawson: Casting aspersions on people who obviously care about you. Would you really think that I don’t want the best for you? I mean, Pacey. I mean, Pacey’s a lot of things – impulsive, thoughtless, stubborn – but after everything that’s happened this year, can you honestly doubt for a second that he doesn’t truly care about you?

(Joey looks sufficiently chastened, realising she was being a little harsh on Pacey))

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Andie is at her locker, clearing her things out, teary-eyed – the last thing she puts in the box is an advert for the play she directed – Barefoot in the Dark)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Pacey exits the Disciplinary Committee hearing – Dawson stands to greet him and they being walking down the hallway)

Pacey: Let me just state for the record, (points towards the room) I like that man in there. In fact, I’ll go one better – he is a great human being. He’s got the fairness of Lincoln, the charisma of Martin Luther King Jnr. He’s– he’s– he’s even-handed and tempered, and, if I may say so myself, acutely susceptible to a certain type of irreverent humour.

Dawson: So he let you off?

Pacey: Not exactly.

Dawson: But he didn’t suspend you?

Pacey: Well, let’s just say I’m not packing my bags quite yet. Although three days off would have provided a welcome diversion.

Dawson: (impatiently) So divulge – what happened in there?

Pacey: (proudly) I’m going to be a mentor.

Dawson: You’re going to be a what?

Pacey: A mentor. You know, Capeside High’s mentoring program. Since I seem to be completely incapable of suppressing my own juvenile impulses, Principal Greene seems to think that I would benefit from the company, and example, of someone half my age.

(Dawson laughs)

Pacey: What’s so funny?

Dawson: What about the poor kid? What are you gonna teach him?

Pacey: (mocking outrage) What are you talking about?

Dawson: Are you going to teach him the importance of keeping a secret? Like, say, from, you know, Joey, for example?

Pacey: (bows his head) Oh, that. Uh, she told you?

Dawson: Yeah.

(the bell rings)

Pacey: Hmm. Well, what do you think the odds are that you, yourself, will be as enlightened and forgiving a person as Principal Greene just was?

Dawson: (not entirely serious) No good, Pace. Not good.

(Pacey just sighs)

* * * * *

(Principal Greene’s office – he sits at his desk reading a typed letter – he finishes and puts the letter down, then looks across the desk in a very serious manner)

Principal Greene: To say that I am profoundly shocked and disturbed by what you did would be an understatement. Your behaviour was deceitful, immoral, and ultimately a disgrace to this school.

Andie: (nods) I know. I just wish that I could have told you sooner.

Principal Greene: You know I’m going to have to inform the Educational Testing Service, and that they’re going to cancel your scores, and that you’re going to forfeit your chance at a National Merit Scholarship?

Andie: (nods again) I’m aware of that, yes.

Principal Greene: Now, you say that there were other students who were... aware of this test, but you were the only one who exploited it. Are you absolutely certain about that?

Andie: Absolutely certain.

Principal Greene: (speaking a bit more kindly) What do you want me to do here? What am I supposed to do about this, Andie?

Andie: (teary) Um, well... I heard that Matt Caulfield was expelled from Capeside today. And what I did was no less grave or serious an offence.

Principal Greene: Is that what you think?

Andie: I’ve cleared out my locker, and I know that all actions have consequences.

Principal Greene: Andie—

Andie: Most of all, I’m sorry for letting you down, and– and for letting myself down.

Principal Greene: Andie, you and Matt Caulfield have nothing in common. He is a selfish, spoiled young man, who has no sense of right or wrong. Who actually takes pleasure in hurting others. The only person that you hurt... is yourself.

Andie: (crying) But I did cheat. And it was wrong, and I should be punished for it.

Principal Greene: When you were on the Disciplinary Committee, one of the things that I tried to reach you was the idea of proportionality. Make the punishment fit the crime – yes. But also look at the person. Now Matt Caulfield, he doesn’t deserve, nor would be benefit from, my leniency. But Andie McPhee? She just might.

Andie: I don’t know what to say?

Principal Greene: Don’t say anything. Get you stuff, put it back in your locker. As for your punishment, I’ll have to think about that for a couple of days.

Andie: (nods, looking very relieved) Thank you, Principal Greene. Thank you.

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Joey walks along the hallway with bib overalls, hair in a bandanna, and cans of paint dangling from either arm – she approaches her desecrated mural to find Pacey already hard at work, standing on a ladder, painting over the top to provide a fresh backdrop)

Joey: (smiling) What on earth?

Pacey: (turning to face her) Hey, Potter.

Joey: Pacey, what are you doing?

Pacey: Painting.

Joey: Duh.

Pacey: I just thought it’d be good if you could start with a blank canvas.

Joey: Blank canvas, huh?

Pacey: Yeah, you know, wipe the slate clean, (some foreign words -- dabalarassa??) – return to point A. All that good stuff.

Joey: (puts the paint tins down) Hmm. And, uh, who may I ask, told you I was planning on repainting the mural in the first place?

Pacey: Ah, it’s just this guy I met out on the street.

Joey: Just some guy?

Pacey: (steps down from the scaffolding) Yeah, you know, your typical do-gooder type. (pauses) So, are you gonna thank me?

Joey: For what?

Pacey: Well, for all manner of things. You know, like for defending your honour, bucking the system—

Joey: (Tilting??) at windmills while in the throws of a misguided hero complex?

Pacey: (smiles) Well, yeah, that too.

Joey: Pacey, if I was going to thank you for anything, it would be for being yourself, an, you know, for not caring about what anybody else thinks, and– and for knowing in your heart what’s right and wrong, and... for being there this year... when I need you the most.

Pacey: (gloating) You’re welcome. (holding out a can of paint) Going up?

Joey: (taking it) One condition.

Pacey: Sure, name it.

Joey: Be honest. The only reason you were hanging out with me is simply because Dawson told you to?

Pacey: Yep, that’s the only reason.

Joey: (she considers this) Hmm. You need to get a life.

(Pacey chuckles and Joey smiles – they begin painting over the mural – Dawson enters the building and looks over at Joey and Pacey – he nods like he’s glad things are back the way they should be and continues walking)

* * * * *