The Anti-Prom

(Dawson’s front yard – Joey and Dawson walk along the yard towards the front door)

Joey: I hate finals. I mean, what kind of a sadist bases one-third of a semester’s grade on whether or not you can recite the opening to the Canterbury Tales in perfect English?

Dawson: (good naturedly) Joey. We’ve been over this a thousand times, your pronunciation is flawless.

Joey: Maybe so, but I’m so going to still torture myself until test time, I just have to.

Dawson: Of course you will. I’m well aware of the Potter neurosis.

Joey: (indignant) I prefer to think of them as quirks.

Dawson: Do you?

Joey: Yeah.

Dawson: (opens flyscreen door) Well, whatever works for you. (he motions for Joey to go first)

Joey: (walks through onto the porch) I could get into the Leery neurosis...

Dawson: Nooo, we don’t have to do that. Besides, I’m, uh, I’m nervous enough on my own... right now.

Joey: Why?

Dawson: (sighs) Uh, well, there’s a– there’s an event... looming on the horizon, and uh, I seem to recall this certain pact made by two highschool freshmen regarding said event...?

Joey: Junior Prom. We both agreed if we didn’t have dates we’d go together.

Dawson: So you do remember?

Joey: (pauses a moment, eyebrows furrowed) Are you asking me to prom?

Dawson: I don’t wanna go with some random person and have it mean nothing. You know? I wanna go with my oldest friend, and it will be something I’ll always remember.

Joey: (smiles) Or we could both agree that it’s a meaningless event and not go at all?

Dawson: But it does mean something. And there are a million reasons why proms are ridiculous and stupid, but we made that pact because it obviously mattered to us. It’s a rite of passage. (Joey still looks unconvinced) And I can’t think of any better way to move than– than to fulfil a pact made by two old friends and just have a good time.

Joey: (smiles and nods) OK.

Dawson: (smiles back) Great!—

Joey: But I have two rules – no cheesy corsage for me, and no blue, ruffly tuxedo-ey shirt thingy for you.

Dawson: Done.

(The muffled voices of Mitch and Gale can be heard approaching the front door – the door opens and Mitch and Gale are kissing – Gale is protesting that she needs to leave – they both turn and see Dawson and Joey – Dawson looks like he’s gonna faint with shock – Mitch and Gale look guilty as sin)

* * * * *

(Leery front porch -- Joey, Dawson, Mitch and Gale all stand frozen on the doorstep – an awkward silence ensues)

Joey: You know what? I’m not wearing a watch, but I’m, uh, probably at least late for something that I should probably be at, so, uh, I’ll see you guys later. (she walks down the stairs and out of screen)

Dawson: See ya.

(Dawson turns his attention to Mitch and Gale)

Gale: Uh, sweetheart, we should probably talk about what you just saw.

Mitch: You know what? I’ll talk to Dawson, you should probably, uh, go on ahead and get to the restaurant.

Gale: OK. (she walks by Dawson, pauses, kisses him on the cheek and leaves)

Dawson: (walking past Mitch) This should be good.

(Mitch follows Dawson)

Mitch: Are you OK?

Dawson: (sighs) You know what? Yeah, I am.

(they reach the kitchen)

Mitch: About what you just saw...

Dawson: (turns and faces Mitch) What I just saw dad was something I’ve seen about five million times throughout the course of my life. (he opens fridge)

Mitch: Well, under the circumstances, don’t you think we should talk about it?

Dawson: (scoffs, shaking his head) At this point, I– I’m– I’m numb.

Mitch: You’re numb?

Dawson: (takes a can of soft drink and closes the fridge) Yeah. I mean, you and mom, you’ve always had a relationship that’s been a little... dramatic. (begins walking towards the staircase) All the while I’ve been in the middle, through all the backs and forths, and ups and downs, and a little while ago, I realised, I don’t need to do that. I can kind of just sit back, detached... 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: (pauses on the stairs) Are you saying that you and mom are getting back together?

Mitch: Not now. We haven’t discussed that—

Dawson: OK dad, in that case, I would prefer that you left me out of it entirely. I– I’m enjoying the numbness right now. You haven’t talked to mom, you don’t know... even what she’s feeling.

Mitch: (indignant) I was married to your mother for twenty years. There are some things I know without having to ask.

* * * * *

(Pacey’s house – Andie is sitting at the kitchen table with books and notepads scattered – Pacey is leaning against the doorway)

Pacey: How’s the studying going?

Andie: Fine?

Pacey: Did you want anything? Can I get you a water, lemonade...?

Andie: (holding up a bottle of Sprite) Nope, I’m good.

Pacey: (whispers) OK. (he walks over the table and sits – he looks clearly depressed)

Andie: Um... do you want me to go?

Pacey: (picks up a pad and pen) Why would I want you to go?

Andie: I don’t know, I just get the feeling that, uh... I don’t think that you want me to go.

Pacey: No, I don’t want you to go.

Andie: (whispers) ‘Kay.

Pacey: (pauses) I just– sometimes I... I just feel kinda... (tries to find the right word)... um...

Andie: Thirsty? Tired? Mad? Sad?

Pacey: Yeah.

Andie: Sad.

Pacey: Yeah. (shrugs shoulders) It’s, uh, something like that.

Andie: You know, maybe it’s time you come out of this cave. You know, just get back out there.

Pacey: Back out where?

Andie: Out there (she motions her thumb behind her). You know, go to the prom.

Pacey: With who, Andie?

Andie: I don’t know, anybody. A girl. You– you could go with me if you wanted to.

Pacey: (surprised) You don’t have a date to the prom?

Andie: (smiles) I am currently sifting through offers and just yet to make my final decision.

Pacey: Do you want me to ask you to the prom?

Andie: (pauses) I just want to see you happy again.

Pacey: I don’t think that the prom is going to act as some magical happiness elixir for me. You’d probably be better off taking one of those other guys up on their offer.

Andie: (nods smiling) I sure will.

* * * * *

(Potter household – Joey stands while Bessie sits on the sofa in the lounge room)

Joey: (in a confessional tone) Dawson asked me to prom and I said yes.

(Bessie has a "you did what?!" look)

Joey: And now I feel like I made a huge, horrible mistake. I mean, he assured me that it will only serve to recement out admittedly shaky friendship, but, I don’t know. I mean, what about the undeniable romantic implications? Not to mention Pacey. What about Pacey?

Bessie: What did you think accepting Dawson’s prom invitation would do, if not put you right in the middle of his tug of war with Pacey?

(Joey’s face becomes downcast, she shrugs her shoulders and sits next to Bessie)

Joey: I know. I’m just– I’m trying so hard just to get things back to the way they were.

Bessie: Come on, Jo. You are not that naive.

Joey: (protests) I have to be. I’m backed up into a corner, I don’t have any choice.

Bessie: You always have a choice.

Joey: Well... (can’t think of a response to that) no appealing choice.

Bessie: So you’re looking to me to provide the magical key to this problem?

Joey: Yeah. (she realises Bessie isn’t gonna help) I gotta say, you’ve been a little thin in the advice department lately.

Bessie: Look, give me a problem that actually has an solution, and I’ll solve it.

Joey: (rolls her eyes) You’re right. I mean, no matter what I do, somebody gets hurt... including me.

* * * * *

(Capeside High – a stall with a large sign stating Junior Prom Tickets has been erected in the cafeteria – Jack and Andie sit at a nearby table)

Andie: I hate this stupid prom. (waves dismissedly at the stall) 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 go and 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 wanna go with him – it’s because it’ll be safe.

(Jack and Andie just stare at one another for a moment)

Andie: (sulking) So what about you, did you get your tickets yet?

Jack: No, I’m working on it. You see the theme this year? "Couples". They’re gonna have every couple’s name on the balloons, on the little place cards, on those cheesy prom souvenirs.

Andie: So?

Jack: So, when you go buy your tickets, I mean, you gotta say who you’re going with. 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 when you show up with Ethan at the prom that they’re gonna kind of figure out he’s your date?

Jack: Come on, he’s not my "date" date, we’re just going as friends. He calls taking it the next step towards self-acceptance and actualisation. (half laughs) 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 about what other people think.

Jack: (nods over towards the ticket stall) Do you see who’s selling tickets?

Andie: Barbara Johns?

(bell rings)

* * * * *

(Capeside high – Jen and Henry sit at a bench outside and pack up as they hear the bell – they begin to walk towards class)

Jen: So, you know what they’re having this weekend, uh, is the, uh, Junior Prom.

Henry: Really?

Jen: Yeah. (scoffs) God, is there a more ridiculous and embarrassing ritual than the prom? The way it totally reinforces the gender roles, rewards the cool kids, punishes the geeks. I mean, the– the pressure that this one single night exerts on the common teenager... to make hollow awkward romantic gestures like pinning a cheap corsage on taffeta, having drunken sex with some guy whose name who you won’t even remember and then puking in the back of some cheesy-assed rented limo. I mean, it’s just all so overwhelming.

(they stop walking)

Henry: You’ve never been to a prom before, have you?

Jen: Well, no. But I know enough about them to know it’s– it’s just a sad—

Henry: So in other words you’re asking me to go.

Jen: (nods) Yeah.

Henry: I’d love to.

Jen: (smiles, relieved) OK.

(they walk towards class with arms around each other)

* * * * *

(back in Capeside high cafeteria – Jack is at the prom tickets stall)

Barbara: The theme of this year’s prom is couples. Please state your name as well as the name of your date.

Jack: (clears throat) Yeah, it’s, um, Jack McPhee, and, um Ethan Brode.

Barbara: Excuse me?

Jack: Ethan Brode. It’s E - T - H - A - N—

Barbara: No, no, a boy cannot go to the prom with a boy. (patronising) The definition of a prom date is a boy and a girl.

Jack: Yeah, well I don’t think that is 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 your ticket until I talk to Mrs Meyer, head of the Prom Committee.

Jack: (incredulous) So, what, you’re not going to sell me a ticket?

Barbara: (sarcastic) What exactly is it that 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? I mean, you don’t think that’s gonna weird out even the ones who are sympathetic to people like you?

(Jack has a very sour and annoyed expression)

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. (calls out) Next!

(next person happens to be Dawson)

Dawson: What’s up Jack? Are you OK?

Jack: (speaks sarcastically while giving Barbara the evil eye) Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I– I gotta go.

(Dawson looks at Jack as he walks away concerned then faces Barbara)

Barbara: The theme of this year’s prom is couples. Please state your name as well as the name of your date.

Dawson: Uh, well, Barbara, you’re in my gym class. You know my name.

Barbara: (repeats) Please state your name as well as the name of your date.

Dawson: (raises his eyebrows) Dawson Leery and Joey Potter.

Barbara: (surprised) Oh?

(we see Pacey sitting at a table nearby – the expression on his face shows he has overheard Dawson)

Barbara: Happy couple, back together?

Dawson: Something like that, yeah.

(Dawson takes his ticket and goes to leave when he sees Pacey and stops – they stare at one another for a moment before Dawson walks away)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Andie, Jack, Joey and Dawson all sit on steps outside the school – Jack sits with head between legs, arms crossed)

Joey: They can’t do this to you Jack. We won’t let them.

Andie: Yeah, I– we– we’ll lodge a formal complaint. And not only will you get your tickets for free, but we will get Barbara Johns to apologise in front of the whole school.

Joey: On her hands and knees.

Jack: Guuyyss.

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, otherwise it’s discrimination.

Jack: (frustrated) Guys! Look, I appreciate the support, I do, but it’s OK, I’m just not gonna go to the prom.

Andie: What! You have to go.

Joey: Yeah, at this point it’s political.

Jack: That’s just it. OK? It’s a prom, it’s supposed to be fun. I mean, why does 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: Because that’s just the way it is. And until things change, you have to fight.

Joey: We’ll be there with you. All the way.

Jack: (disappointed) I just wanted to go to the prom, that’s all.

Andie: Well, if you’re not going then I’m not going.

Joey: Me neither.

(Dawson looks horrified)

Andie: Good! Then we’ll boycott, and we’ll organise.

Dawson: I’ve got a better idea. (leans forward) Jack, you’re right. Let’s hold our own prom, right? An alternative prom. I mean, think about it. Why are we paying eighty bucks a pop to sit where they tell us to sit, eat rubbery chicken and listen to a special selection of Barbara Johns’ favourite tunes when we can hold the "Anti-Prom"? It’s not about who you bring, it’s about who you are.

Joey: (smiles and nods in agreement) I like it.

Andie: Yeah, I think it’s a great idea, Dawson.

(Andie and Joey smile at Jack in an attempt to convince him)

Jack: Yeah, what would an alternative prom be without a couple of gay guys?

* * * * *

(Leery restaurant – Dawson is talking to Mitch and Gale as they walk into the kitchen)

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. (rubbing his hands together) I’m telling you guys, we can– we can totally make this work.

Mitch: You’ve obviously given this a lot of though, but I have one question... why?

Dawson: Well, uh, big things are happening all around, I’m just kinda trying to, uh, facilitate my own big thing. If the answer is "yes".

Gale: (to Mitch) Should we say yes now, or continue to torture him?

Dawson: (sighs and then smiles with relief) Mom... thank you. You guys won’t regret this, I promise.

Gale: But you do realise that this is my restaurant, so I will be here.

Mitch: And every prom needs a chaperone.

Dawson: OK. Great. Uh, I’m gonna go hang some fliers.

(Dawson leaves and Gale addresses Mitch)

Gale: Well, he seems to have gotten through yesterday’s event unscathed.

(they walk over towards the stoves)

Mitch: He says he’s numb at this point.

Gale: Oh, is that a good thing?

Mitch: I dunno. But he did seem, remarkably enough, totally OK.

Gale: Well that’s a relief.

Mitch: It kind of got me to thinking though.

Gale: (tastes a dish that’s cooking) Oh, who by cayenne pepper in this marineise sauce?

Mitch: Gale?

Gale: (distractedly) Yeah?

Mitch: I thought maybe we should discuss what we’re doing here.

Gale: What we’re doing where?

Mitch: This thing that you and I are doing. I thought that maybe we should discuss what it means.

Gale: (turns and faces him) Why can’t we just enjoy it and see where it leads? Why do we always have to analysed every little thing? (she walks a couple of feet towards the cooks) Um, hello? I asked a question. Who put cayenne pepper in the maraniese sauce?

(Mitch rolls his eyes in frustration)

* * * * *

(Capeside High – Jack and Andie have set up a prom ticket stall next door to Barbara’s)

Student: Two please. Thanks.

Barbara: Here you go.

Jack: You know, this thing could actually turn out to be a success.

Andie: In a manner of speaking.

(two students approach Jack and Andie – they guys is huge with and mean-looking and the girl had dyed bright red hair)

Andie: Hi.

Barbara: (leans over towards Jack and Andie) 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 would never go if you paid me.

Jack: Oh, that’s a good thing, because we don’t want your kind at our prom.

Barbara: (getting smart) And what kind is that? The good Christian kind?

Jack: (scoffs) You know, this is not about religion, Barbara. I mean, the kind that hates people. You know, the intolerant, judgemental, 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: (laughs) What? That– that’s it, that’s your whole comeback?

(Andie holds up her hands and wiggles her fingers in a "we are so scared" gesture)

Barbara: I think 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 yet, do you? I mean, you’re totally missing the point.

Barbara: (chooses to ignore them) Next!

* * * * *

(Jen’s house – Jen sits on the bed watching Grams making final adjustments to a dinner suit that Henry is wearing)

Grams: And to think... I was going to give this to the Good Will.

Jen: You’re gonna look great, Henry.

Henry: I feel like a busboy.

Grams: That’s the burden of men dear. While out on the town you must stand in the background and let your woman shine.

Jen: Oh, I think Henry shines just fine on his own, Grams.

(a kettle begins to whistle)

Grams: He certainly does. Ooh, there’s my tea. I’ll be right back. (she stands and leaved the bedroom)

Jen: OK Henry, I think it’s time that, uh, you and I had "the talk".

Henry: The talk?

Jen: Yeah, the "prom sex talk".

Henry: (eyes go wide) The prom sex talk?

Jen: Come on Henry, like it wasn’t going to come up sooner or later.

(Henry steps down off the small box he’d been standing on and sits next to Jen on the bed)

Henry: Not necessarily.

Jen: Oh OK, tell me that you weren’t thinking that... you, me and the prom didn’t mean the distinct possibility of a little drunken-back-seat-rented-limo nookie?

Henry: I didn’t rent a limo, I—

Jen: OK, that’s not the point. Um, the, prom puts a lot of pressure on kid to– to "do it" just for the sake of doing it. And you end up doing it fifteen minutes before curfew and it’s completely unromantic and it’s way too fast and... and– and it just generally sucks. And you can never take that back or change it, so... so I thought that maybe we could make the decision right now that... not to do it.

Henry: I, um, I’m in no race. I mean, you know that.

Jen: Yeah.

Henry: (after a moment) But we... we are gonna do it... eventually, right?

Jen: (smiles) Come here.

(they kiss)

* * * * *

(Andie’s house – Pacey enters her bedroom)

Andie: To what do I owe the honour of this visit?

Pacey: Uh, I’m just bored I guess.

Andie: (laughs) You always knew how to flatter a girl.

Pacey: I try. (he takes a seat) So, um, I guess you’re probably gonna go to that whole alternative prom thing?

Andie: Hmm-mm. You’re not going to believe what I did today. I threw my ticket back in Barbara John’s face. (laughs) Guess what that witch said to me when I bought it? "Oh, that is so brave, Andie. A girl going to the prom alone."

Pacey: (looks confused) Why would you go to the prom alone? I though you were sifting through offers?

Andie: Yeah, well, uh... turns out that I didn’t have any.

Pacey: (surprised) So why didn’t you just tell me that?

Andie: (defensive) Because I didn’t want a pity-ask, OK? And it doesn’t matter anyway, because all of my friends are gonna 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 honour. (stands) Andrea McPhee, would you go to the prom with me?

* * * * *

(Outside Potter residence – Dawson walks up to Bessie who is waiting with camera in hand – it is still daylight)

Bessie: (excitedly) Hi.

Dawson: Hey.

(Joey steps out onto the porch wearing a black dress with spaghetti straps and looking divine)

Dawson: Wow. You look... (is speechless)

(Joey walks down the steps)

Joey: (smiling, embarrassed) It's just a dress, Dawson.

Bessie: (still excited) OK, picture time!

(Joey goes over and stands with Dawson – Bessie takes a few quick photos before Joey turns to Dawson)

Joey: We should probably go, we don't want to be late.

Bessie: You always hated having your picture taken. So Dawson, where's the corsage?

Dawson: Oh, uh, we made a deal... no corsages. But I had to bring something. (he reaches into his inside jacket pocket and takes out a small jewellery box) So I decided to bring these. (he opens the box which contains a pair of diamond earrings)

Joey: Diamond earrings? (begins to protest) Dawson, I can't take these.

Dawson: Relax, they're my mom's. They're on loan – like at the Academy Awards. I thought you'd look amazing in them.

Joey: I can't wear them. I mean, what if something happens?

Dawson: Something happens to what, your earlobes? (dismissively) Stop it, put 'em on.

Joey: They are beautiful.

Bessie: Put them on, and then I'll get one more picture.

(Joey puts the earrings on – they face Bessie who takes a photo)

Bessie: One... two... three (she take a photo)

(the screen freezes and pans out to show the photo of Dawson and Joey both smiling)

* * * * *

(Anti-Prom at Leery's restaurant – it's now dark – Mitch and Gale watch the "alternative" students as they arrive)

Gale: Interesting crowd.

Mitch: (speaks softly) Lock the cash register.

Gale: (walking away) I'm on it.

(cut to table where Ethan and Jack are sitting – they are wearing identical outfits)

Ethan: Hey, can you believe we wore the same thing?

(Ethan laughs but Jack looks worried)

Ethan: Yeah, well, I thought it was pretty funny. (Jack still looks worried) You know, Jack, I'm not expecting you to dance with me if that's what you're worried about.

Jack: No, no, I'm not worried about anything.

Ethan: OK.

(Jen and Henry walk up to the table)

Jen: Hi there.

Henry: Hey.

Jack: Hey.

(Dawson and Joey also arrive)

Dawson: Hey. Jack, Ethan.

(the two new couples all take a seat)

Jen: Joey, I love those earrings.

Joey: (touching the earrings) Thank you.

Jack: Hey Andie, Pace.

Andie: Hi guys. What's going on?

(Dawson looks up to see Andie and Pacey standing together)

Dawson: (to Joey) Shall we dance?

(they get up and move to the dance floor – Joey gives Pacey a sideways glance)

Andie: Come on, sit down. (they take a seat) Wow, Jen, your dress is fabulous.

Jen: Thank you so much. You look awesome.

Andie: (excited) Thank you. Hey Ethan. Henry.

Henry: Hey.

(Pacey looks over his shoulder and spies Joey and Dawson dancing – Joey sees him and then looks away with an expression of guilt)

* * * * *

(The Prom – Joey and Dawson Dances – Dawson looks over at Pacey and Andie who are dancing and finally we see Jen and Henry dancing)

Jen: So here we are.

Henry: Yep.

Jen: At the prom.

Henry: Yep.

Jen: So what are you thinking?

Henry: (defensively) I– I wasn't thinking about sex, OK?

Jen: Henry, you– you're allowed to think about sex.

Henry: W– well, I– I– I wasn't.

Jen: No, I'm sure. I'm just saying that, you know, if– if you were, that's fine. I mean, you can think about sex, I can think about sex, it's just tonight that it– that it's not a factor. Right?

* * * * *

(Prom -- Jack and Ethan standing and watching couples dance)

Ethan: I'm glad, you know.

Jack: (not taking his eyes off the dance floor) About 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: Can we maybe put a pin in the "when I was a young kid war stories, for tonight? It's not providing me with a lot of solace right now.

Ethan: What I was gonna 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: (shocked) You mean all that crap about "actualisation"... you've never actualised?

Ethan: I guess I thought it was a hurdle we could jump over together.

Jack: (getting mad) At my highschool prom, where you know no-one and I know everyone? Tell me, how together is that, Ethan?

Ethan: (raising his voice a little) So you win in the courage department.

Jack: No, no, I don't, because I was tricked into it. Courage would have be telling you I'm not ready for this. That however healthy this might be for my sexual identity, I don't really want to be here right now.

(Jack begins to walk away)

Ethan: Well I'm sorry.

Jack: (turns) So am I. (he continues walking away)

Ethan: Where are you going?

Jack: (sarcasm) I'm going to get a soda. (he goes to leave then walks back to Ethan) You know, I was wondering, wise, sage gay guy that you are... Coke, Diet Pepsi, what's better for my actualisation?

(Jack finally walks away)

* * * * *

(Cut back to Jen and Henry who have stopped dancing and are standing)

Jen: You know, there– there are other things that we can talk about. Besides sex.

Henry: Of course. We– we could talk about... (thinks)

Jen: Summer. We could talk about, you know, what we're gonna do this summer. Um, I– I thought we could take a couple day trips up to Nantucket. Go see some concerts up at Boston, and then—

Henry: Sure, when– when I get back from football camp.

Jen: What-ball camp?

Henry: Football camp. Cleveland. Eight weeks. We leave at the end of June.

Jen: (surprised and upset) You're leaving me for the whole summer to go to football camp and you tell me this now?

Henry: (innocently) Well, what's wrong with now?

Jen: You don't devastate you girlfriend with an impending two month separation in the middle of the prom – that kind of ruins the night.

Henry: (incredulous) I've ruined the night?

Jen: And as far as later goes, whatever slim possibility may have existed that we might actually have sex, well you can just forget about that.

Henry: (confused) I thought we already established we weren't gonna have sex tonight?

Jen: Oh, come on, Henry, that's just what you said 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 storms off)

Henry: Damn!

* * * * *

(Cut to Pacey and Andie dancing – Pacey looks over at Joey and Dawson)

Joey: Could I ask a brazen, but obvious question?

Dawson: Yeah, of course.

Joey: Why did you bring me here tonight, Dawson?

Dawson: What?

Joey: Was it just so you could throw jabs at Pacey?

Dawson: What are you talking about? I had no idea Pacey was going to be here.

Joey: You don't think I get the sub-text of every one of those little looks you keep throwing his way. I mean, Dawson, you might as well get on the P.A and scream "She's mine Pacey, ha, I win."

Dawson: (sighs) 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 organised? What exactly is he trying to prove?

Joey: Given the circumstances under which this night originated, what right do you have to exclude anyone?

Dawson: (defensively) I'm not excluding, Joey, I haven't said a word to him.

Joey: (a little sarcastic) Right. That hasn't stopped you parading me around all night like I'm some sort of a prize.

Dawson: Parading you around?

Joey: Yes!

Dawson: 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: (speaks quickly as she does when she's upset) You're right. None of it's your fault. None of it's anybody's fault, it just happening. And who cares what it's doing to me.

Dawson: (sighs) OK. (pauses) Let's... just start over, OK? It's just Dawson and Joey, at the prom, having a good time. OK?

(they begin to dance for a moment before Joey pulls away)

Joey: I need a breather.

(she walks away)

* * * * *

(Outside the restaurant – Joey walks over to Jack who stands by the railing)

Joey: Care to make a run for it?

Jack: (nods) Yes please. (laughs)

(Joey sighs and leans back against the railing, arms crossed)

Joey: So what are you hiding from?

Jack: I am hiding from Barbara Johns.

Joey: (shocked) She's here?

Jack: No. Yeah, in– in a way, she is. God, man, 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 tonight? 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 every one else's.

Jack: As opposed to now, where all I can see is the pain and loneliness that makes our lives the same?

(Joey looks away)

Jack: 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? I– all of us friends again, and me not caught in the middle.

Jack: If you want things to get back to the way they were, you have to set the example. I mean, Pacey and Dawson, those two are just not gonna do it themselves right now.

Joey: How about we hide out here for a while first?

Jack: (smiles) Sounds good to me.

(they hold hands)

Joey: Thank you.

Jack: Thank you.

* * * * *

(Prom – Mitch and Gale dance)

Gale: I 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, Gale.

Gale: Mitchell, what are you talking about?

Mitch: I'm not here just for your womb, Gale.

Gale: (laughs) Excuse me?

Mitch: Go ahead and laugh, you know, but 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.

Gale: (realises Mitch is serious) OK. So if 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"? What is it?

Gale: What do you want it to be?

Mitch: (pulls away in frustration) You know what, Gale? 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.

(Mitch walks away)

* * * * *

(Prom – Joey walks over to Pacey who sits at a table alone)

Joey: I've been meaning to ask you something all night, Pacey. (holding out her hand) Would you like to dance with me?

Pacey: (standing and taking her hand) Yes.

(they move out onto the dance floor and begin to dance)

Pacey: (speaking in almost a whisper) How come this feels so right?

Joey: (smiles) I think it was those dance lessons.

(they share a smile – Andie sees Pacey and Joey dancing and stops dead)

Pacey: (placing his hand to her ear) Where did you get those? They're not you.

Joey: Why? Because I'm just a poor tom-boy, or because Dawson gave them to me?

Pacey: Neither. (taking her wrist which has a bracelet on it) You see this? This is you. It's not showy, or gaudy... it's simple. Elegant. Beautiful.

Joey: It's my mom's bracelet.

Pacey: I know.

Joey: (surprised) How do you know?

Pacey: Well, because you told me. Six months ago. You were wearing that, uh, blue sweater, with the snowflakes that you have. You were walking down the hallways at school, I was annoying you as per usual. You said, "Look, Pacey, I just found my mother's bracelet this morning, so why don't you cut me some slack?"

Joey: You remember that?

Pacey: (whispers in her ear) I remember everything.

(they dance for a moment – Joey closes her eyes – we see Andie watching them with tears in her eyes – when Joey looks up she sees Dawson staring at them – Dawson storms off)

* * * * *

(Outside the restaurant – Joey runs after Dawson)

Joey: (calling after him) Dawson. Dawson, wait! (she grabs is arm) Dawson, wait.

Dawson: (turns, yelling) 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: (still yelling) 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 E.T. and have it be the same, OK? You can't dance with him at a prom I organised and expect me not be hurt!

Joey: You said tonight was about you, me and our friendship, and if that was really the case then 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 was all I wanted. The whole reason I suggested this whole stupid alternative prom wasn't about Jack, it was about you, alright? 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 between us. I thought, maybe, you know, if I could make it perfect, then...

Joey: That I would pick you? Say it, Dawson. You thought if you orchestrated this whole evening that I would be convinced into picking you over Pacey, right?

Dawson: You have to pick somebody, Joey. I just wanted to remind you what you'd be missing if you didn't pick me. (Joey bows her head) You'd be missing a lot. So would I, I'd be missing everything.

(Dawson walks up to her, leans forward and kisses Joey)

Dawson: That's how the evening was supposed to end.

(Dawson walks away leaving Joey with hand on head)

* * * * *

(Jen's house – Henry opens the screen door for her and she walks through)

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.

(they stand outside the front door)

Jen: Henry, I'm not in the mood.

Henry: Fine. Well, let's talk about something else. Like why would you make such a big deal about there being no possibility of us not having sex, if you were planning on doing it all along?

Jen: I wasn't planning on doing anything. I mean, I thought that maybe if it happened, if it felt right and natural, then yeah, maybe we would. You know, it doesn't even matter.

Henry: Because 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, Henry, it's about your cowardice.

Henry: What?

Jen: 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... it's– it's got nothing to do with you.

Jen: Exactly. But if this were a real relationship, your choice for those eight weeks would have had at least something to do with me. Goodnight Henry.

(Jen opens the door and steps inside)

Henry: Jen, I won't go through this again. I can't. This time there won't be any posters or grand declarations of my feelings toward you. You walk in that house... it's not just goodnight, it's goodbye.

Jen: (shutting door) Goodbye.

* * * * *

(Train station – Ethan is about to leave – Jack runs into the station and towards Ethan)

Jack: Ethan, wait! Wait. What are you doing, are you leaving?

Ethan: Are you kidding me?

Jack: Look, I... (catches his breath) I'm sorry for the way 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.

Ethan: (walks over to Jack and throws his bag on the floor) What are you saying?

Jack: I– I'm saying... (goes and sits on a bench) OK, I'm saying tonight... I don't think I was uncomfortable with bringing a guy to the prom. I think I was uncomfortable with bringing 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 just lean over and...

Ethan: Kiss you.

Jack: (whispers) Yeah, something like that.

Ethan: Because 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: (stands and faces Ethan looking defiant) Well maybe you guessed wrong, maybe I am ready.

Ethan: OK. So here we are. Alone in a train station. No-one around. No lights, no cameras, no network television to cut to commercial. It's just you and me. So kiss me Jack. I dare you.

(Jack has tears in his eyes and Ethan waits, but Jack doesn't kiss him – Ethan grabs his bag and leaves)

* * * * *

(Pier – Andie and Pacey walk along it)

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 wish that were the truth. But, as soon as I got there, I realised that I wanted to go to the prom because sh—

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 would do whatever it takes to make this up to you, Andie.

Andie: What it would take it something you can't give me right now. And I'm not mad at you Pacey, honestly I'm not. I just... I just really feel bad for you.

(they walk in silence for a moment)

Pacey: So did I tell you what I'm going to be doing this summer? I'm going to sail True Love down to Key West... just me and the sea. How's that for having all you ask, huh?

Andie: So when are you gonna leave?

Pacey: Right after finals.

Andie: Have you told her how you feel?

(they stop walking)

Pacey: Andie, she already knows how I feel.

Andie: I mean, have you really told her, Pacey?

(Pacey's expression indicates he hasn't)

Andie: You can't just leave without letting her know. I mean, that– that's not like you. You just don't just stand and let things happen and you don't run away either. You have to tell her that you love her. (tearful) And you have to try to get her back. Because if you don't, I promise you, you will regret it.

Pacey: Maybe.

Andie: (with conviction) No, Pacey. You will.

* * * * *

(Dawson's house the next day – Joey approaches Dawson who sits in a deck chair outside, reading)

Joey: Hey.

Dawson: (looks up) Hey.

(Joey sits on a chair)

Joey: I, um, I brought these back for you. (she places the box containing the earrings on the arm of Dawson's chair) They're so beautiful. I'm not quite sure they're me, but... I had a really fun time wearing them.

(a pause ensues)

Joey: 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. (pauses) I can't keep hurting people, Dawson. And I can't choose. So I'm telling you the same thing that I told Pacey. Please don't make me. I'm not ready and I can't do it.

Dawson: (considers this a moment) OK.

Joey: (surprised) OK?

Dawson: I'll wait. You can call me an eternal optimist, but I have faith. This whole year I've been on this soul-searching journey, and I feel like I've finally come to the end. And what I found... was you.

(Joey smiles – she then sees Gale jogging towards the house – Dawson turns and looks like he's thinking "what the hell?")

(cut to inside the house)

Gale: (calling out) Mitch? Mitch?

(Mitch enters the lounge room)

Gale: (motions with her hands) Come here.

Mitch: (perplexed) What is it?

Gale: Just, come here. Um, here, (leads him to the sofa) sit down.

Mitch: (sitting) What are you up to?

Gale: Just this. (she gets down on one knee) Last night you asked me to define this relationship, and I wasn't ready to do it.

(Dawson and Joey enter and watch in silence)

Gale: I had just been so– so afraid of screwing up. Of making the same mistakes twice. But I'm not going to let that fear stop us from being together any more. (taking his hand) So, if our fate is to make the same mistakes all over again, then by God, I hope we make some mistakes as well as we did the first time. (Mitch leans forward) Is that a "yes"?

Mitch: Well, you didn't ask me a question.

Gale: (anxiously) You know the question.

(they both stand)

Mitch: You know the answer.

(they kiss – Joey and Dawson just stand shocked – Joey looks at Dawson who begins to nod and smile)

* * * * *