"For Better or Worse."
Continued: Pg. 20
She smiles appreciatively. He continues through the crowd. He stops cold, when he sees......
Mitch entering the club with Nicole on his arm.
Gale also looks up to see their entrance. She turns ashen. Dawson, distracted and disturbed, lets a few glasses of champagne spill all over his shirt and the floor.
INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Dawson walks down the hallway, looking for a bathroom. He opens a closed door to find....
Pam, the bride, alone, looking terrified, mascara stains down her cheek. She looks up at him,mortified.
DAWSON
Sorry, I'm so sorry.
Dawson quickly shuts the door. He stands for a moment in the hallway, then opens the door again.
DAWSON
Excuse me? Are you all right?
The bride instantly bursts into tears. Dawson enters the room closing the door behind him.
PAM
I don't feel well. I think I'm having a
heart attack. I'm pretty sure that I'm dying.
DAWSON
I'll go get somebody. I think your mother's in the hall.
PAM
No no no! Don't get her! Don't get anyone.
Just help me get this window open.
She tries to jam open a window, preparing to crawl out. Dawson has to physically stop her.
DAWSON
What are you doing?
PAM
(conspiratorially)
Can you keep a secret?
(he nods)
pg 21
PAM
I'm not going through with this.
I can't get married. I want to , but I can't.
DAWSON
Why not?
PAM
I don't know.
(tearfully)
What's wrong with me? This is my dream come true.
Ever since I was a girl, a big beautiful weddings
all I ever wanted. But now I just want to die.
(crying)
Let me die.
DAWSON
What's the problem? Don't you love him?
PAM
I love him. He's Alan. He's a great man.
He's a wonderful person. But I just.....
DAWSON
He's not the right one.
PAM
I'm not sure. That's the thing. Maybe he is. But what if he isn't?
What if I marry him and it's the biggest mistake of my life?
Pam stares at Dawson, intensely clutching his shirt.
DAWSON
I really don't know what to say except that
marriage is sacred. It s the most important
decision you can make - to give yourself over,
truly and completely to another person - and
if you're not sure - and you're having all of
these doubts - then maybe you shouldn't
go through with it.
Pam's eyes widen, his advice hitting her like a brick.
PAM
You think I should call it off.
DAWSON
No, I just think it's better to realize
this now than twenty years from now when
you have kids and a heart full of regret.
Pg. 22
PAM
Everyone I know is here. All of Capeside
is downstairs. What am I gonna tell them?
DAWSON
That you love Alan, but you've made
a mistake and you're just not ready.
Pam contemplates this backing away toward the window.
PAM
I love Alan. I've made a mistake and I'm just not ready.
She turns and quickly tries to open the window, but it's still jammed.
PAM
Dammit!
Giving up she collapses in a chair whimpering. Dawson watches helpless.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB BACK YARD - DAY
A LARGE TENT is set up in the back with tables and chairs. Pacey and Andie hurriedly work to set up the buffet.
PACEY
(playing with her)
Isn't this romantic?
Can't you just feel the anticipatory excitement
in the air? Two young lovers about to become united
forever in holy wedlock. I've got goose bumps. How `bout you?
ANDIE
Don't push me pacey. I've got a cake knife in my hand.
PACEY
Let's finish up out here so we can get inside for the ceremony.
ANDIE
I'm not watching the ceremony.
PACEY
(hugging her from behind)
Yes you are. You're gonna watch it sitting in my lap.
{Pages 23 and 24 missing here}
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - DAY Pg. 25
The guests are all seated, waiting for the ceremony to begin. There are troubled murmurs in the wedding party as they realize the bride is nowhere to be found.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Pam is inconsolable crying. Dawson stands over her.
DAWSON
The ceremony is starting. You've got to make a decision.
Suddenly there is a knock. Pam's face falls.
DAWSON
Don't worry . I'll take care of it.
Dawson goes to the door and cracks it a crack. It's Jack.
[Editor's note: Hey, that rhymes! - Gog]
JACK
Dawson, you went AWOL on me.
DAWSON
(whispering)
We've got a problem here. The brides about to jump out a window.
JACK
Where is she?
DAWSON
In here. She's hysterical. We might have to call off the wedding.
JACK
You want me to talk to her?
DAWSON
I really don't think there's much you can do at this point.
Jack enters the room. He goes straight for Pam, kneeling beside her.
JACK
Hey. You okay?
PAM
I can't go through with this. I'm gonna be sick.
JACK
Having second thoughts?
PAM
I keep thinking - what if Alan isn't my soulmate?
What if my soulmate is still out there, but just
haven't met him yet and now I'm giving up my only
chance for a perfect love?
JACK
You know, you can spend your whole life looking
for a perfect love and I Promise you, you won't
find it - because love isn't perfect. Everyone is
flawed, including you, including Alan. But I bet
he loves you and that love is real. Are you sure
you want to walk away from something that's real
for a pipe dream that may not exist?
Pam contemplates this. She wipes her eyes.
JACK
You're just suffering from an acute case of wedding day
jitters - it wouldn't be a wedding without them. They're
part of the tradition like throwing the bouquet or taking
off the garter. And I bet the minute you start walking down
the isle and you look into Alan's eyes -all your silly fears
will dissolve away - like that.
He snaps his fingers. For the first time Pam looks hopeful.
INT. COUNTRY CLUB - DAY
The wedding march begins to play. Pam's father stands at the end of the aisle, waiting to walk. He looks around for his daughter, anxious.
Suddenly Pam races into the room with Jack and Dawson in tow. She runs up to her father and takes his hand.
Pam and her father begin to walk up the aisle. Pam locks eyes with Alan, the groom. He smiles at her warmly.
And Pam smiles back, her eyes filled with love and not a trace of anxiety or doubt.
Jack watches from the back of the room, full of pride. Dawson looks over at Jack and shakes his head in disbelief.
End of script selection!
