Emotions in Motion
Pilot episode of Dawson's Creek
Written by: Kevin Williamson
Directed by: Steve Miner
Transcribed by: Greeneye90@aol.com
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show Dawson's Creek. They were created by Kevin Williamson and belong to him, Ultimate TV, Columbia Tri-Star, and the WB Television network.
~~~~~~~~~~Part 1~~~~~~~~~~
Sail boats drift along a lake on a sunny day. Pan from boats to dock, where Joey is sitting in a lawn chair. The camera moves closer as tense music plays. Suddenly something rises from the lake and grabs her.
Joey: Ahhhhhhhh!!
The thing takes her and the lawn chair crashing into the water. Cut to Dawson with his video camera on a hand-made moving crane.
Dawson: No! Cut, cut, cut. Pacey...three counts you gotta wait before you come up, come on!
We realize it's Pacey cloaked in a sea creature costume. He tries to climb up on the dock but Joey grabs him and pulls him back down.
Joey: (climbing up) God, Pacey!
Pacey takes off his sea creature mask and follows her up.
Pacey: What was that all about?
Dawson: (watching, and commenting the whole time) Joey...(pause) Pacey, C'mon. You go before she's established on the dock, it's not scary.
Joey grabs a towel and wraps it around her neck.
Joey: You did it again, you grabbed my ass.
Pacey: (waving it off) Like you even have one.
Dawson: Guys, were way behind schedule, all right. We got two weeks, I'm not going to make the festival.
Joey: I'm not playing the victim.
Dawson: Hello, some cooperation.
Pacey: Hey, it's Meryl Streep's fault okay, I'm doing my best.
Joey: (glaring at him) Bite me.
Dawson notices a yellow taxi pull up next door. A beautiful blond girl steps out and looks around. Pacey glances over and sees the taxi also. Joey is to busy glaring at Pacey to notice.
Pacey: Well, my mouth drops.
Pacey starts down the dock toward the girl. Dawson pauses, then follows. Joey watches and trails behind them. Cut to the girl walking toward them.
Jen: Hi there.
Pacey: Hi, Pacey. Nice to meet you.
They shake hands.
Jen: Hi.
Dawson also shakes Jen's hand.
Dawson: Hi, I'm Da...
Jen: (interrupting) Your Dawson. Dawson, yeah I know. We've met before. I'm Jen.
Dawson: Oh, the granddaughter from New York, okay.
Joey watches Dawson's face, irked.
Jen: That's right
Dawson: Wow, you look...different.
Joey: (turning away from Dawson) Puberty. (shaking Jen's hand) I'm Joey. I live down the creek and we've never met...ever.
Dawson: So, Jen are you just visiting?
Jen: Oh yeah, my grandfather's aorta collapsed and they had to replace it with this plastic tube, so my parents sent me to help for a while.
Dawson: So you'll be going to school here then?
Jen: Uh yeah, tenth grade.
Pacey: (smiling) Cool, us too.
Cut to Joey who fakes a smile then lets it fade.
Dawson: Yeah.
Jen: Oh good, um look my Grams is waiting. I should go. But it was really nice to meet you guys and I'll see you in school.
Dawson: If not sooner.
Pacey watches and laughs.
Joey: (mimicking) If not sooner.
She turns and walks back down the dock.
Pacey: (elbowing Dawson) Nice.
Cut to Jen walking away. She glances back at them. Dawson watches her, grinning.
Pacey and Dawson walk through Dawson's front yard. The sea creature costume hangs to dry on a lawn chair.
Pacey: You think she's a virgin? Wanna nail her?
Dawson: (laughing) We just met!
They climb the porch steps.
Pacey: And a wasted moment it was. I mean greater men would be nailing right now, you know what I mean?
Dawson: (opening front door) Tact, look it up.
They walk into the house to be confronted with the sound of glass breaking. Worried, they walk quickly through the house and into the living room. They see Dawson's parents kissing passionately on a broken coffee table, their clothes in disarray.
Dawson: Oh God...Mom!
They break their kiss.
Mr. Leery: Oh, hi son.
He dumps Mrs. Leery on the floor.
Mr. Leery: Your mother and I were...
Mrs. Leery: (fixing her unbuttoned blouse) uh, just discussing whether or not...
Mr. Leery: (interrupting) we needed a new coffee table.
Mrs. Leery laughs.
Mr. Leery: Hi Pacey.
Pacey: Hi Mr. Leery...Mrs. Leery.
Mrs. Leery: (smiling) Hi Pacey. (noticing Dawson's increasing embarrassment) Oh don't look so red Dawson. It could be worse.
Dawson runs his hands through his hair and looks away.
Pacey: You know what Mrs. Leery? I really do love that new hairdo.
Mrs. Leery: (fluffing her hair) Oh...Thank you Pacey.
Mr. Leery: I thought you had to work.
Dawson: We ran late.
Mrs. Leery (getting up) I should get going. Okay Mr. Man-meat, I'll see you later.
They kiss.
Dawson: Mom...ah!
The creek. Dogs bark in the background. Joey rows her boat up to their dock and ties it up. She gets out and waltzes up to the house. She's intercepted by her sister's boyfriend, Bodie. He walks towards her with a pot and an apron tied around his waist.
Bodie: Just the victim I'm looking for.
Joey: (smiling) No, Bodie. Not again.
Bodie: But I'm being tested on this one. Here have a taste.
He gives her a spoonful.
Joey: (pauses) Orgasmic. Where's Bess?
Joey's pregnant older sister comes out the front door carrying a shirt.
Bess: If you want to wear my things, fine. They're fairly useless to me now. But that means you put them back...where you found them. Got it?
Joey: (with attitude) Got it.
Bess: I am way too pregnant to be digging underneath your bed.
Joey: (even more attitude) So stay out of my room, got it?
She walks away. Bess turns toward Bodie.
Bess: I'm going to knock her silly, I swear it.
Bodie: Here, taste this.
He gives her a sample. She's doubtful at first. That changes, as she tastes it.
Bess: (closing her eyes) Hmmm...Orgasmic.
Bodie: (giving her a kiss) Awww...
Cut to Video Rental Storefront. We see a sign that reads ScreenPlay Video, Movie rentals, New releases and more. Inside Dawson is helping a customer.
Dawson: (taking videos from man) Thank you.
The customer leaves as Pacey walks in from the back of the store.
Pacey: So, if your dad's Mr. Man-meat, does that make you Mr. Man-meat Jr. or Mr. Man-meat the second?
Dawson: They're going to have to drag the creek to find your body, Pacey.
A blond curly headed girl in a black halter-top walks up to them carrying two videos.
Nellie: Does Forrest Gump go in the comedy or drama section?
Pacey: How many times are you going to ask that?
Dawson: It goes in the drama section.
Nellie: (pointedly) Thank you Dawson.
She walks away to put the video in its place.
Pacey: (mumbling to Dawson) Can you say wet brain?
Nellie whips around.
Nellie: I'm sorry what did you say? Did you toss a negative, disparaging remark my way? Because if you did, and correct me if I'm wrong, I'd like to remind you who you are.
Pacey: I know, I know. Your dad owns the place.
Nellie: Nooo, I'm talking about in the huge, rotating world of life.
Pacey: (amused) And who am I Nellie?
Dawson heads toward the back.
Nellie: Nobody. That's the point. You're not there, you don't even exist. Because if you did, I might have to respond to your pathetic little under the breath one-liners. But instead I take comfort knowing your vapor. Phooo, Phoooo!
She waves her arms around in the air and heads to the back room, where Dawson emerges from, smiling.
Nellie: Non-existent, nothing.
An attractive older woman in a very short dress walks through the door. The boys stare at her as she approaches them.
Pacey: Oh my God, look at her!
Dawson: Have some respect man, she's somebody's mother.
Pacey: I have it on pretty good authority that mother's have excellent sex lives, alright.
She reaches the boys.
Dawson: (smiling) Good afternoon, can we help you?
Tamara: Yes you can. This is my first time here and I'd like to rent a video.
Pacey: Excellent. You just fill this out and shoot us over a credit card.
He bumps Dawson out of the way and hands Tamara an application. Tamara reaches into her purse and passes him her credit card. Dawson heads into the back again.
Pacey: Thanks...You new in town, because I haven't seen you in here before.
Tamara: Yes, I am. My name's Tamara, what's yours?
Pacey: Pacey, nice to meet you.
Tamara: (handing him back the application) Well here you go Pacey.
Pacey: Thanks. Um, do you think I could help you locate a video this afternoon?
Tamara: Maybe. I'm in the mood for romance.
Pacey: Um, we keep the new releases against the...
Tamara: (interrupting) Oh no, I'm vintage. (smiling) All the way.
Pacey: The classics are in the...
Tamara: (Interrupting again) Where would I find The Graduate?
Cut to Dawson, leaning out from the video stacks in the back.
Pacey: (flustered) The Graduate is the one...
Tamara: (interrupting for the third time) Where the older woman, Anne Bancroft, seduces the younger man, Dustin Hoffman?
Pacey: I'll check in the...
Dawson walks up to the counter, video in hand.
Dawson: It's right here. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Tamara: Oh no, that should do it. How much?
Dawson: Pay when you return.
She turns to leave.
Dawson: Don't forget your credit card.
Pacey: (handing it to her) ah...right here.
Dawson: Enjoy the film.
Tamara: I will. It was nice to meet you Pacey.
Pacey: Oh yeah.
She saunters out.
Dawson: (laughing) Wipe the drool dude.
Pacey: She was flirting with me!
Dawson: She was laughing at you.
Pacey: No, she wanted me!
Dawson: She wanted Dustin Hoffman.
Close up on Pacey.
Pacey: I...
He stares after her.
Sunset. Dawson runs towards his house with three videos in his hand. He stops when he spots Jen sitting on the dock, alone. He pauses, then walks over and sits down.
Dawson: Hey. How's your granddad?
Jen: Well, he's breathing. Good sign.
Dawson laughs.
Jen: (scratching chin) It's my Grandma that presents a challenge. She has this praying mentality, which is really awkward, since I don't do that whole God thing.
She notices the videos.
Jen: Whatcha got here? Let me see. (she grabs them one by one) Creature from the Black Lagoon, Humanoids from the Deep, Swamp Thing?
Dawson: It's research. I'm making a movie.
Jen: Really? Kinda young to be so ambitious.
Dawson: Fifteen. Spielburg started on a eight millimeter when he was thirteen.
Jen: Why movies? What's the attraction there?
Dawson: I reject reality.
Jen: (looking away, a little surprised but laughing) Oh!
Dawson: Would you like to see my studio?
Cut to a door opening. Dawson and Jen appear and enter Dawson's room.
Jen: Hmmm. Long shot here... ahhh...Spielberg fan?
Dawson: Pretty much worship the man in a God-like way, yeah.
Jen: How revealing.
Dawson: I have his career chronicled up on my wall. If you notice, everything is arranged in receding box office order. Starting with the blockbusters: Jurassic Park, ET, Jaws, Indiana Jones and if you follow it to my critically acclaimed wall...
He walks over to his closet doors and set's the videos on his desk.
Dawson: (pointing out) I have Schindler's List and The Color Purple. Oh, and for humility purposes I also keep his others.
Dawson opens his closet doors to reveal two posters. Jen laughs.
Dawson: 1941 and Always. In limited but excessible view.
Jen: Are you familiar with obsessive reality disorder?
Dawson: It's beyond that. See I believe that all of the mysteries of the Universe, all of life's questions, can be found in a Spielberg movie. (He sees Jen's doubtful expression) It's a theory I've been working on. See, whenever I have a problem all I have to do is look to the right Spielberg film and the answers revealed.
Jen: Have you considered a twelve-step program?
Dawson: (laughing) Wit. We like that around here.
Cut to Joey walking through Dawson's yard toward the ladder set up against his window. She starts to climb, but pauses at the top when she hears voices.
Jen: (off camera) You are very smooth.
Cut back to Dawson sitting on his bed.
Dawson: In all seriousness, the Boston Film Critics have a program for junior filmmakers. Deadlines in two months. Were really under the gun.
Grams: (off camera) Jennifer!
Jen looks up and goes to a window, near the one with Joey. She leans out and sees her Grams waiting for her, as Dawson looks on. Joey presses against the ladder so Jen won't see her.
Jen: I better go...I don't want her to erupt.
Dawson: I'll see you at school.
Jen: (leaving) Bye.
Dawson: Bye.
Cut to Joey's face as she waits for Jen to leave, then slowly pulls herself through the window.
Dawson: (noticing) Joey! Hey where you been? Come on, sit down. Watch this.
She picks something off his desk and plops down on his bed, playing with it. Dawson turns on a video of mom's newscast.
Mrs. Leery: (on-screen) 772-5982. Back to you, Bob.
Dawson: Do you think my mom's sleeping with her co-anchor?
Joey: (puzzled) Where did that come from?
Dawson: Watch.
He rewinds the tape and plays it again.
Dawson: Something about her B's. They're too soft. (pointing with the remote) Back to you...Bob.
Joey: Your reaching. I mean why would your mom be sleeping with her co- anchor. Your dad's the perfect male specimen.
Dawson: I don't know, but I think they are.
Joey: Your just looking for conflict. Everything's a potential script to you. Accept your perfect life Dawson. It's reality.
Close up on Dawson's face as he rewinds it and plays it again, three times.