*Cut to Dawson's
room. Pacey is pulling darts off a dartboard on Dawson's door.*
Pacey: Well, I
think darts may be my destiny, Dawson. Travel around the world as
an international renowned master of the darts. I found my
calling.
*He looks at
Dawson who is studying some papers scattered over his bed.*
Pacey: What're you
doing over there?
Dawson: Well, I
rewatched a bunch of movies and I think I need to dub in some
complicated relationships. Trying to, you know, write some
complexities of a character in the movie...layer it a little bit.
*Pacey laughs. He
walks over and takes a seat in the chair next to the bed.*
Pacey: There's the
Great Santini.
Dawson: Classic
dysfunctional father-son relationship.
Pacey: It's a
father who thinks his son's a screw-up, huh?
Dawson: Yeah,
pretty much.
Pacey: Yeah, well,
you can skip a Blockbuster moment, Dawson. You're going to get
plenty of insight into that on our little fishing trip this
weekend.
Dawson: Come
on...okay, granted your father's a little tense but you tend to
exaggerate just a little bit. The Great Santini bounces
basketballs off his son's head to make a point. At least your
father respects you enough not to do that.
Pacey: Ah, yes,
respect. Do you respect your father, Dawson?
Dawson: I'd hate
to live in a world where I didn't.
Pacey: That's not
the answer.
Dawson: Do you
respect your father?
Pacey: Well, I
mean, John Witter, the most well-know, well-respected man in
Capeside. Fights for safety, fights crime, locks up bad guys,
helps little ol' ladies across the street, how could you possibly
not have respect for a man like that?
Dawson: That's not
an answer, either.
*Pacey laughs.*
Dawson: Good ol'
fashioned father-son fishing trip. Why do I sense disaster?
Pacey: Tell you
what. *gets up and walks toward dartboard* Why don't we let the
darts do the talking, huh? If I can hit a bullseye with this
*motions to dart in hand* dart in my hand, you and I are in for a
weekend of good fun, big fish, and good ol' father-son bonding.
*He throws the
dart. Dawson and Pacey go up to see...they turn around.*
Dawson: Best 2 out
of 3?
Pacey: Yeah.
*Cut to two people
on bikes coming down the street being followed by a patrol car,
as they near we realize it's Pacey and Dawson and the patrol car
quickly turns on its siren to signal them to stop. John Witter
steps out of the car.*
John: Dawson
Leery. Capeside's own cinematic wonder kid.
*They shake hands.
Dawson smiles.*
John: You aren't
going to go forgetting us when you become a big wig out in la-la
land, are you?
Dawson: I wouldn't
worry about that, Mr. Witter.
John: I'm sure
you'll come back and visit Pacey at whatever fast-food joint he's
flippin' burgers at.
*Pacey turns
around and has a frustrated smile.*
Pacey: The
Witter's all come from a long line of illustrious professions
requiring uniforms. Right, Pop?
John: *turns back
to Dawson* Dawson, I spoke to your pop. I expect you both on the
dock at O-600 hours. Now, come prepared, both physically and
mentally, because you are going to be fishing in the presence of
greatness. We are going to bring back the tournament trophy,
Dawson. Or we are going to end our lives at sea. Pursuit of the
big one that got away.
Dawson: Well, I
don't want to disappoint you. My dad and I are not exactly
accomplished fishermen.
John: *laughs*
Dawson, I have no doubt with your brain and committment to
excellence, you'll make a first-rate first-mate. See you
tomorrow. In the meantime, keep Pacey out of trouble for me. Will
ya?
Dawson: Okay.
*John Witter gets
in his car and drives off.*
Pacey: Aye-aye
capitan.
Dawson: Your
father's classic, Pacey.
Pacey: Oh yeah,
he's a classic, alright. The man thinks my IQ matches my age. You
hear that crack about flipping burgers?
Dawson: Pacey, he
was obviously kidding.
*Pacey just sighs
and turns around and starts biking for school. Dawson stares
after him... Cut to Capeside High. Dawson and Joey are walking
together down the hall.*
Joey: How's your
movie coming?
Dawson: We're in
hell right now. We're in scout locations, cast, affording roles,
scrounging props and wardrobe, realizing that budget really isn't
as big as I first thought it was.
Joey: Sounds like
your typical pre-production chaos.
Dawson: Actually,
it's really not even chaotic. Jen has everything under control.
She's like the troubleshooting dynamo, putting out fires before
they even ignite.
*Joey's obviously
irritated by this.*
Joey: Hm, well,
she's never worked on a film of this capacity...how does she even
know what to do?
Dawson: I don't
know. She's got this inate talent for it which is causing me to
step up my game as a director, which is great.
Joey: *getting
really irritated* Wow, that's great. Too bad she didn't work on
your last movie, I mean, think of how much better it would have
turned out.
Dawson: Joey, I'm
not comparing her to you...
*Joey raises her
eyebrows as if to say, "Uh huh..sure.."*
Dawson: (cont.)
..working on that movie with you was one of the best periods of
my life. I'm just saying it's a surprise, that's all.
Joey: Yeah, who
would of thought?
*Jen walks up*
Dawson: Jen,
that's funny. We were just talking about you.
Jen: *laughs* God,
dare I ask?
Dawson: I was just
singing your praises, telling Joey what an incredible job you're
doing producing.
Jen: Thank you.
Joey: Oh, yeah,
I'll just leave you two professionals alone to collaborate.
Jen: No, Joey!
Actually it was you I was looking for.
Dawson: Great! I
gotta go, anyway. See ya!
Jen: See ya! Um,
Joey, I need your help, okay? See, I promised Gail I'd give her a
hand in this newsreport that she's doing--
Joey: Gail? Mrs.
Leery?
*Joey seems
disturbed by this, also.*
Jen: Yeah, um,
yeah, she's doing a newsreport on teenage girls as the new
consumer phenomenon. You know, what they think, what they like,
what makes them tick, blah blah blah.
Joey: Oh, so now
in your spare time, you're helping produce newsreports for Gail.
Jen: Hardly, I
wouldn't say that. She's just letting me watch her in action and
you know, pick up a few tricks of the trade. Um, anyway, we
really need girls to come by Dawson's house tomorrow to--
Joey: Spill their
guts on local television?
Jen: No, no just
answer questions on what it's like being a teenager. We really
need girls who are thoughtful and articulate and no one speaks
their mind more eloquently and honestly than you do.
*Cut to rise of
sun coming up over creek. Cut to Dawson and his father walking
down the dock.*
Mitch: Look at
this. *motioning to fishermen nearby* All these people with
profound connections to the sea. I mean the idea of the ocean,
boundless, mysterious. Life at sea is just about as romantic as
love. Kind of makes you want to chuck it all and become a
fisherman, you know?
Dawson: Fish is a
viable corruption for you now?
Mitch: Ohhh,
maybe.
Dawson: What's
next, Dad? A fireman?
*Cut to Pacey
tying some rope. Cut up to Mitch and Dawson.*
Mitch: Permission
to come aboard, sir.
John: Ahoy, mate!
Permission granted.
*Mitch laughs.
They shake hands*
John: Hi ya,
Mitch.
Mitch: How ya
doin' John?
John: Dawson.
*Dawson sets his
stuff down next to Pacey. Pacey stands up.*
Pacey: Oh, God! Ya
know!
*Cut to a picture
of Jack running down the dock with his stuff, back to Pacey*
Pacey: Dawson, I
completely forgot to tell you something yesterday and you are
just going to kill me for it.
*Cut to Jack who
drops something and picks it up and keeps running. Back to
Pacey.*
Dawson: Who's
being melodramatic all of a sudden?
*Jack reaches the
boat.*
Jack: Hey guys!
I'm sorr--
*Dawson turns
around and Jack looks disappointed that he's coming and same with
Dawson to Jack.*
Jack: Sorry I'm
late.
*Dawson gives
Pacey a look as Jack climbs aboard the boat.*
John: Pacey, start
the line.
Pacey: Yes, sir.
*He checks the side of the boat.* Alright, she's clear.
*The boat starts
to move away from the dock as an angry Dawson puts a hand on the
dock holding it for as long as he can before he's out there with
Jack.*
*Cut to Andie and
Joey walking towards Dawson's house as Jen greets them.*
Jen: Hey guys!
Thanks for coming. I'm really glad you could make it.
Joey: Couldn't
resist seeing the hot new producer in action.
*Abby walks out of
the house.*
Abby: Oh, wow, I
like that camera guy's angle...if you know what I mean.
Andie: Oh God, not
you.
Abby: Rude.
Where's the love?
*Gail walks up
holding some camera equipment.*
Gail: We're going
to get started in a minute. This was a great idea, Jen. This is
going to be fun, don't you think?
*Joey looks at her
and nods...a little too much. They follow her into the house. Cut
to Jack bringing a fishing pole out to the backside by Dawson. He
tries to set it up but he can't.*
Jack: Guess my
little secret's out.
*Dawson just
stares at him.*
Jack: You wouldn't
exactly call me Ishmal. Ishmal...Moby Dick...
Dawson: Yeah, I
read it.
Jack: Yeah, right.
Well, this is going to be a fun weekend.
Dawson: So why'd
you come, Jack?
Jack: Look,
Dawson, I didn't realize you were going to be here. It's a little
late for me to make an exit now and survive so why don't you and
I try to deal with our little problem here.
Dawson: There's no
problem here, Jack. I'm just...amazed at your confidence, you
know? That you'd leave your girlfriend alone, this whole weekend,
this early on in your relationship while things are still new and
vulnerable, still trying to figure things out. 'Cause it's right
about now, some new guy, some bumbly, naive, artsy type is going
to come along and steal her away right from under your nose. And,
trust me, that sucks.
*Dawson storms off
as we go to a pan across the top of the boat with Pacey in the
crow's nest holding up a sign that reads '53' to a nearby boat.
Cut to Gail being filmed with Joey and everybody around her.*
Gail: Okay, what
do you think is the most important issue facing teenagers today?
*She looks around the room.* Joey! *holds microphone up to her,
Joey just sits there.* Anyone else? *nobody says anything* Jen,
can I talk to you for a second?
Jen: Sure, Gail.
*They leave the
room.*
Gail: We've been
at this all afternoon and we've still got nothing. Do you think
the formality is making everyone uncomfortable?
Jen: I think
having everybody in one room is making everybody uncomfortable.
*Cut back to the
living room. Abby is flirting with the camera guy.*
Abby: That camera
equipment looks really heavy. You must be built ram-tough.
Camera Guy: Naw,
it's really not that heavy.
*Gail and Jen walk
in and the camera guy walks back over by the camera.*
Gail: Okay,
everyone listen up. Jen has this great idea. Instead of doing
this interview right out of the gage, why don't we spend a little
time bonding? You know, make it a Ladies' night.
Abby: Ladies'
Night? How long are we gonna be here?
Andie: Yeah,
Abby's got to make the rounds on her broom.
Abby: And Andie's
mom might start roaming the city, foaming at the mouth.
Gail: Hey, hey,
hey! Let's just get to know one another a little better. Connect
with one another, okay?
Abby: Oh, God, I'm
going to need a drink.
Gail: No alcohol,
but I do have enough junk food in that kitchen to fulfill
anyone's cravings. And it's all yours, if you bear with me.
*Cut to the
fishing boat.*
John: Gentlemen,
this is not a pleasure trip. You are not on a Carnival cruise,
we've got a job to do. We need to work together like a well-oiled
machine. Somewhere out there is a fish. A very big fish that's
going to hitch a ride with us back to Capeside. Mitch, you and
Dawson work the port rigs.
Mitch: Aye-aye,
Skipper.
John: Jackie
Onassis there can handle the starboard poles with me.
Pacey: That makes
me the odd man out.
John: Yea.
Pacey: You know,
Dad, I may not be a charter member of the National Brain Trumps
but I think I know how to handle a fishing rod.
John: Pacey, I
need you to do everything else. Rig the begs, raise and lower the
anchor, back up the anguish. Your job is most important. Who do
you think raised the flag in Hiroshima? General McCarther? No, it
was the grunts.
Pacey: Dad, we're
fishing. Not storming the beaches of Normandy.
*John just
laughs.*
Pacey: *under his
breath* This sucks.
John: A lot of
things in this life suck, Son. It's my job to prepare you for
that inevitability.
*Cut to Jack
swatting a bug by his ear, the Dawson and Mitch leaning against
the side of the boat, then a far off view of the boat. Cut to
Andie eating Chester's corn puffs it looks like...something like
that.*
Abby: I'm bored. I
think it's time for a field trip..upstairs.Cruise the contents of
Dawson's room....don't even try and pretend you're not
interested.
Joey: It's up to
Abby to come up with the most obnoxious pasttime imaginable.
Abby: Fine! I
don't mind flying solo.
*She heads
upstairs...Jen, Joey, and Andie follow.*
*Cut to Jack
handing Dawson a sandwich.*
Dawson: No thanks.
Jack: Look,
Dawson, it's not imperative that you and I become friends.
Dawson: Good.
Jack: I just
thought it might be nice that's all.
*Jack takes off
his life jacket and sits down.*
Jack: You don't
know this, alright? I didn't steal Joey away from you. I mean,
you of all people should know that she's got a strong will and is
as intelligent as a Rhodes scholar...she's not the kind of girl
who lets herself get stolen.
Dawson: You don't
know anything about her. And, secondly, if you think everything's
over between Joey and me, and done with, you're massively
dillusional.
Jack: Maybe. Fact
of the matter is, Joey and I have something and you aren't going
to like it. But if you have any respect for Joey, you better
respect me.
*Dawson just
raises his eyebrows. Jack walks away. Cut to Abby opening
Dawson's closet doors.*
Abby: I think I'm
on the verge of uncovering scandalous comfort wear...*looks at an
outfit* Yep, I think I've hit pay day!
*Jen and Joey
close the closet doors on her and Jen leans against them. Joey
laughs.*
Abby: Guys!
*banging on door* Hey!
Andie: Hey, guys.
Guess what I found tucked behind Jaws? "Good Will
Humping"!
*Joey and Jen's
eyes get big as they walk towards her and Abby comes out of the
closet...literally not figuratively. Cut back to the boat.*
Jack: Wo! Wo!
Guys, I got one!
*They rush over to
him. John sits down and starts reeling it in and the line
breaks.*
John: Where's the
new pole?
Pacey: On the
other side. What? It doesn't matter what side the pole's on.
John: This is what
I mean, Pacey. It's the same thing with you over and over again.
The simplest instructions in the world and you find any excuse
not to follow them. How do you expect me to give you more
responsibility if you can't even adhere to the most rudimentary
directions. When I speak, you listen. Don't think, just do!
Please! I'm not asking that much!
*He walks off.
Dawson comes up*
Dawson: I've
finally shaken Jack for two seconds. Can you tell me what the
hell you were thinking when you invited him?
Pacey: I'm sorry,
man. Andie's just been nagging me excessively about including the
guy. He doesn't know any guys in town. His mother just keeps on
getting worse and worse. I guess I took pity on him, yeah?
Dawson: Alright,
that's fine. But how could you forget to tell me? Alright, Pacey?
Come on! I could of had some preparation time before facing my
adversary.
Pacey: You know
what? Screw you, Dawson. Not all of us can be the fair-haired
embodiment of perfection, alright? Not everyone gets wonder king
and genious attached to their name. Some of us are just
simple-minded folk trying to make it through the day without
breaking anything.
*Cut to the four
girls sitting on Dawson's bed watching "Good Will
Humping". They're making disgusted/laughing/surprised
faces.*
Abby: You are
aware that where this tape begins, Dawson finished.
Andie: Finished
what?
Jen: Shaking hands
with the other boy.
Joey: Waxing the
bald-headed bishop.
Abby: Test-firing
the missile.
Andie: Okay, I got
your point guys.
*they watch the
TV. Joey turns her head.*
Joey: How does she
do that?
Andie: I'm not
that limber.
Jen: Where do
these women come from?
*They all scream.*
Jen: What sort of
career is this?!
Abby: Hey! Getting
paid for something, you're good at...something they love. Hey
Jen, in a couple of years, that could be you!
*Joey and Abby
laugh*
Jen: You know
what, that's really not funny.
Joey: I didn't say
anything.
*Gail enters the
door.*
Gail: Hey ladies!
*Andie jumps off
and shuts of the television.*
Gail: Whatcha
watchin'?
Andie: Um,
nothing. Um, we're watching an educational video for school,
it's, um, we're studying human anatomy!
Abby: No, it's a
porno we borrowed from Dawson's video collection!
*Andie's eyes get
huge.*
Abby: Mrs. Leery,
you have to face the music. Your son is a pervert! What! I'm not
going to lie. Unlike some people, I do have morals.
Gail: I think we
should leave poor Dawson's room, don't you?
*Abby, Andie, Jen,
and Joey follow her out if the room. Jen stops Joey.*
Jen: Joey, um,
I've played armchair psychologists for so many hours, trying to
analyze why you're so consistently hostile to me in your actions
and your attitudes. And the only theory that I've been able to
come up with is you somehow felt threatened by my relationship
with Dawson, but that theory just doesn't stand up anymore. I
mean, you won in that rivalry, Joey. Hands down. I just want to
know why you're still treating me like I'm this vixen that came
into town and stole away your one true love.
Joey: You are so
disingenuous.
Jen: What?
Joey: Look, you
want our relationship to change, Jen? Then stop encroaching on
what's mine. I mean, you systematically continue to recast
yourself in my role. I mean, everytime I turn around I'm being
replaced by you in some form, and then, you're fain, shocked, and
surprised when I resent you for it.
Jen: How have I
replaced you, Joey?
Joey: Oh, well,
first you were Dawson's girlfriend, and now your his producer,
his collaborator, his best friend. I mean, you've adopted his
interest in his dreams and now his mother. I mean, what's next?
Are you going to get a job at the Icehouse and take up
watercolors?
Jen: I love how
you demonize me, Joey, instead of recognizing your own, rampant
insecurities.
Joey: Fine, maybe
I am slightly insecure, but maybe you just won't own up to your
own motives. See, when Dawson chose me, I think your ego was
bruised. And deep down, you still want to win. You still want him
back.
*Cut to the guys
entering a bar by the dock.*
John: Alright,
now, although today's display of angling ineptitude reached a new
low, we'll put it behind us. Oh, hear that!
Mitch: What?
John: It's a
dartboard calling my name. Who's man enough to go toe-to-toe with
the master? C'mon, Mitch, you and me, buddy.
Mitch: I'll give
it a try.
John: Drop anchors
there, boys.
*Cut to Dawson,
Pacey and Jack playing pool.*
Dawson: I hope my
dad doesn't have too much fun otherwise by tomorrow he'll be
drawing up plans to open a seedy, dockside tavern.
Pacey: How could
you possible find justification to criticize a man like your
father?
Dawson: I'm afraid
his mid-life crisis isn't going to end. He's going to wind up a
homeless street mime. What the hell is your problem?
Pacey: You don't
see what's going on, Dawson?
*Dawson just
stares at him cluelessly.*
Pacey: Come on,
nobody's that oblivious. Not even you.
Dawson: Alright,
then why don't you tell me whatever it is you have up your ass
'cause you're about to rip the felt. If you're mad at your dad,
tell him. If you're mad at me, let me have it.
Pacey: It's just
that simple for you, is it, Dawson? You can just go up to your
dad and say 'Gee whiz, pop, I have a problem. Let's talk about
this. Heart-to-heart, man-to-man.' That's your wonderful life,
not mine. You've gotten a glimpse into the hell that is my life.
Dawson: So then
why is my mere presence suddenly a detriment to your happiness?
*Jack walks up.*
Jack: So that Mr.
Witter has put you up on such a towering pedestal that you're
what? A mere presence, Dawson? C'mon, it's an icon Pacey couldn't
possibly live up to!
*Jack walks off.*
Pacey: It's your
shot.
*Cut to the Leery
living room. Gail is interviewing the girls.*
Abby: Adults
idealize their childhood, and that leads to censorship.
Gail: Thank you,
Abby. So Andie, why do you think girls are such trendsetters?
Andie: Well--
Abby: Well, it's
not because they're so cutting edge. It's because they're
insecure. And popular culture capitalizes on that. I mean, girls
think, "If I go out and buy this lipstick...," or,
"If I watch that TV show.." or listen to this music,
I'll be popular. I mean, look around this room. Every one of
these girls is incredibly insecure. I mean, I can't even speak my
mind anymore without stomping on somebody's feelings. I make a
cancer joke, and Joey gets upset. Or I make a crazy joke and
Andie gets upset. Or you make a crack about ho bags and Jen
starts humping the couch.
Jen: Oh, screw
you, Abby!
Abby: See what I
mean?
Gail: Okay, stop
rolling, Perry. Abby, I think we've heard enough of your opinions
so...thank you for coming.
Abby: You're
asking me to leave? Uh, you can't be kicking me out because what
about sisterhood and all that junk about female-bonding.
Gail: Goodnight,
Abby.
Abby: What kind of
journalist, are you? Oh, yeah I know. A trashy one who sleeps
around.
*Cut to the boat
tied by the dock. Dawson walks up by his dad who's laying out his
sleeping bag.*
Mitch: Hey.
Dawson: Hey Dad?
What are you going to do?
Mitch: Well, I
just thought I'd sleep right out here under the stars.
Dawson: No, not
that. I mean....with the retaurant...Mom....your life?
Mitch: I wish I
knew.
Dawson: Are you
okay for money?
Mitch: Yeah, for
now.
Dawson: Dad, I
gotta be honest. I mean, as glad as I am that we can have this
father-son bonding moment...I think a weekend fishing trip would
be the least of your priorities...I mean, shouldn't you be out
trying to procure some kind of employment or at least establish a
game plan?
Mitch: I'm sorry
you're disappointed in me. I want to be the kind of man that you
can respect. But, I don't know, there must be something out
there, musn't there? Something for me. Something that I can put
my heart and my passion behind. Now, I can't stop lookin' for
that...until I find it.
*Cut to the bar.*
John: Good game,
Pete. Where'd everybody go?
Pacey: They went
back to the boat.
John: Pacey,
c'mon, you and me. Good ol' father and son. One on one.
Pacey: You're
drunk, Dad.
*John downs
another glass.*
John: Look, Pacey,
I know you think I'm being hard on you but it's my job to protect
you. C'mon. Show me what you got. Let's go! Let's see what you
can do. This youth against the master. You ready?
Pacey: The master,
huh?
*John laughs.*
John: Watch
this....you ready? *throws dart* There! This will warm you up a
little bit. Go ahead.
Pacey: Warm me up?
John: Watch this
guys!
Pacey: Strike out
that arm you know?
John: Hey, come
on.
*Pacey smiles and
throws the dart.*
Pacey: I'm sorry.
John: Don't try or
nothing here, Pacey. Watch how it's done. *throws dart* Beat
that!
*John laughs.
Pacey beat his dart.*
John: It's done
very simply. *he throws the dart* YES! Beat that! *hits him on
the shoulder* BEAT THAT!
*Pacey turns and
looks at his dad's serious face, turns back to the dartboard, and
purposely blows it.*
John: Listen,
there's nothing wrong with losing, Pacey, as long as you do it
gracefully. GREGORY GET ME A DRINK! I won!
*Pacey grabs the
darts off the board...the first dart he throws hits the bullseye.
Cut to Jen, Joey, Gail, Andie, and the camera man in a dimly lit
living room.*
Jen: I think that
Abby was right. About the fact that, I mean, the reason teenage
girls are such consumers is from the fact, I mean, from
insecurity.
*timelapse*
Andie: I, um, have
this need to look and be perfect. My home life is in total chaos
and I feel like if I get straight 'A's or if I'm involved in
every activity, then...you know, people won't know that I'm this
fraud and that I have no idea what I'm doing or where I'm going.
*timelapse*
Jen: I mean, when
I first came here from New York, I felt relief. Trying to compete
in that hyper-accelerated world, I mean, I was in the fast lane
to self-annihilation. And then, when I got here, I figured maybe
I didn't have anything to prove and that I could finally slow
down. But having all that experience just came back to haunt me.
I mean, in New York I was the precocious ingenue and in Capeside,
all I'll ever be known as is the New York wild child, town slut,
bad girl...
*timelapse*
Joey: So when
somebody comes along who has seen things that I've never seen or
done things that I've only dreamed about, my defenses go up
because I...I can't compete with that. I don't know. I think...I
think I'm just Joey Potter, you know? You know the small town
girl who will live and die on the creek. You know, and as much as
I completely disdain that identity, you know, it's all I've got.
And I dunno, so if I ever feel like, you know, somebody is going
to steal that measly bit of self that I have or that or that
small amount of love that I've somehow managed to accumulate, I
feel threatened and I go for the jugular. I admit it.....I admit
it...
*Cut to Dawson
climbing onto the boat where Jack's laying down.*
Jack: Hey Dawson!
Dawson: Jack,
whatever it is, I'm tired and I've had enough drama for one day.
Jack: Oh, I think
I'm going to be nautious.
Dawson: You're
sick?
Jack: Yeah. The
boat's just still rocking...I've been trying to play it
cool...but ever since I set foot on this boat...I've felt like
I'm going to barf.
Dawson: I know the
feeling. This isn't exactly how I envisioned this whole
father-son outing.
Jack: I haven't
had a father-son weekend in a long time.
Dawson: Where is
your dad, Jack?
Jack: I tell you
where he's not. He's not here. Of course, if you ask my mother or
my sister, they'll tell you he's up in Providence taking care of
the business. Truth is, he's up in Providence 'cause he left us.
Dawson: I know how
that feels.
Jack: Dawson, your
father moved up the street. My father's gone. Try and put that in
perspective.
*Cut to Pacey
walking his dad, who's drunk, down the beach. They fall.*
John: We're on the
ground.
*He closes his
eyes and falls asleep or passes out.*
Pacey: So I guess
this is as good of time as any to have that father-son talk. *in
a gruff voice* So, how ya doin' in school, Pacey? *back to
normal* Actually, Dad, I'm doing alright. I'm really turning
things around. Turns out I'm pretty smart. *gruff voice* Good
man, Pacey. Always knew you'd turn out to be something. How the
ladies treating you? *back to normal* Well, I met this woman.
*gruff voice* Is she cute? *back to normal* *laughs* Aw, cute,
man. Andie's beautiful. She's smart. She's funny. I tell ya, this
girl is something special.For whatever reason, she seems to think
I'm pretty special, too. Why can't you see that? Why can't you
see me, huh? When did you give up on me? When I was 5? 10? 12?
I'm 16 years old, Dad! *starting to cry* And I'm here and I'm not
provin' that but I'm tryin' so hard for you. It's your job. It's
your job to love me no matter who I am or what I become because
you're my father! You're my dad! You're supposed to love me you
son of a bitch. I can't do this by myself.
*Cut to the boat
in the morning. Jack is asleep in a chair. Something starts
pulling on his line.*
Dawson: Wo! Hey!
John: That's it.
Whew!
Pacey: On 3.
1...2...3.
*Jack and Pacey
lift the rod out of the holder.*
John: Don't panic!
Keep your back straight in that chair.
Pacey: Wait a
second. Slow it down and pull it up at the tip. Ready? Go.
*Jack does so.*
Pacey: Okay, when
you go down reel.
*Jack goes down.*
Pacey: Reel! Reel,
reel, reel! Hey, nice fish you got on there, Jack. Reel, reel,
reel it!
Jack: You do it!
John: Come on!
Jack: Here!
John: Get in
there, Pacey.
*Pacey sits down
and starts reeling him in.*
John: Alright,
give him some line. We got a big one out there the size of Texas.
Keep him coming. Keep him coming...yes...come on....come on...
*They finally get
the fish in and they take a picture of Pacey holding the huge
fish.*
*Cut to Gail and
Joey in the Leery kitchen the next morning.*
Gail: Joey, I just
want to thank you for everything. I just, I can't tell you how
much it meant to me.
Joey: No problem.
I'm going to go home now.
Gail: Um,
honey...I, um, have a confession. As I was listening to you girls
talk so beautifully about your fears and your dreams...I started
to feel a little bit sorry for myself.
Joey: Why?
Gail: I don't
know. I think, you know, because I've always wanted a daughter. I
mean, I love Dawson more than life but men are men...and women
are women.
Joey: Right. The
great divide.
Gail: But then I
realized....I have you. You're my surrogate daughter, Joey. I
have always felt that way and, honey, I am so proud of the woman
you've become. Come here.
*They hug.*
Joey: Thanks.
*Cut to Andie
walking outside. She sees someone sitting in the lawn chair and
walks towards them. It's Abby.*
Andie: Abby? What
are you still doing here?
Abby: I'm waiting
for my mom. She thought I was spending the night.
Andie: Have you
been out here all night?
Abby: What do you
care?
Andie: I don't
care.
Abby: I bet you
don't.
Andie: Well, Abby,
what do you expect? Your favorite pasttime is making my life a
living hell.
Abby: That's not
what I do. I play such a crucial role in this little circle and
you all are too unimaginative to even notice. I'm the girl
everyone loves to hate. I'm the scapegoat. I'm the one you can
take all of your anger and aggression out on and never lose a
moment's slept over.
Andie: Um, excuse
me. You have it mixed up, Abby. You trash us. You're mean.
Abby: Well being
sweet is boring! I don't have family lives like you guys. My mom
isn't a lunatic. My dad isn't in prison. I'm not the prodical
daughter from New York. My parents' divorce is boring. My house
is boring. There's no entry. No drama. So you know what? I create
drama. And I think it's a valid extra-curricular activity.
Andie: Abby, you
don't even realize how lucky you are. What you have, I've always
wanted. I've always dreamed of. A normal life with regular
parents and regular problems.
Abby: Well, the
grass is always greener right?
Andie:
Interesting.
Abby: Yeah,
whatever. My mom's here so I guess I'll see you in school.
*She walks away
and she turns back around.*
Abby: Do you need
a ride or something?
Andie: Sure.
Thanks, Abby.
*Cut to Joey
walking into Dawson's room where Jen is.*
Jen: Hey.
Joey: Hey, um,
listen...
Jen: You know,
Joey--
Joey: No, let me
talk. I've been thinking--
Jen: I know, I've
been thinking, too.
Joey: No, I've
been thinking more, okay?!
*Jen laughs and
Joey sighs. They sit on Dawson's bed.*
Joey: I've been
thinking that it kind of sucks that, uh, the people who I respect
the most are the people who I've become the most competitive
with. I wish there was some way to, uh--
Jen: You know for
all your thinking, you're not being very articulate.
Joey: *smiles* I'm
trying to apoligize here.
Jen: I know, I
know, and I'm kidding. Joey, I'm sorry. I mean, I totally
understand what you're trying to say and, um, I think that you're
right. That we have been locked at a stalemate for way too long.
And I think that there's room in Dawson's life for me...without
replacing you.
Joey: No, listen
Jen. We can sit here and rehash all of our old problems and
disect and deconstruct all of our petty rivalries but I guess
what I'm trying to say is that...I respect you. I respect who you
are.
Jen: Thanks, Joey.
Joey: Sure.
Jen: You, too.
*Cut to Pacey and
his dad accepting the fishing trophy. Then to Dawson standing by
Jack. Dawson sticks out his hand towards him.*
Dawson: See you,
Jack.
*They shake
hands.*
JAck: Yeah, see
you, Dawson.
*Cut to Pacey and
his father.*
Pacey: I will
never in my life for as long as I live forget the feeling of
adrenaline that I got when I felt that one strong tug on the line
and I knew that the fish had surrendered to the greater power.
John: *handing him
trophy* Here, you take this, Pacey.
Pacey: Thanks.
John: Be proud of
yourself. Enjoy this moment. You probably won't have many more
like it.
*John walks away
and Pacey sighs and sits down on a crate. Dawson walks over.*
Pacey: Do you have
any idea how many times I set myself up for that one? I mean,
over and over and over again, I just can't seem to stop myself
from trying to get one unqualified, "Good job, son."
from that bastard. I really must be a Simpleton.
Dawson: I know it
sounds the same, but there are people in your life whom recognize
and respect your talent and intelligence. One of them is standing
in front of you, and the other one is probably sitting in her
bedroom right now, having a perky coronary in anticipation of
your return home from the sea.
Pacey:
Yeah...yeah...thanks, Dawson.
*Cut to Dawson and
his dad unloading Dawson's stuff from his car in front of the
Leery house.*
Mitch: Listen,
Dawson, father-son relationships are excruciatingly complicated.
I mean, I spent my entire life trying to figure out the dynamic I
had with my own father. But, uh, I'll keep trying. Until the day
I die. I'll do the best I can to be the best father to you that I
know how.
Dawson: Dad, I
know. And thank you.
Mitch: For what?
Dawson: For
allowing me to make a multitude of mistakes, never making me feel
inadequate. I know that my ability to dream without boundaries
comes from you and you've never disappointed me, okay? I mean, I
worry about you, but I respect you more than anybody I've ever
known. And I know, especially after today, how lucky I am to have
you as a father.
Mitch: Come here.
*Mitch pulls him
in for a hug.*
Dawson: Don't get
all sappy on me now.
Mitch: Thank you,
Dawson.
*Mitch starts to
go inside but then remembers that it's not his home anymore.*
Mitch: Goodnight,
Son.
*Dawson goes into
his house as we fade to end credits.*
END
The story continues with Episode 213,
"His Leading Lady"
|
