Beyond the Triangle
Part 7 - Fireworks
Scene: New Year's Eve at Leery's Fresh Fish. Cheryl walks in and sees Dawson cleaning tables.
Cheryl: So, now I get to see what you do at work?
Dawson: Well, you won't for much longer. We're closing early for the holiday.
Cheryl: Oh, drat, so I don't get to see you working the customers. I guess I'll have to deal with that. (looks around at the empty restaurant) I hate to tell you this, but I don't think people are interested in fish today.
Dawson: Well, somebody has to be here, just in case there is some soul with the urge.
Cheryl: (rolls her eyes) I'm sure that's you great pleasure in life, to serve the less fortunate.
Dawson: And this is being spoken by a waitress, no less.
Cheryl: Hey, do you really think I'd say that to a customer who gives good tips.
Dawson pulls Cheryl closer.
Dawson: So, it's a good tip you desire?
Cheryl: (giggles, then pulls slightly away) You'll have to wait (glances at the clock on the wall) Eight minutes.
Dawson: (mutters) Damn.
Dawson resumes cleaning the tables while Cheryl sits at the counter, where Gretchen is arranging wine bottles.
Gretchen: Are you two going out tonight?
Cheryl: Yeah, he thought it would be a cute idea to take me out on the boat. Get to see the fireworks from the water.
Gretchen: That sounds sweet.
Cheryl: Last year, Dad and I went to Times Square to see the ball drop. It is the most chaotic thing you've ever seen in your life. It had the whole millennium cache to it so there were people there in a total panic, some partying like it's still 1999, some celebrating. True madness, I tell you.
Gretchen: Sounds exciting.
Cheryl: Oh, it was, a definitely memorable night. But I would prefer the tranquility of a small town and a couple of sporadic fireworks this year. It can't really be topped, no matter how hard you try.
Gretchen: Well, you're going to be with Dawson. So I'd say it's got some excitement.
Cheryl: (smiles) That it does.
Gretchen: Plus, there's never a dull moment when he sets foot on a boat.
Dawson walks up to the ladies with the dishrag on his shoulder.
Dawson: I'd say my time is up.
Cheryl takes the rag off his shoulder and hands it to Gretchen.
Cheryl: No, now you're done. (they walk toward the exit)
Gretchen: (sighs as she's cleaning a spot on the counter) Boy, she's about as boring as he is. They're a perfect match.
* * * * *
Scene: Dawson and Cheryl are in his car, leading up to her house.
Dawson: This is going to be perfect. You think that your dad will miss his fishing gear?
Cheryl: Nah, it's not like he uses it. I'll leave him a note, telling him about this new detour. Hey, if he really has a problem with it, he can always track me down. Although I think he won't notice since he's heading to a party, then staying in Boston until morning.
Dawson: We could always watch the fireworks here and go in the morning. An empty house...
Cheryl: (gives a quick peck) As tempting as that sounds, (playfully pushes him away) get your mind out of the gutter, film boy.
Dawson pulls up to the curb. He spots two figures sitting on the Harding porch.
Dawson: It looks like you have visitors.
Cheryl squints out the window, then shakes her head in disbelief.
* * * * *
Scene: Porch of Harding house.
Kurt spies the suspicious car pulling up to the curb and takes the beer can away from his mouth.
Kurt: Dude, I thought you said that Mr. Harding was away.
Ryan: (spots the car) That's not Kent's car, his is white. No, it looks like Cheryl's coming out.
Kurt: Oh, that's a relief. (downs the beer in one gulp, then spots Dawson) With a man.
Ryan: It's just her supposed boyfriend Dawson.
Kurt: Man, her taste just gets worse by the crush.
Ryan: (snickers) I can't believe they're actually a couple.
Kurt: Looks like Cheryl's spotted us.
That is confirmed by Cheryl marching up the stairs, pointing toward the curb.
Cheryl: I don't recall removing the 'No Deadbeats on the Premises' sign.
Kurt: It's nice to see you, too, Cher. And aren't you going to introduce me to the new fish.
Cheryl: (rolls her eyes) Sorry, Dawson Leery, Kurt Milton. But you'll probably want to remember him by a number because he'll be spending many a night in prison, I'm sure.
Kurt: Look, we're here because I was told your dad had a remarkable video collection.
Cheryl: Yeah, right. The only reason you're here is probably because you couldn't find a keg party to crash in this neighborhood.
Kurt: That is true. Capeside is completely dead.
Cheryl: (drags Ryan off the step) Talk, now. (he stumbles while trying to keep up to her) Dawson, will you get the carkeys from Kurt while I deal with this?
When they are safely away from the porch, Cheryl turns around.
Cheryl: Why on earth would you agree to get wasted at my house?
Ryan: This isn't quite the way it seems. See, we were heading to my house, but my mom was entertaining with her partners in gossip, so we decided to crash at the next best place. Plus, your dad is gone, so there would be no disruptions.
Cheryl: Do you have any idea how stupid you sound right now? I bet you won't even remember this night.
Ryan: That is completely untrue. Because I've only had two or three beers. Kurt drank most of it.
Cheryl: Oh, that's incredibly reassuring. (Dawson walks up to them, handing her the keys) I'm sorry, I have no interest in this New Year's Eve being the day you die so you're staying here. I thought you despised your cousin, why are you with him anyway.
Ryan: It's called a spur-of-the-moment decision. I chose to spend the vacation having some fun in my life, for a change.
Cheryl: I'm just saying it would've been nice if you'd, oh I don't know, said something. Jen told me that she'd been planning to spend some vacation time with you. I'd think that..
Ryan: (snaps) Why the hell would I want to hang out with Jen? She is pretty much the last person I want to see right now.
Cheryl: (looks at Dawson, who is clueless) What?
Ryan: Come on, princes, you know as well as I do that there was absolutely no chance in hell of Jen actually having any interest in me. I shouldn't have even bothered trying, but of course you want everyone to share in your joy, so I foolishly went along for the ride.
Cheryl: I don't understand why you're lashing out at me. I'm not even sure what the hell the problem is, exactly.
Ryan: No, of course you wouldn't understand. No matter how menial the crush you have on the guy is, you somehow manage to get him. (points to Dawson) Presenting Exhibit A. You use your god-damn charm to entice them.
Cheryl: (gives Ryan a cold glare) Bitching about my relationships doesn't quite answer the question.
Ryan: My point is you get the guy. Let's see, there have been three kisses in my life. You at the junior prom, dimiss that one to utter foolishness. Kristy Livingston, which turned out to a bet she lost. And then Jen, who is more attracted to her gay buddy than to me.
Cheryl: You mean Jack? Jen's attracted to Jack?
Dawson: You kissed Cheryl?
Ryan: Yes, of course I mean him. She actually thought that it was him when she was kissing me. How much more explicit can you get?
Cheryl: I'm so sorry. I had no idea.
Ryan: I think probably the best thing to do is never give me advice on relationships ever again. (he walked back to the porch)
Cheryl: Fine, I will not discuss this anymore tonight. It's useless to try to reason with a drunk anyway.
She follows Ryan to the porch and grabs the beer.
Kurt: Hey.
Cheryl: Look, if you want to crash outside, that's fine. If someone calls the cops, I will pretend I never spoke to you. I'll have your keys and be back in the morning. Dawson and I planned to see some fireworks at the dock, and that is still my intention.
* * * * *
Cheryl turns around and heads to the car with the beer. Dawson follows her.
Cheryl: As soon as we leave, would you mind throwing this out? I really don't want to litter the streets with this crap. We really should be getting to the dock soon or else we'll have a terrible view of the fireworks. (opens the car door)
Dawson rushes around to get into the driver's side while Cheryl continues.
Cheryl: (louder) I swear, he is such a jerk sometimes. What the hell is wrong with him, thinking he can just pop up out of nowhere with Mr. Frat Boy? (slams door shut) Come on, Dawson, we have a display to see.
Dawson stares at her in confusion.
Cheryl: What?
Dawson: Can you please tell me what the story is with you two? Because I keep getting these strange signals that there's more than it appears. Everything that happened that Friday is just rather, well, bizarre.
Cheryl: I could explain it to you, but then we'll miss the show, not to mention I'll be quite depressed when it's over.
Dawson: If you and I are actually going to have a relationship, I think I need some clue as to what you see in Ryan. He despises me and I'm not clear why.
Cheryl: He and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. But I only lived in Capeside until I was eleven. My parents decided to move to California when my mom decided to get into journalism. My dad, having been a small-town guy his whole life, was really against the move but eventually agreed. He did, however, send me to camp all the way out here, which is how I met Joey. Girl is still worried that I'm stalking her, it's kind of amusing.
Dawson: (laughs) I'd been wondering why she's been giving us strange looks that have absolutely nothing to do with jealousy.
Cheryl: Well, now you know. Anyway, we moved to New York after my mom got a job offer. My parents' constant fighting led to the divorce. Their lives were heading in separate directions. While I was gone from Capeside, Ryan and I would send letters and talk on the phone a lot. As usual, for him, he would tell me rather vague details while I drone on and on about every little crisis.
Dawson: Breathe.
Cheryl: (smirks) Amusing. Anyway, she stayed in New York and he elected to move back to Capeside. When it was time to start my junior year, I chose to move out here. So I get here and discover that Ryan isn't the same person I knew when I was younger. I realized I knew very little about what happened in the missing five years. That his mom had found another man. That his dad loved the nightlife and was verging on being an alcoholic. That he became an utter cynic about the world.
Dawson: Not the same sweet and lovable guy?
Cheryl: Not at all. But he still enjoyed hearing what I had to say about my life. When I call him on some of the stuff he does, however, forget it, he gets all defensive and lashes out at me like it's my fault. But he can be sweet sometimes, like a protector or something. I also realize he's alone, so I try my best to get him involved.
Dawson: (nods) I can't believe he's lived in Capeside for so long yet it was until this past month that I had any clue who he was.
Cheryl: He can be quite elusive when he wants to be. (sound of fireworks in the background) Dammit.
Dawson: Don't worry about it. I happen to know that Pacey's dad has a stash of fireworks so the show can be repeated. (gets out of the car and admires the sky)
Cheryl: Nah, don't worry about that, Dawson. (wraps her arms around his waist) This is a fine view.
Dawson glances at Cheryl, then resumes watching the show.
* * * * *
Scene: The next morning outside Harding house. Dawson pulls up to the house.
He walks up to the door to find Ryan asleep on a lawn chair. He nudges him awake.
Ryan: (opens his eyes slightly and is surprised to see Dawson) How'd I end up at an E.T. convention?
Dawson: Where's your partner in crime?
Ryan: I'd guess that Cheryl wanted him gone as quickly as she legally could.
Dawson: I thought you might need this. (pulls out a couple of aspirin)
Ryan: (suspiciously)Why should I believe that's what you're giving me? (gets up too fast and feels the pounding headache)
Dawson: Hey, it's your call.
Ryan thinks about it, then shrugs and accepts the aspirin.
Ryan: So, what brings you here at (looks at his watch) eight in the morning?
Dawson: Cheryl and I were thinking about some fishing. Happy New Year, by the way.
Ryan: Seems no different than the previous year. Wait a second, you're up to something. Spill it, what do you want to know?
Dawson: Fine, there is one thing you said last night that I keep thinking about. (Ryan leans forward) Are you in love with Cheryl? Because I should be aware of if we're supposed to be in battle or...
Ryan: (starts laughing) Are you serious? Out of everything that was said last night, the one thing that is annoying you is that? Shouldn't surprise me that much since that was the only thing I said that had anything whatsoever to do with you.
Dawson: I'm actually shocked you know what I'm referring to since I was certain you would have forgotten that little slip-up.
Ryan: I wasn't that drunk. I remember, I'd just rather forget what I said. So, yeah, there was a kiss. If you want to get real technical, there were two.
Dawson: Two?
Ryan: Cheryl took her crush du jour to the junior prom while I went with some random girl I had to beg to go on three days' notice. Anyway, at the prom, her date made a point of saying she'd planned their whole night to the minute and that she couldn't just be spontaneous. So, Cheryl got this idea that it'd be a pretty amusing idea to kiss me in front of him. It was a complete shock to me when it happened.
Dawson: This sounds pretty innocent so far. But you said last night you kissed her.
Ryan: I decided to have a little fun at her expense. So after my date headed home, I waited at her house. When she arrived, I pop out and kiss her. But there was something strange about the second time. Maybe it was the allure of prom night or the way the moon shone or that I'd never realized how beautiful Cheryl Harding was until that night. The point is, after it happened, I thought about her in a very different way.
Dawson: (gets slightly offended) I thought I was supposed to have no reason to be concerned. This is sounding worse for my relationship by the minute.
Ryan: The next time I saw her was in school. I had planned to confront her when I looked at her again. True, I acknowledge that she was prettier, but she was still the same girl who likes train rides and double chocolate chip ice cream. You know, my friend. Why let a brief moment of weakness ruin that?
Dawson: (looks away slightly) I think you've pretty much described me and Joey. Except for the fact that realization came way too late.
Ryan: (focuses on a spot on the floor) So you're saying that there is no chance of you and Joey becoming an item again?
Dawson: She found her guy and his name is Pacey Witter. It's taken me awhile to admit it, but that's the truth.
Ryan: I'm not saying that I don't want you and Cher to work out. But if I find out that you somehow go back to pursuing Joey, I won't mind doing some serious harm to you.
Dawson: Is this sort of a truce? (holds out his hand)
Ryan: It's as close as you're going to get from me. (shakes his hand)
Dawson: And about Jen..
Ryan: Guess what, the moment's passed. (gets up) Enjoy your fishing trip.
Part 8 - Operation Morning Muffin