[Scene cuts to Dawson and Pacey, sitting behind the counter at the video store]
D: So, how come you aren't with Kate tonight?
P(looks at him like he's stupid): 'Cause I'm at work, with *you*,
dumbass.
D(looks confused for a second): Oh yeah.
P: Man, have you got it bad.
D: What? What are you talking about?
P: Love. You're head over heels in love. It's so obvious it's
pathetic.
D(smiling, dreamy look on his face): Yeah . . . yeah I am.
P: Well, at least you're not denying it anymore.
[Scene cuts back to Joey and Jen, still in Jen's room. Jen is standing in front of the mirror, wearing Joey's suggested outfit, and looking pleased with herself.]
JOEY(smiling): You look great, Jen.
JEN: Thanks, Joey. I couldn't have done it without you. So, do you
have
plans with Dawson tonight?
JOEY(looks at her watch): Yeah, he gets off work in about an hour.
JEN(starts to pick up the rest of her clothes): What are you guys doing?
Same ol', same ol'?
JOEY: Yeah, unfortunately.
JEN: Do I detect a note of unhappiness in your voice?
JOEY: Yeah, but it's not Dawson's fault. It just gets boring around
here in
the winter, cause it's too cold to do anything. Over the years, I think
I've seen every movie known to man.
JEN: Oh, come on. It's not like you guys really *watch* the movies
anymore.
JOEY: Actually . . .
JEN(in disbelief): So, sex hasn't come up yet?
JOEY: Jen! We've only been together a little over a week!
JEN: Joey, you've been *together* your whole lives.
JOEY: Well, you know what I mean. We know each other really well,
emotionally, but physically . . . (she trails off again)
JEN(smiling, inquisitively): So, how far have you guys gone?
[Just then, the doorbell rings]
MRS. RYAN(off-stage): Jennifer! Michael is here!
JOEY(smiling): Saved by the bell.
JEN(smiling as well): For now. But this conversation is *not* over.
[Scene cuts to Mike, waiting inside the door. He sees Joey and Jen walk down the stairs together]
MIKE: Hey, Joey. Wow, Jen, you look great.
[Jen and Joey smile at each other]
JEN: Thanks, Mike.
JOEY(while walking past Jen and Mike to the door): Well, have a good
time,
Jen. Call me tomorrow or something. I get off work at seven.
JEN: Okay, Joey. And thanks again.
JOEY(smiles): No problem.
[Joey walks out the door, shutting it behind her]
JEN(smiling): So, where are we going?
MIKE: Dinner.
JEN: And after?
MIKE(smiling devilishly): I told you. It's a suprise.
MRS. RYAN(pops her head out of the kitchen): Be sure to have her home by
midnight, Michael.
MIKE: Will do, Mrs. Ryan.
[Him and Jen turn to leave]
JEN: Bye, Grams!
MRS. RYAN: Good-bye, Jennifer. Have fun.
[Jen and Mike walk out the door]
[Scene cuts back to Dawson and Pacey at the video store]
P(looking around at the empty store): Man, it sure is slow for a
Saturday
night.
D: No kidding. What time is it?
P(looking at his watch): 7:30. You off at eight?
D(smiling): Yep. How 'bout you?
P: I gotta stay 'till eleven. Stan wants me to close.
D: Does that guy ever do *anything* himself?
[Pacey just rolls his eyes]
D: So, Jo and I are having another movie night. What do you
suggest?
P: C'mon, Dawson. We both know you're not actually going to *watch* the
movie.
D: God, Pace, is that all you think about? Believe it or not, there is
more
to a relationship than sex. What Joey and I have is better.
P: How so?
D: Well, we're emotionally and spiritually connected, for one thing. We
have deep feelings for each other that go beyond lust. And, we're . .
.
(struggling) we're, uh, very respectful of one another.
P: That's great, Dawson, but you had all that before she was your
girlfriend. Face it, man. You guys are nothing but best friends who
kiss.
D(with an informative tone): Pace, we've done a *lot* more than just
*kiss*.
P(smiling, now that he's finally getting details): Oh, yeah? Like
what?
D: Well, last night, we-
[He stops when they hear the bell on the door ding. They both look up to see who has entered]
[Close-up of Pacey, who furrows his brow for a second before realizing who it is. He stands up with a look of pure shock on his face]
P: Tamara?
TAMARA: Hello, Pacey.
[CUT TO COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[OPEN: Right where we left off. The video store, Pacey standing up, Dawson sitting next to him. Both have looks of disbelief on their faces]
P: Tammy (pauses) uh, sorry, *Ms. Jacobs*, what, uh, what are you doing
here?
T: I'm in town for the week, visiting some family and friends for the
holidays. I just wanted to see how you're doing.
P(still in shock): Yeah, I, uh, I'm doing pretty good . . . and
yourself?
[Just then, another customer enters the store, eyeing Tamara and Pacey suspiciously]
T(looking at the customer, then back at Pacey): I'm doing okay. I'm
adjusting well at my new school, so...
P: Listen, Ta- uh, Ms. Jacobs, I'm, uh, I'm really sorry you had to go
through that. If I could-
T(interupting): I know you would, Pacey. No more apologies, okay?
(nods
his head, she lowers her voice) So, do you want to go somewhere and
talk?
[Joey walks into the store]
J: Hey Dawson. Hey Pace. (eyes Tamara) Ms. Jacobs?
T: Hello, Joey. (turns back to Pacey expectantly) How 'bout it?
P: Uh, listen, I'd really like that, but I have to work until
eleven.
T: Oh. Tomorrow then?
P: Sure.
T: Three o' clock, be here. (leans in and speaks even softer) We'll go
somewhere out of town.
P(smiling): I'll be here.
[Tamara smiles, and walks out of the store]
J: *What* was that all about?
P: Nothing.
J(doesn't look convinced, crosses her arms): I'm surprised that woman
doesn't hate you, after what you did.
[Pacey bites his lip to keep his mouth shut]
J: Frankly, I'm more surprised that she'd even set foot in this town
again.
She's got guts. But what in the world did she want to see you for?
P(clears his throat, is getting angry): Look, Joey. That stuff that I
supposedly made up about me and Ms. Jacobs . . . that was true, okay?
Remember that tape you saw? Guy with the throbbing neck muscles? You
called me perverted for wanting to see it? That was me. (pauses) On
the
tape. (pauses again) With Tamara.
[Joey has been listening, her eyes growing wider and wider as Pacey went on. He finishes, and it is silent for a few seconds before she bursts out laughing]
J(in between giggles): Oh! Oh, that's good, Pace! Tell another joke!
(she continues laughing, and when she finishes, she looks at his
scowling
face) hehe . . . that *was* a joke, wasn't it?
P(shortly): No.
[He walks into the back room]
J: Oh my God. Dawson, did you-
[Dawson nods his head. Joey walks behind the counter, and into the back room. Pacey is sitting in the corner, trying extremely hard not to cry]
J: Pacey, I'm sorry. I didn't know.
P: Don't worry about it.
[She sits down next to him]
J: Did you really like her?
P: Yeah, actually, I did. It wasn't just about the sex, although . .
.
J(smiling): Save it, Pace.
P: Well, she wants to see me tomorrow. (sighs, burying his face in his
hands) how am gonna do this? I mean, it's not like I just *did* like
her,
y' know? I still *do*.
J(nods her head): I understand. But Pacey, you've got Kate now,
remember?
And there's no way to say this without sounding rude, but you're a *lot*
better off with someone your own age.
P: I know. It's just gonna take some time, that's all.
[They are silent for a few seconds]
P: Jo?
J: Yeah?
P: Tell Dawson he can go ahead and leave now. I'll cover for him.
J(smiling): Thanks, Pace. (then, on impulse, reaches over and kisses
him on
the cheek) Good luck tomorrow.
P: Thanks, Jo.
[Joey gets up, and walks to the front of the video store]
J: Hey, Dawson. Pacey says we can leave now. He's gonna cover for
you.
D: Is he okay?
J: Yeah, he'll be fine.
D: I guess I just never really knew that she actually meant something to
him
. . . So anyway, what movie do you wanna see, Jo?
J: I don't care, Dawson. I was thinking maybe we could just talk
tonight.
D: Okay, Jo. What about?
J(crooked smile): Oh, I don't know. Just *stuff*.
D(shrugs): Okay, sure.
[Dawson slips his arm around Joey's waist, and they walk out of the store together]
[Scene cuts to Jen, in Mike's car]
J: You're talking me dancing?!
M(smiling): Yep. Sound like fun?
J: Actually, it does. Where at?
M: The Rave.
J: Don't you have to be 18 to get in there?
M: Yeah, but my brother works there, so it's all good.
J(leaning back in her seat): Wow. I have to say, I'm impressed. I
never
would have guessed.
M(smiling): It's just a sample of my work , though.
J: Your *work*?
M: Yep. Good ol' unpredictable me. (he reaches over, and puts his hand
over Jen's) I figured, after Dawson, you need some spice in your
life.
J(smiles): Ain't that the truth.
[Scene cuts to Joey and Dawson, walking along the beach. "Lovesong" by Tori Amos is playing softly]
D: So talk already, Jo.
J: What?
D: You said you wanted to talk, so go for it.
[Joey stops, and sits down on a log. Dawson sits next to her]
D: Jo?
J(sighing): I suppose now's as good of a time as ever. (pauses) Dawson,
I
wanted to talk about us. Every night we spend together, we explore more
and
more of, uh, each other. (Dawson blushes a little) And every night, we
come closer and closer to the inevitable. I just think maybe we should
talk
about this before we get to that point. You know, so we aren't caught
up in
a moment.
D: I agree with you, completely, Jo, but I don't know what you want me
to
say. I want that moment to come, y' know? I want to show my love for
you
in every way possible. But, Jo, I would never push you into something
you're not ready for. I know things have been going really quickly
these
last couple weeks, and if you want to slow it down for awhile, I
comp-
J(a little too loud): No! (embarrassed, speaks softer) No, Dawson. I
definitely *don't* want to slow down. I'm not even sure how I feel
about
sex. Cause I think I'm ready. But everyday I see Bessie and think,
man, I
don't want that. So, if we started . . . I mean, if we decided . . .
well,
I'd go on birth control. But for the first time, I don't want to plan
it
all out. I say, whatever happens, happens. I just think we should know
where we stand on the issue. Of course, I won't know how I *really*
feel
until the moment is shoved in my face. But what about you, Dawson?
D: What do you mean? Am *I* ready?
J: Well, yeah.
D(looks at Joey lovingly, puts his hand on the side of her head,
stroking
her hair): Jo, I love you more than anything in the whole world. There
is
nothing I wouldn't do for you. Every time I see something new, or feel
something new, I want to share it with you. I even think . . . I even
think
I want to share the rest of my life with you. (Joey's eyes widen) I
can't
imagine sharing something as romantic and life changing as sex with
anyone
*but* you. So, yes, I'm ready. I think I've been ready my whole
life.
J: Wow, Dawson, was that rehearsed?
D(smiling): No, but it sounded good, didn't it?
J(smiling and blushing): Yeah . . .
D: Jo, I'm saying it should happen tonight, or tomorrow, or even next
week.
I think that, when the time is right, we'll know.
J(standing up): You're right. Thanks for being so patient and
understanding.
D(standing up and smiling): It's what I do best. (pauses as he puts his
arm
around Joey) Did I ever tell you how wonderful you are?
J(sarcastically): Never.
D: Well, you are.
[They walk in silence for a few seconds]
J: Dawson?
D: Yeah?
J: So are you.
[Dawson stops, knowing Joey isn't one to dish out compliments, and kisses her on her forehead]
J: What was that for?
D: Because you love me.
J(smiling): Yeah, well, that's number one on my long list of faults.
[Dawson smiles as the old Joey emerges. He reaches over and tickles her until they fall to the sand, laughing. Dawson lies on top of her, kissing her gently, and the kiss becomes deeper as the camera zooms out, and the scene fades to black]
[END CREDITS, COMMERCIAL BREAK]