Episode 622 - Joey Potter and the Capeside Redemption

In this episode: When Dawson gives up his dream of making his film, a strong-minded Joey rallies the old group back to Capeside to help Dawson begin production. Meanwhile, an unemployed and depressed Pacey won't be part of Joey's plan but becomes inspired to make sure Dawson has the financial support he needs to finish his film. Once production is up and running, Jen, Jack and Grams must say their goodbyes and leave for New York, and after her covert plan to reconcile Dawson and Pacey, Joey feels she is now is free to pursue her dream of traveling to Paris.

Original Airdate: May 7, 2002

[Scene: A Coffee house.. Joey is drinking some coffee while writing in a journal. We are hearing what she is writing. We then see a scene with Jen and Grams selling stuff in a yard sale. Then Jack and Pacey moving out of the apartment. Next we Joey taking an order at a small café. Next we see Audrey studying at the library for summer school. Next we see Doug open his apartment door to find Pacey standing outside with a huge smile on his face. Next Dawson is cleaning of some tables outside his mother's restaurant. Finally to Joey rowing her boat over to Dawson's House, climbing up the ladder to Dawson's Room.]

Joey: It's true what they say. Time is an unreliable narrator. History gets rewritten in small ways with each passing day. I can't swear this is exactly how it happened, but this is how it felt. Summer had brought us home, and we wasted no time assuming our roles in what had become an all-too-familiar scenario. Pacey had fallen from grace, Dawson's dreams were dashed, and I was somehow in the middle of it all over again. The triangle we had all tried so hard to put to rest had come back to haunt us. 

[Scene: Dawson's Bedroom. Dawson is taking down the posters on his walls when Joey comes climbing in through the window.]

Joey: Need some help? 

Dawson: You scared the crap out of me. 

Joey: Wuss. What are you doing? 

Dawson: It's called symbolic purging. I can't stand to have this stuff around anymore. It just sits here mocking me. 

Joey: I thought I was the artist. 

[She shows some poorly drawn scene setup drawings]

Dawson: Thatum, fine, laugh all you want, but that's the whole movie right there, sh*t by sh*t. 

Joey: Well, then I wouldn't be throwing it away if I were you. You're gonna need this. Dawson, you have the chance to do something great here, and I can't let you pass that up. I've been authorized to use force if necessary. 

Dawson: Happen to bring your $18,000 with you? 

Joey: No, I forgot that. 

Dawson: Jo, you're sweet, I appreciate it, but I have no money. Zero. Not only that, I'm in debt. Thanks to your friend and mine, I charged up all my credit cards. I'm gonna have to work doubles at fresh fish all this summer just to pay them off. ... Stop by and say hi sometime. 

Joey: Dawson leery, you are going to let all these details get in the way? Would they stop Spielberg? 

Dawson: I don't know. I don't recall anything in his bio about his best friend squandering all of his money. 

Joey: Pacey messed up. No one's denying that. But it wasn't intentional, Dawson. 

Dawson: It never is, Jo. Never is, but it happens every single time, and I don't need it anymore. It's... 

Joey: What? It what?

Dawson: Nothing. It's just... some things never change. I can't believe you're taking his side on this. 

Joey: I'm not. I'm not taking anyone's side Dawson. Look, I loved your script. It was real. It was the truth. It makes everything we've been through seem somehow worth it. And I don't know why you and Pacey can't just put your heads together and figure something out. Look I refuse to believe it has to end this way. 

Dawson: Well, believe it, Jo, 'cause I pretty much never want to see the guy as long as I live. 

Joey: You know what? I know you don't mean that. 

Dawson: Yeah, I do. 

Joey: If you give up now, you have nothing and it was all just a waste. 

Dawson: It was a waste either way. Jo, look, we can go back and forth for hours on why it's virtually impossible for me to make this film, but the real reason is I don't believe in it anymore. I don't. The script was a celebration of friendship, some golden era that probably only ever existed in my head, and I somehow deluded myself into believing that it was a story of us, of all of us, and that it should be told. And I don't believe that anymore. 

Joey: Well, fortunately for you, I know you don't mean that. Look, you're hurt, you're pissed off, you want to give up, which is totally understandable, but it sucks for you right now because you're not dealing with somebody who's going to let you. So I'm going to leave you to your sulking for now, but I'll be back. And I promise you it's not gonna be pretty. Asses will be kicked, names will be taken. Until then, bye-bye, old chum. 

[She climbs back out the window, and Dawson can only smile.]

[Opening Credits]

[Scene: Gram's Kitchen. Jack, Jen, Audrey, Joey and Grams are there meeting.]

Joey: Ok, is everyone clear? Does everyone understand their assignments? 

Audrey: What about me? What can I do? Anything. Anything at all to distract me from the sheer hellish boredom of summer school. 

[Joey hands Audrey a script]

Joey: Page 12. 

Audrey: Miss Jacobs? 

Joey: That's right. 

Audrey: The old broad? 

Joey: The one and the same. 

Audrey: What about her? 

Joey: Well, I'm yanking you out of early retirement to bring her life to the screen. 

Audrey: Wait a second. Let me get this straight. You want me to play the slutty teacher that--that robbed Pacey of his delicate flower? 

Joey: Do you have a problem with that? 

Jen: You could play Eve. 

Joey: Sadly, Eve didn't make the cut. 

Jen: Aw, that's a shame. 

Audrey: Who the hell is eve? 

Jack: Eh, long story. Ambiguous ending. 

Jen: Now what about Pacey? 

Joey: Oh, yeah. Guess he couldn't make it. But don't worry. I'll take care of that. [Sighs] 

[Scene: Doug's Apartment. Doug answers the door and lets Joey in, as he is drying a pan. ]

Doug: Hey, Joey.

Joey: Dougie, where is he? 

Doug: The little brother? Oh, he's, um, out or something. 

Joey: Liar, liar. Tsk, tsk, Dougie. 

Doug: I'm warning you, Joey, it's ugly. 

[Joey goes in to find Pacey lying on the couch watching Soap Operas. Pacey leans up from the pillow he is lying on, and he has chips stuck to his face.]

Pacey: Hey. Jo, come in. I'm finally starting to understand these soap operas. They're pretty good. 

Joey: All right, dirt merchant. Put some pants on. You're coming with. 

Pacey: Yeah. I don't think I'm going to be able to do that. The young and the restless is just about to come on. I gotta see how J.T. Talks his way out of this one 'cause colleen was about to k*ll him. I wouldn't miss that for all the pizza in Capeside. But, please, feel free. Pull up a seat. We got chips. 

Joey: Pacey. This is pathetic. 

Pacey: Well, yeah. Kind of comes with the territory. Now I'm not sure what you want me to do about it. 

Joey: I want you to come with me. I want you to help me figure out how to get Dawson's movie made on $10 and a dream. 

Pacey: I'd just end up ruining the whole thing, and Dawson knows that, I know that, and in your heart of hearts you know that. I'm a dangerous man, a lethal w*apon, so we're all better off if I just lay here on my couch, watching my stories. 

[Joey grabs the remote from him]

Pacey: Uhh! 

Joey: Pacey! 

Pacey: What? 

Joey: Look. I need you. Dawson needs you. 

Pacey: Ok. Here's the most crucial thing that you're going to have to get through that pretty little head of yours. Things will never be the same between Dawson and me. Or any of us for that matter. And you're just going to have to accept that. 

Joey: I don't. And I never will. 

Pacey: Ok. That's fine. Be cheery and delightful and whatever else it is you want to be. I really don't care. Yeah, before you go

[Joey throws the remote back at him]

[Pacey groans] 

[Door slams] 

[Scene: Harley's bedroom. Harley and Patrick are kissing on the bed, when Joey and Audrey come into the room.]

Joey: You are so busted. 

Harley: What are you talking about? 

Audrey: Is this him? 

Joey: That's him. That's it, Harley. I'm gonna have to tell your father. 

Harley: Tell him what? He knows Patrick and I are seeing each other. 

Joey: But would he like to know about this little bit of unpleasantness? I think not. Well, I'm not gonna tell Hetson, which is good for you because he would like to have wiped the floor with your punk ass, but now it looks like you two owe me a favor. 

[Scene: A film Equipment rental store. Jen and Jack are trying to get the salesperson to donate some equipment for them to use.]

Salesperson: No. 

Jen: You don't understand. This is a great film. You would be doing the world of independent cinema a huge favor. 

Salesperson: I don't know. Let me read the script. 

Jen: There's no time. 

Salesperson: Yeah, well, uh, I guess you're out of luck, then. Bye-bye. 

Jen: Ok, look, I really didn't want to have to do this, but it appears as though I have no choice. Um, I'll go out with you. 

Salesperson: What? 

Jen: I'll go out with you. It's what you want, right? But just coffee, ok? No funny business. 

Salesperson: Yeah. Thanks for that, but I'm not really interested. 

Jen: What are you talking about? I'm a film geek's dream. 

Salesperson: Not this film geek. 

[He looks over and Jack and smiles]

Salesperson: How you doin'? 

[Scene: Dawson's House. Dawson pulls up the house, and goes to go inside and runs into Gale who is sitting on the steps of the porch going through the mail.]

Gale: Oh, hey, sweetie. 

Dawson: Hey. 

Gale: Can I fix you some dinner? 

Dawson: No, thanks. I'm just gonna take a nap before the dinner shift. 

Gale: Sweet dreams. 

[Dawson goes up into his room, and finds, Joey, Jen, Jack, and Audrey waiting there for him]

Joey: Told you I'd be back. 

Dawson: How--how did

Joey: Don't worry about it. I just want you to admit here and now, once and for all, that you finally have no excuses. 

Dawson: Well, what about actors? 

Joey: Learning their lines as we speak. Awaiting a phone call from their director. 

Audrey: Ooh. I get to play miss Jacobs. You know, the woman who seduces a young boy on the verge of manhood. I do have some notes, however. 

Joey: [Clears Throat]

Audrey: Later. We'll dis-- we'll discuss it later. 

Jen: So what do you say, Dawson, are you ready to take off the dress and step up to the plate? 

Jack: Yeah, Dawson, you have no idea what I went through to get this stuff. 

Dawson: Guys, it's amazing. And this is-- I'm touched beyond words, but

Joey: but? No. There are no buts, Dawson. All you have to do is sh**t the movie, just like you were going to do a week ago. And if you're telling me that you don't believe in friendship anymore, I am going to throw you out that window. 

Dawson: N-no, it's not that. I mean, I have to work. I have a job. 

[Gale comes walking into the bedroom]

Gale: Oh, no, you don't. You're fired. 

Dawson: What? 

Gale: It's my restaurant, Dawson. I'm f*ring you. Case closed. 

Dawson: Mom

[Gale hands him a bottle of champagne and some glasses.]

Gale: Ok, so here's what you're going to do. You're gonna pop the champagne, you're going to pour it into these silly little cups because that's all I could find, and then you are going to make a toast to starting production on your new film. And I'd probably throw in a little something about your friends here who, in my opinion, are fairly amazing and don't forget to mention your mother. 

Dawson: What can I say? Let's do this thing. 

Jack: Yes. 

Jen: Yay. 

[Cheering] 

[Commercial Break]

[Scene: The street outside the Video Store Dawson and Pacey worked at in High School. Dawson is working with a cast member who is on a bike. Joey and Jack are across the street watching him.]

Joey: What do we think? 

Jack: I think we should give him another 5 minutes and try and time out this bike thing perfectly. 

Joey: And then we'll have him just walk into the video store? 

Jack: I guess so. Yeah. It's nothing like asking the director to compromise before he's even gotten his first sh*t off. 

[They start to cross the street and Jen joins them]

Joey: Hey, Jen, um, right after this, we have to go inside the video store and sh**t in there, and we only have a limited time in there, so please tell me they know their lines. 

Jen: They know their lines. They just don't know what order they go in. 

[Cut to a little later. Gale is filling a basket with doughnuts when Joey walks up.]

Joey: What, no sprinkles? Kidding. Any word on our special delivery? 

Gale: In transit. 

[Scene: Doug's Apartment. Doug is in the kitchen, and notices that there isn't any breakfast ready. Pacey comes walking into the Kitchen to see what he wants.]

Doug: Ok, why do I not smell eggs Florentine? 

Pacey: Pacey: Excuse me? 

Doug: I thought we had an agreement. I let you crash on my couch, you cook for me. Elaborate, mouth-watering, professionally prepared meals, well garnished. 

Pacey: I'm really flattered by your faith in my culinary abilities, but I can't do it today. I got other things to do, but I left all the fixings out for you, and you really do owe it to yourself as a modern bachelor to develop some sort of rudimentary cooking skills. And chicks dig that kind of thing. And, you know, those other guys, too. They like it. 

[Scene: Inside the Video Store. They are filming the Tamara Initial meeting scene from the pilot.]

Patrick: My god, look at that. 

George: Oh, show some respect, man. She's old enough to be somebody's mother. 

Patrick: Yeah, a zygote's. Besides, I happen to have it on pretty good authority that mothers have excellent sex lives. 

Audrey: Good afternoon. 

George: Can we help you? 

Audrey: Um, yeah

Dawson: Cut, cut. Audrey, you're gonna have to take the robe off. 

Audrey: You're kidding me. 

Dawson: I thought we'd be in tight enough so we wouldn't see it, but it's right there. 

Patrick: This is, like, my dream day. 

Audrey: Ok, Dawson, what if I just show a little shoulder? 

Dawson: Problem is, I need bare skin. 

Jen: You need, like, spaghetti straps. 

Joey: She's right. You have to have something to match the wardrobe Audrey would be wearing if Pacey junior hadn't walked into her chest with a jelly doughnut. 

Dawson: We don't have an E.T.A. On that dress yet, do we? 

Jack: Yes. Spin cycle. Your mom says it's gonna be about, uh, 20 minutes. 

Patrick: Uh, excuse me. Is there any scenario in which she could just take off all her clothes? You know, at least for one take? Because then, you know, I feel like I could really give you an appropriate on-camera react

[Joey grabs him by the ear.]

Patrick: Aah! 

Joey: Can I have 5 minutes alone with this guy? 

Patrick: You don't know how long I dreamed of hearing you say that. 

[She yanks again]

Patrick: Ow! 

Joey: What? 

Dawson: Nothing. Ok, George, keep doing exactly what you've been doing. Guys will be going a little bit tighter next time, and, audrey, if you can just lower the robe down just above your elbows. Patrick, I know you got it in you to imagine the rest. 

[Scene: The local Dentist Office. Pacey is trying to get a donation for Dawson's Movie from the dentist.]

Pacey: Think of how many more patients you would have if you seized upon this wonderful opportunity for free publicity. 

Elise: If I have to give you $200, how is it free? 

Pacey: This you will get back with a credit in the film. A very special thanks to Dr. Elise Briscoe, the friendly dentist. The dentist who cares about people's dreams, I mean, think of it. And look at that smile. It's a crime to keep you behind this desk. Would you do us the honor of perhaps coming in and doing a little cameo in the film? 

[Scene: The video store. They are trying to sh*t the sh*t where Tamara is walking up to the counter with the sun at her back.]

Joey: Uh, Dawson

Dawson: Hey, Jack, can we lose that bell? 

Jack: Yeah, done. 

Dawson: Great. Sorry. What? 

Joey: Well, I just think with the light streaming through the window, we're totally going to be able to see through Audrey's dress. 

Dawson: Ha ha! I know. 

Joey: You know? 

Dawson: Yes. That's the natural lighting effect I've been waiting all day to get. That's why I didn't do the wide sh*t first. 

Audrey: So is this gonna work or what? 

Dawson: That is perfection. 

Joey: She knows? 

Dawson: Yeah, of course she knows. I'm not gonna do something like that without asking her first. 

[The store's owner comes into the store and he is upset.]

Owner: What the hell is this kid doing to my store? 

Dawson: He's not doing anything. I told you we will put everything back exactly as we found it. 

Owner: You also told me you wouldn't break anything and that you'd be out of here by 2:00. 

[Doug comes into the video store.]

Doug: Hey, Joey, I just wanted to let you to know I can't block that street anymore. It's almost 5:00. 

Owner: Oh, thank god, the law. Officer, can you get these kids out of my store? 

Doug: Is there a problem here, Joey? 

Joey: No. You know what? There's no problem. Look, I understand that we're going longer than we anticipated, and I appreciate so much that you're letting us be here, but we just need

Owner: It's Friday. Do you know what people do on a Friday night? 

Dawson: Rent videos. 

Joey: Rent videos. 

Owner: Exactly, which is why I want them out of here now. 

Dawson: We need 10 more minutes. 

Doug: You know what, sir? Why don't we, um, talk about this outside? 

Dawson: [Mouths] Thank you. 

[Doug and the owner go outside.]

Joey: Ok. So now what do we do? 

Dawson: We sh**t quickly while Doug has the guy distracted. 

Joey: And if it doesn't work? 

Dawson: Uh, bribery. 

Joey: Dawson, we don't have any money. 

Dawson: No, but we do have an abundance of hot girls, which are as good as currency in many countries. 

Joey: You're joking. You're joking at a time like this? Dawson, we have yet to finish this scene, we're losing the light, we're losing the location. 

Dawson: Hey, without chaos, there'd be no happy accidents. 

[Suddenly Todd and Gale come walking into the video store.]

Todd: Hello, hello, hello, hello. Why are we not filming here, leery? The light is perfect. The leading lady is perfect. 

Dawson: What the hell are you doing here? 

Todd: Well, that sexy mom of yours made me an offer I couldn't refuse. 

Gale: Ha ha! All I did was e-mail him the script. 

Todd: It took me 2 days to bloody download the thing. But when I did, I said this is brilliant. I said this is just the sort of project that Todd needs to be involved with. So I'm here, fully on board, ready to work in whatever menial capacity you may require me. 

Dawson: I could really use a D.P. 

Todd: Done. 

Dawson: And a camera operator. 

Todd: Done again. Just get me a triple espresso and I'm good to go. 

Dawson: Got it. Um, Todd, I'm the director now. 

Todd: Right you are, and a damn good one, too. 

[Todd begins looking around for someone else to get it.]

Todd: Um... 

Joey: I'll go. 

Audrey: Oh, Joey. 

Joey: Don't even think about it. 

Audrey: But

[Joey goes to get the coffee.]

Todd: All right, listen up people. Chop, chop. This man here has a movie to make, and we are gonna make it for him or die trying. 

[Commercial Break]

[Scene: The pier outside Dawson's house. Joey is holding a plate of broccoli and talking to Todd.]

Joey: So let me get this straight. You've developed some sort of superstitious belief that if you eat steamed broccoli every day, you'll never die? 

[Todd coughs after taking a puff of his cigarette.]

Todd: Exactly. Well, you see the problem is, sweetheart, is these are huge, gigantic pieces of broccoli. I'm looking for more of a broccolini-type deal. 

Joey: A broccolini? 

Todd: Exactly. Well, off you go there. You know, in California, this is really a very reasonable request. 

[Scene: The end of the pier. Dawson is with Patrick and Harley who are trying to sh**t the dock scene from Dawson's first movie.]

Harley: No way. Not gonna happen. Not in a million years. 

Dawson: I totally understand your concern. I really do, but it's an incredibly character-defining moment not just for you. For all 3 characters, explains your dynamic. 

Harley: I said not happening. 

[Harley walks away from them and Patrick is laughing.]

Dawson: What's so funny? 

Patrick: She can't swim. 

Dawson: She

[Dawson shakes his head]

[Scene: Dawson's backyard. Audrey is lying in a chair sunbathing when Joey comes walking up with the plate of broccoli.]

Audrey: Ew, no thanks. I'm trying to quit. 

Joey: No, it's not to eat. I need you to chop this up and serve it to Todd. You are his new personal assistant. 

Audrey: I've been wrapped for the day. Can't you find someone else to do it? Someone who's not number one on the call sheet? 

Joey: No. Come on. Get up. There are divas out there more impossible than you who require our immediate attention. 

Audrey: Oh! Fine! 

Joey: Thank you. 

[Scene: Pizza parlor. Pacey comes running out, and he had been trying to get the owner to donate. The Owner chases after him. As he holds a piece of pizza in his hand.]

Pacey: Ok. 

Owner: Hey, hey, hey, get out of here!

[Scene: The end of Dawson's Pier. They are sh**ting the scene where the sea monster is pulling Harley into the water. We pull back to see that they are not actually in the water, and rather Joey is splashing them with water from a pail.]

Patrick: [Growls] 

Harley: Aah! 

Patrick: [Growls] 

Dawson: And cut! Great! We got it. 

[Scene: Another business. Pacey is trying without success to get a donation.]

Pacey: Oh, come on. It's just a small donation. 

[Scene: Dawson's House. Harley and Joey are talking while getting her ready for another scene.]

Harley: You're sure I'm not a lesbian? 

Joey: Yes, I'm sure. 

Harley: I mean, it would explain a lot. Otherwise, why do I hate this next-door neighbor girl so much? And why would I rather hang out with this asexual film dork instead of go to France? 

Joey: Because maybe you're not ready to go to France. Maybe as much as you hate to admit it to yourself, you had a sucky childhood and you still have a lot of growing up to do. 

Harley: He must have been a really good kisser, the gay guy. 

Joey: You haven't listened to one word that I've said.

[Scene: A local restaurant. Pacey is in the kitchen trying to get the owner to donate some money to the movie.]

Owner: Have you worked in a restaurant before?

Pacey: Yeah, I worked a kitchen up in Boston. I actually studied under one of the best cooks up there, but now I guess I'm just doing this.

Owner: Which is what exactly?

Pacey: Honestly? I'm just helping out a friend.

[They walk out, and the owner hands a bag of food to a blond at the host station.]

Owner: Here you go.

Christy: Thank you.

Owner: [To Pacey] You know what? Don't go any place.

Owner: [To Woman] I'll be right back with your change.

Christy: OK

[HE leaves them alone to get change]

Christy: Hi.

Pacey: Hi.

Christy: You don't remember me, do you?

Pacey: No, but I really wish I did.

Christy: Well, you sure changed your pitch a lot since this morning.

Pacey: The receptionist from the dentist's office, of course. I'm sorry.

Christy: No, no. You really don't remember me. Oh, come on. From high school? I mean, it's kind of a blow to my ego. You used to follow me around everywhere. It was kind of pathetic, but... now here we are 5 years later and it's like you don't even know who I am.

[The owner returns with her change]

Owner: Here you go, Christy.

Christy: Thanks. Nice seeing you, Pacey.

[Christy leaves with her food.]

Pacey: Christy?

Owner: Yeah, yeah, Christy Livingstone.

Pacey: Christy!

[Pacey runs out after her.]

[Scene: Dawson's Porch. Grams is sitting on a chair looking outside at her old house next door, when Jen comes out to join her.]

Grams: [Groans] Curtains in the kitchen window certainly are an eyesore. Don't know how gale can bear looking at them.

Jen: I'll be sure to alert the interior decorating police. How ya doin'? Sittin' up here on the porch watchin' everybody.

Grams: It's very nice seeing all you children together again having one fun last day in Capeside.

Jen: One last day, please. [Sighs] I'm sure that this isn't gonna be anyone's last day in Capeside, I mean, I'm sure that we'll all have reasons to come back here, you know, and--and we're just moving to new york. It's not like we're

Grams: Dying. That's right. We're not. We're just beginning one more chapter in our lives together. A very nice long one.

Jen: [Sighs] Do you miss this place?

Grams: Oh...every day. Do I regret leaving it? Never.

[They hug. Dawson comes up to the porch.]

Dawson: Hi.

Jen: Hey, Dawson.

Dawson: How you guys doin'?

Jen: Whew. Good. 'Re good.

Grams: Couldn't be better.

Dawson: Good. I hate to interrupt, but

Jen: Cab's here.

Dawson: No, actually, it's just that you're, uh, well, you're... kinda in my sh*t.

Jen: Oh. Oh. [Laughs]

Grams: Oh, well. I can't think of a more appropriate way to say good-bye to our old next-door neighbor, can you?

Jen: Frank Capra of Capeside? No.

Grams: Come here.

[They all hug]

[Scene: Outside on the side of Dawson's House. There is a cab waiting, and Everyone is saying their good byes to Jen, Jack and Grams.]

[Scene: Cut to a little later and Grams, Jack and Jen are by the Cab.]

Jack: See ya.

Audrey: Bye.

Gale: Bye-bye.

Joey: We love you.

Audrey: Bye.

Joey: Bye. We love you.

Audrey: Wow. They're really never leaving, are they?

Joey: I don't think so.

Audrey: Bye!

Joey: Bye.

Audrey: Miss you, cuties!

Jen: What is this feeling? [Sighs] It just seems like everything's getting smaller and smaller. It's all still there, but I just can't touch it.

Jack: I think it's called good-bye.

[Jen looks over at the dock and sees Harley and Patrick messing around waiting to sh**t their next sh*t.]

Patrick: I'm gonna get you. I'm gonna get you.

Harley: No.

[Laughing]

[She turns and gets into the cab with a small smile and a tear in her eye.]

[Engine starts]

[Scene: The Restaurant. Pacey and Christy are sitting a the bar later that evening talking to one another.]

Pacey: The truth? Of course I'm tell you the truth. Why would I lie about these things?

Christy: Pacey Witter, bad-ass stud and man about town?

Pacey: Ok, you're right, I would lie about those things, but I did sail around the Caribbean, and for a while there, I actually did own a BMW. I promise you, that is the gospel truth.

Christy: I see. So now after much soul-searching, you've come back right to where you started.

Pacey: Well, come on, I'm not exactly right where I started. I'm talkin' to you, aren't I?

Christy: Yeah. Yeah, you are. Or you were.

Pacey: I waOh, no, you're leaving?

Christy: I'm sorry. I--I have to go. I should've left ages ago, but, um...

[Sighs]

Christy: You can call me.

Pacey: Really?

Christy: You should... call me. Here.

[Christy writes her number on a napkin and hands it to him.]

Pacey: I will, absolutely will.

Christy: Bye, Pacey.

Pacey: Good-bye, Christy. Ha ha.

[She leaves and passes Joey who is walking into the bar area.]

Joey: Wasn't that

Pacey: Christy Livingstone, yes, it was.

Joey: Talking to you?

Pacey: Talkin' to me. In fact, flirting with me. She gave me her phone number.

Joey: [Laughs]

Pacey: [Sighs] You know what this means, right? You know, Christy, she's like, uh

Joey: metaphor, I know. She represents all of the high school girls you thought you'd never be able to have because you were such a loser.

Pacey: Exactly.

Joey: And the fact that all the normal girls who haven't been surgically enhanced-- girls like me and Jen and Audrey and Andie-- the fact that we've spent every second of the past 5 years telling you that you weren't a loser, that means nothing to you.

Pacey: I-I'm sorry, you lost me there in the middle. Maybe I should explain the whole metaphor thing again.

Joey: Why am I even talking to you?

[She turns to the bartender.]

Joey: Hi. Um, I'm here to pick up a to-go order. The name's potter.

Owner: Right. Right. Coming right up.

Joey: Thank you.

[The bartender goes to get her food.]

Pacey: So how's it going?

Joey: How's what going?

Pacey: You know what I'm talkin' about.

Joey: Well, it's not too late for you to find out for yourself.

Pacey: Well, yeah, but if I did that, then I'd have to eat all those fine words I said the other day, and I actually believe them. So, what I was hoping was that, instead, you could just take this to Dawson.

[He slides her an envelope. She opens it and sees money.]

Pacey: It's not everything, but it's everything that I could get in one day, and I'll get the rest whenever I get the rest. But what I was hoping is that you would take that to him and then... tell him I said congratulations and all that good stuff.

Joey: I could.

Pacey: All right.

Joey: But I won't. 'Cause you know what, Pace, you were right. This isn't my fight. You know, never has been and... it never will be.

Pacey: So, what, after all these years, you're just gonna wash your hands of the both of us?

Joey: I'm gonna try.

[They both smile]

Joey: Take care.

Pacey: Ok.

[Commercial Break]

[Scene: Dawson's Bedroom. They are sh**ting the scene from the Pilot where Dawson and Joey were lying in bed together.]

George: We're friends, ok? No matter how much body hair we acquire, deal?

Harley: Deal.

George: And we don't talk about this again. Deal?

Harley: You got it.

George: Why'd you have to bring this up anyway?

Dawson: And cut. Perfect. Everybody, thank you for a terrific first day that's a wrap. I'll see you all tomorrow.

Crew1: All right.

Crew2: Hey, thank you.

[Crew chattering]

Crew3: Thank you very much.

[Todd sits in the Director's chair]

Todd: Oh, my apologies, sir. Force of habit.

Dawson: No, stay there. Stay there. You bailed my ass out today.

Todd: That's right, you little bugger. My bloody dogs are barkin'.

Dawson: Makes you feel for the little people, doesn't it? Makes you wanna go back and apologize to every crew member you ever threw a hissy fit at, I bet.

Todd: Hell, no. Makes me wanna produce.

[Laughing]

[Audrey comes walking into the bedroom as Dawson leaves]

Audrey: [Audrey sighs] Anything else I can do for you, Mr. Carr?

Todd: Yeah, call me Todd, love.

Audrey: I tried that already, remember? You told me to call you Mr. Carr.

Todd: I like you, blondie. You're a saucy one. You're a bit of a tart, aren't ya?

Audrey: Excuse me. Did you just call me a hooker?

Todd: What? I meant it in a good way. You know, come to think of it, there is something you can do for me. Back rub. Now.

Audrey: Ok, you've got to be kidding me.

Todd: Go on, you know you want to. Come on, give a geezer a rub. See what it's like to lay your hands on a real director.

Audrey: You--you know, Dawson was right. You are an arrogant little bastard.

Todd: Who, me? Look, I'm totally misunderstood. Between you and me, sweetheart, it's really just a numbers game. I figure, you know, eventually some bird's gonna find it all very charming.

Audrey: [Laughs] Ok.

[She walks behind him and begins giving him a shoulder massage.]

Todd: [Sighs] [Groans] Oh, that's good. Too good...actually. Might make a bloke wanna invite a bird up to his room for a nightcap. What do you say?

Audrey: Absolutely.

[Scene: Dawson's Upstairs hallway. Todd and Audrey come quickly out of Dawson's room, and go into the guest room. Dawson watches them and walks past them with a smile.]

Todd: [Laughs]

Audrey: [Giggling]

[Dawson goes into his bedroom and falls on the bed, when Joey comes up to the doorway.]

Dawson: [Sighs]

Joey: Hey.

Dawson: Hey, what are you still doin' here?

Joey: Mm, I thought I'd stick around to congratulate you.

Dawson: [Laughs]

Joey: You were great today.

Dawson: Well, if anyone was great today, it's because of you. I have you to thank for this, you know.

Joey: Oh, that may well be true but-- [Sighs as she falls on the bed] You can save your speech for Sundance. I'm exhausted.

Dawson: Spend the night.

Joey: [Laughs] And what would we call that? Life imitating art imitating life?

Dawson: I...don't know. I'm too tired to figure it out. It's ok if you don't want to. I understand. It's a little weird. Not to mention somewhat dangerous.

Joey: What do you mean?

Dawson: I don't know. What if you woke up and you were 15 again?

Joey: The funny thing is--is-- I don't feel that way anymore. Watching you sh**t it was like it is...

Dawson: Yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean. sh**ting this movie is gonna save me tons of money on therapy.

Joey: [Laughs] Today was a great day.

Dawson: Oh, the best.

Joey: I mean, how many truly great days are we gonna have in our lives?

Dawson: I don't know. Who knows how many you get? When they do happen to come along, though, I hope you're close by, at least for a few of 'em.

Joey: Me, too. So how would you describe your movie? If somebody asked you, what would you say?

Dawson: I would say... it's about a girl who wanted more than what she had... who had to grow up to realize that she already had everything she ever could've wanted.

Joey: I like that.

Dawson: I don't wanna close my eyes.

Joey: Why?

Dawson: I'm afraid when I open 'em, you won't be here.

Joey: Close your eyes, Dawson.

[Dawson goes to sleep, and Joey just lies there smiling and watching him sleep. He wakes up the next morning and finds a note next to him. He begins to read it, and smiles. We see a cut to Joey working in the deli.]

[Scene: The ruins. Dawson is there waiting, when Pacey comes walking up and notices Dawson and knows that he has been duped. And goes to walk over to join Dawson.]

Pacey: Hey.

Dawson: Hey. What are you doin' here?

Pacey: Uh, the same thing you are, I'd suppose.

Dawson: Actually, I came here to meet

Pacey: Meet with Joey? Yeah, so did I.

Dawson: I get it. [Sighs] Joey potter: Amateur peace broker.

Pacey: [Sighs]

Dawson: So where is she?

Pacey: I don't know, but I'd say that she is probably not coming. I think she has this kooky notion that you and I are gonna work this out between ourselves.

Dawson: Well, that's... not gonna happen.

Pacey: Yeah, I know. That's what I told her, but we're talkin' about a girl who's never really listened to a single word that either you or I has ever told her, and I did, I said it to her, I said, "look, Jo, things will never be the same between Dawson and I." She doesn't listen to me. You know her, she's stubborn, that girl.

Dawson: [Sighs] Well, if she's not comin', I'm gonna take off. I've got somewhere to be.

Pacey: Hold on for one second. [Sighs] Look, you said some pretty crappy things the other day.

Dawson: Yeah. So did you.

Pacey: Yes, I did. And I meant them 100%.

Dawson: I know, so did I, pace, and that's the thing, I don't know how we get past that.

Pacey: Well, maybe we don't. Maybe that's the point that we just don't get past it, we realize that... we can't go back to the way things used to be, and there's nothing we can do about that 'cause the guys that we are now are worlds apart from the guys that we were back then. The only tie that really binds us together is the fact that we still love the same woman.

Dawson: [Sighs] It always comes back to that, doesn't it?

Pacey: Yes, it does. Yes, it does, and you know what? I don't really regret a single second that I spent with her, and I'm guessing you don't either. In fact, I really consider us pretty lucky... that a--a woman like that would give either one of us the time of day.

Dawson: You know, it makes sense.

Pacey: What does?

Dawson: Why it never worked out for either one of us. All we wanted was her. So much so that we destroyed our friendship... and in the end, all she ever wanted was for us to be friends again.

Pacey: Ok, I'm gonna ask you this once, and then I promise you I'll never ask it again. Is it possible?

Dawson: For us to be friends again? [he thinks then smiles] Anything's possible.

Pacey: Fair enough. Look, uh, this is for you.

[Pacey hands Dawson the envelope with the money.]

Dawson: What's this?

Pacey: Well, I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of going to several local businessmen and asking them if they'd like to invest in a very promising young filmmaker, and, by and large, they were all very receptive, though there was this one dentist, and I don't know how she got this in her head, but she seems to think she's an actress, so you might have to give her a little role, like a cameo at most. Just warnin' ya.

Dawson: Thank you.

Pacey: Don't mention it.

[Scene: Dawson's House. We hear a voice over of Joey as they are finishing filming the final sh*t of the movie.]

Joey: [Voice Over] I used to be afraid of so many things...

[Cheering]

Dawson: That's a wrap!

Joey: [Voice Over] That I'd never grow up.

[Scene: Paris. Joey is working in a store there and is finishing up for the day. We again hear a voice over of Joey. Second Scene. Jen and Jack walking the streets of NYU. ]

Joey: [Voice Over]That I'd be trapped in the same place for all eternity. That my dreams would forever be shy of my reach. It's true what they say. Time plays tricks on you. One day you're dreaming, the next your dream has become your reality.

Joey: Au revoir.

[Scene: A series of scenes that take place with Joey's voice over. Joey walking along a Paris street. Joey going to a fruit stand and getting some fruit. Joey walking through some so art displays in a street fair. Joey getting her portrait drawn by one of the artists. Joey standing outside the Eiffel tower.]

Joey: [Voice Over] And now that this scared little girl no longer follows me wherever I go, I miss her. I do. 'Cause there are things I wanna tell her-- to relax, to lighten up, that it is all going to be ok. I want her to know that meeting people who like you, who understand you, who actually accept you for who you are, will become an increasingly rare occurrence. Jen, Jack, Audrey, Andie, Pacey, and Dawson. These people who contributed to who I am, they are with me wherever I go, and as history gets rewritten in small ways with each passing day, my love for them only grows. Because the truth is... it was the best of times. Mistakes were made, hearts were broken, harsh lessons learned, but all of that has receded into fond memory now. How does it happen? Why are we so quick to forget the bad and romanticize the good? Maybe it's because we need to believe that the time we spent together actually meant something, that we were there for each other in a time in our lives that defined us all, a time in our lives that we will never forget. I can't swear this is exactly how it happened. But this is how it felt.

[Fade to black]
{"type": "series", "show": "Dawson's Creek", "episode": "06x22 - Joey Potter and the Capeside Redemption"}