Cut to Worthington University, inside Joey’s dorm room.
Dawson, Joey, and Pacey are sprawled on the bed, facing the TV. On it, the movie ‘Spider-Man’ is playing.
MJ: (on screen) Yes, Enrique, ok…I get you!
ENRIQUE: Well, it better not happen no more, you hear me? Don’t roll your eyes at me.
She turns back towards the guy she’s talking to, showing him her waitress uniform.
MJ: Some dream, huh?
PETER: That’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
She sighs, giving him a smile.
MJ: Don’t tell Harry.
He seems confused.
PETER: Don’t tell Harry?
MJ: Aren’t you guys living together? We’re going out. Didn’t he tell you?
For a moment, Peter seems to be in shock. Then, brushing it off…
PETER: Oh yeah…right.
MJ: I think he’d hate the idea of me waiting tables. He’d think it was low or something.
PETER: That’s not low. You have a job. Y’know, Harry…he doesn’t live on a little place I like to call earth.
The two of them chuckle.
MJ: No, I guess not.
An awkward silence passes between them for a moment.
MJ: Thanks, Pete! We should catch up sometime.
Peter nods, as she starts to walk away.
PETER: Let’s get some lunch some evening!
She looks back at him, confused by the response.
PETER: Uh…well, I’ll come by and have some of your Moondance coffee someday. And I won’t tell Harry!
She smirks at him.
MJ: No, don’t tell Harry!
PETER: I won’t!
She leaves, while a solemn look comes over Peter’s features.
PETER: (muttering) I won’t tell Harry…
Back in real life, Joey groans and buries her face in her hands.
JOEY: Who was the genius that picked this out?
Dawson turns to Pacey, who raises his hand in the air like a guilty grade-schooler.
PACEY: What? I haven’t seen it, yet! How was I supposed to know?
DAWSON: You haven’t seen it? It’s been out for over a year now, and had the highest grossing box-office ever, and you haven’t seen it yet?
PACEY: I was in the Caribbean at the time, ok? Give a guy a break. Besides, I thought it was just some mindless eye-candy. I didn’t know about this…well…this…
JOEY: This horrendous subplot with real-life ramifications? Specifically, our real life?
Pacey scoffs.
PACEY: Oh please. Like our friend here needs his ego stroked more than it is already? Granted, if they ever made ‘The True Life Story Of Dawson Leery’, my man Tobey would be the ideal candidate for the leading role. But comparing him to a superhero is just going too far!
Dawson starts to chuckle.
DAWSON: Not to mention that, if you had as much money as Harry, you wouldn’t be jobless right now.
PACEY: Exactly.
JOEY: So you haven’t had a job all summer?
PACEY: Actually, I did. But the boss and I had a little misunderstanding last week.
JOEY: Like what?
PACEY: I wanted more money, and he wasn’t giving it.
Joey rolls her eyes.
PACEY: Give me a break.
DAWSON: Hey, you didn’t see where he was living, Jo! I’ve seen public restrooms that felt welcomer.
Pacey sighs.
PACEY: I’m gonna miss Mickey, though.
Joey raises an eyebrow in confusion.
JOEY: Mickey?
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: Don’t ask.
Pacey turns his attention back to the TV, where Harry’s father just came on scene.
PACEY: Although, I can definitely see the connection between his dad and mine. The raving loony is a dead ringer for my old man.
Dawson groans, falling backwards on the bed.
DAWSON: Not the ‘my pop is a creep’ rant again?
PACEY: What?
DAWSON: It’s old. Besides, I think we all have father issues here.
JOEY: Ex-con.
DAWSON: Dead.
PACEY: Creep. Ok, I see your point. Still, you have to wonder about the guy. Who’s to say Sheriff Witter’s nightlife doesn’t involve dressing up in some tin-plated zoot suit?
DAWSON: That’s going to give me nightmares for weeks.
Joey starts to laugh. She decides to change the subject.
JOEY: At least tell me you’ve started looking for a job. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the company…but this place was not made for four people.
Pacey’s eyes go wide.
PACEY: You’re kicking us out?
JOEY: Do either of you really want to spend the rest of the semester sleeping on the floor?
PACEY: Hey, I’ll find a job eventually. Dawson’s got one…so what’s he doing here?
DAWSON: I’m kinda tired of working at the restaurant, to tell you the truth. I don’t plan to live the rest of my life in Capeside.
JOEY: A terror I know all too well.
Dawson smirks at Joey, then at Pacey.
DAWSON: I’m starting to think she’s enjoying this.
She shrugs.
JOEY: Well, it’s very uplifting when you realize that all your high school friends are dropouts but you.
She smiles proudly, facing the TV once more.
A sour look on his face, Dawson turns to Pacey.
PACEY: You thinking what I’m thinking?
DAWSON: She has it coming.
JOEY: Has what coming?
Joey doesn’t even look away from the screen. Dawson and Pacey lie on opposite sides of the bed, and start to tickle her ribcage in unison.
Joey lets out a high-pitch squeal, and laughs uncontrollably.
JOEY: (laughing) Stop…hehe…I mean it…hahaha!
At that moment, Audrey enters. She immediately covers her eyes.
AUDREY: Oh god…
They stop.
JOEY: (regaining control of herself) Audrey?
AUDREY: Listen, Joey…I’m not judgemental. After all, who could blame you, right? But for the love of god, use the scrunchy!
Dawson and Pacey’s eyes go wide, as they realize what Audrey is implying.
DAWSON: You think we were…?
PACEY: Oh lord…!
DAWSON: I mean…oh god!
PACEY: Got it all wrong…!
Audrey smirks at them, waving bye-bye.
AUDREY: Play safe!
DAWSON & PACEY: Wait! Let me explain…!
She shuts the door. Dawson and Pacey fall back on the bed, both humiliated.
DAWSON & PACEY: GAH!
Joey laughs.
JOEY: That’s one for the books.