Cut to Worthington University. Oliver and Pacey walk down the hallway. In his hands, Oliver holds a piece of paper.
PACEY: Ok, so the way I see it, we only have the equipment for a week before we have to pay extra. If we don’t have to rebuild sets, it’ll save us both time and money. Three places for shooting. We follow this; it’d work like clockwork.
Oliver nods.
OLIVER: Impressive. I owe you an apology, Witter.
Pacey looks at him.
OLIVER: I thought you were just some punk banking on an old friendship, but Dawson said you were all right. I should have listened to him.
Pacey smiles.
PACEY: Yeah, most people underestimate me. Makes it easier to impress them.
OLIVER: Well, you definitely succeeded here. God, I love this part of it. The filming. Seeing my vision come to life in front of me. Plus the fact that girls fall all over themselves to meet ‘the director’.
Pacey pauses.
PACEY: What about Andie?
Oliver shrugs.
OLIVER: Yeah, that didn’t work out so well. Don’t get me wrong. She’s cute, but really, really boring. Besides, she seems to be attracted to the more intellectual type. See?
Oliver moves Pacey’s attention further down the hallway. There, they see Andie talking with Dr. Brown. She’s following him around, chatting up a storm. She says something, to which Andy laughs.
OLIVER: Can you believe that? He’s like…old! I blame ER for this. Damn you, George Clooney!
Pacey’s attention is completely focused on the two of them. He seems fairly upset.
OLIVER: Pacey? You ok?
He stares for another moment.
PACEY: Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Look, I’m gonna swing by the office and get this thing to Dawson.
OLIVER: Great. Tell him to meet me at the warehouse in about two hours. We’ll start on the first dorm scene.
Oliver takes off. Pacey, however, can’t tear his eyes away from Andie.
*****
Cut back to the house. Dawson is sitting at a table with Delia.
DELIA: Are you really a movie star?
DAWSON: Movie director, actually. Up and coming.
Eprham is sitting in the corner, reading an issue of ‘Green Lantern’.
EPHRAM: That means he hasn’t actually done anything yet.
Dawson looks at him, annoyed.
DAWSON: No, that means I haven’t done anything that’s reached a wide audience. You ever hear of ‘Wicked Dead’?
EPHRAM: Oh yeah! That sucked!
Dawson rolls his eyes.
EPHRAM: And you’re not Todd Carr.
DAWSON: I was his assistant on the project. He had me finish it up when the producers kicked him off the project.
EPHRAM: And yet I’ve never heard your name?
Dawson turns to Delia.
DAWSON: Is he always like this?
DELIA: Mm-hmm!
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: Wonderful! I can already tell this is going to be a fun-filled evening.
Suddenly, Pacey barges through the front door and makes a beeline to Dawson. He doesn’t even acknowledge the Brown’s presence.
PACEY: Hey! Got a minute?
He hands Dawson the itinerary.
PACEY: There you go. Oliver ok’d it. We’re ready to roll.
DAWSON: Yeah, about that, I’m going to need you to…
Pacey cuts him off before he can finish.
PACEY: Don’t you think it’s a bit creepy?
DAWSON: What is?
PACEY: Andie’s crush on ‘The Great Doctor Brown’?
Ephram clasps his hand over his eyes.
EPHRAM: Oh dear lord…
DAWSON: Don’t you think you’re worrying needlessly?
PACEY: Nope. You haven’t seen her with him, Dawson! It’s creepy! We know nothing about this guy, either. He could be some sick pedophile freak who likes to prey on naive co-eds. Wilder two, electric boogaloo.
Dawson shakes his head.
DAWSON: And on that note, Pacey, allow me to introduce his children.
Pacey’s face falls.
PACEY: Oh…
Eprham walks up to Pacey and shakes his hand.
EPHRAM: Hey. Ephram Brown. I’m the ‘sick pedophile freak’s’ emotionally unstable son. Pleased to meet you.
PACEY: Yeah, sorry about that! Any chance you could get him out of here? Like, now?
EPHRAM: Tried. Didn’t work.
PACEY: Damn!
EPHRAM: Let me guess…you’re both friends with the hyper blonde?
DAWSON: Guilty as charged. Listen, Pace, I need to be at this shoot. So could you keep an eye on them until I get back?
PACEY: No can do. I gotta keep both of my eyes on Andie?
Dawson’s eyes go wide.
DAWSON: What?
PACEY: She may do something we’ll both regret. Just take them with you.
DAWSON: To the shoot? No way!
EPHRAM: Why not?
Dawson turns to him.
DAWSON: One minute.
He turns back to Pacey.
DAWSON: (whispering) I’m already stressed out about this whole thing as it is. I’ve known this guy for about five minutes, and already I don’t like him.
PACEY: Dawson, it’ll be ok! Bring them along. It’ll be fun. Either of you ever seen a movie being filmed?
Eprham and Delia shake their heads.
PACEY: Well, would you like to see one being filmed?
DELIA: (excitedly) YES!
EPHRAM: I guess…
PACEY: Well, there you have it, bro! Have fun!
Pacey heads towards the door.
DAWSON: Pacey, wait…!
The door shuts before Dawson can reach it. He’s already gone.
Sighing, Dawson turns back towards the other two.
DAWSON: Get your coats. It’s Showtime!
*****
Cut to a coffee shop, somewhere in Boston. Mike and Joey are seated outside at one of the tables.
MIKE: So Gale offered me a job as one of the cooks at her restaurant. I’ll admit, it was somewhat of an adjustment after owning my own for years, but I’m not complaining.
Joey looks down at her drink, trying not to show her awkwardness.
JOEY: Yeah. Gale’s great like that.
MIKE: Her daughter is just the cutest thing. Did you know she named her after…?
JOEY: Yeah, I know! I was there!
He bites his lip.
MIKE: Well, enough about me. How…how are you doing? You ok living by yourself?
JOEY: Yeah. I guess.
He pauses.
MIKE: Anyone special in your life right now?
She sighs.
JOEY: Not anymore. You saw to that, didn’t you?
MIKE: Ouch! Ok, maybe I didn’t handle the Eddie thing as well as I should have. For that, I’m sorry.
JOEY: Good. You should be.
He thinks for a moment.
MIKE: Gale told me you were in Capeside a few weeks ago. Why didn’t you stop by?
JOEY: I did. I went to see Bessie.
MIKE: When I wasn’t home? I know we’ve had our differences, Joey, but I want to put it behind us.
Joey laughs.
JOEY: Trust me dad, I’m not avoiding you because of Eddie.
MIKE: Then why? Come on, Joey. Talk to me!
She bites her lip, then looks at her watch.
JOEY: I’ve got to get back. I promised Andie that I’d meet her in the auditorium.
MIKE: Then I’ll come with you…
Joey shakes her head in protest.
JOEY: I can manage, thanks.
She quickly takes off. Mike stands there, confused.
*****
Cut to the warehouse. A bedroom set has been constructed, where two of the actors have just finished filming a scene.
DAWSON: And cut!
OLIVER: Ok, beautiful. Take a twenty-minute break, and we’ll pick up there. Ok?
Dawson heads back to the table, where Ephram is sitting with Delia. She has a bored expression on her face.
DAWSON: Hey, what’s wrong?
DELIA: I wanna go see dad.
Dawson smiles, then turns to Oliver.
DAWSON: You going back to the school?
OLIVER: Yeah.
DAWSON: Could you take them back to their dad? He’s Andy Brown!
Oliver grins.
OLIVER: Hey, celebrities! Cool!
EPHRAM: Actually, I’d rather stay here.
Dawson stares at him. Oliver shrugs.
OLIVER: Fine by me. Come on, kiddo!
Oliver and Delia take off.
EPHRAM: This is much more interesting than some seminar.
DAWSON: True. God, that must be so cool.
Eprham raises an eyebrow.
EPHRAM: What is?
DAWSON: Well, your dad’s Andy Brown! He’s world famous. You’re pretty lucky.
Eprham scoffs.
EPHRAM: Yeah, sure. Oh, it’s such a thrill when everyone goes up to you and says ‘aren’t you the miracle worker’s kid’? Trust me…he ain’t that great.
DAWSON: I sense hostility.
EPHRAM: Good ears.
DAWSON: Why are you acting like this?
EPHRAM: Like what?
DAWSON: This! Every single word that comes out of your mouth is filled with all this…negativity. Boston can’t possibly be that depressing.
Eprham rolls his eyes.
EPHRAM: Sorry for raining on your parade, but that’s just how I act.
DAWSON: It’s depressing.
EPHRAM: It’s realistic.
Dawson sighs, shaking his head.
Suddenly, one of the actors taps Dawson on the shoulder.
GUY: Hey, Mr. Leery? Someone’s waiting outside for you.
Dawson nods, then turns to Eprham.
DAWSON: Be right back.
*****
Cut to outside. Dawson opens the door and steps out, seeing Gale there.
DAWSON: Mom? Hey!
Gale smiles, hugging him.
GALE: It’s good to see you, sweetheart. So, this is it, huh?
DAWSON: Just a soundstage. The actual office is at Grams’ old house.
GALE: Dawson, I’m here…
DAWSON: To see Hetson!
Gale looks at him, surprised.
DAWSON: Joey told me. I can’t say that hearing it from her softened the blow much.
She sighs.
GALE: Listen, Dawson. Greg and I…
DAWSON: Greg? Oh, I see…it’s ‘Greg’ now? Well, where is ‘Greg’ by any chance?
GALE: Home. I told him and wanted to see you myself. To settle some things.
DAWSON: Don’t give me that, mom! You don’t want to ‘settle’ anything, you want my blessing. In which case, I can assure you it’s a waste of time!
Dawson begins to get angry. Very angry.
DAWSON: You know, it’s not so much that you come down to Boston for the first time since I graduated and it’s not to see your own son. No, it’s the fact that you picked today to do it. You had to come here? Today of all days? On what would have been your anniversary? Yours and dad’s! Remember him?
She looks at him sadly.
GALE: Dawson, please understand…
DAWSON: Why? Just because I won’t forget him like you have?
Gale is taken aback. His words sting. She looks him directly in the eyes.
GALE: I loved your father, Dawson! I still do! But it was two years ago! Two years! And no matter how much I miss him, I have to move on! I thought you’d understand that! I’ll see you in a couple of months!
She turns and walks away. Dawson storms back inside, still angry. He goes back into the set.
EPHRAM: Hey, who was that?
DAWSON: (coldly) None of your business!
Eprham raises an eyebrow.
EPRHAM: Touchy, aren’t you? Just hurry it up, so I can get out of here!
Dawson stares at him.
DAWSON: This bothers you so much, then leave! Some of us have work to do, and it’d be a lot easier without your whining!
Ephram chuckles.
EPHRAM: I knew it!
DAWSON: Knew what?
EPHRAM: Typical Hollywood shyster. You know, I met a few people like you in New York. Really, how’d you get this job in the first place? It’s obvious that guy Oliver wrote the script, but for some reason you’re directing it? What, call in a few favours? You probably only got your foot in the door because of rich daddy holding your hand all the way…
Before Eprham can finish his sentence, Dawson grabs him roughly. He then pushes him up against the wall.
Eprham stares at him in terror, not even trying to fight back. Dawson has a look of pure rage reflected in his eyes.
DAWSON: Listen! I don’t know what your problem is with me, and I don’t really care. But if you EVER talk that way about my father again, I will not be responsible for what I do to you! Got it?
Eprham nods, and Dawson lets him go. Every one on set is staring at him.
DAWSON: Ok, let’s pick up where we left off. Places, people!
Eprham just continues to stare at Dawson in disbelief.
*****
Cut back to the school, in the auditorium. Pacey and Andie are seated inside.
Andie has her eyes glued on Dr. Brown, who is in the middle of giving his seminar. Pacey looks at her in suspicion.
PACEY: Do you even have any idea what he’s saying?
ANDIE: (whispering) Every word. He’s such a genius!
PACEY: Yeah, if you go for that sort of thing.
Several students shush him. Pacey sighs.
PACEY: (muttering) And people actually pay to get into college?
Joey walks into the auditorium, searching the isles. She notices Pacey and Andie finally. Pacey makes motions with his head towards Andy, trying to get Joey to come up there.
He mouthes the words ‘talks some sense into her’. Joey laughs.
But then she sees Mike at the door. She looks at him angrily, then heads back outside. Pacey’s eyes go wide, wondering where she took off to.
*****
Outside the auditorium.
JOEY: Are you following me?
MIKE: I think we have to talk!
JOEY: I’d rather not! My friends need me right now…
MIKE: Please, just tell me what’s wrong, Joey. Let me fix this.
Joey begins to get frustrated. Finally, she lets him have it.
JOEY: You can’t, ok? You can’t fix it, because it’s your fault. All of it is your fault!
His mouth hangs open.
MIKE: All of…?
JOEY: Eddie didn’t leave because of you. He left because I made him leave! Not because I felt I deserved better, but because he deserved better!
MIKE: I don’t understand.
Joey sniffs.
JOEY: No, you wouldn’t! You know, last year Dawson and I slept together? Before Eddie. That’s where all that ‘not getting along’ came from last Christmas. Something happened, and instead of trying to understand…or trying to forgive…I just pushed him away. Just like I did to Eddie, and to Pacey, and to anyone I ever get close to. Because I don’t trust them! I can’t!
MIKE: And how is that my fault?
JOEY: Damn it, dad! Don’t you get it? Five years ago, you came back into my life promising you’d changed. That you’d be better? I believe you. Naive girl that I was, I believed you! I thought, finally, I was going to have the stable family I’d always wanted. I trusted you. But no, you couldn’t change, could you? You betrayed us again, and you got yourself arrested again, and you destroyed our lives. Only this time you made me blame the only person who ever made me feel good about myself in the process! Is it any wonder I haven’t been able to trust anyone since? That all the time someone gets close to me, I push them away
Mike looks down sadly. Joey has tears flowing from her eyes.
MIKE: I’m sorry. Joey, I’m so sorry…
JOEY: Sorry doesn’t cut it, dad! Not if it doesn’t mean anything! You want to know why I push people away? I’ve been wondering for a long time, but I finally get it now! It’s not because I’m scared they’ll hurt me like you did! No, that’s not why! I’m sacred I will! I’m petrified that, underneath everything, I’m exactly like you! That I’ll hurt everyone who loves me, until one day I’ll be standing here completely alone! And frankly, that’ll be the only thing I deserve!
They pause, not saying a thing.
JOEY: Don’t you understand? YOU RUINED MY LIFE!
Anger mixes with her tears, as she turns and runs down the hall as fast as she’s able. Mike leans back against the door, pangs of pure guilt rushing through him.