Matchbox 20
Cut to the Hell’s Kitchen bar. Mike is sitting inside, drinking a beer, with a saddened look on his face.
JOEY: If you think imitating Humphrey Bogart will make you feel better…
Mike turns around, seeing Joey enter.
MIKE: Leave me alone. I’ve done enough to you.
Joey sits next to him.
JOEY: I shouldn’t have blown up at you like that.
He shrugs.
MIKE: Doesn’t matter. You just said the truth, didn’t you?
Joey nods.
JOEY: I didn’t want it to come out like that, though.
MIKE: You want to know something, Joey? For all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, I’ve always felt secure with the fact that at least I didn’t pass any of those qualities onto you or Bessie. Shows what I know!
JOEY: It’s not entirely your fault.
They pause.
JOEY: I keep having this dream. It’s…um…in it; I’m at a funeral. Mine. I’m lying in an open coffin, but I’m still alive. The thing is, no one’s there. No one except the priest. I yell and scream for him to get me out, but he can’t hear me. He leaves, and then I see Dawson. He’s the only one who came, but he looks so lost. His eyes look dead, and he…he falls to his knees, sobbing. I…uh…I try to tell him not to cry. That I’m all right, but he…he clutches his heart, and falls…
Mike just sits there, looking at her.
MIKE: Did you ever tell him about this dream?
She shakes her head.
JOEY: I’m so scared that, one day, I’m going to wake up, and there’s going to be no one there. That I’ll go to my grave after having driven away everyone who ever cared about me. I don’t want to be alone. But everyone around me always gets hurt or they die. I don’t know what to do. I just don’t know. I don’t want to end up like you.
MIKE: You won’t. You saved me. You stopped me.
She sighs.
JOEY: That wasn’t me. That was Dawson.
Mike chuckles.
MIKE: Do you honestly believe Dawson Leery could force you to do something? I don’t care who it is; no one could ever make you do something you didn’t want to deep down. Lord knows I never could.
Joey looks back at him.
MIKE: You’re a fighter, Joey. You always have been. Just like your mother. Always going against what other people thought you should do or say. You’re stronger than I am. You’re not afraid!
JOEY: (whispering) Yes I am.
MIKE: Were you afraid to come down here and talk to me?
She nods.
MIKE: But you did it anyway? Why?
JOEY: Because…because it felt right.
He smiles at her.
JOEY: It felt right.
MIKE: I know you’ll probably never forgive me for what I’ve done. I wouldn’t if I were you. But I’m only asking you to give me the chance to make up for it, even if it takes a lifetime. Can you do that?
Joey puts her hand on his shoulder.
JOEY: I can try.
She smiles.
*****
Cut to Worthington. Andy is packing up the rest of his notes in one of the empty classrooms, when Andie appears at the door.
ANDY: Where’s your bodyguard?
She smirks.
ANDIE: He had to go to work. You’re not mad at him, are you?
ANDY: Are you kidding? I get worse from Ephram. To tell you the truth, he was kind of funny. Although, I am never taking fashion tips from Harold again.
She laughs.
ANDIE: I guess you’re wondering why I’ve been acting so weird and giddy around you, huh?
ANDY: The thought had crossed my mind.
She nods.
ANDIE: When I was young…um…my brother, Tim, died in a car crash.
Andy gives her a sympathic look.
ANDY: I’m sorry.
She nods.
ANDIE: I sort of went a little crazy afterwards. Not as bad as my mom, but I had to take medication. I even spent one summer in a hospital. I’m okay now, but it was rough for a while. Well, anyway, I’ve been in Europe for the past few years, but while I was there I heard about what happened to your wife. People were saying you went a little crazy yourself.
Andy nods.
ANDY: A little. Sometimes I would imagine Julia was still there. We’d hold entire conversations.
ANDIE: Same here. Tim’s ‘ghost’ would keep appearing to me. I used to call him ‘Brown’. I think that’s why your story reminded me of my own so much. But after everything, you still managed to pick yourself back up. Some people say you’re a better person than you used to be. It’s just really inspiring.
He smiles at her.
ANDY: Thank you.
Andie hugs him.
ANDIE: Have a safe trip home. If I’m ever in Colorado…
ANDY: We’ll be glad to have you.
Andie heads towards the door.
ANDY: Say ‘hi’ to your boyfriend for me, ok?
Andie turns around.
ANDIE: Pacey? Oh, he’s not my boyfriend. I mean, we used to date, but that was over a long time ago.
Andy raises an eyebrow.
ANDY: Really? With someone who’s that protective over you, I’d wonder.
Andie freezes, thinking about what Dr. Brown’s telling her.
*****
Cut to Professor Hetson’s office. Gale is finishing stacking various papers on his desk neatly.
Suddenly, she hears the door open.
GALE: Ok, I know you’re going to hate me, but…
She turns around to see Dawson.
GALE: Oh…
Dawson looks at the desk.
DAWSON: You cleaned his office? He is going to freak out.
She nods.
GALE: The place was a mess. How could anyone get any work done?
They look at each other a moment.
DAWSON: I think I’d better explain myself.
Gale nods.
GALE: Ok.
DAWSON: I shouldn’t have yelled at you the way I did, mom. I flipped out. The sad truth is, you’ve moved on. I haven’t. It was just…this whole thing with Hetson reminds me that he really is gone.
GALE: I know.
Dawson closes his eyes.
DAWSON: Do you ever miss him?
GALE: (whispering) Every day.
DAWSON: Sometimes I wonder how he’d feel about everything. About me being here still and not honouring his final wish. Would he be proud of me or would he think I was wasting my life? My worst nightmare is thinking I was disappointing him.
Gale hugs him.
GALE: Dawson…sweetheart…Mitch loved you. Of all the things he accomplished in his life, I think you were the one he was most proud of. And if I know him, he would have wanted us to go on.
She lets him go.
GALE: Everyone dies, Dawson.
DAWSON: Not everyone truly lives?
She smiles.
GALE: Exactly. What’s important is that we live our lives to the fullest. That we’re happy. And if I know your father, he’s looking down on you right now…when you’re out there doing what you love…and he’s so proud of you.
A tear slides down Dawson’s cheek.
DAWSON: I miss him so much, mom.
They hug again.
GALE: So do I.
*****
Cut to outside the office. Ephram is waiting there, when he sees Joey walking towards him.
EPHRAM: Hey, if you’re looking for Hetson, he’s not here. The director-guy is.
JOEY: I know ‘the director-guy’. We’re old friends. Who are you?
EPHRAM: Ephram Brown.
JOEY: Brown? Don’t tell me…
He rolls his eyes.
EPHRAM: Please don’t say it!
She laughs.
JOEY: You’re lucky!
EPHRAM: You think so? Want to trade?
JOEY: Don’t I wish. Anybody’s dad would be better than mine.
Ephram shakes his head.
EPHRAM: Why? What’s he?
JOEY: Ex-con and former drug trafficker.
EPHRAM: Where do I sign?
Joey rolls her eyes.
JOEY: You remind me of someone.
EPHRAM: Who?
JOEY: Me. A long, long time ago!
At that moment, Dawson exits the office.
DAWSON: Joey? Hey!
She smiles at him.
JOEY: Can we talk?
DAWSON: Sure. Uh, Ephram?
EPHRAM: Yeah. Meet you where we said.
Joey looks confused, but leads Dawson away.
*****
Cut to a staircase, where Dawson and Joey are sitting together.
JOEY: So, I talked to my dad.
DAWSON: How’d it go?
She shrugs.
JOEY: We’re a long way from friendly parent/child relations, but it’s a start. Nice play pulling the ‘dead father’ card on me.
Dawson smirks.
DAWSON: Yeah, sorry about that. I keep it in my back pocket, and it’s way too easy.
Joey gives him a half-smile.
JOEY: You know, for all my complaining, sometimes I forget that you’ve lost as much as I have. But it doesn’t seem to bother you.
DAWSON: Oh, it bothers me all right. I just try not to think about it. Sometimes it hurts a little.
She nods.
JOEY: It hurts a lot.
DAWSON: You know what I think? I think…that the people we love, they never die. Not really. Not as long as we remember them.
Joey rests her head on his shoulder.
JOEY: I hope so.
*****
Cut to the cafeteria. The tables have all been moved to the sides, making room for camera equipment, microphones, and some lighting. Dozens of people are there, watching from the sidelines.
Oliver is there, talking with Dawson. He notices Ephram reading from his script.
All day
Staring at the ceiling
Making friends with shadows on my wall
OLIVER: Wait…who’s that guy?
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: Our missing cast member.
Oliver’s eyes go wide.
OLIVER: But…
DAWSON: Just trust me, ok? This is going to work.
All night
Hearing voices
Telling me
Oliver looks at Ephram, then back at Dawson.
OLIVER: I hope so.
Oliver takes off. From the corner of their eyes, both of them see Pacey and Andie approach the cameras.
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow
Might be good
For something
EPHRAM: Oh, her again. Her obsession with my dad boarders on spooky.
Dawson laughs.
DAWSON: I’ve seen worse. You should have seen how I reacted when I met Toni Stark.
Ephram snickers.
Hold on
Feeling like I'm headed for a
EPHRAM: Tony Stark? Please tell me you’re joking!
Dawson raises an eyebrow.
DAWSON: I’m missing the joke.
EPHRAM: Tony Stark? Iron Man! Based loosely on Howard Hughes? He’s a Marvel Comics character!
Breakdown
And I don't know why
DAWSON: He? Oh boy…
Ephram laughs.
DAWSON: They making a movie of that one, too?
EPHRAM: Yeah, the Smallville people are writing it.
Dawson smirks.
DAWSON: Can’t wait to see her face when it comes out! FIVE MINUTES!
But I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
The cast members start taking their places.
EPHRAM: By the way, that friend of yours…she’s cute.
DAWSON: She’s spoken for.
EPHRAM: Oh, she’s got a boyfriend.
Dawson looks at him.
DAWSON: Nope. But she’s still spoken for.
Ephram nods.
But stay awhile
And maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
EPHRAM: This sounds faintly familiar? Let me guess…‘you’re just friends’, right? Can you explain to me why girls do that?
DAWSON: To talk like a man with prior experience.
EPHRAM: Long story.
Dawson laughs.
I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
Andy arrives with Delia, walking over to the two of them.
EPHRAM: And here he is, the man of the hour.
Andy smiles.
ANDY: Hey, Ephram. You have fun?
Ephram thinks.
But soon enough
You're gonna think of me
And how I used to be...me
EPHRAM: Strangely, yes. You ever realize that, as much as we think we’re unique, there are probably a dozen other guys with the same problems we have?
Andy nods.
ANDY: Yes, I’m starting to figure that out. I like to think that means we’re not as bad off as we thought. No matter where you go, people are usually the same all over. It’s comforting in a way.
EPHRAM: Guess I’m not such a freak after all. Plus, I get to be in a movie, so…
I'm talking to myself in public
Dodging glances on the train
Andy’s eyes go wide.
ANDY: A movie? They’re filming a movie here?
Ephram looks around.
EPHRAM: Did you think these were here for decorations?
Andy smiles.
And I know,
I know they've all been
Talking about me
ANDY: That’s great, Ephram. Congratulations.
EPHRAM: Thanks. And if you don’t mind, you’re in my shot.
Ephram takes off, as Andy laughs. After a moment, Dawson steps up to him.
I can hear them whisper
And it makes me think
There must be something
DAWSON: You actually are in the shot. Could you move, please?
Andy steps out of the way.
ANDY: Oh, sorry. Is this fine?
Dawson nods.
DAWSON: TWO MINUTES!
Pacey and Andie walk up to Dawson, who hands Pacey the clapboard.
DAWSON: Don’t let me down.
PACEY: Do I ever?
Pacey and Andie walk towards one of the cameras.
ANDIE: Pacey?
PACEY: Hmm?
Wrong with me
Out of all the hours thinking
ANDIE: Doctor Brown said something that had me thinking. He said that…
Before she can finish, Oliver calls out.
OLIVER: Witter? Over here a minute.
PACEY: Hey, can we finish this later, McPhee?
ANDIE: But…?
Pacey takes off, leaving their conversation for another time.
Somehow I've lost my mind
At that moment, Joey enters, accompanied by her father. Joey looks around, mesmerized by what’s happening. She’s completely amazed.
But I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little unwell
I know
Right now you can't tell
She sees Dawson by the main camera, looking happier than she’s ever seen him. Their eyes connect, and she nods in approval.
But stay awhile
And maybe then you'll see
Dawson gives her a warm smile.
A different side of me
We see a flash of the different people there. From Hetson and Gale…
I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little impaired
…to Pacey and Andie. Andie sneaks Pacey a look, still wondering if there was any truth to what Andy told him.
I know
Right now
You don't care
We get a shot of Andy and Delia. Andy’s crossing his arms and grinning. He waves at Ephram, giving him the ‘thumbs up’.
But soon enough
You're gonna think of me
Finally, we end at Dawson.
DAWSON: SHOWTIME!
And how I used to be.
Pacey walks up to the camera with the clapboard.
PACEY: Moving Forward: Act ten, scene two…ACTION!
He clacks it.
I've been talking in my sleep
Pretty soon they'll come to get me
Yeah, they're taking me away
Ephram begins his scene, as the others watch on. As stated before, Dawson seems happy.
Unknown to him, Joey’s eyes aren’t concentrated on the actual filming, but on Dawson himself. Her eyes are filled with fascination, almost as if she’s truly seeing him for the first time.
The camera pans out, as they’re about to make history.
But I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little unwell
I know
Right now
You can't tell
But stay awhile
And maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little impaired
I know
Right now
You don't care
But soon enough
You're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
Yeah, how I used to be
How I used to be
Well, I'm just a little unwell
How I used to be
How I used to be
I'm just a little unwell
Fade to black
End credits
Matchbox 20