V.O.(Joey): My name is Joey Potter, and this is my story…
Cut to Professor Hetson’s class. Joey is shown writing something on a piece of paper.
V.O.(Joey): As with any story worth telling, I come from pretty humble beginnings. I was never rich. Nor was I popular. Most of the time, my family had to struggle just to get by. Even so, it was a good life. But like everything that’s good in the world, it eventually came crashing down.
*****
Cut to the hallway. Joey exits class and begins walking down the stairs.
V.O.(Joey): My father went through the worst case of falling from grace in Capeside history. He not only had an affair with one of the waitresses at the Icehouse, the restaurant we owned, but was arrested for dealing drugs as well. Not soon after, mom died of cancer, leaving my sister and I to fend for ourselves. It wasn’t easy, and her being a single mother didn’t exactly help. But somehow, I managed to make it through those years…thanks to my friends.
*****
Joey sits at a table in the cafeteria, eating lunch. A few feet away, Dawson is in the middle of going through some footage.
V.O.(Joey): One in particular. Come on, you knew it was coming, didn’t you? There’s absolutely no way to explain the story of my life without dedicating an entire chapter to a certain boy. Him. Dawson Leery. The guy I’ve known since before I can remember. My best friend. My closest confidant. My ‘soul mate’. The first boy I ever loved. Whatever term you want to use, it’s obvious to anyone he’s an important part of my life.
Dawson starts to chat with Oliver, and then looks over at Joey. He waves.
Joey gives him a smirk, and then goes back to her writing.
V.O.(Joey): Hard to believe that, only a few short years ago, he was a far cry from the professional you see here. He didn’t get the nickname ‘Oompa Loompa’ back in grade school because of his love for movies, that’s for sure. At age fifteen, Dawson Leery was the only person I knew who was more insecure than myself. When I look at him now, sometimes I can’t recognize him as the same person I had the biggest crush on. But the changes he made over the years are natural ones. In truth, I’ve just stayed the same.
*****
Cut to outside. Joey sits under a tree, her notepad in her lap. She sees Pacey walking by, with Andie in tow. They’re laughing.
V.O.(Joey): Then, of course, there’s Pacey Witter. Capeside’s own personal ‘rags to riches’ saga. Rejected by his perfect family, Pacey managed to outgrow every idiot who ever claimed he was a looser who would never accomplish anything. A modern renaissance man, he’s been a sailor, a chef, and businessman…he’s grown from someone I couldn’t stand into one of the people I’m closest to, next to Dawson. And though we have a history together, we’ve somehow managed to put it behind us and become, dare I say it…friends.
Pacey and Andie stop in mid-step. They kiss.
V.O.(Joey): Recently, Pacey joined forces with Dawson to found ‘Creek Side Pictures’…an independent studio that specializes in making movies from the heart rather than from the wallet. He’s also managed to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, Andie McPhee. I guess I feel a bit rejected, but I definitely don’t begrudge them their happiness. Lord knows they both deserve each other.
*****
Cut to Joey’s dorm room. Joey nearly jumps out of bed as Audrey barges in.
V.O.(Joey): And let’s not forget my roommate, Audrey…
AUDREY: God, college sucks!
Joey raises an eyebrow.
JOEY: Nice to see you, too.
AUDREY: I mean, why do they have to have exams so close to the holidays? Joey, this is the time when we should be doing our serious Christmas shopping. Not a few weeks until the deadline, when all the cool clothes are taken.
JOEY: I have a toddler-aged nephew, Audrey. I can’t consider clothes as ‘cool’ gifts.
Audrey scoffs.
AUDREY: Who’s talking about gifts? I mean for me.
Joey rolls her eyes.
JOEY: Whatever, Audrey.
V.O.(Joey): I’ve known Audrey for over two years now. She’s really the only non-guy friend I’ve ever had that I didn’t only know by association. Her ‘party girl’ attitude may convince other people, but not me. She’s hiding something. Or rather, she’s hiding from something. And I think I know what.
*****
Cut to drama class. Audrey is busy listening to the teacher, while Chris watches her a few feet away.
V.O.(Joey): In the past few months, she’s caught the eye of former troublemaker Chris Wolfe. At some point since tenth grade, he’s turned over a new leaf. The guy is honestly in love with Audrey, and that scares her.
*****
Cut to Joey, sitting at the side of the water. She’s watching birds fly over the surface, contemplating.
V.O.(Joey): Truth is, I have it pretty well. I’m going to a great school, I have terrific friends, and I’m even talking with my dad again. Then why, may I ask, does it still feel like something’s missing? That something’s still left undone?
V.O.(Joey): I made myself a promise to find out what that ‘something’ is, once and for all. Who am I? What do I want to do with my life? Who is Joey Potter, really? And why am I scared to death that I won’t like the answer when I find it?