Cut to Capeside. We enter on a view of the creek, as the camera scrolls towards a park.
V.O.(Dawson): Christmas. There’s something about this time of year that I’ve always loved. Even moreso than Halloween or Friday the 13th, I turn into a big kid around the holiday season.
We see a large evergreen tree in the centre of the park. Several people are crowded around it.
CROWD: 5…4…3…2…1!
Suddenly, the tree lights up in a brilliant display of colour. People cheer.
V.O.(Dawson): I like to think that, when December rolls around, everyone starts to see the world as I see it. Enemies are suddenly nice to each other. We open doors for the elderly, and spend money on other people. We sing in the streets, visit family, and more or less enjoy each other’s company. And, despite all that, it still doesn’t seem like enough.
The camera pans down to show Dawson, applauding. Joey stands next to him, looking upwards.
V.O.(Dawson): Like I said, I turn into a big kid this time of year. Now, with everything in my life finally turning out for the better…maybe for the first time ever…the feeling is magnified tenfold.
JOEY: Quite a sight, isn’t it?
DAWSON: It’d be better if it were snowing.
Joey sighs.
JOEY: How did I know you were going to say that?
Dawson smirks at her, as they start to walk away from the tree.
DAWSON: It’s long been established that I’m a creature of habit, Jo. I associate Christmas with snow.
JOEY: You are so predictable, Dawson. Even when everything’s going great, you’ll find something to complain about. You’re just…
DAWSON: Looking for conflict. I know, I know! Creature of habit, remember? I suppose this is where you point out that I should be appreciating the holidays for what they represent and not based on any external symbols.
JOEY: Actually, I’d rather we talk about what we really need to discuss.
DAWSON: Like…?
Joey half-smiles at him.
JOEY: Us, silly!
Dawson chuckles.
DAWSON: My favourite subject.
JOEY: For example, we haven’t told anyone about us yet. Not even your mom. It’s been weeks, and no one’s even picked up on it.
DAWSON: Despite your very public epiphany?
Joey shoves him.
JOEY: Stop teasing!
She then places her arms around Dawson’s neck and kisses him. They break it off, touching their noses together.
JOEY: This is starting to feel like sneaking around.
DAWSON: So? Doesn’t that make it more exciting?
She smiles.
JOEY: A little.
They separate, and continue walking.
JOEY: We’re going to have to tell everyone eventually.
DAWSON: I’m surprised Pacey hasn’t figured it out on his own.
Joey shrugs.
JOEY: I think that, because we’ve been friends for so long, everyone just assumes that, when we go somewhere together it’s strictly G-rated. Why are people so oblivious?
He smirks.
DAWSON: You’re asking the wrong guy.
Joey laughs. Suddenly, they hear a familiar voice a few feet away.
PACEY: (off-screen) Hey, give a guy a hand here?
Andie walks up to them, with Pacey behind her. He’s carrying a virtual pile of pre-wrapped Christmas gifts. He’s having trouble seeing where he’s going, since they are piled in front of his face.
ANDIE: Oh, quit complaining, Pacey.
PACEY: Am I your boyfriend or your pack mule?
Dawson takes a few of the packages from him.
DAWSON: Joey, could you take some of these?
Joey looks at him.
JOEY: Why?
Dawson and Pacey give each other annoyed looks. Pacey rolls his eyes.
PACEY: Women, huh?
Joey and Andie look at each other and giggle. They start walking, with the boys following close behind.
ANDIE: So, what have we got planned for Christmas Eve?
DAWSON: Same as usual. I was thinking Scrooged, followed by a Miracle on 34th Street, and we’ll top off the evening by a viewing of the Frank Capra classic…It’s A Wonderful Life!
Andie raises an eyebrow.
ANDIE: Wait, back up!
JOEY: Yeah, she’s right. Not to insult Bill Murrey, but we’d better go with a more traditional Christmas Carol film.
PACEY: May I suggest the Muppet one?
Andie shakes her head.
ANDIE: What is wrong with you people?
PACEY: What have you got against Kermit?
She sighs.
ANDIE: Not that, Pacey! All you’re planning to do Christmas Eve is sit around and watch movies? Where’s your holiday spirit?
Dawson, Joey, and Pacey look at each other.
JOEY: Who wants to say it?
PACEY: I nominate Dawson.
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: You weren’t here, but last Christmas was more or less a holiday disaster. I got dumped, two guests ended up drunk…one of which decided to make his holiday toast consist of explaining the lewd details of my love life in explicit detail in front of my mom! To top it off, we ended the evening with Pacey’s car in my living room.
JOEY: Let’s not forget Audrey insulted everyone she knew. Oh, and my date skipped town after dad decided he wasn’t good enough. Cheavy Chase couldn’t have done it better.
PACEY: As you can see, McPhee…we don’t want a repeat of that lovely holiday memory. If I recall, every time we try to do something ‘traditional’, it backfires on us.
Andie rolls her eyes.
ANDIE: So? Can you honestly tell me you have no happy memories of Christmas?
PACEY: At my house? With the no-neck monsters using my gut for a trampoline? No thank you!
Dawson chuckles.
DAWSON: I remember dad used to have these elaborate Christmas parties every year. He’d invite everyone we knew, even if we hadn’t seen them all year. It was…well…it was really something.
ANDIE: Sounds like it was special.
Dawson nods.
DAWSON: Yeah, it was.
Dawson thinks for a moment, as a smile creeps on his face.
DAWSON: You know something? Maybe you do have a point.
Joey and Pacey give each other a worried look.
BOTH: Uh-oh.
Joey groans.
JOEY: I know that look. You’re planning something. Whatever it is, leave us out of it!
Dawson smiles at her.
DAWSON: Come on, Joey! Where’s your holiday spirit?
They walk by a crafts store, where Dawson looks in the window. Inside is a miniature model of Capeside, using a blanket of cotton as imitations snow. He looks at it.
DAWSON: Being it the city makes you forget what it’s like down here. With a little luck…it’s almost ideal. The perfect Christmas.
The camera pans towards the model, as the four friends’ faces are reflected in the window.