Cut to outside Pacey’s house. Andie is lying on the docks until someone pulls her off and into the water.
ANDIE: Ahhh!
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Pacey appears.
PACEY: Woah, back up! Dawson!
At that moment, a ‘sea creature’ climbs up onto the dock. He takes of his mask, revealing the face of Dawson Leery underneath.
DAWSON: What? What’d I do?
Pacey sighs.
PACEY: You pulled her in too early, man! If she’s not established on the dock, it’s not scary!
DAWSON: Not scary? A green monster pulls you into the water and its not scary?
PACEY: Come on, bro! We’ve only got like a month to finish this. The least you can do is try!
Andie pulls herself up on the dock.
ANDIE: It’s ok. We can just try again, right?
Suddenly, Dawson’s attention goes elsewhere. He sees a taxi pull up to the curb a few feet of the way. He taps Pacey on the shoulder.
DAWSON: Hey, Pace? Check that out.
Pacey’s mouth hangs open as he sees a beautiful blonde girl exit the taxi and walk towards them.
PACEY: Wow!
Andie looks at Pacey, curiously. She seems worried.
DAWSON: Well, well…my mouth drops.
She walks up to them.
AUDREY: Hey. Audrey Liddel.
Before either of the others can act, Dawson offers his hand.
DAWSON: Dawson Wade Leery…pleased to meet you.
They shake hands.
PACEY: Neighbour girl, right? I remember from a few summers ago. You’re Mr. Hetson’s niece, right?
She smiles.
AUDREY: Pacey Witter? I thought that was you. Wow…you look different.
ANDIE: Most guys do when they hit fifteen. I’m Andie…don’t think we’ve met.
Audrey doesn’t reply, but instead directs her attention back towards Pacey.
However…
*****
AUDREY: Yoo-hoo? Earth to Pacey?
Cut to Hell’s Kitchen. Pacey suddenly snaps to attention.
PACEY: Huh? What?
Audrey sighs.
AUDREY: Glad I’ve got your attention.
Pacey shakes his head, clearing it.
PACEY: Sorry. I musta been daydreaming.
AUDREY: Ok, so anyway…New Year’s Eve party. Chris’s dad has this penthouse in town that he’s letting us use…
PACEY: Must I repeat that I don’t like the guy?
Audrey groans.
AUDREY: Well, he’s my boyfriend, remember? That means you have to be nice to him.
Pacey scoffs.
PACEY: Why? Dawson always gets to treat his ex’s beaus like dirt, right? I demand that privilege.
AUDREY: Whatever, Witter! You’re coming and that’s that.
He sighs.
PACEY: Don’t know why. Andie’s not going to be there.
She smirks.
AUDREY: Now, you see…that’s where you’re wrong, old chum. Our two bashful blondes have promised to be back from LA before the clock strikes midnight.
PACEY: Even so, something’s going to go wrong. Something always goes wrong, remember? If I’m there alone, you know who else is going to be there alone? That’s right, Joey. The last thing I want is Dawson suspecting something and opening up THAT can of worms all over again. It’s a recipe for mass destruction.
AUDREY: You are so paranoid.
PACEY: Well, my paranoia has served me well.
She gets up from her seat.
AUDREY: Penthouse. Tonight. Be there.
She takes off.
PACEY: Yeah, whatever.
*****
Cut to the airport. At the ticket desk, a stressed-out Dawson Leery is trying to talk to the ticket-taker.
DAWSON: What do you mean there’s none available?
WOMAN: Sorry, sir. But this is New Year’s Eve. I could try and see if there’s something available for tomorrow, if you’d like.
Andie pushes Dawson aside and laughs.
ANDIE: That’s not acceptable. I we need to be in Boston by midnight.
The woman shrugs.
WOMAN: Sorry. But it’s no big deal, really. You two can celebrate the New Year’s right here in LA.
Dawson rolls his eyes.
DAWSON: (sarcastically) Gee…thanks.
They walk away from the desk, disappointed.
ANDIE: (whispering) She thinks we’re a couple?
DAWSON: Baring in mind that we’re the only people in our circle of friends who haven’t been?
Andie laughs.
ANDIE: If we’re not at that party, Audrey’s gonna kill us.
DAWSON: Forget Audrey. If I’m not there by midnight, Joey’s going to kill me. This is the first time we’ve ever been together on New Year’s Eve, so if we’re not ‘together’ on New Year’s Eve…well, you know…
She smiles.
ANDIE: Yeah, I know. I guess we could always stowaway.
Dawson thinks, then smiles.
DAWSON: You know, I’ve got a better idea…
*****
Cut to Worthington University. Joey exits her class to see Pacey waiting there.
JOEY: You do know that, with the filming over and everything, you’re not supposed to be here.
PACEY: Thinking of enrolling.
Joey laughs.
JOEY: Pull the other one.
PACEY: Well, you’re not supposed to be here either, remember? Classes don’t start until next week. That’s why you’ve been rooming with me, Dawson, and Andie, remember?
JOEY: That whole house is starting to feel like a fraternity/sorority.
PACEY: And it didn’t when Grams was living there?
Joey shakes her head.
JOEY: Ugh. So…what’s up?
Pacey produces three DVDs from his jacket.
PACEY: Entertainment for the evening. We’ve got ‘Back To The Future’, ‘Die Hard’, and ‘Lord Of The Rings’. Extended editions. Both of them. Now, I would have brought all three, but it’s still in theatres. If you’re desperate, we could always hit the multiplex if it’s still open.
Joey sighs.
JOEY: Are you serious?
PACEY: Hell yeah! Gotta be there for my man Elijah Wood. I can’t promise engaging commentary like Dawson, though. That guy’s in a league of his own, but I can still…
JOEY: What about Audrey’s party?
Pacey raises an eyebrow.
PACEY: What? You’re actually going to go?
JOEY: Of course. Especially under threat of death. Aren’t you?
He sighs.
PACEY: Forgive me if the idea of showing up to this shindig with both of our significant others out of town makes me fear looking somewhat pathetic.
Joey smiles.
JOEY: They’ll be there. Dawson promised he’d make it back in time for the party, and I believe him. It’ll be fun. Trust me.
PACEY: Uh huh. As I recall, most of the time you tell me going somewhere will be ‘fun’, I end up regretting it.
Joey rolls her eyes.
JOEY: Ok, so don’t go. Suit yourself. Just don’t blame me when she starts hunting for your scalp.
Joey takes off.
PACEY: Come on. Audrey wouldn’t be that mad, would she? Joey?
No answer. Pacey starts getting worried.
PACEY: Hey, Potter…wait up!
He runs after her…
*****
Pacey finally catches up to Andie outside the Rialto.
PACEY: Hold on, Andie! Where you going?
She doesn’t look back at him.
ANDIE: Home!
PACEY: You can’t! Not until you explain yourself.
Andie McPhee turns around and gives him an angry look.
PACEY: Come on…talk to me.
ANDIE: Do you realize you haven’t said two words to me all night? Ever since Audrey showed up, it’s like the rest of the world doesn’t even exist to you!
Pacey shakes his head in amazement.
PACEY: I like her, ok? Why is that so hard to understand? Ok, so maybe I’ve been a little distracted. Wouldn’t you be if you were me? But that change how I feel towards you.
ANDIE: And how is that exactly?
Pacey appears confused.
PACEY: What do you mean?
She groans.
ANDIE: God, Pacey! Sometimes you can be the most observant person I know, and others you’re so oblivious that you can’t see what’s right in front of you!
With that, Andie storms off. Pacey just stands there, not knowing what to do.