Cut to Park City, Utah. A montage of scenes shows several camera crews sitting up outside a large building.
Eventually, we come to a fancy hotel, as the elevator door opens on the uppermost floor.
PACEY: My mouth drops.
Pacey Witter, Dawson Leery, Joey Potter, Andie McPhee, Chris Wolfe, and Audrey Liddel exit the elevator, and enter a plush hotel room. Their mouths hang open in shock as they gaze at their surroundings.
JOEY: Wow!
DAWSON: My sentiments exactly.
Chris, Audrey, and Andie shrug.
CHRIS: It’s ok.
Joey turns to him.
JOEY: Ok?
PACEY: You forget that our friends here used to live like this a long time ago.
Pacey’s comment makes Chris feel uneasy, but he lets it pass.
JOEY: Oh yeah. Well, to someone who’s been more or less poor her entire life, I am in awe!
ANDIE: What I want to know is how Dawson could afford this place but not first-class tickets?
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: I can’t. But…
As if on cue, an older man steps out of the washroom.
VOICE: ‘Ello, ‘ello, ‘ello!
Todd turns around, grinning from ear-to-ear.
TODD: I can! Welcome to Utah, ladies and gents!
Dawson chuckles.
DAWSON: Nice entrance.
TODD: You think so, Leery? I’m thinking I might consider being in front of the camera for once.
DAWSON: I’ll keep that in mind.
Todd walks up to the group, reintroducing himself.
TODD: Pacey, how ya been? The life suits you, I take it?
Pacey nods.
PACEY: Yeah. Thanks again.
He then turns to Joey.
TODD: Nice to be seeing you again too, love. What, Dawson trying to win you back by showing in prowess in battle?
Joey half-smiles, and puts her arm around Dawson’s shoulder.
JOEY: Doesn’t need to.
Todd’s eyebrows raise, as he smirks at Dawson. He punches him in the shoulder.
TODD: Knew you had it in you, Leery! I taught you well.
Dawson rubs his shoulder, as Todd goes on to Audrey.
TODD: Couldn’t stay away, now could you?
She rolls her eyes, then quickly grabs Chris’ arm.
AUDREY: Um, yeah…this is Chris. My ‘boyfriend’!
Upon hearing the emphasis on ‘boyfriend’, Todd nods.
TODD: Andrea, wasn’t it?
Pacey looks at Andie, questionably.
ANDIE: We met in LA. Remember? On New Year’s?
PACEY: Got you!
Todd sighs.
TODD: So this is a couple’s thing, eh? And you didn’t bring anyone for old Todd?
DAWSON: Oh, come on! You’re going to be prowling the festival for unsuspecting young actresses.
Todd clicks his fingers, then points at Dawson.
TODD: Right you are, mate!
ANDIE: What did you mean by ‘battle’?
TODD: It’s like this…this competition, it’s like a fight, really. Our boy here’s going up against everybody else to prove that he’s the best. He’s just lucky I’m not in this year’s competition. Just here to lend my support.
Todd laughs. However, his light-hearted mood doesn’t do much to relieve Dawson’s nervousness.
*****
Cut to much later. Nightime. Dawson stands on the balcony of the hotel room, looking out at the city.
A moment later, Pacey walks up next to him.
PACEY: Nice view, huh?
DAWSON: Mm-hm.
PACEY: Where’s Jo?
DAWSON: Sleeping. Jet lag, you know?
Pacey yawns.
PACEY: Don’t I ever. Why aren’t you tired?
DAWSON: I spent an entire year going back and forth from Boston to LA. I’m used to it.
PACEY: Mm-hm! And you expect me to buy that that’s what’s bothering you.
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: Nothing’s bothering me.
PACEY: Uh-huh! Dawson, let me explain something to you. You’re not so great at keeping secrets. Especially when you’re in a mood, and especially from me. You give off these vibes I can see a mile away. I’m your best friend, Dawson. If you can’t tell me what’s wrong, whom can you tell?
Dawson smirks.
DAWSON: I’m scared to death. It’s not just my work that goes on display tomorrow for everyone to see, and to critique. It’s my life. It’s a part of me. I’m just scared it won’t be good enough.
PACEY: At what point did you become me?
DAWSON: Excuse me?
PACEY: ‘Not good enough’? That’s fifteen-year-old Pacey Witter all the way. I never thought you’d be more insecure than me.
DAWSON: I’ve always been insecure. I just don’t like showing it.
PACEY: Well, let me tell you something, pal. You go out there tomorrow with doubts, and you’re gonna fail. You think you’re not good enough, then it’ll be self-fulfilling prophesy. Think about it.
Pacey heads back indoors, letting Dawson do just that.
*****
While inside…
AUDREY: (whispers) Pst…anybody awake?
Chris pokes his head around the corner.
CHRIS: Pacey just went to sleep. Dawson’s moping out on the balcony.
Audrey’s head peers around the corner.
AUDREY: Ugh! How can he stand that? It’s freezing outside. Personally, I prefer fun Dawson to mopey Dawson any day.
CHRIS: Dawson Leery? Fun? Surely you jest!
AUDREY: Do you want to do this or not?
They creep out from behind the corner, heading towards the bathroom.
CHRIS: Damn!
AUDREY: What?
CHRIS: Pacey left his door open.
AUDREY: Well, close it!
Chris approaches one of the rooms, where Pacey’s sleeping currently. He grunts a few times, almost waking up. Finally, Chris slowly shuts the door.
Then, the two of them run into the bathroom.
*****
Inside…
CHRIS: You’re nuts, you know that?
Audrey giggles.
AUDREY: Come on, Mr. Wolfe! What’s the point of having a hot tub if you’re not going to use it? You’re not scared, are you?
Chris scoffs.
CHRIS: Scared? Me? I have you know I do my best work in hot tubs.
Audrey’s nightshirt suddenly lands at his feet, causing Chris’ mouth to hang open.
Audrey grins at him.
AUDREY: Good…
*****
Cut to the next morning. Joey heads for the bathroom, but finds the door locked.
She contemplates the door, as Dawson and Pacey walk out of their room. Pacey’s brushing his teeth with one hand, while holding a glass of water with the other.
JOEY: Who’s in there?
PACEY: Chris and Audrey. They’ve been in there all night. Saw then when they thought I was asleep. I’m a light sleeper.
Dawson and Joey stare at him.
DAWSON: I’m getting a sense of déjà vu here.
PACEY: Only this time it’s my ex instead of yours, huh?
Joey shakes her head disbelievingly.
JOEY: I can’t believe this!
PACEY: Well, next time keep your hygiene equipment in your bedroom like I do. Now, if you excuse me, I’ve got a date with the kitchen sink.
He takes off. Joey sighs, and leans against the door. She knocks on it.
DAWSON: Hurry up!
They pause.
JOEY: It should be us in there. Why isn’t it us in there? You’re the one who got this hotel…kinda.
DAWSON: You really want our first time to be in a hot tub in some smarmy hotel?
JOEY: Smarmy? Have you taken a good look at this hotel? Besides, it would technically be our ‘second time’.
DAWSON: Second’s always better than the first. You taught me that.
Joey pushes him playfully. Then her expression becomes serious.
JOEY: What happened last time is still bothering you, huh?
DAWSON: We spent almost an entire year hardly talking. It’s hard not to. I think I’m just waiting for the right moment.
She smiles.
JOEY: Well, don’t wait too long, Dawson. A girl can get lonely.
*****
Cut to outside. Andie has her face buried in a road map of the town.
ANDIE: Oh, look Pacey! If we follow this path, we’ll be able to hit every classy restaurant in town!
CHRIS: Stuffing your face, Witter?
Pacey gives Chris the ‘evil eye’.
PACEY: For your information, we’re on a mission for some celebs.
DAWSON: Oh, come on! You’re not seriously going to stalk a bunch of movie stars, are you?
ANDIE: ‘Stalk’ is such a negative word, Dawson. I prefer the term ‘searching for’.
JOEY: Well, I’ve got the only movie person I need right here.
Joey goes behind Dawson and wraps her arms around his neck.
PACEY: I may die from sugar poisoning.
JOEY: Bite me!
Dawson tilts his head to the side and kisses her.
DAWSON: Will this suffice?
She grins.
PACEY: Yeah, ok…here!
Pacey hands out a pamphlet to everyone.
PACEY: See the big red ‘X’? We’re going to have to be there at 7 sharp! No exceptions. I don’t care if you’re stuck in traffic or locked in a bathroom…you be there! Got it?
Everyone nods, as the three couples head off in their separate directions.
*****
Hand-in-hand, Joey and Dawson wander down the street.
JOEY: Don’t know what you’re feeding him, but keep it up. He sounded authorian.
DAWSON: I have to admit, Pacey has surprised me. He’s planned this entire trip from start to finish. Even a little victory party in case we win.
Joey looks at him.
JOEY: We? You mean ‘you’, right?
DAWSON: I didn’t do this alone, Jo. Pacey helped me set up the studio, Audrey was in the movie, Jen, Jack, and the others helped me get it off the ground. And you…well, you were the inspiration more or less.
They kiss again, just as Todd walks up to them.
TODD: Lerry? I got someone I’d like you to meet. My new assistant.
They break off the kiss, and Dawson smirks at him.
DAWSON: I thought you said I was ‘irreplaceable.
Todd nods.
TODD: You are, you are. This guy helps with the scripts more than my coffee, Leery. He’s a genius with words, you know? Ain’t that right, Ed? This is…
Suddenly, Todd’s assistant walks up to them.
EDDIE: Dawson. Yeah, we met. Sort of.
Both Dawson and Joey are shocked at the newcomer. Someone neither of them expected to see again…and someone Dawson never wanted to see.
JOEY: Eddie?
Eddie Dolan smiles at her.
EDDIE: Hi, Joey. Miss me?