Cut to Creek Side Pictures.
Andie McPhee’s eyes slowly flutter open as she becomes aware of a person standing over her. Slowly, the image of a stack of waffles, with some candles stuck in the top, fade into view.
PACEY: Happy birthday, Andie.
She smiles lazily.
ANDIE: You’re too good to me. But…waffles?
PACEY: Homemade waffles, actually. Go on…make a wish!
She sits up, then blows them out.
PACEY: Well…what’d you wish for?
Andie scoffs.
ANDIE: I’m not telling you?
PACEY: And why not?
ANDIE: Because then it won’t come true, silly!
She wraps her arms around Pacey’s neck and kisses him.
*****
Pacey and Andie wander into the computer room, where Dawson is working on the computer. He yawns.
PACEY: Tired?
Dawson spins around.
DAWSON: Yeah. Got in late last night. Happy birthday, Andie.
She smiles warmly.
ANDIE: Thanks.
DAWSON: Hey…check this out!
Dawson points towards the screen. Photoshop is opened, with five different images displayed.
PACEY: What are we looking at?
DAWSON: Promotional posters. I’m sending them to the shop today. By tomorrow we should have at least twenty-five full-sized movie posters. I took your advice, Pace, and made one showcasing each of the four main cast members, then one prime poster with the whole group on the docks.
PACEY: I was wondering why you took all those pictures.
DAWSON: Of course, we’ll need more if this thing makes it big.
ANDIE: You think twenty-five would be enough for LA?
PACEY: The premiere’s in Boston.
ANDIE: Boston?
DAWSON: Pacey’s idea.
PACEY: Yeah. I figured since we made such a big deal about the studio being ‘local’ and everything, we might as well have a local premiere. We’re going to show it at that old theatre Chris and Audrey performed in. Real old-fashioned.
DAWSON: We’re even going to have a popcorn machine.
Andie rubs her hands together in anticipation.
ANDIE: Oh, yum! I can’t wait! Can I handle the food?
Dawson shrugs.
DAWSON: I don’t see why not.
PACEY: You hear that, McPhee? You’re concession stand girl.
ANDIE: Yippie!
Andie takes off. Once he’s sure she’s gone, Pacey leans close to Dawson.
PACEY: Everything set for tonight?
DAWSON: Everything’s set. Chris and Audrey are going to put up the decorations the second you bring her out for lunch.
Pacey grins.
PACEY: Thanks for doing this, bro.
DAWSON: Hey, somebody has to have a decent birthday party thrown for them. I showed up drunk, Joey ended up getting into a screaming match with me at hers last year.
PACEY: And let’s not forget my nightmarish parties. Let’s see…one year I caught you making out with my sister, another year you forgot, another year I accidentally threw up on a girl I liked.
DAWSON: Thereby gaining the nickname ‘Pacey Pukey’ for years afterwards.
Pacey points at Dawson.
PACEY: Don’t make me bring up your ‘Wonka’ nickname, Leery!
DAWSON: Consider the subject dropped.
PACEY: Anyway, if anybody deserves a decent birthday it’s her. After what I put her through last week, I owe it to her. You know, she saved my life up there, Dawson. The papers are all labelling me as a hero, but I wouldn’t even be alive if she hadn’t messed up Rich’s shot.
Dawson nods.
DAWSON: Not to worry, Pace. Trust me…this will be a party to remember.
*****
Cut to the airport.
Chris and Audrey are waiting by the terminal, holding up a large sign. On it, the name ‘McPhee’ is written in huge letters.
CHRIS: What time is he supposed to be here again?
Audrey grins, as she sees a familiar face walk out of the terminal. Jack McPhee, wearing a pair of sunglasses, approaches them. He looks at the sign.
JACK: Subtle. I like it!
Audrey puts down the sign and hugs him.
JACK: Nice to see you, too. How’s my favourite girl?
AUDREY: Missing you terribly, Jackers. Where’s Jen?
Jack sighs.
JACK: Grams had to go for this treatment, and she didn’t want her to go alone. She sent a card, though…and promises she’ll make it to the beach house.
Audrey smirks.
CHRIS: Come on…we’re supposed to be at the house by twelve.
They start to walk.
JACK: So…how’s Andie?
Audrey shrugs.
AUDREY: Fine, I guess.
CHRIS: She doesn’t know you’re here. It’s part of the big surprise.
Jack nods, but his eyes betray that he’s feeling unsure about something.
*****
Cut to a publisher’s office, somewhere in Boston.
Joey sits in a sort of ‘waiting room’, a manuscript resting neatly in her lap. She has an air of nervousness about her.
The door to the office opens, and someone walks out. Someone Joey recognizes.
JOEY: A.J.?
He turns to her, smiling.
AJ: Well, well…if it isn’t Potter, comma, Joseph?
JOEY: Very funny.
He laughs.
AJ: What are you doing here?
Joey points to the pile of pages in her lap.
AJ: You’re a writer now? No way!
JOEY: Guilty as charged.
He smiles proudly.
AJ: Glad to see I had such a profound effect on you.
Joey scoffs.
JOEY: You wish.
He sits down next to her.
JOEY: To tell you the truth, I’m kinda nervous.
AJ: Well, that’s to be expected, right? First time here?
JOEY: Yeah.
He pauses.
AJ: You still with what’s his name?
JOEY: Nope. Back with ‘who’s his face’.
Joey laughs.
JOEY: How about you and Morgan?
He sighs.
AJ: It’s…complicated.
Joey nods.
JOEY: Want my advice? Screw complication. It’s only hard because you make it hard.
AJ gives her a doubtful look.
JOEY: I’m serious. I just made my love life a heck of a lot easier by following this mindset. You should try it out.
AJ: Maybe I will.
Suddenly, the secretary opens the door, indicating for Joey to come in.
Joey takes a deep breath.
JOEY: Here goes nothing.
*****
Cut back to the house. Dawson is working in the computer room, when he hears a knock on the door.
JACK: I know you’re never supposed to interrupt an artist when he’s hard at work, but…
Dawson gets up and turns to Jack.
DAWSON: Hey, Jack!
They shake hands.
DAWSON: Enjoy your flight?
Jack shrugs.
JACK: The food sucked and it took way too long. On the plus side, I’m back. How’s the ‘hot shot’ director?
Dawson chuckles.
DAWSON: Wait for the first reviews to come in before you start praising me, Jack.
Jack looks at the wall, where a miniature version of the promotional poster for ‘The Creek’ is taped.
JACK: It’s like looking into a time warp. I can’t believe you pulled this off, Leery!
DAWSON: Well, I can’t take all the credit. If it wasn’t for Pacey, I don’t think I’d have made it through the first month. Not only did he keep things organized, but every time I was about ready to quit, he was there to put me back on the path.
Jack’s face grows dark.
JACK: (muttering) Somehow, I find that hard to believe.
DAWSON: Huh?
Jack turns to him.
JACK: Let’s face it, Pacey tends to look out for number one, right?
Dawson stares at Jack, disbelievingly.
DAWSON: Excuse me? Aren’t you the guy he once got suspended for defending?
JACK: Maybe. But I’m also the guy who almost had a heart attack when he read that his sister was held at gunpoint because Pacey put her in harm’s way.
Dawson sighs
DAWSON: I was there, Jack. It wasn’t his fault.
JACK: It never is, is it? You, of all people, I’d expect to see where I stand on this.
DAWSON: What’s that supposed to mean? He’s my best friend?
JACK: Wasn’t always.
DAWSON: Oh, that’s mature.
JACK: Of course, I forgot…you’re Dawson Leery. The guy who forgives people no matter what boneheaded things they may have done! She could have died, Dawson! She was almost killed by some guy Pacey just happened to piss off, how can you not see…?
Dawson cuts him off.
DAWSON: Here’s what I know: it’s Andie’s birthday today. She’s had a tough week, as you seemed to have pointed out. She wants to have fun. So you’re just going to have to get over it!
Dawson heads out, leaving Jack alone.