Cut to the Witter house.
Pacey enters through the front door, a smile on his face. He has a box in his arms, and seems in a general good mood. A contrast to what he sees when he walks into the living room.
DOUG: I can’t believe you’d just give up like this!
JOHN: Douglas…
DOUG: Don’t you ‘Douglas’ me, dad! You…I never thought of you as a quitter.
JOHN: It’s my life, son! If I want to…
Doug turns the other way, walking towards the door.
DOUG: I’m not listening to this again!
PACEY: Hey…
Doug pushes Pacey aside, walking out the door.
John sighs.
PACEY: Well, somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Heck, from the looks of it, he probably fell out. What’s going on?
John walks up to him.
JOHN: I’ve just informed your brother than I’m retiring in a few weeks.
Pacey raises an eyebrow.
PACEY: You? Come on, pop! You’d get bored out of your mind.
JOHN: I used to think so to. But, after last year’s health problems, coupled with the ruckus your old boss caused, I figure it’s time to step down. Give myself a chance to relax.
Pacey stands there, taking it in.
PACEY: Wow! That’s really…Deputy Doug ain’t taking it too well, is he?
John chuckles.
JOHN: That’s an understatement. He’s already pissed off with me about that whole thing with his sister, and then taking your word against his didn’t help matters. What’s the box for?
Pacey looks down at his hands, having completely forgotten about it.
PACEY: Oh, this? Bodie and Bessie’s wedding is tomorrow. Guess who’s been put in charge of the grub?
JOHN: Didn’t they used to run a restaurant?
PACEY: Yeah, but I’m the guy who catered to the rich after graduation. Gonna give that reception a bit of class, if you know what I mean?
He grins. John laughs.
JOHN: Well, good luck with that.
*****
Cut to the Potter’s B&B. A sign out front says ‘temporarily’ closes.
And with good reason. Inside, several guests are filling up the rooms. Joey wanders into the living room, a pile of blankets in her arms.
She sees Audrey, and sighs in relief.
JOEY: Here…hold these!
Audrey takes them, reluctantly.
AUDREY: What? Do I look like a maid or something?
JOEY: Look at all these people. I had no idea Bodie had so many relatives.
AUDREY: Just his?
JOEY: Yeah, all we really have is dad. Most of the bride’s side is going to be made up of close friends. Which is why you’re pulling bridesmaid duty.
AUDREY: (sarcastically) Oh joy…
Joey sighs.
JOEY: I really don’t have time to argue with you on this, Audrey. Unless you want my job.
AUDREY: (muttering) No, I’d rather not be forced to act like a total…
JOEY: What was that?
AUDREY: Nothing. How many of them are staying in your room?
Joey laughs.
JOEY: It’s technically not ‘my room’ for a few days. I’m staying at Dawson’s until after the wedding.
Audrey smirks.
AUDREY: Oh really?
Joey gives her a look.
JOEY: Mind out of the gutter, Audrey.
Audrey shrugs.
AUDREY: I’m actually trying to help, you know? You’re looking a bit…high strung. A little bit of non-PG related activity might do you some good.
Joey rolls her eyes.
JOEY: I am not high-strung.
Suddenly, the door opens behind her. Joey turns around.
JOEY: WHAT?
Andie freezes in her tracks.
ANDIE: Um…I’ve got the wine list. Is that all right?
Joey sighs, giving Audrey another stare.
AUDREY: Don’t look at me.
*****
Cut to Leery’s Fresh Fish.
In the back kitchen, people are lined up as Pacey Witter walks back and forth in front of them. An army march is being played in the background.
PACEY: All right, listen up people. I’m only going to stay this once: these people are depending on us to deliver the all-time best meal for the wedding tomorrow. Tomorrow! That means we have only twenty-four hours to get ready. Everyone understand?
Everyone nods.
PACEY: Good. Now, here’s what we’re gonna do…
Peeking through the doorway, Dawson and Gale sigh in unison.
DAWSON: How long has he been going on like this?
GALE: Ten minutes. Maybe more.
Dawson shakes his head, as they walk back into the main dining area.
DAWSON: This is partially my fault. A few months being in charge of organizing my film projects and he’s power hungry. We’re back in Capeside for five minutes, and already Pacey’s acting like general storm trouper and Joey’s completely freaking out.
Gale laughs.
GALE: To tell you the truth, I’m glad. Things were starting to become boring around here.
DAWSON: This whole wedding thing just has everyone on edge. Especially Joey. She has this thought in her head that it’s her job to make everything ideal for Bessie.
GALE: Wonder where she learnt that from?
DAWSON: Very funny.
GALE: Who knows? In five years or so, it could be you two.
That remark causes Dawson to freeze.
GALE: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.
DAWSON: You didn’t. It’s just…we haven’t exactly talked about it. About, well, our future or anything. I guess we’re just getting used to being together that we haven’t, you know, thought about it.
GALE: Oh.
At that moment, Gretchen comes in from the kitchen.
GRETCHEN: Mrs. Leery? My brother’s gone loco!
Gale sighs.
GALE: Be right there.
She walks into the kitchen, as Dawson sits down at one of the tables.
*****
Cut to outside the B&B.
Jack, Chris, and Mike are outside, constructing a makeshift alter. Sitting on the pile of wood, Jen drinks from a bottle of water.
JACK: You could help, you know?
Jen shrugs.
JEN: Nope. Can’t. Not a guy.
CHRIS: What ever happened to ‘equal rights’?
Mike laughs.
JACK: Oh, I’m so glad you think my misery is so amusing.
Jack hammers a nail into one of the support pillars. Unfortunately, he doesn’t realize his shirt sleeve is in the way. Suddenly, he’s attached to the alter.
JACK: Oh, for the love of…
He starts to tug at it.
JACK: Somebody help me out.
Joey walks out.
JOEY: Are you sure this’ll be done on time.
ALL: Yes!
She looks at Jack.
JOEY: What are you doing?
Jack sighs.
JACK: Being an idiot.
Joey shakes her head.
JOEY: Just make sure it’s finished tonight. Every one of you needs to be at the rehearsal dinner tonight. Dad, Jen…I’m talking to you.
JEN: Aye, aye, captain!
Jen does a mock salute with her water bottle.
Joey checks her watch.
JOEY: Ugh…I gotta make sure the tailor knows we’re coming. Everyone get back to work.
Joey takes off.
CHRIS: Is it just me, or is she starting to scare anybody else?
Everyone nods in agreement.
MIKE: She’s scaring me.
JEN: Whom, is not only a parental unit, but has served two prison terms. Yikes.
MIKE: You don’t seem that bothered.
JEN: I spent almost a year being her arch-nemesis. I’ve seen Joey Potter at her scariest.
Mike sighs.
MIKE: Maybe I should take over managing everything. I mean, it is my responsibility after all.
Jack snickers.
JACK: Good luck.
Mike looks at him.
MIKE: Meaning?
JACK: Meaning, if she’s anything like Andie when she becomes obsessed with planning something, you’re not going to get very far.
Just then, they hear a car out front. A horn honks.
JEN: Whoops. My ride’s here.
Jen takes off.
JACK: Your ride?
He tries to follow, but finds he’s still nailed to the wood.
JACK: Hey? A little help here?
*****
Cut to the front of the house.
Jen hops in the passenger side of the van parked out front, and looks over at the driver…Charlie.
CHARLIE: ‘Potter’s B&B’? Joey lives here?
JEN: Used to. You didn’t know?
CHARLIE: Not a clue. Strangely, she liked the fact I didn’t know a thing about her.
Jen laughs.
JEN: Well, when your last two boyfriends know what kind of ice cream you like, it’s kind of a relief when there’s still some element of mystery.
Charlie smirks at her.
CHARLIE: What? Are you jealous?
JEN: Should I be?
CHARLIE: I’d like you to be. Gives me an edge.
Jen leans over towards him, grinning.
JEN: Oh, is that a fact?
She kisses him. After a moment, they break apart.
JEN: Where’s the band?
CHARLIE: At some jazz club. Thought you might want some privacy.
JEN: Thought right.
They go back to kissing.