Cut to Capeside, at the Witter house.
A large banner is placed in the living room, which reads: ‘Happy Retirement Sheriff John Witter’.
ALL: (singing) For he’s a jolly good fellllloooowwwwwwww….which nobody can deny!
The group applauds, which includes Pacey.
JOHN: All right, you guys are embarrassing me.
Pacey laughs, as the group disperses. Gretchen walks up to him.
GRETCHEN: Dad’s been Sheriff here for as long as I remember…I can’t believe he’s actually retiring.
PACEY: Yeah, I know. I dread that the new law around here is so far in the closet that’s he’s about to reach Narnia.
Gretchen gives him a look.
GRETCHEN: Come on, can you just lay off Doug for one day? He came, didn’t he?
Over in the corner, Doug is watching the proceedings. He keeps staring at John.
PACEY: Oh, yeah…he seems in a real celebratory mood, don’t he?
Gretchen gives him a warning look.
PACEY: Ok, fine, I’ll play nice.
Reluctantly, Pacey goes over to Doug.
DOUG: What do you want?
PACEY: Just wanted to make sure you were enjoying yourself.
DOUG: (sarcastically) Oh yeah…life of the party.
John comes over.
PACEY: Not that this hasn’t been fun, but I gotta jet.
John gives him a curious look.
JOHN: What’s the rush, son?
PACEY: No rush. The movie premiere’s tonight, and I gotta be there. It’s kinda my job to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
JOHN: Sounds like fun.
Doug raises an eyebrow.
DOUG: It does?
JOHN: We’ll be there.
Pacey tries to object, but before he can say anything…
DOUG: Wait, hold on…what do you mean ‘we’?
*****
Cut to Boston, at the publisher’s office.
Joey exits the building with a pleased look on her face. Waiting in the car for her is Audrey.
AUDREY: Well? Can I see it?
Joey gives her a smirk, then hands her a hardcover book. Audrey flips it over, to see a black-and-white picture of Joey on the back.
JOEY: It should be in local bookstores within a week.
AUDREY: Your first book. I’m getting goose bumps.
JOEY: Don’t congratulate me yet. Let’s see if anybody buys it first.
AUDREY: Has Dawson read it yet?
JOEY: He’s been too busy with the movie. Not to worry, though…I’m patient.
Audrey grins.
AUDREY: I feel like I’m in LA again. I’m friends with famous people.
Joey rolls her eyes.
JOEY: You’re over exaggerating.
AUDREY: Just think of it…in a month people will be asking for your autograph…
Joey points at her.
JOEY: I’m warning you!
Audrey laughs.
AUDREY: I kid…I kid.
*****
Cut to the house. Dawson and Andie walk downstairs, looking through the paper.
DAWSON: A seven o’clock showtime? We couldn’t get nine?
ANDIE: Oh, here’s the previews list.
She hands him a piece of paper. Dawson laughs.
DAWSON: ‘The Terminal’? It figures…I preview the latest Spielberg movie right before I show my own.
ANDIE: Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if he saw your movie?
DAWSON: As long as he doesn’t see it in Boston. I’d break out in a nervous sweat.
The door opens. Pacey enters, accompanies by John and Doug.
DAWSON: Sheriff Witter? What are you doing here?
JOHN: That’s former Sheriff, Mr. Leery.
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: Congratulations.
ANDIE: Hey, Doug.
Doug waves.
JOHN: So, tonight’s the big night, I hear. Can’t wait to see what you boys have been up to.
DAWSON: Well, I couldn’t have done it without Pacey’s help.
Pacey smirks.
PACEY: Aw, he’s just saying that to embarrass me.
Dawson walks up to him.
DAWSON: Oh, that reminds me…previews list.
He hands him the paper.
PACEY: What’s ‘The Terminal’?
ANDIE: Spielberg movie.
Pacey rolls his eyes.
PACEY: Typical, Dawson.
Dawson laughs.
DAWSON: Come on, I’ll show you around.
John and Doug follow Dawson upstairs, as Andie goes over to Pacey.
ANDIE: Wow, your family came all the way to Boston to support you?
Pacey chuckles.
PACEY: Doubtful. Nah, this is pop’s attempt to bridge the mile-wide chasm that’s come between him and Dougie since he decided to retire. And, of course, he feels the need to involve me. You’d think he’d get that I’m part of the reason Dougie all pissed off. Dad shows an interest in me for the first time in my life, so the former ‘favored son’ goes into a tizzy.
ANDIE: Prodigal son, huh?
PACEY: Great…bring out the bible references, McPhee. Cause I’m sure somebody’s gonna get crucified before all is said and done.
*****
Cut to that night, in front of the theatre.
Gale’s car pulls up. She exits, accompanies by Lily, Professor Hetson, and Harley.
They approach the front door, where Pacey and Dawson are waiting. Dawson hugs his mother and sister in turn.
DAWSON: Hey, you made it! A little early, though.
GALE: Wanted to get good seats. Don’t we, sweetie?
Lily shakes her head.
DAWSON: Are you sure it’s ok for her to see it? There are quite a few inappropriate references.
Hetson gives Dawson and angry look.
GALE: I’m pretty sure she won’t understand those. I wouldn’t want her to miss her big brother’s big premiere.
HETSON: What kind of ‘references’? You had better not have taken advantage of my daughter for this…
Harley covers her face in embarrassment.
HARLEY: DAD!
GALE: Greg!
Pacey steps up.
PACEY: Any questions, comments, or threats can be directed at me.
DAWSON: Not to worry, sir. I promise that you’ll see the most wholesome teen movie in years.
PACEY: Just wait until the R-rated DVD comes out…
Hetson looks like he wants to tear Pacey’s head off. Pacey puts his hands up in defense.
PACEY: I kid…I kid…
Harley grabs her father’s arm and drags him inside. Gale follows with Lily.
Once they’re inside, Pacey looks around nervously.
DAWSON: What’s the problem? If anybody should be fidgety, it’s me.
PACEY: Easy for you to say, Dawson. Both Joey and Jen come off as near perfect in this.
DAWSON: It was over five years ago, Pace. Tamara isn’t going to come after you.
PACEY: Yeah, well, if a middle-aged redhead shows up with a battle axe, this is gonna be on your head, you know that? Why’d you include that in the plot, anyway? Ever heard of ‘dramatic interpretation’?
DAWSON: Quit being a baby.
PACEY: Goo-goo, ga-ga!
Audrey’s car screeches to the side of the road. She exits, accompanied by Joey and Chris.
Audrey strides over to the two boys dramatically.
AUDREY: Ah, my big-screen premiere. I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. Director…
Dawson laughs.
DAWSON: Hey, Audrey.
JOEY: Anybody else here yet?
DAWSON: Just my mom and Hetson. There’s a little while left before it starts. Oliver’s in the projection room getting everything ready.
CHRIS: He’s going to miss it?
Pacey shakes his head.
PACEY: Not a chance. He’s just getting things set up….this…
Pacey pulls a remote control out of his pocket.
PACEY: This is what makes this all work. I press a button, the movie starts. It also controls the lights, curtains, screen, focus…the works.
He tosses it in the air and catches it behind his back.
DAWSON: Come on, let’s go inside.
*****
They do, arriving at the refreshment desk. Andie’s seated behind it, dressed in a red usher’s uniform, complete with hat.
She walks out to greet them.
ANDIE: Hey guys.
Pacey looks her up and down.
ANDIE: What?
PACEY: I’m getting all sorts of interesting of exciting images in my head related with that outfit.
Andie blushes.
ANDIE: Pacey…
Dawson points at the two of them.
DAWSON: No sex until the film’s done.
Pacey sighs.
PACEY: You are no fun.
DAWSON: I mean it, Pacey!
PACEY: Come on, what do you take me for? At least I’m not dumb enough to announce it in the middle of my sister’s wedding, like some people.
He looks over at Joey, who gives him a dirty look.
JOEY: Can I talk to you for a second, Dawson?
Dawson follows her.
PACEY: Oh, sure…it’s ok for you two?
JOEY: Bite me!
PACEY: Don’t tempt me.
Dawson and Joey go inside the ticket window.
DAWSON: So, what’s up?
Joey grins, and shows him the book.
DAWSON: Is this what I think it is?
Joey nods, as Dawson smiles from ear to ear.
JOEY: It’ll be in stores by next week. I just wanted you to get the first copy. You know, since you’ll be in charge of the film adaptation.
DAWSON: We’re partners in this, Jo. It’s your story, and I wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t have as much to do with making this movie as I did.
She half-smiles.
JOEY: I love you. Do I ever tell you that?
DAWSON: Not nearly often enough.
They kiss. A second later, someone taps on the glass.
VOICE: Can I get a ticket, please?
They break apart, and notice the newcomer.
It’s Amy, the movie critic.
DAWSON: Amy? Uh…hi.