Cut to the school film lab. Pacey sits in the dark, watching the dailies, when Chris comes in.
CHRIS: What’s up?
Pacey points to the screen.
PACEY: Just going over what we filmed today.
CHRIS: Where’s Dawson? I thought for sure he’d be the one in the editing room.
PACEY: Wanted to spend some time with his sister—that, and I insisted. I was paying attention while we were making Oliver’s movie. Considering I’m the only guy who’s not in this thing, I figured I’d carry the load work-wise.
Chris raised an eyebrow.
CHRIS: Really? The classic slacker is picking up the slack?
PACEY: Hey, who knows? Maybe I can do something besides just being the PR guy?
CHRIS: I’m just surprised, you know? No way would I ever have pictured you being into filmmaking. Acting, maybe—are you sure this isn’t just to help a friend or keep a balanced checkbook?
Pacey thought about it for a moment.
PACEY: Maybe at first it was—but I don’t know. Somewhere along the line I started to like doing all this. I’m actually doing something useful, but unlike when I was working for Rich—it’s fun! Guess if you stare into the abyss long enough, it really does stare back, huh?
CHRIS: Meaning the two of you have been around Dawson Leery for so long that he’s rubbed off on you?
Pacey gives him a confused look.
PACEY: Two of us?
CHRIS: Come on—don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how Joey’s been acting since this thing started. Remind you of anyone?
Pacey began to laugh.
PACEY: You know—I didn’t even think about that, man. I mean, Dawson’s matured so much since tenth grade that I hardly recognize that as ‘Dawson’ behavior anymore.
CHRIS: Well, I do—and it’s noticeable. Just hope it doesn’t result in conflict of interest.
PACEY: You have nothing to worry about, my friend. Those two are on the same wavelength so much these days that it’s sickening.
Chris gives him a warning look.
CHRIS: Don’t jinx it, Witter!
Pacey goes back to watching the monitors.
*****
Cut to the Leery house. Dawson’s lying in his room, watching a preview for ‘The Creek’. He shakes his head in amazement.
Joey walks in, dressed for bed.
JOEY: Are you going to get some sleep? Don’t want circles under your eyes when we film tomorrow, do you?
DAWSON: Yeah, I was just watching some TV. Look at this, Jo—over a month in theatres, and they’re still running previews for it! I really did it!
Joey lies down next to him.
JOEY: The surprise has died down for the rest of us, Dawson.
DAWSON: I know, it’s just that—I thought the public’s infatuation with my movie would just be a temporary thing, you know? A short interlude, and then they’d get bored and move on. I’m making money off this thing as we speak.
Joey smirks at him.
JOEY: Great! Then you can fit the bill when we go out to eat this weekend. Something fancy—and not French!
DAWSON: Not French!
Joey giggles, and leans over to kiss him.
DAWSON: Sure this is a good idea? My mom’s house…
JOEY: You didn’t have any reservations before.
DAWSON: Bessie’s wedding was going on, and everybody was out of the house. Guess I still have nightmares of my parents catching us making out. God, can you imagine how mom would react if she caught us sleeping together?
JOEY: Banish you to live with your ailing grandpa?
There’s a pause.
DAWSON: I’m so telling Jen you said that!
JOEY: You do, and I’m sure I can find some way of retribution. I know your weaknesses, Leery!
They start to kiss again.
*****
Cut to early next day…
PACEY: Ok, people—places! We won’t have this lighting for too often, so we gotta move it. I know you’d all rather still be in bed, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. FIVE MINUTES!
Dawson blinks at him, surprised.
DAWSON: I don’t think they heard you in Boston. You’re channeling Todd, man.
PACEY: When I start cussing like a sailor and hitting on anything that moves, then you can worry.
DAWSON: Start?
Pacey’s eyes narrow. Dawson laughs, patting him on the shoulder.
DAWSON: I’m kidding…I’m kidding…
PACEY: That includes you too, Dawson. Get a move on.
Dawson does a mock-salute, and joins Joey by one of the street lamps.
JOEY: Explain the pod person.
DAWSON: You noticed, huh? Pacey’s really enjoying being behind the camera, isn’t he?
JOEY: Too much, if you ask me. You don’t even do anything except stand there in this scene, Dawson. You’re a glorified set piece that blinks.
DAWSON: Ah, but my presence there is important for later on, remember?
Joey half-smiles.
PACEY: PLACES!
JOEY: Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to threaten his brother…
*****
A few moments later…
DOUG: So, consider this fair warning little missy. Why don’t you just go home and let real policemen handle this case.
JOEY: Notice you said real police-MEN, fella? It’d tick you off majorly if I were carrying a badge, wouldn’t it?
DOUG: No, it wouldn’t thrill me—specially considering who your daddy is.
Joey’s eyes narrow. Behind her, Dawson watches the scene carefully.
JOEY: This is my case, Bodine! I’m gonna make sure it ends with the right guy behind bars.
Doug shakes his head in disappointment.
DOUG: Protecting your daddy now, are we?
Without warning, Joey grabs Doug by the collar and slams him against the lamppost.
DAWSON: Woah! Easy!
Wincing in pain, Doug glares at her.
DOUG: Assaulting—an officer of the law?
JOEY: Let’s get one thing straight, pal! I don’t care much about my pops one way or another. He deserves to rot for all I care, but not for something he didn’t do. So either you’re lazier than you look—which is a lot—or you’re the one who’s protecting someone. And if I find out it’s the later, assaulting the least I’m gonna do to you!
With that, she lets him go and storms off. Dawson watches her go, and then turns back towards Doug.
DOUG: That lady’s playing with fire.
DAWSON: So are you.
With that, he takes off after Joey.
DAWSON: Did you really have to do that?
JOEY: He had it coming!
DAWSON: Maybe, but this investigation would be a lot easier if the officials would cooperate.
JOEY: That’s your territory, kid. You figure out the politics of it. I know he’s covering up something. You prove it, and I’ll take him in.
DAWSON: He’s playing it smart.
She turns towards him.
JOEY: You saying I ain’t smart?
DAWSON: On the contrary—I know for a fact you’re smarter than this. All I’m asking is that you take it slow. Wait for officer Bodine to slip up, and then take action. By antagonizing him, you’re only making him cautious.
She sighs.
JOEY: I just hate it, you know? I can’t stand when people act like I’m not good just because of my old man.
Suddenly, Dawson hugs her. She buries her face in his shoulder.
DAWSON: I’m sorry.
JOEY: Aw—don’t get all mushy on me, kid. It don’t look good on you.
Their eyes connect for a moment, a tenderness showing there. They move in closer…
…but quickly, Joey turns the other way.
JOEY: Let’s get back to the office. Maybe there’s something we missed.
She walks ahead. Dawson sighs in frustration.
DAWSON: You’re the boss…
PACEY: And cut! Brilliant!
Doug storms over to Joey, rubbing his shoulder.
DOUG: You didn’t have to be that rough, you know?
Joey shrugs.
JOEY: Sorry. I was getting into character. You’re the one who wanted to be the antagonist, remember?
DOUG: I demand a stunt double.
Dawson laughs.
DAWSON: The big, bad member of Capeside’s finest can’t take a little action? Come on—it’s good for your self-image.
Doug sighs.
DOUG: I’m gotta put some ice on this…
Joey walks over behind the cameras, where she notices some pages of the script. Certain lines are crossed off, and new text is written in its place.
JOEY: What’s this?
Dawson looks at her, then back at the cameras.
DAWSON: Just some script revisions I made.
JOEY: Um—revisions? Why? I thought you said everything was set?
DAWSON: It was, but I thought the next scene could use some reworking. You know—keep the audience in the dark for a bit longer.
JOEY: But Dawson—this is character development stuff. It establishes the relationship with her father and why she resents him.
DAWSON: It also gives away a big piece of the plot. It’s a mystery, right?
JOEY: It’s a mystery with strong dramatic overtones.
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: Look, Jo—this isn’t anything personal, nor do I want to try and rewrite you or anything. Script revisions happen all the time in LA. What looks good on paper doesn’t always translate well when put on screen, so there’s going to be a few changes. Just trust me on this, ok?
She gives him the evil eye.
DAWSON: Ok, Joey?
JOEY: (bitterly) You’re the boss…
She storms off, while Dawson gets a worried look on his face.