Episode # 503 - The Fugitive
Disclaimer:Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen, Jack, and Andie are the property of Kevin Williamson and the WB.
Raiting:PG-13
Pairing:D/J & P/A
Spoilers:Everything from the first three seasons, and the first two chapters of the senior year trilogy.
Cut to Dawson’s room. We see a close-up of the television screen. On it is Tommy Lee Jones chasing Harrison Ford down a tunnel.
FORD: I didn’t kill my wife!
JONES: I don’t care!
Lying on the bed are Dawson and Joey, watching it.
DAWSON: I hate this. Why retread a story that’s already been done on television, and much better might I add.
Joey sighs.
JOEY: Because, Dawson, there are certain people who do not stay up until three in the morning to see old television shows.
DAWSON: That’s why they invented VCRs.
She rolls her eyes.
DAWSON: I’ve never understood Jones’ character in this film. The ‘he doesn’t care’ line.
JOEY: It’s the thrill of the chase, Dawson. Like Inspector Javert in ‘Les Miserables’. It’s his life’s mission to catch this criminal…
DAWSON: Even if he’s completely innocent?
JOEY: Exactly. It’s his life’s mission, Dawson. To him, without the chase, his life wouldn’t have any meaning. Might as well put a bullet through his head.
DAWSON: I’m getting thrown off by the Javert comparison. Tommy Lee Jones helps the guy in the end, unlike Javar who just blows himself away.
JOEY: He wasn’t that far gone. Plus, he wasn’t European.
DAWSON: Ah, so you’re saying Frenchmen have a larger suicide rate?
Joey gives him a look.
JOEY: Don’t be cute.
DAWSON: Ok. Does macho work for you?
Joey pushes him playfully.
JOEY: No…
They laugh.
JOEY: So, how are things with the parental units?
DAWSON: Awkward. They’re not as accepting with us getting married as your dad obviously is.
JOEY: Yeah, well…dad is dad, right?
Dawson smirks at her.
JOEY: What? What’s that look for?
DAWSON: You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed
She half-smiles.
JOEY: How does ‘macho’ work for you?
He laughs.
Cut to Leery’s Fresh Fish. Mike is in the kitchen when Dawson walks through, followed closely by Mitch.
MITCH: One year Dawson…remember that?
Dawson laughs.
MITCH: Tell me, did you just one year ago tell me that you were not sure things would ever be ok between you and Joey again?
Dawson smirked at him.
DAWSON: Yep. I did. And you know what…that was a year ago.
MITCH: And you mean to tell me that a year’s time is enough for not only things to be ‘ok’, but to be ‘ok’ enough to contemplate marriage?
DAWSON: Things have changed since then, dad. Evolved.
MITCH: Ha!
Behind them, Mike starts to chuckle.
MITCH: Just consider the pros and cons of this.
DAWSON: Ok…
MITCH: Con: if you think the two of you argue a lot now, just wait until you’re living together.
DAWSON: Pro: I can sleep with her every single night without worrying about you jumping down my throat about it.
Mitch’s eyes go wide.
MITCH: HELLO? Her father’s standing right here!
They turn around to face Mike.
MIKE: Nothing I haven’t heard before.
Dawson smiles in triumph.
DAWSON: Now, if you’re finished, I think my betrothed arrived for her shift.
Dawson leaves.
MITCH: Listen to him! ‘Betrothed’! And you were no help whatsoever!
Mike sighs.
MIKE: I still don’t understand what you have against them in the first place.
MITCH: Now, you misunderstand. I have nothing against them…as boyfriend and girlfriend. As a matter of fact, I’m all for it. It’s them getting married that I’m worried about.
MIKE: Why?
MITCH: You’ve seen how Dawson gets around her. All sense of reason goes out the window.
MIKE: So you think he doesn’t have good judgement?
MITCH: Not when it comes to Joey, he doesn’t.
Mitch leaves, while Mike chuckles at the display.
MIKE: Poor, deluded…
Before he can finish, the phone starts to ring.
MIKE: MITCH? Phone!
He doesn’t return. After the third ring, Mike picks it up.
MIKE: (into phone) Leery’s Fresh Fish! Hello…?
He listens for a moment, his eyes narrowing in anger.
MIKE: What do you want?!
He listens some more.
MIKE: I told you…I through!
He now looks horrified.
MIKE: Listen…if you lay a hand on them, I swear to god I’ll…hello? Hello?
He slams the phone down angrily, as Gale walks in.
GALE: Who was that?
He turns to her.
MIKE: Crank call. Just a bunch of kids.
Quickly, he gets back to work. Gale watches him for a moment, curiously. Finally, she leaves.
*****
Cut to New York City. Specifically at the Lindley’s. Jack and Jen sit at the dinning room table with Jen’s parents.
THEO: So, Jack? How is your dad anyway?
Jack looks up from his meal.
JACK: Well, you know him. The usual.
HELEN: I heard about what happened to your poor brother. Such a dreadful thing.
Jack bites his lip, then nods.
JACK: Yeah, tell me about it. We get by, though.
THEO: I’m just glad he chose Capeside as a place to recuperate. Gave my little girl a nice boy to look after her. Unlike those scum she hung around with out here.
Jen gave him a dirty look.
JEN: Excuse me?
HELEN: Honey, I really think that’s a harsh term to use for those…people. Nevertheless, they were the wrong element.
JEN: (muttering) And we can’t have that, can we…?
Desperately seeking some way to diffuse the situation, Jack grabs her hand.
JACK: Well, truth be told, I consider myself the lucky one, Mr. Lindley. After all, you sent this little angel to me, right?
Helen smiles proudly, while her husband gives Jack a curious look.
THEO: I trust you’ve been treating her well, Jack?
JEN: None better.
He smiles.
THEO: I’m glad to hear that. Because I was hoping the both of you would considering moving here in the fall. Go to school in New York.
Both Jen and Jack’s eyes go wide at the suggestion.
JEN: You mean that? You want me to come back?
HELEN: Well, I’m sure you would rather live on campus, of course. And as much as mother probably enjoys your company, she would love to know you’re back home.
THEO: So, what do you say Jack?
Jen looks at Jack.
JACK: I…well, I need to talk to dad about it first. But…wow…!
He smirks.
THEO: Looks like I’ve got your boyfriend speechless, huh Jen?
*****
Cut to Jen’s old room in the Lindley house.
JACK: OH YEAH!
Jack jumps in the air in triumph.
JEN: You do know that you’re on the verge of accepting a gift from Satan himself.
JACK: HA! Don’t try it, Jen…I know you don’t believe in that stuff!
JEN: I meant figuratively. Believe me, dad only gives people things when he gets something in return.
JACK: So?
JEN: So…the only reason he’s offering is because he thinks you’re my boyfriend, and you’ll keep away people like Billy and Drue. What’s going to happen when he finds out you’re gay? Hmm…you ever think of that? Oh sure, you could probably keep up this charade indefinitely…but it would mean abandoning all semblance of a love life.
JACK: Sometimes you’ve got to make sacrifices. How many relationships have I been in, Jen? Two. Dawson practically has ‘property of Joey Potter’ tattooed on his forehead, and he still has had more relationships than me.
JEN: So you mean to tell me you would consider living a lie just so you could go to school in New York?
He doesn’t answer. Jen scoffs.
JEN: You want to know why Dawson has had more relationships than you? It’s not because he’s straight, but because he actually cares about other people’s feelings. Do you have any idea what it would be like for me, Jack? To go around and tell everyone that you’re my boyfriend, and know it’s not true? Well let me tell you. It makes being banished to Capeside feel painless.
She sits down on her bed, crossing her arms in anger. Jack looks at her for a moment.
JACK: I’m going to go call dad, ok?
JEN: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
*****
Cut back to Capeside, outside the bank. Doug Witter’s squad car is parked at the curb, writing up a ticket.
Pacey exits the bank and walks up to him.
PACEY: Am I seeing things? Deputy Doug…a meter maid? Finally…I knew you could admit it to yourself eventually, bro! Be proud! Fight the power! They will not tear you down!
Doug chuckles.
DOUG: You know, one of these days I am going to find out why you persist on questioning my sexuality, Pacey. I like girls…end of story.
PACEY: Hey, I never said you couldn’t go both ways!
Doug sighs and rolls his eyes.
PACEY: Hey, I’d like the coyote in those roadrunner cartoons. He knows he’s never gotta catch it, but keeps running off the edge of those cliffs anyways. It gives him a sense of purpose.
DOUG: Listen here, because you’re not going to get me to repeat it. Whatever your purpose is, Pacey…it’s a lot grander than annoying me. So, what are you doing in this part of town?
Pacey smiles and pulls out a slip of paper.
PACEY: Getting a mortgage, believe it or not. Me and the new Mrs. Witter are now the proud owners of our own apartment in Boston.
Doug smiles.
DOUG: I still can’t believe you actually did it. Me and dad were at the station when we got the letter. I almost choked on a donut.
PACEY: What did dad say?
Doug’s face falls. Upon seeing his expression, Pacey sighs.
PACEY: That bad, huh?
DOUG: He didn’t seem really upset or disappointed. Just…
PACEY: Condescending?
Doug sighs.
DOUG: He said that he expected you to ruin your life, just not somebody else’s along with it.
Pacey sat down at the curb, a hopeless expression on his face.
DOUG: If it makes you feel better, Pacey, I think he was out of line. He had no right to…
PACEY: Could you tell me one thing, Douggie? What do I have to do to please him?
DOUG: I wish I knew. It’s always been so easy for me. He’s always let me do what I wanted without a word. But with you…
PACEY: Even when I win I’m a loser, huh?
DOUG: It’s gotten even worth this year. I don’t understand it.
PACEY: Hmm…let’s think about that, shall we? What changed since last year? Oh, I remember…I stole my best friend’s soulmate. My best friend that, may I remind you, dad almost seems to admire.
DOUG: When will you stop punishing yourself for that? Dawson forgave you, didn’t he.
PACEY: I’m not…I’m not. I just think dad is. What else could it be?
Doug bites his lip, causing Pacey to look at him curiously.
PACEY: What?
DOUG: I’m sorry…I can’t say…
PACEY: Wait, you know? You know what his problem is?
DOUG: You’re better off not knowing!
Pacey is taken aback by his brother’s outburst. Quickly, Doug gets into his car and drives away.
*****
Cut to the Potter’s B&B. Joey walks inside the living room to see Bessie, Bodie, and Mike sitting on the couch.
JOEY: Hey guys! Where’s Alexander?
MIKE: With Mrs. Ryan.
BODIE: Which you’re going to explain the reason for, right? You said you were waiting until Joey was here…well she’s here!
Joey looks at them, confused.
JOEY: What’s going on?
Mike looks at her grimly.
MIKE: I think you had better sit down, Josephine.
Joey sits, looking worried.
JOEY: Worried now. You haven’t called me by my full name since I was seven and told you never to do it again. Something’s wrong, isn’t it?
He nodded.
MIKE: I learned my lesson last time. I can’t keep secrets from my family…most especially you sweetheart. So you have to know this…
He takes a deep breath, preparing himself.
MIKE: My…supplier…from before, he’s been contacting me. Again and again. He wants me to start again.
Joey’s eyes go wide.
BODIE: You’re not honestly considering…?!
He turns to Bodie.
MIKE: No, Bodie, I’m not! As a matter of fact, I told him to go to hell! But he’s not stopping! The last thing he told me was ‘everyone has their price’…
BESSIE: (whispering) Oh god…
JOEY: Call the police! They’ll do something…
MIKE: Yeah right, Joey! John really wants to protect me! Besides, these people are dangerous…if I go to the police, they might find out. That’ll make them mad, and…and I’m scared they’ll go after you and Bessie.
Bodie clasps Bessie’s hand protectively.
MIKE: Now, my first concern is making sure you are all ok. Bodie, I want you to go to the Ryan’s, get your son, and go stay with your sister in Boston. Joey…
JOEY: No way, dad! I’m planning my wedding right now! I’m not just going to up and leave without saying anything to Dawson.
MIKE: I figured as much. That’s why you’re going to stay with the Leery’s until this thing blows over. Under no circumstances do you tell either Dawson or his parents what’s happening.
JOEY: But…
MIKE: Promise!
She nods.
JOEY: Ok…I promise.
Mike sighs in relief.
MIKE: When I got out, I made a promise to myself. I swore that no matter what, I would never betray my family again. One way or another, this is going to end.
Bessie and Bodie look at each other, while Joey just sits there…contemplating what has just happened.
*****
Cut to Leery’s Fresh Fish, late at night. Mitch heads towards the door, turning back towards the kitchen.
MITCH: You sure you’re ok to close up?
From the back, Mike nods.
MIKE: Yeah, no problem Leery! I did own my own restaurant at one point!
Mitch grins and leaves.
Once he’s gone, Mike opens one of the drawers. He removes a silverware tray, revealing a crumpled-up towel. He picks the towel up, staring at it as if it were a prize possession.
DOUG: (off-screen) Do the Leery’s know what you stash in their kitchen?
Mike spins around, looking at Doug Witter who’s standing right behind him.
MIKE: We’re closed. You’ll have to come back tomorrow…
Doug shakes his head.
DOUG: Did you honestly think I wouldn’t know what’s going on , Mr. Potter? Dad had this place’s phones wired since you left prison. I’ll admit, I thought dad was being completely paranoid…but turns out it was a good idea.
Mike stares him in the eyes for a moment.
DOUG: You want to give it to me?
Sighing, Mike passes Doug the crumpled-up towel. Doug unfolds it…
…revealing a handgun.
DOUG: At least tell me you have a license for this thing?
MIKE: Of course! I bought it before I was even married. Did you know I wanted to be a cop at one point? Capeside’s too small, so when me and Lillian moved back here after college the point was moot.
DOUG: Funny how things work out, huh?
Mike nods.
DOUG: Can I be Frank with you, Mike? Whatever dad’s issues with you are, I don’t share them. I made an oath…to serve and protect. No matter what you’ve done in the past, if you’re innocent this time around, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and your family. Can I trust you enough to not turn into some vigilante on me?
He hands Mike back the gun.
MIKE: Not unless I have to.
Doug turns to leave, but stops himself.
DOUG: Just answer me one question…why? You seem like a good man…why throw everything away like that?
Mike sighs.
MIKE: Because I’m weak. Because I didn’t know what else to do. Because these people who are pulling my strings promised me that the only way to save my wife would be to get the money to help her as soon as possible.
DOUG: And yet she died nonetheless?
Mike closed his eyes.
MIKE: Yeah. Because of my weakness, I’ll always believe she died of a broken hart. Nothing would please me more than to put a bullet into the man who did that to us! But I made a promise on her grave that I would never break the law again. If I have to use this thing, it’ll be only a few moments before I see her again.
Doug looks at him in shock.
MIKE: I’ll be seeing you, officer.
Still surprised, Doug turns to leave.
*****
Cut to the Leery house. Dawson and Joey fall back against the bed, kissing. However, it seems very one-sided.
DAWSON: Ok, is something wrong? Because usually to make out you need two willing participants.
He rolls off her. Joey protests, grabbing his arm.
JOEY: No…no, I want to…
Dawson looks at her.
DAWSON: I don’t doubt that. But it’s painfully obvious that you have other things on your mind.
Joey bites her lip and grabs the remote.
JOEY: You wanna watch some TV? I hear they’ve got an Indiana Jones marathon on.
Dawson sighs.
DAWSON: Ok, I believe it’s time for ‘seven simple rules for an impending marriage’! Rule number one, it takes a lot more than living and sleeping together to make one work. There’s communication. You know, when one half of the couple has something that’s bothering them, they need to talk about it with the other half. That way they can discuss it together.
Joey wraps her arms around Dawson, and they lie back against the bed. She rests her head on his chest, as they cuddle.
JOEY: Have you ever felt trapped, Dawson? Like your life is destined to be the same endless cycle forever?
DAWSON: Once. You remember when I tore down all my Spielberg posters and quit film class? I probably would have stayed like that too, if not for…
He pauses.
JOEY: For what?
DAWSON: You’re not gonna like to hear this.
Joey sighs.
JOEY: Rule number 2 of an impending marriage…you have to be honest with each other.
Dawson smirks.
DAWSON: You and Pacey. It was so emotionally crushing that it shook me out of my funk. It drove me over the edge, and I slowly became myself again.
JOEY: So you’re saying that you need to be scared out of a rut?
DAWSON: No, I’m saying that, up until that point, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with me. I thought all I had to do was say ‘Joey, I want you back’ and I’d have you again. Suddenly, I realized how far I had sunk. That wasn’t the man I wanted to be…I wanted to be better.
JOEY: Better?
He smiles at her.
DAWSON: Jo, I believe there are two kinds of people in this world. First, there’s those who let their anger and fear consume them, driving them to hurt…either physically or emotionally…the people who care about them. They no longer worry about improving themselves…only that other people are worse off than they are. Then…then there’s the other kind. The kind of people who face their fears, and replace their anger with forgiveness. They’re the ones who, despite things seeming hopeless, never stop trying.
He hugs her closer.
DAWSON: The day my parents remarried, I realized what kind of person I wanted to be. The kind of man that deserved you…not one who held onto hate, or anger, or jealousy. I could have lost you, but at least I would know that whenever you thought of me, it would be as the person who was strong enough to let you go.
Joey sniffs.
DAWSON: Are…are you crying?
She wipes a tear away.
JOEY: What do you think, silly? You say something like that, and expect me not to cry?
Dawson smiles.
JOEY: Well, I got news for you Dawson…you didn’t lose me. You never will! Even if I died tomorrow, you still wouldn’t.
Dawson looks at her with the most loving eyes imaginable.
DAWSON: How?
She smiles.
JOEY: Simple…
With a single movement, she puts her hand over his heart.
JOEY: …because I’ll be right here!
They both give a small laugh.
DAWSON: God, I love you!
Then they kiss.
*****
Cut back to New York. Jack is on the phone with his dad.
JACK: So that’s the story. Jen’s dad wants me in New York…but only because he thinks I’m her boyfriend!
JOSEPH: He doesn’t know you’re gay?
JACK: Not a clue. But I really want to go to school here, dad. But Jen…she doesn’t like the idea of lying like this.
JOSEPH: Neither do I, son! But why doesn’t she?
Jack sighs.
JACK: She’s in love with me.
Jack could almost swear he could hear his father freak out.
JOSEPH: Does she know that you’re…
Jack rolls his eyes.
JACK: Of course she knows! That’s why it’s bothering her.
JOSEPH: Well, then I guess you have to make a choice. Which is more important: going to school in New York or your friendship with Jen?
Jack thinks about this for a moment.
*****
Cut to Capeside again. Joseph hangs up the phone and walks into the dinning room. Sitting at the table are Pacey and Andie.
ANDIE: So…what’s Jack up to?
JOSEPH: Posing as Jen’s boyfriend in order to impress her parents.
Pacey snickers.
PACEY: You know, if Will and Grace ever goes under, they can be the perfect replacement.
JOSEPH: So, when do I get to see your new apartment?
ANDIE: Next week…we’re gonna have a huge ‘moving in’ party that you’re just gonna love.
PACEY: Yeah…although the drunken fratboys are probably gonna drive you off.
ANDIE: Drunken fratboys? Like you know any fratboys?
Joseph laughs.
JOSEPH: Well, I’m gonna turn in now. I’ll see you kids in the morning.
He goes upstairs, leaving Pacey and Andie there alone.
ANDIE: So…what’s on your mind?
Pacey sighs.
PACEY: Apparently dad found out about us eloping, and he’s none too thrilled about it.
ANDIE: Oh, just forget him. He doesn’t want to be involved, that’s his loss!
PACEY: Hey, I’ve long ago started to ignore every thing that man says about me. I just wish I knew why. Doug knows, but he ain’t telling.
Andie raised her eyebrows curiously.
ANDIE: Wow, he actually has a reason? I always just assumed that he was a bitter old grump.
They smile at each other.
PACEY: Yeah, well…that too.
*****
Cut to Dawson’s room. Joey quietly opens the bedroom window and exits. She climbs down the ladder and goes towards her rowboat.
The entire time, she doesn’t realize that Dawson was watching her. Curiously, Dawson climbs out of bed and starts to get dressed.
*****
Joey arrives at the dock behind her house. She sneaks inside through the back door.
She doesn’t notice someone watching her enter. He’s obscured by shadows…hiding his features.
*****
Cut to inside. Joey is slowly walking through the darkened hallway, heading towards her room.
As soon as she arrives, someone steps out of the shadows. He points barrel of a gun right at her.
Joey gasps, freezing…
MIKE: Joey?
Quickly, Mike lowers the gun.
JOEY: Dad?
She looks at him angrily.
JOEY: You have a gun?!
MIKE: I told you to stay at Dawson’s…
Joey steps towards him.
JOEY: You just aimed a GUN at my head? What is the matter with you?!?
MIKE: Please, Joey…got back to Dawson’s. You’ll be safe here.
Joey’s eyes go wide, realising what is going on.
JOEY: You thought I was someone else, didn’t you? You’re planning on using that thing…tonight! Aren’t you?
He sighs.
JOEY: So what, you think you’re some kind of John McClain wannabe? Wait until the ‘bad guys’ show up and you’ll blow them away?
MIKE: No, I think it’ll be the other way around!
Joey freezes, panic in her eyes.
MIKE: These people…they’re not going to stop. They’re going to get to me through you, and the only way they’ll stop is if I’m already dead!
Joey shakes her head, refusing to believe it.
JOEY: Do you honestly think this…suicide mission makes you some kind of a hero?
MIKE: It’s the only way…
JOEY: No, dad! It makes you a coward. You’re just gonna let them kill you and take the easy way out.
At this point, Mike realises she’s crying.
MIKE: (whispering) You’d be better off without me!
JOEY: Don’t say that…
MIKE: Everything in my entire life…I’ve failed. I wanted to be a cop, but ended up a criminal. I…I cheated on the only woman I ever loved, then drove her to her grave. The only…the only thing I’ve done in this world worth a damn is helped bring you into it, and I’m not going to let anyone destroy that. Go, Joey! Leave! Marry Dawson, be happy! Get the life you deserve, and just let me do one thing right!
Joey stares at him for a moment, then wraps her arms around him.
MIKE: Joey…?
JOEY: I love you, daddy!
He just stands there, holding her.
*****
Out front, Dawson’s Explorer pulls into the driveway. Dawson steps out, looking at the house.
It looks completely abandoned.
DAWSON: Anybody home?!
*****
Cut to the living room. Glass breaks as something is thrown inside.
Something that explodes in a burst of flame.
*****
In the hallway, Joey and her father are still hugging. However, Mike sniffs the air.
MIKE: Wait! Do you smell…?
His eyes go wide in panic.
MIKE: Oh my god…
*****
Out front, Dawson looks in shock as the living room window is consumed by orange flame.
DAWSON: Oh my god…
*****
Inside, the flame begins to spread.
MIKE: We gotta get out of here!
He runs towards the exit, ducking the smoke that’s appeared.
Joey follows close behind for a moment, but then stops. She looks at her hand…her bare hand.
Then, quickly, she turns back towards her room.
She runs inside and grabs a computer disk off her desk, stashing it in her pocket. Then, on her nightstand, she grabs the diamond engagement ring Dawson gave to her.
Running as quickly as possible, she runs back towards the door.
But before she can reach it, the flames move in front of her, blocking her exit.
JOEY: (coughing)DAD!
*****
Cut back outside. Mike stumbles outside, coughing from the smoke. He turns behind him.
MIKE: Joey?
He realises there’s no one there.
MIKE: JOEY?!
Just then, Dawson runs up to him.
DAWSON: What’s going on? Where’s Joey? Is she…
Mike looks at him.
MIKE: She’s…inside…
A look of horror appears on Dawson’s face. He then turns back towards the Potter’s B&B, which is being consumed by flame more with each passing second.
Then he sees a figure at the window.
JOEY: DAWSON!!!
He watches in horror as Joey, still coughing, is forced away from the window by the advancing flames.
DAWSON: JOEY!!!
He rushes foreword, but is stopped by Mike.
MIKE: Are you insane, man! You can’t…
But before he can say anything else, Dawson punches him with all his might. Mike falls to the ground, letting Dawson run past him.
He runs straight into the burning building…which is going up like so much timber.
Next: Dawson out of commission? Joey at death’s door? Mr. Potter wielding a gun? With our stars out of the fight, it’s up to Pacey and Doug Witter to discover who torched the B&B. Meanwhile, Jack and Jen return home…with Jen’s parents in tow. Stay tuned for an edge-of-your-seat story, with a shock ending that you’ll have to see to believe.