Episode # 504 - Prodigal
Disclaimer:Dawson, Joey, Pacey, Jen, Jack, and Andie are the property of Kevin Williamson and the WB. The song 'Little Things' is owned by Chantal Kreviazuk.
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 Capeside. Pacey and Andie are walking, arm-in-arm, by the side to the creek.
ANDIE: You ok?
Pacey shrugs.
PACEY: Yeah, I’m fine. Why?
ANDIE: I don’t know. You just seemed a bit…on edge. Ever since we left dad’s.
PACEY: Don’t worry about it!
She grabs him by the shoulders.
ANDIE: Pacey… Come on, talk to me.
He sighs.
PACEY: All right…all right. It’s this whole thing with Doug and dad. It bugs me.
ANDIE: Why? You always told me you didn’t get along with them. Why is it bothering you now?
PACEY: I don’t know. Dad and I’ve never gotten along. But Dougie…despite our constant ribbing of each other, managed to get along in some way. I had the feeling he was one of my few family members who actually cared about me. So why is he siding with my father?
ANDIE: Why don’t you ask him?
PACEY: I tried. Nada.
She sighs.
ANDIE: Well…
Something stops her, though. A look on Pacey’s face, gazing beyond her.
ANDIE: Pacey? What is it?
Slowly she turned around. An orange glow was coming from just a block away.
ANDIE: Fire? Isn’t that…?
PACEY: The B&B!
With that, the two of them took off running towards it.
*****
Cut to the front of the Potter’s B&B. Fire trucks and squad cars are now stationed in front of it, trying to put it out. Mike is now breathing through an oxygen mask.
Pacey and Andie arrive, heading straight towards Mike.
ANDIE: Mr. Potter! Oh god…what happened? Where’s Joey?
He removes the mask for a second.
MIKE: She’s still…inside. Dawson…he went in after…her!
A look of panic appears in Pacey’s eyes.
PACEY: Dammit!
Without another word, he runs over to the other side of the fire truck. He grabs one of the axes off of it before any of the firemen can stop him.
FIREMAN: Hey!
PACEY: Sorry! Need this for a minute!
Then, without another word, he runs into the house.
*****
DAWSON: JOEY?!
Dawson coughs, moving through he smoke-filled house.
DAWSON: JO? JOEY?
Suddenly, without warning, a chunk of burning wood falls from the ceiling. It lands directly on Dawson’s back, setting his jacket on fire.
DAWSON: AGH!
Acting purely on instinct, he yanks off the jacket and throws it to the ground. He winces in pain, staring at the hand that he pulled the jacket off with. It’s burnt now, and really hurts.
He then looks ahead, and sees someone lying on the floor.
DAWSON: JOEY!
He runs to her and kneels down beside her. He sighs in relief as she’s still breathing shallowly.
DAWSON: Jo, wake up! We’ve gotta get out of here!
He shakes her, but it’s no good. He tries to pick her up, but winces in pain.
DAWSON: SOMBODY! ANYBODY!
Dawson starts to panic. But then…
PACEY: DAWSON?
Out of nowhere, Pacey runs up to them. He sees Joey on the ground.
PACEY: Oh man…is she?
DAWSON: She’s alive…for now.
PACEY: Dawson, this place is about to collapse…
Dawson turns to him angrily.
DAWSON: I’M NOT LEAVING HER!
PACEY: Snap outta it, Dawson, or you’ll BOTH die!
They look each other in the eyes for a moment. Then Pacey picks Joey up off the ground. He hands the axe to Dawson.
DAWSON: Here…make us an exit!
*****
Cut to back outside. Andie waits outside, a worried look on her face. She hears the sound of broken glass.
ANDIE: Pacey?
She turns towards the window and sees Dawson climbing out. Followed by Pacey, who’s still carrying Joey.
ANDIE: Oh my god!
Andie runs to an ambulance, pointing the EMS towards them. They take Joey from Pacey and put her into the ambulance.
EMS: How long was she in there?
DAWSON: I don’t know.
EMS: Is she a relative?
PACEY: She’s his girlfriend!
Dawson turns around and sees Mike by one of the fire trucks. His eyes narrow in anger, as he storms over to him.
PACEY: Dawson? What are you…?
Dawson grabs Mike by the collar and pushes him up against the truck.
DAWSON: YOU! You’re the reason for this, aren’t you?
Pacey grabs Dawson by the shoulder, attempting to pry them apart.
PACEY: Are you out of your mind, D?
Dawson doesn’t hear him. He’s too focused on Mike.
DAWSON: We trusted you! We…
Dawson never finishes his sentence. He begins to cough violently, letting Mike go, and then starts to collapse.
The EMS workers walk over to Dawson, leading him towards the ambulance.
EMS: Smoke inhalation. We gotta get this kid to a hospital.
Pacey and Mike watch them take Dawson away. Pacey looks at Mike suspiciously, then back at the ambulance as it drives away.
Cut to New York, at the Lindley home. Jen is sound asleep when she hears someone knocking at her bedroom door. Reluctantly, she climbs out of bed and answers it.
He sees Jack on the other side, holding a cell phone. He has a worried look on his face.
JEN: What is it?
Jack just takes a deep breath.
JEN: Jack? What’s wrong?
JACK: It’s…it’s Andie. Something’s happened.
*****
Cut back to Capeside. Jack and Jen enter the hospital, accompanied by Jen’s parents.
They walk into the waiting room and see Pacey sitting with Andie. They get up, hugging both Jack and Jen.
JACK: What happened?
Pacey sighs.
PACEY: Arson. The B&B’s gone up in smoke. Joey and Dawson…they were still inside.
Jen covered her mouth in horror.
JACK: Are they ok?
*****
Cut to the inside of one of the rooms. Dawson is lying, face down, on one of the examining tables. His shirt is hung on one of the chairs, and his back and hand are wrapped in gauze.
The doctor finishes wrapping up his back, and then goes over to the medical cabinet.
DOCTOR: You’re lucky, Dawson. For once, that odd habit you kids have of wearing jackets in the middle of summer actually did some good. Without it, you would have probably had third-degree burns covering your back instead of first-degree ones.
DAWSON: Well, my car keys are in the left pocket. Or were.
The doctor smiles.
DOCTOR: Anyway…the blistering should heal in about a week. Your hand, however, should take a bit longer. You’re a brave kid, Dawson.
DAWSON: Thanks, Dr. Brown.
Suddenly, a nurse knocks at the door.
NURSE: Andy? Number 108’s family is here?
DAWSON: (anxiously) Is that Joey?
He turns to Dawson.
ANDY: Yes he is. If you would follow me?
Dawson grabs his shirt off the chair and pulls it on. He winces as it rubs against his back and hand.
Ignoring the pain, he follows Dr. Brown down the hallway into Joey’s room. There they see Bessie kneeling by a hospital bed. In the bed is Joey, her eyes close.
DAWSON: Joey?
He tries to enter, but Dr. Brown stops him.
ANDY: She’s all right, Dawson. As well as can be expected at least. Joey inhaled a lot of smoke. We had to hook her up to a breathing device for a few hours. It was touch-and-go for a while, but she’s seemed to pull through.
DAWSON: Why can’t I see her?
ANDY: She’s hasn’t woken up yet. Don’t worry…she’s not in a coma or anything. She slips in and out of consciousness. She just needs some rest, so I don’t want to crowd her right now.
Dawson bites his lip.
DAWSON: I understand.
Doctor Brown smiles.
DAWSON: You can see her after her sister’s done, ok?
He walks off, leaving Dawson there for a moment. Then he hears someone coming towards him. It’s Bodie, accompanied by Mitch and Gale.
GALE: You’re ok! Thank god…
Gale wraps her arms around her son, who winces in pain.
DAWSON: Ow…ow, mom! My back sort of resembles a roast turkey right now!
Quickly, she lets him go.
DAWSON: The B&B? Is it…?
Bodie shakes his head, sadly.
BODIE: Gone! Everything! We’re gonna try to see if anything’s salvageable, but not the building itself. Right now, all we care about is if Joey’s all right.
MITCH: Dawson, what were you thinking? Running in there like that?
DAWSON: I wasn’t, dad. There wasn’t any time?
MITCH: What did you think you were doing, playing hero like that? Those idiot risks you took back in the fall were one thing, but you could have really died this time…
DAWSON: And if I didn’t, Joey would have! Don’t you get that?
Suddenly Gale steps between them.
MITCH: Gale?
GALE: Enough, you two! There are more important things to worry about right now. Like why this happened.
Dawson’s eyes suddenly divert, towards the newly opened elevator. Mike steps out of it, followed by Pacey, Andie, Jack, Jen, and her parents.
DAWSON: I think I know!
Dawson makes a beeline towards Mike, grabs him by the collar again, and once again pushes him up against the wall. Mitch, Gale, and Bodie rush over to them.
DAWSON: WHAT is going on here, Mr. Potter?
PACEY: Woah…Dawson, take it easy!
DAWSON: Back off, Pacey! This is between me and the compulsive drug pusher here!
Jen’s parents suddenly look at them, shocked.
Jen looks up at her parents, nervously.
JEN: Um…did I forget to mention that?
MIKE: I didn’t do anything!
DAWSON: I don’t care! Why should I even believe you? My fiancée is lying in a bed, unconscious, and all you can do is make up excuses!
At that moment, Pacey, Andie, Jack, and Jen’s eyes all go wide.
PACEY: FIANCEE??? Did he just say…?
JACK: Did either of you know anything about this?
Jen shakes her head.
MIKE: Dawson, believe me, I did NOT want this to happen. I even took steps to prevent it. I told her not to be around me, but she…
DAWSON: You expect me to buy that? Why should I believe a word you say?
DOUG: Because he’s telling the truth!
Everyone’s eyes suddenly move towards the end of the hallway. Doug Witter is standing there, looking at them.
DOUG: Let him go, Dawson. I don’t want to have to arrest you for assault or anything.
Reluctantly, Dawson lets him go.
PACEY: Somebody better start explaining things or I’m following Dawson’s example!
Doug sighs.
DOUG: Let’s go somewhere private.
*****
Cut to inside Joey’s hospital room. Everyone is inside except for Jen’s parents.
Pacey sits down at the edge of the bed, causing Andie to look at him, horrified.
ANDIE: What are you doing?
PACEY: Um…sitting down?
ANDIE: Sit somewhere else!
Pacey sighs.
PACEY: What? She doesn’t mind!
He turns to Joey.
PACEY: You mind, Jo?
She doesn’t answer. He turns back to Andie.
PACEY: See…what’d I tell ya?
DOUG: Knock it off, Pacey!
Pacey sighs and stands up.
MITCH: So? Are you going to explain?
Doug nods.
DOUG: A few weeks ago, Mike contacted me about some phone calls he had been getting.
Bessie turns towards her father.
BESSIE: You told us that you didn’t want to go to the police!
DOUG: He didn’t…at least not officially. He asked me, as a personal favour, not to tell dad. I wasn’t comfortable with it at first, but I know my father. He doesn’t really like him.
PACEY: Ah, Capeside’s finest…
Everyone turns towards Pacey, annoyed.
PACEY: Hey, with Miss Perma-scowl out of it, somebody has to fill in with the biting sarcasm, right?
Doug shakes his head in embarrassment.
DOUG: Anyway, the phone calls continued. According to Mike, this is the very same supplier who had sold him the drugs over half a decade ago.
JEN: This is the same guy?
GALE: What’s his name?
MIKE: I don’t know. I’ve never actually met him in person.
DAWSON: But you talked to him on the phone?
MIKE: He had some sort of voice scrambler things, like they have on TV.
DOUG: Like I said, dead end! This supplier started to be threatening. Saying he’d attack Mr. Potter’s kids if he didn’t do what he said. That’s when he tried to take things into his own hands.
MITCH: Meaning?
DOUG: Mike? Show them!
Mike reaches into his pocket and pulls out the gun. He places it on the table.
Gale gasps.
JACK: Holy geez…
MITCH: You had a gun? What exactly were you planning on doing with that?
MIKE: Using it!
He gives Mitch a cold stare.
PACEY: Let me get this straight, Dougie! You were just gonna let Charles Bronson here blow whoever this guy is away?
Doug doesn’t answer.
PACEY: Oh, that figures. Two birds with one stone. Get rid of the drug dealer, plus you get to lock up the guy dad hates for murder at the same time. Bet he’d just love you even more, huh?
DOUG: PACEY! That is a very, very harsh accusation on your part.
PACEY: Is it true?
DOUG: Of course not! Do you honestly believe that I would want someone to go to jail simply because he wanted to protect his family?
Pacey doesn’t answer. There’s a cold silence between the two brothers for a moment. Finally, Doug speaks.
DOUG: I’m bringing dad in on this now.
MIKE: No!
DOUG: I’m sorry, Mr. Potter. This has gone too far. People have been hurt. You understand that?
MIKE: So be it, then!
Doug leaves the room, leaving everyone there.
*****
Cut to later on. Dawson is the only one in the room now other than Joey. He’s kneeling by her bedside, gazing at her.
Pacey enters the room, carrying two paper cups.
PACEY: Hey?
Dawson turns around.
PACEY: Brought you some hot cocoa. Figures you were thirsty.
Dawson takes the cup and sips from it.
DAWSON: Thanks Pace.
They sit down in the chairs.
PACEY: So… ‘Fiancée’?
Dawson nods.
PACEY: Oh man…when? When did it happen?
DAWSON: The night after graduation. I bought the ring with my savings.
PACEY: The same savings that you said you were gonna use on your next movie?
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: Yeah. Well, slight change of plans. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.
Pacey shakes his head in amazement.
PACEY: Wow! I mean…the way you two carry on all the time. You never take risks. How did you ever build up the courage to pop the question like that?
DAWSON: Even I don’t know. I just…did it!
Pacey smiles at him.
PACEY: Congratulations, Dawson. I don’t envy you.
Pacey flashes one of his Cheshire cat grins.
PACEY: Nope…don’t envy you at all.
JOEY: (mumbling) Bite me, Pacey…
Both Dawson and Pacey’s eyes go wide. They leap up from their chairs and rush towards the bed.
DAWSON: Joey? Jo, you ok?
Joey groans.
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: You’re gonna be all right, ok?
Pacey crosses his arms and smiles. Then he looks over at a table nearby.
PACEY: Dawson?
Dawson doesn’t look at him.
DAWSON: Yeah?
PACEY: Where’s the gun?
Dawson turns around.
DAWSON: It’s on the table, isn’t it?
PACEY: Not anymore it ain’t!
Dawson rushes over to the table, looking for it.
PACEY: Who was the last one out of here besides you?
DAWSON: (muttering) Mr. Potter…
Pacey closes his eyes in frustration.
PACEY: I’m gonna stop him before he does something stupid!
Pacey heads towards the door, with Dawson close behind him.
DAWSON: I’m coming with you.
Pacey turns around.
PACEY: Not a chance, Dawson! You’ve got a injured hand and your back is a mess.
DAWSON: I don’t care.
PACEY: Maybe you don’t care about yourself, Dawson…but how about her?
Pacey points towards Joey.
PACEY: She needs you, man! More than ever. So here’s what you’re gonna do…you’re going to stay here and take care of your girl. Let me take care of it.
Dawson wants to protest, but can’t bring himself to say anything. He sighs in defeat.
DAWSON: You’re right. You’re right…
Pacey puts his hand on Dawson’s shoulder.
PACEY: I’m gonna find out who did this, man. I promise.
With that, Pacey leaves. Dawson looks at his bandaged hand, then at Joey.
DAWSON: (whispering) It’ll be ok, Joey.
*****
Cut to Leery’s Fresh Fish, after hours. Mike arrives at the front door and unlocks it. He steps inside.
A moment later, Pacey arrives at that very same door. Mike left the door unlocked, so Pacey follows him inside.
A second later, he hears a click.
MIKE: Don’t move a muscle.
Pacey turns, and sees Mike pointing the gun at him.
PACEY: You know, this might have something to do with why people don’t trust you that much...
Mike puts down the gun.
MIKE: What are you doing here?
PACEY: Looking for you.
MIKE: You shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe.
Pacey yanks the gun out of his hand.
PACEY: Tell me something I don’t know! And get rid of this thing. You’re nuts, you know that? What exactly did you plan to do here?
Mike sighs.
MIKE: This guy always contacts me when I’m at work. He knew I was at my old home, so he’s probably following me. I thought that if I went here, he’d contact me again. I’d set up a meeting.
PACEY: And then?
MIKE: Then I’ll finish this once and for all.
PACEY: Trust me…
MIKE: Trust you? You’re John’s son. Why on earth should I trust you? The apple never falls very far from the tree.
PACEY: For me it does! Do you have any idea how many times he’s told me that I’m gonna fail? That I’m gonna end up the same way you did? He probably hates me as much as he hates you.
Mike sighs.
PACEY: But he’s wrong. Don’t you get it…we’re the same. Yeah, we’ve both made mistakes, but we want to make ourselves better. If you kill this guy…bam, that all goes away.
MIKE: So I should just give up?
PACEY: Not a chance. Cause of this guy, one of my closest friends is in the hospital. I’m gonna get this guy.
MIKE: How?
Pacey smiles.
PACEY: Dawson works here. He probably has something we can use. Just wait for that call.
*****
Cut back to the hospital. Dawson is still sitting on the chair, looking at Joey.
He gets up, and walks over to the phone by her bed. He dials a number.
DAWSON: (muttering) Come on, Pacey…pick up.
After several rings, he gives up.
DAWSON: Forget this!
He turns towards the door, but then stops suddenly.
JOEY: (weakly) Dawson…?
He goes back over to her.
DAWSON: Jo?
Her eyes flutter open and she smiles at him.
JOEY: Hey…
Dawson smiles back, and gives her his good hand. She takes it, but notices how the other is bandaged up.
She looks at him, concerned.
JOEY: You’re hurt…?
DAWSON: It’s nothing…don’t worry about it.
She smiles.
DAWSON: When…when I saw the B&B, I thought you… I thought you were…
He trembles, his eyes turning red.
JOEY: Shh…it’s all right. I’m ok. See? I’m ok.
DAWSON: If anything ever happened to you…
JOEY: I know. Same here.
Dawson looks towards the door.
DAWSON: I’ve gotta go. Pacey might…he might need by help.
Joey looks at him sadly.
JOEY: Stay with me?
Dawson pauses, as if he can’t decide on what to do. Finally, he lets go of her hand and stands up.
He circles around to the other side of the bed and climbs into it behind her. He wraps his arms around her and gently kisses the back of her neck.
DAWSON: (whispering) I’ll be right here.
Joey smiles and closes her eyes.
*****
Cut back to Leery’s Fresh Fish, in the main dinning hall. All the chairs and set on top of the tables, waiting for the next morning.
A single person is standing there…Mike Potter. He has the gun hidden in his coat. He stands there, his eyes grown cold. Waiting…
Until, finally, someone enters.
MAN: Are we alone?
Mike nods reluctantly.
MIKE: Yeah, Mitch and Gale are at the hospital. They’re…looking after Joey.
MAN: A shame what happened, isn’t it?
MIKE: Shut up!
MAN: Now, we could have avoided that unfortunate situation if you would have just listened to me.
MIKE: I’ve let you dictate my life for over five years! Can you blame me for wanting to change?
The man, still in shadow, laughs.
However, he doesn’t notice someone off to the side, hiding behind the bar. A mini camera is positioned on top, recording everything.
Kneeling behind the bar is Pacey, doing his best to keep silent.
PACEY: (whispering) Keep talking, pal…
MAN: Change? Come on, Mikey. You know what you are. I know it…you know it. You’re going to work for me again, or else next time that little girl of yours dies for real!
Mike grits his teeth in anger.
MIKE: No!
With that, he pulls out the gun and points it at him.
MIKE: I’m through with being a criminal, got that? I don’t know who you are, or why you continue doing this…but it ends tonight!
MAN: Mike, put down the gun…
Behind the counter, Pacey looks over nervously. He sees who it is.
He gasps in horror.
PACEY: No way! It…it can’t be…?
MIKE: Do you have any idea how much I’ve hated myself? How I made my own family hate me? Well that all ends tonight. I’m through.
Mike doesn’t notice him grab a tray that was left on one of the tables.
MAN: Yeah…you are!
With a single motion, the mysterious figures throws the tray at Mike. The impact causes him to fall, and to drop the gun.
Quickly, his assailant picks it up and points it at Mike.
MAN: Stupid, Potter!
He steps into the light, and we see what Pacey has seen.
It’s Sheriff John Witter.
JOHN: Really, really stupid! Now get up!
Mike gets to his feet, back up in shock.
MIKE: John? What…what is…?
JOHN: What’s it look like?
MIKE: You? It was you all along?
John smiles.
MIKE: God damn it, you’re a COP! Why did you need to deal drugs?
JOHN: You really are stupid, aren’t you? Did it ever occur to you that, once you were locked away, Capeside’s drug problem became virtually non-existent? It was never about the money…it was about seeing you pay.
Pacey shakes his head, not believing what he’s hearing.
MIKE: Pay? This is…this is insane! You’re just gonna kill me?
JOHN: You resisted arrest, Mr. Potter. You had a gun on you…it was in complete self-defence. Only fair, considering what you took from me!
MIKE: That’s what this is about? After all these years you still haven’t let it go. She’s dead, John!
JOHN: Because of you! And it wasn’t enough, no, not nearly enough. Taking one girl from me wasn’t enough, so you had to take two?
Mike looks at him in horror.
MIKE: You knew?
JOHN: What? That when my wife went out to ‘see a movie’ she was with you? You won, and Lily wasn’t even good enough for you. That poor girl! You’ve taken everything from me, Potter! EVERYTHING!
He arms the gun.
JOHN: And what do I get in return? Raising your whelp, that’s what!
Upon hearing that, Pacey’s eyes go wide in absolute shock. At first he doesn’t understand what he means.
He shakes his head, refusing to believe it.
As does Mike.
MIKE: No…that can’t be… Pacey? He’s not…
John begins to laugh.
JOHN: You actually believed that any son of mine would be that much of a waste. He’s a looser, Mike. Has never amounted to anything, and never will. Just like you.
Pacey grits his teeth in anger, then stands up. He runs at top speed, ramming John.
MIKE: PACEY, DON’T!
Pacey doesn’t listen. He’s too consumed by rage.
PACEY: You sick son-of-a…
He punches John across the jaw. Once…twice…
He doesn’t realize that John still has the gun. John hits Pacey across the face with the handle.
He then points the gun at Mike, but Pacey rises to his feet and steps in front of him. His nose is bleeding.
MIKE: I should have done this…a long time…ago…
He points the gun at Pacey.
However, before he can fire, a gunshot is heard behind him. A bullet pierces his shoulder, causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
Mike and Pacey look where it came from, at the front entrance. There, Doug Witter is standing there, holding his own gun.
Doug looks at the scene, not quite believing it.
DOUG: (whispering) Dad?
Pacey steps over to where John had dropped the gun, kicking it out of his reach.
DOUG: Please…somebody please tell me you have evidence.
Pacey emotionlessly points towards the bar.
PACEY: Got everything on tape.
John clutches his bleeding shoulder, forcing himself to turn around.
JOHN: He had to pay…you understand that, don’t you son? He had to pay…
Doug takes a deep breath, almost pitying the older man in front of him.
DOUG: You have the right to remain silent…
Mike and Pacey look at each other, neither one knowing what to say.
*****
Cut to Joey’s hospital room. Dawson is sitting at the edge of the bed, talking on the phone.
He hangs up, just as Joey wakes up.
JOEY: Hey!
He smiles.
DAWSON: Hey! You feeling better?
JOEY: Much. Who was that?
DAWSON: Pacey. They caught the guy. Your dad…everything’s fine now.
JOEY: So…who was it?
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: John Witter!
Joey looks at him in surprise.
JOEY: Pacey’s dad? Are you joking? Please tell me you’re joking!
Dawson shakes his head.
JOEY: Figures. The cops set fire to my house. My life sucks!
DAWSON: Well, he’s going to jail now. Doug brought him in just now.
JOEY: His own son caught him?
Dawson nods.
JOEY: Sort of makes sense. When you think about it, they’re kind of like Jevet and Gerard.
Dawson raises and eyebrow.
DAWSON: I thought you said they were the same?
JOEY: Well, I did some thinking about that. Jevet became obsessed about catching the criminal. Eventually, it was no longer just about bringing him the justice, but just about catching him. Without that, he feels his life no longer has purpose. Gerard, on the other hand, was a good man. All he really cared about was doing the right thing. When he realized that Kimble was a good guy too, he moved heaven and earth to help him. I think…well, Doug’s like that too.
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: And John Witter’s Javet?
JOEY: Exactly.
DAWSON: Tell me…at what point did you get better at this than me?
Joey giggles.
JOEY: I’m just glad it’s over. Poor Pacey, though. I know what it’s like having your father sent to prison.
Dawson bites his lip.
JOEY: What? What is it, Dawson?
DAWSON: Pacey told me something else.
JOEY: Yeah?
He sighs.
DAWSON: Better stay there. I don’t think standing would be a good idea when you hear this…
*****
Cut to the waiting room. Pacey and Doug are sitting on a bench, talking.
DOUG: I still can’t believe it. All this time dad was…
PACEY: I know.
Doug sighs.
PACEY: How you holding up?
DOUG: Fine. I mean, for a guy who just realized that everything his father even taught him to believe in were completely hollow words…I’m doing pretty well.
PACEY: The ideas weren’t hollow…just the man who said them.
Doug nods.
PACEY: Did you know about this?
DOUG: About what he did to Mike Potter…no clue at all. About him not being your father…yeah, I did.
PACEY: How long?
DOUG: About a week. I called mom and brought up dad’s attitude concerning him. She told me everything. And she asked me not to tell you. She didn’t know how you’d take it.
Pacey thinks for a moment.
PACEY: Believe it or not, Dougie, I’m actually kind of relieved.
DOUG: Relieved?
PACEY: Yeah. All these years I’ve been tearing my hair out wondering how on earth I could make that man respect me. Suddenly I find out that his opinion isn’t worth a damn at all.
DOUG: If you ask me Pacey, it never was.
Pacey looks at him.
DOUG: He may not be your father Pacey, but I’m still your brother. And I’m proud of you. What you did today…it took guts.
Pacey smiles.
DOUG: If you ask me, you would have made a great cop.
PACEY: Thanks.
They both pause, then Doug hugs him.
After a moment…
PACEY: Are you copping a feel…?
Doug breaks off the hug.
DOUG: Don’t start…
Pacey grins.
PACEY: You know I’m teasing, don’t you?
DOUG: Yeah. But it gets annoying after awhile. I mean…god, Pacey…get some new material!
PACEY: You sir have no appreciation of the running gag.
Doug laughs.
DOUG: See you around, little brother.
With that he heads towards the elevator.
Pacey gets up and walks into the hall. There, he sees Mike walking towards him.
MIKE: Pacey? I…
He sighs.
MIKE: I’m so sorry.
Pacey nods.
PACEY: Yeah, me too.
An uncomfortable awkwardness comes over them.
PACEY: It’s kind of funny, really. When I was a kid, I used to have these dreams that I was adopted. That one day my real dad would show up and take me away with him. He’d be a secret agent, or a millionaire, or an Indiana Jones type. We’d go off on these amazing adventures, and I’d never have to see Capeside again. After awhile I stopped whishing for it. He never came.
MIKE: Well, no one ever accused me of being father of the year.
PACEY: That’s the thing, though. Joey used to whine and moan to me all the time about how horrible her life was. The dead mother, the father in jail, the sister with the baby, the best friend who ignores her. She thought it was the worst thing in the world, but in reality I would have traded places with her in a second.
MIKE: Why is that?
PACEY: Because I’ve never felt like I fit in at home. Like I’m one of those people put somewhere by accident. Dad…that is, John…always told me I never would. If for some reason I forgot, he’d make it his business to remind me. That I was a looser. That I would never amount to anything. If it hadn’t been for Dawson, I think I might still believe that.
MIKE: He does that a lot, doesn’t he?
PACEY: No matter what I did, I just couldn’t please that man. After awhile, I stopped trying. I just wanted to know why. Why wasn’t he proud of me? Why wouldn’t he play catch or go to a baseball game, or spend any time with me? Why couldn’t he love me?
Pacey’s voice begins to tremble, as if he’s holding back his emotions.
PACEY: Now I know, don’t I? Now I know.
Mike turns his eyes downwards with regret.
PACEY: Did you know? About me?
Mike shakes his head.
MIKE: No.
PACEY: If you had?
Mike sighs.
MIKE: Probably would have beaten John up.
Pacey looks at him doubtfully.
MIKE: Yeah, I know. Not the brightest idea, but I’m not the brightest person. When people I care about are hurt, I lash out. I don’t think about what I’m doing, I just act. That’s why it was so easy for him to manipulate me.
Pacey smiles.
PACEY: Guess we have something in common after all, huh?
MIKE: I guess so.
Pacey’s eyes start to go red.
PACEY: You don’t really know anything about me at all, do you? Yeah, you know me from what Joey says, heck, Dawson might have filled you in on a fact or two. But really…you don’t know me at all. Right?
Mike takes a deep breath.
MIKE: I’d like to. If you give me the chance.
Without warning, Pacey swings his arms around Mike. He closes his eyes, and a single tear drips down his cheek.
PACEY: (whispering) Thank you…
At first, Mike feels awkward. Then, slowly, he returns the embrace.
The camera pans up.
*****
Cut to the McPhee house. Jack is sitting at the table when Jen walks in. She sits across from him.
JEN: Hey!
JACK: Hey!
JEN: You told them, didn’t you? About you being gay?
Jack sighs and shakes his head.
JACK: Yeah. While you were sitting with Joey. How’d you know?
JEN: My dad. He and mom left an hour ago, but he gave me this look. Like he was disappointed in me.
Jack closes his eyes.
JACK: I’m sorry.
She looks at him curiously.
JEN: Hey, I’m used to it. You’re the one I’m worried about. Think about what you just gave up the chance at.
Jack chuckles.
JEN: What’s so funny?
JACK: That school in New York…me putting on that act was never about that. Not completely, anyway.
She raises an eyebrow.
JEN: What was it about then?
JACK: You.
JEN: Huh?
JACK: I thought that, I don’t know…that if I made it look like you were their ideal daughter again, that things would be different. The nice girl with the polite boyfriend. But if they found out that your best friend was gay, well…I didn’t think they’d accept you.
Jen grabs his hand.
JEN: Jack…listen. I’ll admit, a part of me wants them to be proud of me in some way. But not if it means living a lie. If they honestly cared as much as they want people to believe, it wouldn’t matter if you were gay or not. They’d accept it, because you’re my friend. It’s those narrow-minded views of theirs that caused them to send me here in the first place.
JACK: Yeah?
She smiles.
JEN: Yeah. I’ve grown up, I know that. The problem is that they haven’t. And you know what…I don’t care. If they don’t need me, then I don’t need them. I’ve got all the family I need right here.
He smiles.
JACK: It would have been fun, though. Pretending.
JEN: Oh please…we wouldn’t have been able to keep it up!
JACK: You kidding? We’ve been watching Joey and Dawson for years. I think we’ve mastered the art of ambiguous dating.
Jen laughs.
JEN: I’ll let you know when I want to make some guy jealous. Deal?
JACK: Deal.
*****
Cut back to Joey’s hospital room. Joey has her head in her hands, not believing what she just heard.
JOEY: Oh god. I think I’m gonna be sick.
DAWSON: You know, there’s a call button. A nurse could bring you a bucket to…
Joey grabs Dawson’s bandaged hand and gently squeezes.
DAWSON: OW! Hey, no fair.
She lets go.
JOEY: Great! Just great. As if my family wasn’t screwed up enough as it is?
PACEY: You know what?
Both Dawson and Joey turn to see Pacey leaning against the doorframe.
PACEY: Of all the Star Wars analogies we could possibly come up with…I never thought I’d end up being the ‘Luke’.
Dawson smiles at him.
Misery's turning my luck around
Framed all the faces on my way down
DAWSON: Hey Pace.
PACEY: Hey! How’s our patient holding up.
I don't have a reason, a reason to lie
The dull pain is screaming to be left behind, oh
JOEY: She’s fine. I’m more curious with how you are.
PACEY: In a state of perpetual shock, but otherwise fine. Taking the time to appreciate the irony of that jerk being locked up in his own jail. For drug trafficking no less.
JOEY: I’m just trying to get used to the fact that we’re related. Welcome to hell, Pacey. Hope you survive the experience.
DAWSON: I’m just amazed that I never realized it before now. I mean, it’s so obvious.
It's never easy to see your past
Unfold before you, the outcast
Joey and Pacey look at him.
PACEY: It is?
JOEY: How?
Dawson smiles.
I don't have a reason, a reason to cry
Caterpillars turn into rare butterflies, oh
DAWSON: Oh, come on! With the way you two used to bicker? That’s sibling rivalry if I’ve ever seen it.
Joey groans
The little things we hide
The little things inside
I don't wanna show them and I'll be alright
JOEY: Well at least it won’t be my family name that gets dragged through the mud this time. I can’t wait to see the media vultures swarming over the ‘respectable’ Witters.
PACEY: Even so, I ain’t changing my name.
DAWSON: Yeah, good idea. ‘Pacey Potter’ sounds kinda corny.
Pacey rolls his eyes.
PACEY: You’re just never gonna let me hear the end of this, are you D?
Dawson smirks.
DAWSON: Nope.
Humility's easing my ego down
The past holds the truth like a lost and found
PACEY: Well, it’s no lamer than ‘Joey Leery’. Which reminds me…when the heck were you gonna tell me, Dawson? My best friend in the world is engaged and I’m the last one to know about it?
DAWSON: Well…
Dawson looks at Joey, who smiles at him.
JOEY: Go ahead.
There's no need to worry, no need to be scared
'Cause little things will come along and life's never fair, no
He turns back to Pacey.
DAWSON: I wanted it to be a surprise.
PACEY: You were going to elope?
DAWSON: Of course not. I just feel that, when the best man finds out, it needs to be as dramatic as possible.
Pacey’s jaw hangs open in shock.
The little things we hide
The little things inside
I don't wanna show them that I'll be alright
DAWSON: That is…do you accept?
PACEY: I…I…you want me…to be best man?
Dawson smiles.
DAWSON: I can’t think of anyone more qualified for the job. Well…?
Pacey grins ecstatically.
PACEY: Like you EVEN have to ask?!
Everything is gonna be ...
Everything is alright
Everything is gonna be ...
Everything is alright, is alright, is alright
He laughs, and hugs Dawson enthusiastically. How winces in pain.
DAWSON: Pacey…the back, the back…!
Pacey quickly moves away.
PACEY: Sorry man!
All three begin to laugh, as the camera pans out the window.
The little things we hide
The little things inside
I don't wanna show them and we'll be alright
The little things we hide
The little things inside
I don't wanna show them and I'll be alright
Fade to black
End credits
Next: Dawson receives a very important phone call. Meanwhile, Pacey is going a little too far with his newfound familiaral connection. All this, and a trip to Boston too? Don’t miss it!