Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 3, Episode 11 - Barefoot at Capefest - full transcript
Dawson experiences an identity crisis when Nikki, who happens to be Principal Green's daughter, arrives in Capeside and gives Dawson advice on his future as an aspiring young director like her. Joey experiences her own crisis when Dawson won't open up to her about the pain of his parents divorce. Meanwhile, during a weekend outdoor folk concert, Jack's first efforts to hit on another guy are rebuffed when the man, Ethan, only wants to be friends. Elsewhere in the camp, Jen realizes that she may have passed up the chance at something special with Henry. Also, Pacey and Andie uncomfortably find themselves sharing the same after school activity of planning a school play of 'Barefoot in the Park,' with Pacey in the lead role, and Andie as the assistant director.
Correct me if l'm wrong,
but don't you already own a camera?
-A video camera, yeah.
-And the difference is...?
Well, imagine Schindler's List
shot on a family camcorder.
l mean, video's a great format
to learn on...
...but the look and the feel
are strictly amateur.
Film is key, and l think l'm finally
ready to give her another spin.
-Her?
-The Arriflex.
Capeside High's
one and only 1 6-mm camera.
She is a beauty, Dawson.
Nikki. Hey, what are you doing here?
Extra credit for Jordan's film class.
Plus, l get to be near
all the equipment.
How very earnest of you.
You're Joey, right?
Right. Hey.
l've heard wonderful things
about your film.
Really? From who?
Speaking of equipment,
hand her over.
Sorry, Dawson, she's checked out.
-That's highly unlikely.
-Yet completely true.
-How long has it been checked out?
-About seven days.
Then it's due back today.
Nope, she's checked out
for the next four weeks straight.
-There's a one-week maximum.
-l cleared it with Mr. Jordan.
You did?
-You checked out the camera?
-Me checked out the camera, yes.
-There's a project l want to start on.
-There's a project that l am working on.
Okay. Well, then, when can l have
the camera back, exactly?
-When l'm done.
-And when will that be?
Filmmaking is not fast food, Dawson.
You can't rush it.
Wait a minute.
Three boxes of cereal, Jack?
You'll need an explanation
before you put those in the cart.
First, we have our Grape-Nuts...
...combination of taste and nutrients
to make it the perfect day-starter.
From there, we move on
to the premier afternoon snack...
...the underrated
but ever-tasty Cocoa Pebbles.
And then we round out
the cereal lover's perfect day...
...with that yummy late-night staple,
Cap'n Crunch.
lf there was ever a concern that you are
not Andie's brother, it's been solved.
What are you--? Come on.
You're a good man, Jackie Brown,
but as a grocery shopper, you blow.
l'm afraid l must leave you
with the Grape-Nuts.
-Fascist.
-Pig.
At least you fought the good fight.
Hey, Jack.
Ethan.
From the train, Ethan.
l prefer just plain '' Ethan.''
Wow. What are you doing here?
Food shopping. l hear it's pretty
standard in one of these places.
l meant, l thought you were going back
to school last weekend.
l did. l came back for Capefest.
What is that? ls it, like,
a feed-the-poor type of thing?
Which one of us lives here
year-round?
lt's a concert.
A free concert in the park.
Oh, okay, so it's like
a 'Palooza-type deal?
Moshing, stage-diving,
overpriced bottled water.
Anyway, there's a campsite outside
the concert where everyone hangs out.
l'm going down
to get a spot tomorrow.
Cool. That sounds like a blast.
Well, if you're a fan,
you should come.
Yeah, l mean, l'm a total fan.
Telltale fan quiz:
Who's your favourite Foo Fighter?
Courtney Love.
You're in the alternative nation...
...just not quite in the right zip code.
You should come anyway.
Cute.
Gay.
Aren't they all?
Excuse me, Mr. Broderick,
can l speak with you?
-And you are?
-Andie McPhee.
And you want
to waste my time about...?
-The school play.
-l see. Auditions are after school.
-lf you don't mind....
-lf you could just give me a minute.
l am not auditioning
at this time, comprende?
l am eating lunch.
l assume you eat lunch
on your planet, do you not?
-But l'm not here to audition.
-l know, you want to star in the show.
-Assistant director.
-l'm very familiar with the scenario.
Look, Mr. Broderick,
l want to be assistant director.
l'm smart, bossy and super-efficient.
And the truth is, you need me.
Why didn't you just say so?
'' Filmmaking is not fast food,
Dawson.''
She's entitled to the equipment too.
Look, you check out a camera,
you return it in a timely fashion.
That's all l'm asking.
Mom?
-What's going on?
-Hey.
Look, honey, l'm going to be taking
some furniture over to my place.
-Okay.
-Just the family room and guest room.
lt's part of the settlement.
l asked your dad not to say anything,
because l wanted to explain myself.
Mom, you don't have to explain
yourself. That's how it works.
l need you to keep being
as positive as you can be.
lt's gonna make it
so much easier on all of us.
Well, l aim to please.
Thank you for understanding.
Wanna talk?
What's there to say?
About what you're feeling?
l'm thinking my parents are divorced,
and l'm glad it's finally over.
Dawson, l said, what you're feeling.
l'm still working on that one.
This'll be great.
Sleeping out under the stars...
...fresh breeze off of that ocean,
call of the wild.
lt's the call of nature l'm worried about.
Where are the chemical toilets?
l don't know.
What do you say we set up here?
l thought l'd go to extreme measures
to get in some guy's pants.
l'm not trying to get in his pants.
This is the first gay guy
l've conversed with.
Excuse me for wanting
to get to know him.
Jack, l know. Just be aware that you're
venturing into new territory here.
And before you take
this emotional leap...
...you should be willing
to admit you're taking it.
Don't just try and brush it off as simply
wanting to get to know somebody.
l'm telling you, that's all it is.
Okay. Even still, take my advice.
Play it cool. Let him come to you.
l'm gonna see if l can find him.
Okay, Corie, maybe you're right.
Maybe love isn't enough.
Maybe two people should
have to take more than a blood test.
Maybe love isn't enough--
Okay, Corie, maybe you're right.
Maybe love isn't enough.
Maybe two people should
have to take more than a blood test.
Maybe they should be checked
for common sense--
--for common sense, understanding....
Maybe they should be checked
for common sense, understanding...
...and emotional maturity.
Okay, Corie, maybe you're right.
Maybe love isn't enough.
Maybe two people should
have to take more than a blood test.
Maybe they should be checked
for common sense...
...understanding
and emotional maturity.
l like him. What do you think?
l think l'm getting a migraine.
l think he's got a certain
dramatic flair.
l've got someone else in mind.
Who ''someone else''?
We are out of someone elses.
Granted, the boy l know
is a deplorable student...
...and he has the ethics
of a billy goat.
We have already cast
our Corie and Velasco.
Please don't let
our only Paul slip away.
Have no fear, Miss McPhee.
l cut a deal with one of my students.
The kid is a natural with comedy.
Okay.
Mr. Broderick, if l may be so bold...
...from my limited perspective,
l see but two kinds of actors:
Those with talent...
...and those with the ability
to expand on that talent...
...which requires maturity...
...which requires a sense
of responsibility...
...which requires the ability
to come both prepared and on time.
Hey. l'm sorry l'm late.
l'm here to read for the role of Paul.
-Pacey Witter.
-That's him. That's our Paul.
Dawson, tell me this isn't an attempt
to repossess the camera.
l just want to reiterate something.
-Reiterate away.
-Okay. l get this little ego trip.
l know you're
the principal's daughter...
...but that does not give you
the right to be rude.
l didn't know you wanted
to use the camera...
...but you're just gonna
have to get used to it.
l thought l heard
a familiar-sounding voice.
lf it isn't my second-favourite
student filmmaker.
-How are you, Dawson?
-Principal Green. Good.
So l understand you and Nikki
have become fast friends.
Yeah. Yeah.
l had a feeling you two
would hit it off.
Listen, why don't you stay
and join us for supper.
-l couldn't, l've got--
-l'm sure Dawson has other plans.
As your father and as your principal,
l'm gonna have to pull rank here.
How often do l get a chance to have
a nice meal with one of my students?
And l promise not to talk too much
about my lovely little daughter.
Come on.
Hey there.
So you decided to show.
Well, one small step for man,
one giant leap for mankind.
You here by yourself or with?
With. A girl. She's a friend of mine.
Setting up our tent.
-What about you?
-All by my lonesome.
So you want to go grab a bite to eat,
take a walk, what?
Yeah. To both.
Whatever.
Come on. l'll lead the way.
After the train ride, l thought for sure
you'd ask for my number.
Yeah, well, typical paranoia set in.
What can l say?
l figured as much.
How come you didn't ask for mine?
Because l could.
lt's more important that you learn
to ask. You're the newbie, remember?
Yeah, newbie. A '' barely-out gay kid
soon to have his heart broken,'' right?
-Good recall.
-There's not much l'm gonna forget...
...about that conversation.
That was a first for me.
That was your first time
talking to another gay kid?
Yeah-- Well, unless
you count the lnternet.
l don't.
-Wait, man. Where'd you get that?
-Over there.
Guy's a genius with a veggie burger.
Veggie burgers!
Get them while they're hot.
No crowding. Plenty for everyone.
All meatless.
No cows died to make these.
You want your bun toasted?
Thought you'd never ask.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Quite a crowd you have here.
l really don't have time
for small talk at the moment.
Did you want a burger or not?
Yes.
l was wondering if maybe you could
give me a hand with my tent.
l was never much of a Girl Scout.
Stanley, take over here
for a minute, will you?
So you never told me
that you were a vegetarian.
You never asked.
Do l detect a note
of ambivalence in seeing me?
That would be correct.
Any particular reason?
You mean besides the fact
that you led me on...
...for the sole purpose
of crushing me underfoot?
-That's not true, and you know it.
-You could have fooled me.
What are you talking about?
Don't tell me that you're not taking
some small satisfaction in it.
ln what?
Being on the requited side
of unrequited love.
Henry, l thought that you and l
agreed to be friends.
Friends?
You haven't even noticed, have you?
-What? Noticed what?
-That we haven't spoken in a month.
The past four weeks,
l've given you the silent treatment...
...and it hasn't even registered
on your radar screen.
Hell, l could have fallen off a cliff
1 0,000 feet for all you care.
-That's not true.
-Look, you know what?
You can put up your own damn tent.
Dawson, you're looking at
the only little girl in America...
...who wanted a super-8 camera
for her 1 0th birthday.
Nikki, should l tell him the name
of your first cinematic achievement?
-Don't you dare.
-A Day in the Life of Daddy.
-She followed me around all day long.
-The James Cameron of third grade.
So tell me, has she
enlisted you for her new film?
She hasn't.
l don't even know what it's about.
That's between me and my crew.
So in order to bask in the glory
of this mind-bending idea of yours...
-...l have to offer my services?
-ls that an offer?
-Are you asking for my help?
-l don't need any help, Dawson.
lt would be a great idea
for you two to work together.
-Forget it.
-l don't think that--
Sorry l mentioned it.
Yep.
You knew that young
that you were attracted to men?
No, l knew that young
that l was different.
Being gay isn't about
what sex you're attracted to.
lt informs so much
of who and what you are.
-You lost me.
-l'll make it simple.
You haven't talked
to another gay kid...
...so you definitely
haven't kissed one, right?
-No.
-But you still know you're gay.
-Sure.
-How?
l just know, l guess.
Everyone always wants to define ''gay''
and ''straight'' by who you sleep with.
lt's not about that.
lt's about moments.
lt's about being too nervous
to ask for my number.
lt's about conversations like this.
lt's about who and what you love.
That's why you can't erase it.
Because it's not just a part
of your life...
...it's everywhere.
-Unlike my stuff.
-What?
My camping gear. lt's gone.
-Well, after you.
-l want you to quit.
-Listen, he saw my potential, okay?
-No, no, no.
-This was my after-school activity.
-But l'm the lead in the play.
l want you to quit!
Listen, the guy said he'd give me
a C in English. What do you want?
Oh, that's what it's come to,
anything for a C?
-What's happened to you?
-Not that this is any of your concern...
...but Mr. Broderick thinks l might
be good at this, and so do l.
Okay, listen. Mr. Broderick
may be a lousy English teacher...
...but as a theatre director,
he is probing new lows, Pacey.
Rumour has it that he has botched
every school play...
...for the past five years.
And it's only by sheer force of will
that the past student theatre geeks...
...have managed to sandbag
his bi-hourly nervous breakdowns.
So, what's your point?
My point is, l got into this
to get over you, okay?
To give myself a new focus...
...and instead, your presence
is giving me perpetual myopia.
We haven't done one rehearsal.
You want me to throw
my theatre career to the wind?
Okay, listen, Sir Barrymore...
...our director is irrational...
...and your lack of ability,
though not apparent to him yet...
...is enough to send him over the edge,
and me with him.
-Fine. You quit, then.
-l most certainly will not.
l'm not gonna quit.
Witters aren't quitters.
Oh, that's really cute.
You know what? Fine. Just don't.
Fine. l won't.
-Dawson?
-Hey.
l must say, film geekdom is definitely
not evident in your bedroom d?cor.
Your room, let me guess,
wall-to-wall Spielberg one-sheets?
Yeah. Well, it's a shrine.
Figured as much.
-You say that like it's a bad thing.
-Oh, it's not. lt's just...
...there's so much
to be passionate about.
lt seems kind of silly
to only focus on one.
lf you find that one thing,
why not immerse yourself in it?
Don't get me wrong, Dawson.
l love film.
But l love it because
it allows me to explore...
...all of the other subjects
that interest me.
lf all you care about is film...
...then you're just gonna end up
making movies about other movies.
What good is that?
l'm really sorry about my father.
Ever since the divorce,
he does this really aggressive thing...
...when it comes to me making friends.
lt's so weird.
But, you know,
l try to cut him some slack.
So....
So you're cool with it, the divorce?
The constant shuttling
between living quarters...
...the continually veiled
and not-so-veiled comments...
...my parents make
about each other...
...the never-ending expectation
that l look on the bright side of things?
Oh, sure, l'm just dandy.
That's the oddest thing.
Judging from how you come off...
...l would assume
you're not affected by it at all.
lt's a well-crafted disguise, Dawson.
lnside, l'm just another angry kid.
How angry?
Angry enough to make a film about it.
So that's what your movie's about.
More or less.
lt's about the American family.
What makes them functional...
...or, as more often seems
to be the case, dysfunctional.
Well, Capeside should provide you
with a healthy supply of material there.
What about you? Your parents
are divorced. How do you feel about it?
l don't mean to probe. l'm sorry.
No. No, l mean,
you were honest with me.
The least l could do
is be honest back, right?
The truth is, most of the time l'm fine
with their not being together.
You know, l mean,
maybe l'm just self-obsessed...
...but l just don't think about it
that much, you know?
And then...
...other times, it just kind of
sneaks up on you.
You know? l mean, it's like...
...the disappointment of being
the product of something...
...that didn't work out.
Because that's what our parents are.
They're our primary
examples of love.
And my example just wasn't...
...l guess, strong enough to--
-Dawson?
-l should get going.
Tell your dad ''thanks.''
Oh, Jack. Thank God you're back
from your stalk-- l mean, walk.
You're never gonna guess
who l ran into here, of all--
-Hi.
-Hello.
Ethan, Jen. Jen, Ethan.
-Nice to meet you.
-lt's nice to meet you.
Looks like you could use
a little help with this tent.
Yes. Please.
Relieve me of all
of my feminist illusions...
...about the equality of the sexes
concerning spatial relations.
Listen, all of his stuff
got stolen, okay? All of his gear.
So he needs a place to stay tonight.
You, being the kindhearted soul that
you are, offered him a spot in our tent.
So could you take a walk for a couple
hours, come back around midnight?
-You're kidding me.
-Nope. Go mix. Mingle.
Write letters for Amnesty lnternational.
You'll make new friends.
l've got a better idea.
Me and the car
go back to Grams' house...
...and we pick you up in the morning.
Besides, Jack, l thought that you two
were just getting to know each other.
Do you guys want
a hot dog or something?
Yeah. Any of you guys
want a hot dog?
Why don't you sleep at your club?
lt's not that kind of club.
lt's a locker room and a handball court.
To sleep there, l'd have
to keep winning the serve.
No, stop right there.
ln theory, your character
may deliver his lines like that...
...but in concept, no.
-ln concept, no.
-Yes.
What precisely is the difference
between '' in theory'' and '' in concept''?
l think what
Mr. Broderick means is--
What Mr. Broderick means is
that he can speak for himself.
You see,
Paul desires his young bride...
...to know she knows
nothing of the real world.
Right. Which, practically
speaking, means what?
Louder and angrier.
Louder and angrier.
Yes. Let's do it again right now.
Louder and angrier.
lt's not that kind of club!
lt's a handball court with a locker room.
To stay there, l'd have
to keep winning my serve.
Good. l liked it.
You liked that?
Well, except for the hand stuff.
You were gesticulating.
Hey. Gesticulating, me? Never.
-Sometimes in the privacy of my home--
-Wait, wait, Pacey. That, just now.
That's it. You nailed it.
-What ''just now''?
-The joke. The dry, smug delivery.
That's the character.
Miss McPhee, am l
or am l not the director here?
You're confusing my actors.
-Well, l just thought that--
-Don't think, ever.
Let's do it again. Louder and angrier.
lt's not that kind of club!
lt's a handball court
with a locker room attached.
And to stay there, l'd have
to keep on winning my serve.
This is really cool of you guys.
Jen won't mind
if l take her sleeping bag?
No, no. Definitely not. She's....
She's a bit of a night owl.
-Old girlfriend?
-No, not exactly...
...but we did get set up once.
Let me guess. School dance.
Yeah. How'd you know?
Punch bowl, wrist corsage,
all the trappings of straightdom.
Until you realize you both like boys.
Oldest story in the world.
Well, good night.
Good night.
Aren't you gonna turn off the light?
Look, l was thinking, maybe...
...that we could talk some more.
You know what? l'm really beat.
We've got a big day
ahead of us tomorrow.
There's 20 bands starting at daybreak.
Hey.
That was really beautiful.
l mean, it was more
than beautiful, it was....
-lt was awesome.
-Whatever.
l didn't know you could sing.
l think we established there's a lot
you don't know about me.
-Henry? Henry, wait up for me.
-Why?
Because l wanted to talk to you.
You can't--
You can't keep doing this to me.
-Doing what?
-Trying to be my friend...
...and then pushing me away
when my feelings scare you.
Okay, l admit it. l miss you.
l miss the goofy way
that you used to look at me...
...with all that passion and intensity.
You made me feel like
l was actually worth the fuss.
You know, l used to spend
every day thinking about you...
...and dreaming about you.
And every time you walked by,
l lost myself.
Do you know what that feels like?
-Do you?
-No.
Then you couldn't possibly
know what it feels like...
...to have that person not have
the same feelings back.
Look, l'm sorry you miss
how l looked at you...
...but l don't miss
how you never looked at me.
Have l stepped
into some parallel universe?
-Say it isn't so, Dawson.
-lt's very so, Jo.
ls this about your parents?
Truth be told,
l don't know what it's about.
All l know is,
l was at Nikki's house today...
...we were talking, and it hit me.
The kid who hung these posters up,
l'm not him anymore.
l don't see the world the same way.
My viewpoint then was so limited.
And now l don't know what l see,
but l don't see this.
So you were at Nikki's house,
your worst enemy....
A, she's not my worst enemy. B, have
you missed everything l've told you?
l never thought l'd say this
about you, Dawson...
-...but you're such a sellout.
-What?
First, Eve practically tugs you
around town by a dog collar.
Now this film girl breezes into town,
and you're tossing your identity.
l'm not tossing my identity.
lf anything, for the first time in my life...
...l'm getting close
to discovering what my identity is.
l talked to Nikki. She helped me...
...sort through all this weirdness
with my parents.
l wanted to talk to you about that,
and you didn't want to.
No, l didn't.
How did this become about you?
-Because you ran to her.
-l did not--
What did you do then?
You wanna cite themes for our
friendship, try this on for size, Joey.
Every time l express one iota
of interest or even mere respect...
...for anyone of the opposite sex,
you attack me like l'm a criminal.
-And you don't attack me?
-No, l don't.
As you notice, l have not once
asked about Mr. lvy League.
Yeah, that's noted.
His name's A.J., okay?
Maybe your not asking about him
is worse than my attacking.
No. lt's not. My choice is civil.
-And l'm not civil?
-No. You're yelling.
You're yelling too.
Out with the old,
in with the new, huh?
Have fun.
Well, l'm gonna go grab some breakfast
before the music starts.
Thanks again
for letting me crash here.
Sure.
Aren't you forgetting something
you're supposed to ask me for?
-l don't think so.
-My number, Jack.
So you can call me,
we can talk, get together.
l don't get this.
Last night, you didn't even seem
interested enough to want to talk to me.
Now you want me
to have your number.
l was tired. l wanted to sleep.
That's got nothing to do
with us being friends.
Friends.
-l figured you were probably interested.
-And you're not.
Even if l was,
l would never go there with you.
You're so not ready.
How could you possibly
know what l'm ready for?
lt doesn't mean
that l'm not interested in you.
lt just means that
if l'm gonna stay in your life...
...and l want to...
...that l'm a lot more likely
to stick around this way.
So you are interested.
No comment.
Well, this is....
This is sort of funny.
l mean, as much
as l didn't want to admit it...
...you were the first guy that l was
ready to take that next step with...
...and you said no.
l guess l should be
somewhat discouraged.
l don't know. l mean,
l'm bizarrely optimistic...
...just to know that there's
someone like you out there.
Take care, Jack.
l had a date.
l ditched a perfectly good date
for a non-rehearsal.
Okay. Be patient. He'll show.
Oh, joy, then we can do more
'' louder, angrier.''
Well, why not just start
without the grand pooh-bah?
Andie's here. She could direct us.
How about not? l've been
in the dungeon enough, thank you.
All we're gonna do is run a few lines.
Besides, was it not you who said...
...that this is actually
your after-school activity?
Okay. Fine.
Pacey, do your deadpan thing.
Corie, when the phone rings...
...l want you to do it
just like the stage directions.
You know, confidential,
laughing at times, provocative. Okay?
Okay, on my direction.
Okay. And begin.
The stage is over there.
You lost or something?
Kind of.
Actually, l came here to apologize.
For what?
For being careless with your heart.
And for thinking that just because
l'm older, l knew better.
Last night, l stayed up all night
thinking about what you said...
...and you're right.
l don't know what it's like
to be in love like that.
l don't know what it's like to completely
lose yourself in somebody else.
But l'd like to.
And if one of us is younger
than the other here...
...l don't think that it's you, Henry.
You got that right.
Now...
...how do you like your coffee?
You can't say we didn't try.
-Yeah. Almost two whole weeks.
-Better than finding out in two years.
l like it. l like where this is going.
We started running it with Andie--
All those exercises
l've been throwing out at you...
-...they're paying off.
-We ran through it with Andie.
l like the pacing, the funny, the energy.
Get the set designs, would you?
l'm telling you, all those things
were Andie's ideas.
l mean, l was beginning to doubt
myself there for a moment...
...but you guys are definitely
in the groove.
The rest is just grunt work,
memorization, pacing, the easy stuff.
Andie, these aren't the set designs
we discussed.
They are. l told Lauren you wanted
a completely simplistic set.
Freestanding doorways,
hanging windows and minimal props.
Well, then l changed my mind, didn't l?
The actors will send this stuff flying
around the stage like a trapeze.
-No. But, Mr. Broderick, we don't--
-Andie, don't argue.
Just follow orders.
All right, let's run the scene again.
Same way. No changes.
Don't leave like this. You said yourself,
he thinks he's theatre caesar.
He's terrified somebody will
find out he's not.
No. l can't work under these
conditions. lt's hard enough as it is.
Okay. All right. lf it's hard, l'll quit.
You can't do that. l mean, you're--
You're actually good.
Thank you, but the fact still remains
that you're better, all right?
We need you in there. Even if that
guy's a jerk, you gotta stick it out.
l need you, McPhee.
What am l supposed to do,
resume kissing his ass?
Yeah, basically.
-Well, is he gonna stay out of my way?
-Who, Broderick? No.
You're talking crazy talk. He'd never
do anything like that. lt'd be too easy.
All right. Then what's in it for me?
Well, that depends.
Are we talking in concept or in theory?
Come on, what's the verdict?
Yes or no?
l think...
-...no.
-All right. Good.
Actually, that's kind of
what l expected you to say.
-So l'll see you at rehearsal then.
-No. Pacey, l said no.
l can't hear you. lt's good
to hear you're so fired up about this.
-We need that kind of passion.
-Pacey, l said no!
Pacey, l said no.
So all your efforts to secure some
face time with the new beau backfired?
Well, it turns out that the gay version
of the '' let's be friends'' speech...
...is basically the same
as the straight version.
So would that mean that the part
where you were rude and insensitive...
...and sent me off into the cold,
dark night unescorted...
-...that was all for nothing?
-'' Rude'' is such a strong word.
l prefer something more like
''momentarily self-involved.''
That does have a certain ring to it.
Am l forgiven?
Yes, Jack, you are forgiven.
lt's a happy point in a girl's life...
...when her gay best friend
finally dumps her for another boy.
They should make
a greeting card for that.
-Hold on. What happened?
-What?
The good attitude. You're wigging
me out here. Explain. What did l miss?
Remember when you told me
to make new friends?
l thought we already established
that was not my finest hour.
l know. Well, let's just say that...
...while l was wandering around,
l may have...
...inadvertently stumbled
upon somebody.
A friend?
Yeah.
Anyone l know?
Yeah. Yeah. Most definitely
someone that you know.
-Who is it?
-l'm not telling.
Who is it?
You're not gonna get it out of me.
Do l still have ladder privileges?
l suppose so.
l come bearing gifts.
You remember?
Remember that summer...
...we came across Mitch and Gale's
old Beatles albums...
...listened to them on the porch
every day for hours?
Grams yelled for us
to turn down that hippie music.
Yeah, and you wanted
to be John Lennon.
You wanted to write songs
and change the world through music.
-l did?
-You did.
You weren't just about Spielberg.
You weren't limited.
You were about so many things.
l just wanted to remind you of that.
l also wanted to remind you that
even though sometimes my emotions...
...particularly jealousy...
...sometimes get the best of me...
...l still hear you.
No matter how much we yell
or no matter how quiet you are...
...l hear you, Dawson.
l hear you too, Joey.
Listen, l know what's going on
inside of you is huge.
lt's okay if you don't share it with me.
Just promise me you'll keep trying
to share it with someone.
Do you want to give me a hand?
So, what do you think? You think John
will inspire me to walk my own path?
You've always walked
your own path, Dawson.
You just needed to widen it a little.
And be on the lookout for your Yoko.
but don't you already own a camera?
-A video camera, yeah.
-And the difference is...?
Well, imagine Schindler's List
shot on a family camcorder.
l mean, video's a great format
to learn on...
...but the look and the feel
are strictly amateur.
Film is key, and l think l'm finally
ready to give her another spin.
-Her?
-The Arriflex.
Capeside High's
one and only 1 6-mm camera.
She is a beauty, Dawson.
Nikki. Hey, what are you doing here?
Extra credit for Jordan's film class.
Plus, l get to be near
all the equipment.
How very earnest of you.
You're Joey, right?
Right. Hey.
l've heard wonderful things
about your film.
Really? From who?
Speaking of equipment,
hand her over.
Sorry, Dawson, she's checked out.
-That's highly unlikely.
-Yet completely true.
-How long has it been checked out?
-About seven days.
Then it's due back today.
Nope, she's checked out
for the next four weeks straight.
-There's a one-week maximum.
-l cleared it with Mr. Jordan.
You did?
-You checked out the camera?
-Me checked out the camera, yes.
-There's a project l want to start on.
-There's a project that l am working on.
Okay. Well, then, when can l have
the camera back, exactly?
-When l'm done.
-And when will that be?
Filmmaking is not fast food, Dawson.
You can't rush it.
Wait a minute.
Three boxes of cereal, Jack?
You'll need an explanation
before you put those in the cart.
First, we have our Grape-Nuts...
...combination of taste and nutrients
to make it the perfect day-starter.
From there, we move on
to the premier afternoon snack...
...the underrated
but ever-tasty Cocoa Pebbles.
And then we round out
the cereal lover's perfect day...
...with that yummy late-night staple,
Cap'n Crunch.
lf there was ever a concern that you are
not Andie's brother, it's been solved.
What are you--? Come on.
You're a good man, Jackie Brown,
but as a grocery shopper, you blow.
l'm afraid l must leave you
with the Grape-Nuts.
-Fascist.
-Pig.
At least you fought the good fight.
Hey, Jack.
Ethan.
From the train, Ethan.
l prefer just plain '' Ethan.''
Wow. What are you doing here?
Food shopping. l hear it's pretty
standard in one of these places.
l meant, l thought you were going back
to school last weekend.
l did. l came back for Capefest.
What is that? ls it, like,
a feed-the-poor type of thing?
Which one of us lives here
year-round?
lt's a concert.
A free concert in the park.
Oh, okay, so it's like
a 'Palooza-type deal?
Moshing, stage-diving,
overpriced bottled water.
Anyway, there's a campsite outside
the concert where everyone hangs out.
l'm going down
to get a spot tomorrow.
Cool. That sounds like a blast.
Well, if you're a fan,
you should come.
Yeah, l mean, l'm a total fan.
Telltale fan quiz:
Who's your favourite Foo Fighter?
Courtney Love.
You're in the alternative nation...
...just not quite in the right zip code.
You should come anyway.
Cute.
Gay.
Aren't they all?
Excuse me, Mr. Broderick,
can l speak with you?
-And you are?
-Andie McPhee.
And you want
to waste my time about...?
-The school play.
-l see. Auditions are after school.
-lf you don't mind....
-lf you could just give me a minute.
l am not auditioning
at this time, comprende?
l am eating lunch.
l assume you eat lunch
on your planet, do you not?
-But l'm not here to audition.
-l know, you want to star in the show.
-Assistant director.
-l'm very familiar with the scenario.
Look, Mr. Broderick,
l want to be assistant director.
l'm smart, bossy and super-efficient.
And the truth is, you need me.
Why didn't you just say so?
'' Filmmaking is not fast food,
Dawson.''
She's entitled to the equipment too.
Look, you check out a camera,
you return it in a timely fashion.
That's all l'm asking.
Mom?
-What's going on?
-Hey.
Look, honey, l'm going to be taking
some furniture over to my place.
-Okay.
-Just the family room and guest room.
lt's part of the settlement.
l asked your dad not to say anything,
because l wanted to explain myself.
Mom, you don't have to explain
yourself. That's how it works.
l need you to keep being
as positive as you can be.
lt's gonna make it
so much easier on all of us.
Well, l aim to please.
Thank you for understanding.
Wanna talk?
What's there to say?
About what you're feeling?
l'm thinking my parents are divorced,
and l'm glad it's finally over.
Dawson, l said, what you're feeling.
l'm still working on that one.
This'll be great.
Sleeping out under the stars...
...fresh breeze off of that ocean,
call of the wild.
lt's the call of nature l'm worried about.
Where are the chemical toilets?
l don't know.
What do you say we set up here?
l thought l'd go to extreme measures
to get in some guy's pants.
l'm not trying to get in his pants.
This is the first gay guy
l've conversed with.
Excuse me for wanting
to get to know him.
Jack, l know. Just be aware that you're
venturing into new territory here.
And before you take
this emotional leap...
...you should be willing
to admit you're taking it.
Don't just try and brush it off as simply
wanting to get to know somebody.
l'm telling you, that's all it is.
Okay. Even still, take my advice.
Play it cool. Let him come to you.
l'm gonna see if l can find him.
Okay, Corie, maybe you're right.
Maybe love isn't enough.
Maybe two people should
have to take more than a blood test.
Maybe love isn't enough--
Okay, Corie, maybe you're right.
Maybe love isn't enough.
Maybe two people should
have to take more than a blood test.
Maybe they should be checked
for common sense--
--for common sense, understanding....
Maybe they should be checked
for common sense, understanding...
...and emotional maturity.
Okay, Corie, maybe you're right.
Maybe love isn't enough.
Maybe two people should
have to take more than a blood test.
Maybe they should be checked
for common sense...
...understanding
and emotional maturity.
l like him. What do you think?
l think l'm getting a migraine.
l think he's got a certain
dramatic flair.
l've got someone else in mind.
Who ''someone else''?
We are out of someone elses.
Granted, the boy l know
is a deplorable student...
...and he has the ethics
of a billy goat.
We have already cast
our Corie and Velasco.
Please don't let
our only Paul slip away.
Have no fear, Miss McPhee.
l cut a deal with one of my students.
The kid is a natural with comedy.
Okay.
Mr. Broderick, if l may be so bold...
...from my limited perspective,
l see but two kinds of actors:
Those with talent...
...and those with the ability
to expand on that talent...
...which requires maturity...
...which requires a sense
of responsibility...
...which requires the ability
to come both prepared and on time.
Hey. l'm sorry l'm late.
l'm here to read for the role of Paul.
-Pacey Witter.
-That's him. That's our Paul.
Dawson, tell me this isn't an attempt
to repossess the camera.
l just want to reiterate something.
-Reiterate away.
-Okay. l get this little ego trip.
l know you're
the principal's daughter...
...but that does not give you
the right to be rude.
l didn't know you wanted
to use the camera...
...but you're just gonna
have to get used to it.
l thought l heard
a familiar-sounding voice.
lf it isn't my second-favourite
student filmmaker.
-How are you, Dawson?
-Principal Green. Good.
So l understand you and Nikki
have become fast friends.
Yeah. Yeah.
l had a feeling you two
would hit it off.
Listen, why don't you stay
and join us for supper.
-l couldn't, l've got--
-l'm sure Dawson has other plans.
As your father and as your principal,
l'm gonna have to pull rank here.
How often do l get a chance to have
a nice meal with one of my students?
And l promise not to talk too much
about my lovely little daughter.
Come on.
Hey there.
So you decided to show.
Well, one small step for man,
one giant leap for mankind.
You here by yourself or with?
With. A girl. She's a friend of mine.
Setting up our tent.
-What about you?
-All by my lonesome.
So you want to go grab a bite to eat,
take a walk, what?
Yeah. To both.
Whatever.
Come on. l'll lead the way.
After the train ride, l thought for sure
you'd ask for my number.
Yeah, well, typical paranoia set in.
What can l say?
l figured as much.
How come you didn't ask for mine?
Because l could.
lt's more important that you learn
to ask. You're the newbie, remember?
Yeah, newbie. A '' barely-out gay kid
soon to have his heart broken,'' right?
-Good recall.
-There's not much l'm gonna forget...
...about that conversation.
That was a first for me.
That was your first time
talking to another gay kid?
Yeah-- Well, unless
you count the lnternet.
l don't.
-Wait, man. Where'd you get that?
-Over there.
Guy's a genius with a veggie burger.
Veggie burgers!
Get them while they're hot.
No crowding. Plenty for everyone.
All meatless.
No cows died to make these.
You want your bun toasted?
Thought you'd never ask.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Quite a crowd you have here.
l really don't have time
for small talk at the moment.
Did you want a burger or not?
Yes.
l was wondering if maybe you could
give me a hand with my tent.
l was never much of a Girl Scout.
Stanley, take over here
for a minute, will you?
So you never told me
that you were a vegetarian.
You never asked.
Do l detect a note
of ambivalence in seeing me?
That would be correct.
Any particular reason?
You mean besides the fact
that you led me on...
...for the sole purpose
of crushing me underfoot?
-That's not true, and you know it.
-You could have fooled me.
What are you talking about?
Don't tell me that you're not taking
some small satisfaction in it.
ln what?
Being on the requited side
of unrequited love.
Henry, l thought that you and l
agreed to be friends.
Friends?
You haven't even noticed, have you?
-What? Noticed what?
-That we haven't spoken in a month.
The past four weeks,
l've given you the silent treatment...
...and it hasn't even registered
on your radar screen.
Hell, l could have fallen off a cliff
1 0,000 feet for all you care.
-That's not true.
-Look, you know what?
You can put up your own damn tent.
Dawson, you're looking at
the only little girl in America...
...who wanted a super-8 camera
for her 1 0th birthday.
Nikki, should l tell him the name
of your first cinematic achievement?
-Don't you dare.
-A Day in the Life of Daddy.
-She followed me around all day long.
-The James Cameron of third grade.
So tell me, has she
enlisted you for her new film?
She hasn't.
l don't even know what it's about.
That's between me and my crew.
So in order to bask in the glory
of this mind-bending idea of yours...
-...l have to offer my services?
-ls that an offer?
-Are you asking for my help?
-l don't need any help, Dawson.
lt would be a great idea
for you two to work together.
-Forget it.
-l don't think that--
Sorry l mentioned it.
Yep.
You knew that young
that you were attracted to men?
No, l knew that young
that l was different.
Being gay isn't about
what sex you're attracted to.
lt informs so much
of who and what you are.
-You lost me.
-l'll make it simple.
You haven't talked
to another gay kid...
...so you definitely
haven't kissed one, right?
-No.
-But you still know you're gay.
-Sure.
-How?
l just know, l guess.
Everyone always wants to define ''gay''
and ''straight'' by who you sleep with.
lt's not about that.
lt's about moments.
lt's about being too nervous
to ask for my number.
lt's about conversations like this.
lt's about who and what you love.
That's why you can't erase it.
Because it's not just a part
of your life...
...it's everywhere.
-Unlike my stuff.
-What?
My camping gear. lt's gone.
-Well, after you.
-l want you to quit.
-Listen, he saw my potential, okay?
-No, no, no.
-This was my after-school activity.
-But l'm the lead in the play.
l want you to quit!
Listen, the guy said he'd give me
a C in English. What do you want?
Oh, that's what it's come to,
anything for a C?
-What's happened to you?
-Not that this is any of your concern...
...but Mr. Broderick thinks l might
be good at this, and so do l.
Okay, listen. Mr. Broderick
may be a lousy English teacher...
...but as a theatre director,
he is probing new lows, Pacey.
Rumour has it that he has botched
every school play...
...for the past five years.
And it's only by sheer force of will
that the past student theatre geeks...
...have managed to sandbag
his bi-hourly nervous breakdowns.
So, what's your point?
My point is, l got into this
to get over you, okay?
To give myself a new focus...
...and instead, your presence
is giving me perpetual myopia.
We haven't done one rehearsal.
You want me to throw
my theatre career to the wind?
Okay, listen, Sir Barrymore...
...our director is irrational...
...and your lack of ability,
though not apparent to him yet...
...is enough to send him over the edge,
and me with him.
-Fine. You quit, then.
-l most certainly will not.
l'm not gonna quit.
Witters aren't quitters.
Oh, that's really cute.
You know what? Fine. Just don't.
Fine. l won't.
-Dawson?
-Hey.
l must say, film geekdom is definitely
not evident in your bedroom d?cor.
Your room, let me guess,
wall-to-wall Spielberg one-sheets?
Yeah. Well, it's a shrine.
Figured as much.
-You say that like it's a bad thing.
-Oh, it's not. lt's just...
...there's so much
to be passionate about.
lt seems kind of silly
to only focus on one.
lf you find that one thing,
why not immerse yourself in it?
Don't get me wrong, Dawson.
l love film.
But l love it because
it allows me to explore...
...all of the other subjects
that interest me.
lf all you care about is film...
...then you're just gonna end up
making movies about other movies.
What good is that?
l'm really sorry about my father.
Ever since the divorce,
he does this really aggressive thing...
...when it comes to me making friends.
lt's so weird.
But, you know,
l try to cut him some slack.
So....
So you're cool with it, the divorce?
The constant shuttling
between living quarters...
...the continually veiled
and not-so-veiled comments...
...my parents make
about each other...
...the never-ending expectation
that l look on the bright side of things?
Oh, sure, l'm just dandy.
That's the oddest thing.
Judging from how you come off...
...l would assume
you're not affected by it at all.
lt's a well-crafted disguise, Dawson.
lnside, l'm just another angry kid.
How angry?
Angry enough to make a film about it.
So that's what your movie's about.
More or less.
lt's about the American family.
What makes them functional...
...or, as more often seems
to be the case, dysfunctional.
Well, Capeside should provide you
with a healthy supply of material there.
What about you? Your parents
are divorced. How do you feel about it?
l don't mean to probe. l'm sorry.
No. No, l mean,
you were honest with me.
The least l could do
is be honest back, right?
The truth is, most of the time l'm fine
with their not being together.
You know, l mean,
maybe l'm just self-obsessed...
...but l just don't think about it
that much, you know?
And then...
...other times, it just kind of
sneaks up on you.
You know? l mean, it's like...
...the disappointment of being
the product of something...
...that didn't work out.
Because that's what our parents are.
They're our primary
examples of love.
And my example just wasn't...
...l guess, strong enough to--
-Dawson?
-l should get going.
Tell your dad ''thanks.''
Oh, Jack. Thank God you're back
from your stalk-- l mean, walk.
You're never gonna guess
who l ran into here, of all--
-Hi.
-Hello.
Ethan, Jen. Jen, Ethan.
-Nice to meet you.
-lt's nice to meet you.
Looks like you could use
a little help with this tent.
Yes. Please.
Relieve me of all
of my feminist illusions...
...about the equality of the sexes
concerning spatial relations.
Listen, all of his stuff
got stolen, okay? All of his gear.
So he needs a place to stay tonight.
You, being the kindhearted soul that
you are, offered him a spot in our tent.
So could you take a walk for a couple
hours, come back around midnight?
-You're kidding me.
-Nope. Go mix. Mingle.
Write letters for Amnesty lnternational.
You'll make new friends.
l've got a better idea.
Me and the car
go back to Grams' house...
...and we pick you up in the morning.
Besides, Jack, l thought that you two
were just getting to know each other.
Do you guys want
a hot dog or something?
Yeah. Any of you guys
want a hot dog?
Why don't you sleep at your club?
lt's not that kind of club.
lt's a locker room and a handball court.
To sleep there, l'd have
to keep winning the serve.
No, stop right there.
ln theory, your character
may deliver his lines like that...
...but in concept, no.
-ln concept, no.
-Yes.
What precisely is the difference
between '' in theory'' and '' in concept''?
l think what
Mr. Broderick means is--
What Mr. Broderick means is
that he can speak for himself.
You see,
Paul desires his young bride...
...to know she knows
nothing of the real world.
Right. Which, practically
speaking, means what?
Louder and angrier.
Louder and angrier.
Yes. Let's do it again right now.
Louder and angrier.
lt's not that kind of club!
lt's a handball court with a locker room.
To stay there, l'd have
to keep winning my serve.
Good. l liked it.
You liked that?
Well, except for the hand stuff.
You were gesticulating.
Hey. Gesticulating, me? Never.
-Sometimes in the privacy of my home--
-Wait, wait, Pacey. That, just now.
That's it. You nailed it.
-What ''just now''?
-The joke. The dry, smug delivery.
That's the character.
Miss McPhee, am l
or am l not the director here?
You're confusing my actors.
-Well, l just thought that--
-Don't think, ever.
Let's do it again. Louder and angrier.
lt's not that kind of club!
lt's a handball court
with a locker room attached.
And to stay there, l'd have
to keep on winning my serve.
This is really cool of you guys.
Jen won't mind
if l take her sleeping bag?
No, no. Definitely not. She's....
She's a bit of a night owl.
-Old girlfriend?
-No, not exactly...
...but we did get set up once.
Let me guess. School dance.
Yeah. How'd you know?
Punch bowl, wrist corsage,
all the trappings of straightdom.
Until you realize you both like boys.
Oldest story in the world.
Well, good night.
Good night.
Aren't you gonna turn off the light?
Look, l was thinking, maybe...
...that we could talk some more.
You know what? l'm really beat.
We've got a big day
ahead of us tomorrow.
There's 20 bands starting at daybreak.
Hey.
That was really beautiful.
l mean, it was more
than beautiful, it was....
-lt was awesome.
-Whatever.
l didn't know you could sing.
l think we established there's a lot
you don't know about me.
-Henry? Henry, wait up for me.
-Why?
Because l wanted to talk to you.
You can't--
You can't keep doing this to me.
-Doing what?
-Trying to be my friend...
...and then pushing me away
when my feelings scare you.
Okay, l admit it. l miss you.
l miss the goofy way
that you used to look at me...
...with all that passion and intensity.
You made me feel like
l was actually worth the fuss.
You know, l used to spend
every day thinking about you...
...and dreaming about you.
And every time you walked by,
l lost myself.
Do you know what that feels like?
-Do you?
-No.
Then you couldn't possibly
know what it feels like...
...to have that person not have
the same feelings back.
Look, l'm sorry you miss
how l looked at you...
...but l don't miss
how you never looked at me.
Have l stepped
into some parallel universe?
-Say it isn't so, Dawson.
-lt's very so, Jo.
ls this about your parents?
Truth be told,
l don't know what it's about.
All l know is,
l was at Nikki's house today...
...we were talking, and it hit me.
The kid who hung these posters up,
l'm not him anymore.
l don't see the world the same way.
My viewpoint then was so limited.
And now l don't know what l see,
but l don't see this.
So you were at Nikki's house,
your worst enemy....
A, she's not my worst enemy. B, have
you missed everything l've told you?
l never thought l'd say this
about you, Dawson...
-...but you're such a sellout.
-What?
First, Eve practically tugs you
around town by a dog collar.
Now this film girl breezes into town,
and you're tossing your identity.
l'm not tossing my identity.
lf anything, for the first time in my life...
...l'm getting close
to discovering what my identity is.
l talked to Nikki. She helped me...
...sort through all this weirdness
with my parents.
l wanted to talk to you about that,
and you didn't want to.
No, l didn't.
How did this become about you?
-Because you ran to her.
-l did not--
What did you do then?
You wanna cite themes for our
friendship, try this on for size, Joey.
Every time l express one iota
of interest or even mere respect...
...for anyone of the opposite sex,
you attack me like l'm a criminal.
-And you don't attack me?
-No, l don't.
As you notice, l have not once
asked about Mr. lvy League.
Yeah, that's noted.
His name's A.J., okay?
Maybe your not asking about him
is worse than my attacking.
No. lt's not. My choice is civil.
-And l'm not civil?
-No. You're yelling.
You're yelling too.
Out with the old,
in with the new, huh?
Have fun.
Well, l'm gonna go grab some breakfast
before the music starts.
Thanks again
for letting me crash here.
Sure.
Aren't you forgetting something
you're supposed to ask me for?
-l don't think so.
-My number, Jack.
So you can call me,
we can talk, get together.
l don't get this.
Last night, you didn't even seem
interested enough to want to talk to me.
Now you want me
to have your number.
l was tired. l wanted to sleep.
That's got nothing to do
with us being friends.
Friends.
-l figured you were probably interested.
-And you're not.
Even if l was,
l would never go there with you.
You're so not ready.
How could you possibly
know what l'm ready for?
lt doesn't mean
that l'm not interested in you.
lt just means that
if l'm gonna stay in your life...
...and l want to...
...that l'm a lot more likely
to stick around this way.
So you are interested.
No comment.
Well, this is....
This is sort of funny.
l mean, as much
as l didn't want to admit it...
...you were the first guy that l was
ready to take that next step with...
...and you said no.
l guess l should be
somewhat discouraged.
l don't know. l mean,
l'm bizarrely optimistic...
...just to know that there's
someone like you out there.
Take care, Jack.
l had a date.
l ditched a perfectly good date
for a non-rehearsal.
Okay. Be patient. He'll show.
Oh, joy, then we can do more
'' louder, angrier.''
Well, why not just start
without the grand pooh-bah?
Andie's here. She could direct us.
How about not? l've been
in the dungeon enough, thank you.
All we're gonna do is run a few lines.
Besides, was it not you who said...
...that this is actually
your after-school activity?
Okay. Fine.
Pacey, do your deadpan thing.
Corie, when the phone rings...
...l want you to do it
just like the stage directions.
You know, confidential,
laughing at times, provocative. Okay?
Okay, on my direction.
Okay. And begin.
The stage is over there.
You lost or something?
Kind of.
Actually, l came here to apologize.
For what?
For being careless with your heart.
And for thinking that just because
l'm older, l knew better.
Last night, l stayed up all night
thinking about what you said...
...and you're right.
l don't know what it's like
to be in love like that.
l don't know what it's like to completely
lose yourself in somebody else.
But l'd like to.
And if one of us is younger
than the other here...
...l don't think that it's you, Henry.
You got that right.
Now...
...how do you like your coffee?
You can't say we didn't try.
-Yeah. Almost two whole weeks.
-Better than finding out in two years.
l like it. l like where this is going.
We started running it with Andie--
All those exercises
l've been throwing out at you...
-...they're paying off.
-We ran through it with Andie.
l like the pacing, the funny, the energy.
Get the set designs, would you?
l'm telling you, all those things
were Andie's ideas.
l mean, l was beginning to doubt
myself there for a moment...
...but you guys are definitely
in the groove.
The rest is just grunt work,
memorization, pacing, the easy stuff.
Andie, these aren't the set designs
we discussed.
They are. l told Lauren you wanted
a completely simplistic set.
Freestanding doorways,
hanging windows and minimal props.
Well, then l changed my mind, didn't l?
The actors will send this stuff flying
around the stage like a trapeze.
-No. But, Mr. Broderick, we don't--
-Andie, don't argue.
Just follow orders.
All right, let's run the scene again.
Same way. No changes.
Don't leave like this. You said yourself,
he thinks he's theatre caesar.
He's terrified somebody will
find out he's not.
No. l can't work under these
conditions. lt's hard enough as it is.
Okay. All right. lf it's hard, l'll quit.
You can't do that. l mean, you're--
You're actually good.
Thank you, but the fact still remains
that you're better, all right?
We need you in there. Even if that
guy's a jerk, you gotta stick it out.
l need you, McPhee.
What am l supposed to do,
resume kissing his ass?
Yeah, basically.
-Well, is he gonna stay out of my way?
-Who, Broderick? No.
You're talking crazy talk. He'd never
do anything like that. lt'd be too easy.
All right. Then what's in it for me?
Well, that depends.
Are we talking in concept or in theory?
Come on, what's the verdict?
Yes or no?
l think...
-...no.
-All right. Good.
Actually, that's kind of
what l expected you to say.
-So l'll see you at rehearsal then.
-No. Pacey, l said no.
l can't hear you. lt's good
to hear you're so fired up about this.
-We need that kind of passion.
-Pacey, l said no!
Pacey, l said no.
So all your efforts to secure some
face time with the new beau backfired?
Well, it turns out that the gay version
of the '' let's be friends'' speech...
...is basically the same
as the straight version.
So would that mean that the part
where you were rude and insensitive...
...and sent me off into the cold,
dark night unescorted...
-...that was all for nothing?
-'' Rude'' is such a strong word.
l prefer something more like
''momentarily self-involved.''
That does have a certain ring to it.
Am l forgiven?
Yes, Jack, you are forgiven.
lt's a happy point in a girl's life...
...when her gay best friend
finally dumps her for another boy.
They should make
a greeting card for that.
-Hold on. What happened?
-What?
The good attitude. You're wigging
me out here. Explain. What did l miss?
Remember when you told me
to make new friends?
l thought we already established
that was not my finest hour.
l know. Well, let's just say that...
...while l was wandering around,
l may have...
...inadvertently stumbled
upon somebody.
A friend?
Yeah.
Anyone l know?
Yeah. Yeah. Most definitely
someone that you know.
-Who is it?
-l'm not telling.
Who is it?
You're not gonna get it out of me.
Do l still have ladder privileges?
l suppose so.
l come bearing gifts.
You remember?
Remember that summer...
...we came across Mitch and Gale's
old Beatles albums...
...listened to them on the porch
every day for hours?
Grams yelled for us
to turn down that hippie music.
Yeah, and you wanted
to be John Lennon.
You wanted to write songs
and change the world through music.
-l did?
-You did.
You weren't just about Spielberg.
You weren't limited.
You were about so many things.
l just wanted to remind you of that.
l also wanted to remind you that
even though sometimes my emotions...
...particularly jealousy...
...sometimes get the best of me...
...l still hear you.
No matter how much we yell
or no matter how quiet you are...
...l hear you, Dawson.
l hear you too, Joey.
Listen, l know what's going on
inside of you is huge.
lt's okay if you don't share it with me.
Just promise me you'll keep trying
to share it with someone.
Do you want to give me a hand?
So, what do you think? You think John
will inspire me to walk my own path?
You've always walked
your own path, Dawson.
You just needed to widen it a little.
And be on the lookout for your Yoko.