Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 4, Episode 2 - Failing Down - full transcript
Joey is looking for a new job and gets one as a waitress at the Yacht Club Restaurant pretending to know a very influent family. But she is tricked by her boss' snobbish, trouble-making son, Drue Valentine, who sees through her lies, but decides to let her stay on in order to get to know her better. Meanwhile, Mitch, now working as a guidance counselor at Capeside High, tells Pacey he's not going to graduate unless he makes up for his bad grades. Pacey doesn't want Joey to know, but Mitch tells Dawson, who tells Joey. Gretchen also finds a new place to live in the form of a wretched beach front house, and Pacey willing moves in with her. Jen gets ticked off after the departed Henry breaks off their relationship by e-mail whom he sends to Jack instead of her.
They want to see me in the
guidance office after school.
-So?
-So do they wanna see you...
...in the guidance office
after school?
-No.
-No.
That right there's a bad sign.
lt means they're singling me out.
Don't worry, sweetie.
They probably wanna extend a hand...
...to help you fulfil your destiny as the
world's greatest gas-station attendant.
-Oh, that's cute.
-Teasing's out of the question?
Oh, no.
Tease away, you little hussy.
But you raise an interesting point.
We should talk about it
now that we're back to school.
Talk about what, exactly?
Well, our mutual wants and needs.
Did you actually just say that
out loud?
Like you said, we're a couple, Potter.
As a couple, there's a couple of
things we need to discuss.
Such as?
Kissing in public.
Maybe.
-Maybe?
-lf it's of the spontaneous variety.
Good Lord, woman. You really are
a fickle mistress, you know that?
l mean, without kissing,
what do we really have left?
Precious little.
-We should probably break up.
-Yeah. Well, we had a good run, huh?
Excuse me.
Wow, senior year,
then before you know it, college.
lf l don't find a job soon, the only thing
that l have to look forward to is CCC.
Capeside Community College.
Hey, well, there's always CYC.
-What's that?
-Capeside Yacht Club.
My father was just telling me
they're looking for a waitress.
You're high.
Joey, come on. lt's the lce House with
cute rich boys and way bigger tips.
Something tells me the beautiful
people would probably frown...
...on the applicant whose name
is synonymous with scandal.
-So make like you're one of them.
-Yeah, right.
Here's what you do. lf you think
the interview's starting to go south...
...you drop a name.
Whose?
l'd say you could use mine...
...but these days McPhee
is synonymous...
...with gay, crazy and dysfunctional.
How about the Rosses?
They're on the board.
Charles, Kate and son, Owen.
Oh, my God, he is so gorgeous.
So our age and so eligible.
And so perfect for me if
l actually cared about those things.
But you digress.
So anyway, Joey, where else are
you gonna make that kind of money?
Well, there is always that
strip club on the edge of town.
Dawson Leery.
Gretchen. Hey, what are you doing?
Scouting out some new digs.
Until my brother, Douglas,
finds a suitable...
...and l finger-quote, '' partner,''
he's best off living by his lonesome.
So it looks like l'm gonna be
shacking up...
...with my other equally irritating
yet decidedly less anal brother.
That's great.
Good luck with that.
Listen, this is, of course,
none of my business...
...but it breaks my heart to see...
...once-inseparable best friends
so estranged.
lf there's anything that l can do....
Clearly, something
you'd rather not talk about.
Sorry. My bad.
lt's okay.
-Oh, my God.
-What?
Dawson, this is the most offensive
collection of music l've ever seen.
Which is why l'm trading them in.
Yeah, but Dawson, Vanilla lce?
What were you thinking?
l don't know. l was 1 0.
Who has good taste at 1 0?
When l was 1 0, l could rattle off
the name...
...of every band
on the Sub Pop label.
And l was telling anybody who would
listen that a guy named Kurt Cobain...
...would change music
as we knew it.
l could rattle off
every cinematographer...
...Steven Spielberg
had ever worked with.
Which somehow isn't
that impressive, is it?
Okay. What else do we have here?
Okay. The Grateful Dead.
Now, why are you returning this?
My parents got me that CD.
l just wasn't a big fan.
Okay. Okay. l can't believe...
...l am standing in front of
a teenage guy whose parents...
...have better taste in music
than him.
Shame on you, Dawson.
Shame on you.
You gotta be kidding me.
That's the umpteenth time...
-...you checked your e-mail.
-You lie. Thanks.
l don't know.
Every time l went by the computer lab,
l saw the same bosomy blond...
...behind the same blueberry iMac.
All right. All right.
l admit it. You're right.
Jack, l think it's clear that Henry
has forsaken me for another.
Give the poor guy some time
to get acclimated.
l don't know. l mean, it's weird.
lt's becoming a thing.
-What do you mean, ''a thing''?
-A thing. An alarming trend.
All summer long there were
phone calls...
...e-mails, lM'ing each other
to the point of exhaustion.
But now, when l go online,
he's never there.
And when l call,
he's strangely unavailable.
l mean, l'm starting to feel
like l did something wrong.
ls it possible l'm not
a good cybersex partner?
l'm sure you're a very generous
and giving cyber-lover, Jen.
You've got mail.
Who wrote you?
No one.
Now, what exactly is an lce House?
lt's a restaurant.
Well, it burned down last year.
How unfortunate.
Sounds like a charming little joint.
Daddy thought it was a good idea...
...for me to get out there and mingle
with the little people.
And what does Daddy do, dear?
Pharmaceuticals.
Daddy made his fortune
in pharmaceuticals.
Well, then why is it, l wonder...
...that l don't see the Potter name
on our roster?
l guess we're just not much
of the joining kind.
-Where do you summer, then?
-l spent my summer sailing, actually.
Oh, that sounds lovely.
l have to ask, were you
a deck hand or a stowaway?
Excuse me, but before l submit...
...to another second
of your thinly veiled bitchery...
...do you need a waitress or not?
Yes. Now that l recall,
that position's already been filled.
Terrific.
l'll be sure to tell the Rosses
that you said hello.
Excuse me...
-...you know the Rosses?
-Charlie, Kate and Owen?
Oh, from way back. How do you think
l heard about this position?
They're on the board here,
aren't they?
Miss Potter, l think perhaps
you and l got off on the wrong foot.
Please.
Hey, there, Mitch--
--ster Leery.
What are you doing here?
l'm just filling in until they find
a new guidance counsellor.
What'd they do with
the old counsellor?
Right. You mean the one who referred
to you fondly as, and l quote:
''One of the most aggressively
mediocre students...
...ever to galumph his way through
the halls at Capeside High.''
The man was heard muttering your
name as he stumbled into retirement.
Poor guy. So why does this
bring me here?
Okay. So here's the deal.
They have dumped some of the
special scheduling cases into my lap.
What's so special about me?
Apart from the obvious, of course.
For starters, you lack a certain amount
of classification at the moment.
And you seem to lack a certain amount
of clarity at the moment.
What happened to you this summer?
Nothing. l went sailing.
Right. But...
...from the look of things, you
should've been somewhere else.
-And where's that, exactly?
-Right here.
-Here?
-ln summer school, Pacey.
That sounds like a terrible way
to spend the summer.
Tell me something.
Before you took off, did you happen
to look at your report card?
No. l took off a couple days
after school let out.
Had you looked, you might've noticed
you flunked...
...science, history and English.
Three biggies, Pacey.
Well, that sucks.
Look, Pacey, l don't...
...really know how to do this, exactly.
l've had the distinct pleasure
of watching you grow up.
You're one of the most endearing
pests. But l'm not your teacher.
Okay? l'm not your guidance
counsellor. l'm just your friend.
So help me out here, okay?
Cut the glibness
and just listen to me for a second.
-You're in deep trouble here.
-So, what can l do about it?
You can take these classes over.
-When?
-Every day, after school.
l was gonna get a job.
l kind of need the money.
l don't think you understand. You'll
have to work your ass off this year.
-And what if l can't do it?
-No, you can. You just focus.
But what if l actually can't?
Come May, you're gonna watch
your friends graduate without you.
Start their lives without you.
They'll be heading off
for higher education...
...you'll be gearing up for another year
at Capeside High.
How's that sound, Pacey?
-What do you think?
-Oh, l think l hate it.
-Well, l think it's charming.
-Charming?
lt's like something out of
Better Homes and Crap.
Okay, you see crap. l see potential.
Well, no, l see potential too.
l see the potential for rats to gnaw
at our extremities while we sleep.
lt needs but a fresh coat of paint
and a woman's touch.
All we need to do is get word out
that the local crack den is shut down.
-Why are you being such a naysayer?
-Because it becomes me.
Okay, face facts, Pacey.
We don't have a lot of money.
So that killer condo
that you had your eye on...
...is pretty much out of the question.
But this place, while lacking
in many creature comforts...
...is totally within our
budgetary limitations.
And you know what that means?
l'm guessing it means we get to
split the utilities with the cockroaches.
No. lt means we are going to turn this
place into a home, Pacey. l promise.
Until then, we just have to get used to
brushing our teeth with brown water.
Okay. You seem to have a particularly
nasty case of ''first day of school.''
Does senior status not bring
you any joy whatsoever?
You know, it's funny
you should mention that...
...because as it turns out,
l'm not exactly a senior.
Oh, yeah? Then what exactly are you?
Well, l'm screwed.
l'm totally screwed.
Okay, elaborate.
Well...
...it seems as though l managed
to fail three classes last year.
Yeah, three. You know, so now
l gotta retake those three classes...
...and pass all of this year's classes
if l want any hope of graduating.
Okay.
Okay, so you do it.
You work really hard this year, and
you do it. lt's not that big of a deal.
And what does Joey think?
You haven't told her? Why?
Because Joey is smart,
but Pacey is an idiot.
And l'm trying not to make
her more aware of that fact.
You are not an idiot, Pacey.
Something tells me
that Joey's feelings for you...
...are not contingent on your GPA.
Listen, l can stand here and tell you
that everything is gonna be okay.
But it's gonna sound a lot better
coming from her. So tell her. Okay?
Excuse me.
-Excuse me.
-Can l help you?
That's up for debate, actually.
Well, l don't really have
time for verbal Ping-Pong.
Half an hour ago,
l dropped down on one knee...
...and begged you
for an iced tea and a club sandwich.
You're right. l am so sorry.
Don't worry about it. l know how it is.
Somehow l doubt that.
Let me guess. The boyfriend bailed
when the stick turned blue...
...leaving his rusted-out Camaro up
on blocks on your lawn...
...forcing you to drop out
of school and rely on your...
...not-so-reliable alky mom to watch
the little carpet monkey...
...while you wait tables on
your high horse.
None of which is my problem, hon.
This is seriously gonna
cut into your gratuity.
Oh, come on. Where's your sense
of humour? l was kidding.
Well, not kidding, actually.
More like conducting an experiment.
My father, who is
a world-class cretin...
...says that to the help
all the time.
l always think, ''What an idiot.''
You know?
They're gonna go back in the kitchen
and spit in his food. Or worse even.
Fancy that.
Will you excuse me while
l check on your order?
You would, wouldn't you?
-What?
-Spit in my food.
-Or worse even.
-l knew it.
You strike me as very much
in touch with your dark side.
Thank you for your candour.
-All my pleasure.
-First day on the job, huh?
Yes.
-How much do you hate them already?
-Who?
The superficial snobs...
...laying down huge sums to frolic
with other members of their tribe.
-Creeps.
-Wow.
Cue the violins. You know, nothing
tugs the heartstrings...
...like the anguished cry of
a poor little rich boy.
-Will you sign, please?
-Sure.
Something wrong?
Your order will be right up.
Hey.
Do l detect something
vaguely of my generation?
Yeah. l've been giving
the Grateful Dead album...
...you and Mom gave me
a second chance.
l don't get it. l still don't have the
slightest inclination to drop acid...
...or start using hemp products...
...or incorporate anything tie-dyed
into my wardrobe.
Dawson...
...the Dead were a phenomenon
to be experienced live...
...with thousands of nomadic fans,
the endless jams....
That's never gonna come through
those headphones.
Ever get the feeling that you and Mom
are cooler than l am?
lt's a burden. But we cope.
Good to know.
l saw Pacey at school today.
Yeah? Me too.
l had to sit down with him
about his schedule this year.
He's in trouble, Dawson.
And that concerns me how?
Well, look, l know that Pacey isn't
your favourite person right now...
...but you're not always gonna
feel that.
-l could see it standing the test of time.
-Hear me out.
Pacey has gotten himself
into some real academic trouble.
Without the support of his friends,
he might not graduate.
-What do you expect me to do?
-l don't know.
But l've always taken pride
in the fact that my son...
...is someone his friends can
turn to when they need him.
Okay. Dad, l....
l realize this seems hyper-dramatic...
...from the calm perspective of an
adult. But this is my world. My life.
My '' best friend'' pursued
a relationship with a girl l've loved...
...in one way or another for as long
as l can remember. And that hurts...
...so much that sometimes
l can't sit still.
l think l've done a pretty good job
of trying to move forward.
But it doesn't mean Pacey can
reap the benefits of my friendship.
He's on his own. l can't help him.
Maybe you know someone who can.
You're kidding me.
He wants to break up with her?
No, no. He said he wants
to take a break.
After all that? After doggedly
pursuing her for an entire school year.
After scores of
grand romantic gestures.
After behaviour that, clearly, licensed
professionals would call stalking.
He wants to take a break?
Yeah. Well, look,
he's at a new school...
...girls are flirting with him...
...and he's confused. Henry's a
great guy, but you know, he's 1 6.
Guys are maddening creatures.
Tell me about it.
So, what'd you tell him?
l said l'd talk to her.
No, Jack.
l don't think that's a good idea.
ln fact, it borders on the terrible.
-Why?
-Because...
...whatever is between
Jen and Henry...
...is firmly and clearly
between Jen and Henry.
Besides, if a guy was gonna
break up with me...
...l'd hope that he'd be big enough
to do it on his own...
...instead of sending
an intermediary in.
So glad we could make reservations.
Personally, l find the food leaves
a little something to be desired.
But l love the atmosphere.
So how was your day, honey?
Oh, it was just swell.
l think you're grumpy because we're
not in the middle of the Atlantic.
Look, l could have this baby packed
up and ready to go in 1 5 minutes.
You just gotta give me the word.
All this school stuff will still
be here when we get back.
-Root beer?
-No, thanks.
Our summer at sea was
an exceptionally lovely then...
...but this is now.
lt's our senior year. Do you
have any idea what that means?
lf l had a car, l could park it in
the senior lot. That'd be pretty cool.
Read my lips, Pace.
One more year. Then no more
classes. No more books.
No more Dawson's dirty looks.
So, what was that whole guidance
counsellor office thing about, anyway?
You know what? Can we pretend like
we're one of those couples that can...
...consume a meal in
blissfully dysfunctional silence?
Okay.
Thanks.
Well, you wanna hear
about my new job?
What new job?
You're looking at Capeside
Yacht Club's newest serving wench.
Congratulations.
Don't sound too excited
for me there, Pacey.
l didn't know you were so fixated
on getting a job.
Well, yeah.
You of all people should know how
badly l need to make the extra money.
l mean, without it, l'm doomed to roam
the streets of Capeside for eternity...
...which is unacceptable
l'm not ending up some townie.
When did you become a snob,
Miss Potter?
-What are you talking about?
-What's wrong with being a townie?
-Nothing--
-No, honestly.
Living in one place your whole life
makes you a bad person?
-No, of course--
-What if l was a townie?
You're not that kind of person.
l didn't ask what type of person l was.
l said, ''What if l became a townie?''
What, would that somehow
make me less desirable to you?
Guess that's my answer.
What's going on with you?
-Nothing.
-Why are you trying to pick a fight?
-l'm not trying to pick a fight--
-Yes, you are.
Something's going on with you.
You obviously don't wanna talk
about it, which is fine.
l understand that. But, l mean,
please don't sit here...
...and pick some random fight with me
just to make yourself feel better.
-Wagner?
-Here.
-Wilson?
-Present.
Witter?
Witter?
Young?
Here.
Can l get you anything else?
Okay, weird girl, what gives?
-What do you mean?
-First, you haven't let my tea...
...get past the halfway mark
all afternoon.
Second, you've been smiling like
a mental patient. Worst of all...
...you dropped that snappy
sarcasm thing you had yesterday.
l'm just trying to do my job.
Yeah. Well, at least yesterday
you were entertaining. Today...
...you're just creeping me out.
Hey, sit down for a second.
-Why?
-l want you to see something.
What am l looking at?
Okay. What do you see?
A guy in a polo shirt trading stock tips
with Mr. and Mrs. Dull Normal.
Pretty boring, huh?
Sure.
What if l told you
that Polo Shirt Guy...
...has thrice-weekly motel room
meetings with Mrs. Dull Normal?
Really?
Does Mr. Dull Normal know?
Of course not. He's too busy acting
out his own midlife crisis...
...with the poor man's
Pamela Anderson over there.
-Are those real?
-Hardly.
Her silicon valley is the work
of that gentleman over yonder...
...Capeside's own Dr. Liposuction,
who is a creep of the highest degree.
And that one?
She is the worst of them all.
She was married to one
of the beautiful people...
...this New York City rainmaker
who, well...
...as these things tend to go,
traded her in for a younger model.
Divorce followed quickly thereafter...
...which came as a real nasty shock
to the system...
...because the poor gal
got used to the money.
So she packed up the kid...
...and got a job where she could be
around the Fortune 500 set all day.
And now she's the next best thing:
Rich by association.
Wow, no wonder she's such a bitch.
How do you know all this stuff?
Hang around long enough, you
absorb a lot of useless information.
lt's so funny, these people.
All the money in the world,
not an ounce of class.
-What's happening, gorgeous?
-Hey.
So...
...you rang, l ran. What's up?
l don't know. Sit and talk to me.
-Here?
-Yeah, why not?
Just, it's kind of romantic,
don't you think?
Are you thinking about
a crossover episode?
Because if so, now's bad timing.
l's a taken woman.
-Any word from Henry?
-No.
But l was thinking about what you said
the other day, and you're right.
l'll give him time. Let him settle in.
We'll talk, and things will be fine.
Yeah.
You know, let me ask you
something. What if...?
-What if it went the other way?
-What other way?
You know, what if you guys talked
and things weren't fine?
And why would that be?
Oh, l'm just saying...
...have you thought
about the possibility...
...of things not working out?
Where's this stuff coming from?
Nowhere.
Forget it. l'm sorry.
Tell you what. Let's get some dinner.
All right?
-Okay.
-Come on.
Jack?
Have you talked to Henry?
Yes.
What's the hell's going on?
l'm just worried about you, Jen.
He asked you to talk to me.
No. No, he-- No.
Jack, is Henry breaking up with me?
He's lying to you,
and you're lying to me.
-No, Jen. Come on--
-Just leave me alone.
l got it.
-Hey.
-Hey.
-lt's not too late, l hope.
-Oh, no, no. Of course not.
-Come on in.
-Okay.
l wanted to return these.
You're kidding me, right?
No. l was going through my CD
collection, trying to weed out...
...some of the more embarrassing
reminders of my callow youth...
...and l came across your
Counting Crows collection.
Dawson, you borrowed those,
like, three years ago.
Yeah, l know.
l apologize for my appalling lack
of etiquette.
No. l....
So l should go.
-Why?
-Because it's none of my business.
What isn't?
Pacey.
You're gonna have to start making
some sense, Dawson.
You know, just....
Just talk to Pacey. Okay?
-About?
-About school.
He's in trouble.
What are you talking about?
He didn't show up for school today.
lf he's not careful, he'll flunk out.
l can't, for the life of me, figure out
why l should even care about this.
But l'm here, and if there's anyone
who can help him out, it's you. So....
No offence, Dawson, but if Pacey
was in such dire straits...
-...don't you think l'd know about it?
-No, l don't.
-Why?
-Don't you get it, Jo?
When you love someone,
you want her to be proud of you.
You want her to think that there's
nothing in the world that you can't do.
And the thought
of disappointing her is....
lt's crippling.
Good night.
There he is. Try not to bruise him.
Hey, there's my girl.
Why weren't you in school today?
Why are you flunking out? Why do
l have to hear it from Dawson?
Why does Dawson know more
about your life than l do?
Well, because apparently
Leery, Senior has a very big mouth.
-l bet Junior loved that news--
-Can we just stick to the point please?
No, honestly. l'm sure
he loved hearing that.
He's salivating. He gets
to swoop in on his soul mate...
...with a big, fat '' l told you so.''
Are you delusional?
-Dawson has zero to do with this.
-Yeah, sure.
Do you have any idea how insulting
it is to know that l come up last...
...on your list of people
to contact in an emergency?
Jo, this is not that big a deal,
you know? l'm handling it.
And how does cutting school
translate into handling it, Pacey?
Why does this even surprise me?
What is that supposed to mean?
Exactly what l said.
This is how you deal with everything.
You run away.
You take the easy way out every time.
l guess that's why l'm such a loser.
You're not a loser, Pacey. l didn't
spend my summer with a loser...
...building what l thought was
an incredible foundation...
...for a relationship.
l thought that we were a great team.
lt turns out l guess l couldn't have
been more wrong.
l want you to get up, take a shower...
...button up
your best bowling shirt...
...and go apologize
to that girlfriend of yours.
Do you think maybe you could just
leave me alone?
Pacey, this girl is a keeper.
And l cannot, in good conscience...
...allow you to blow it
because you're scared.
What are you talking about?
What? Scared?
Like a little girl.
-What do you know?
-And if you're not careful...
...you're gonna sabotage
the relationship...
...before it has a chance
to become something.
l'm gonna sabotage it, huh?
You've been watching
a little too much Oprah.
l am serious, Pacey.
What do you expect? l've had
to listen in stereo all my life...
...to my brother and my father
telling me how stupid l am.
How can l help not feeling
like a moron sometimes?
You're right. They're jerks.
Both of them, you know?
But get over it already.
Dad and Doug have
so many problems between them...
...you should just throw them
a huge pity party.
And they're not your problem.
Oh, please, tell me,
great oracle of Capeside, who is?
Your problem is Dawson.
And don't tell me you don't hear him.
Whispering in your ear, telling you
that you're not good enough.
But he's just a ghost, Pace.
She picked you.
And now you have to deal with it.
You wanted to see me?
Have a seat, Miss Potter.
l was going over
yesterday's receipts...
...and l noticed that a couple of them
were signed by Owen Ross.
Right.
Thought you were
a friend of the family.
l am.
Then wouldn't you know that they're
in Paris until the first of the year?
-That doesn't make any sense.
-No, it doesn't.
Mrs. Valentine, he was here.
l served him. He was very rude.
Yeah. l'm not sure this is going to
work out, Miss Potter.
Actually, Mom, the Ross kid was here.
Drue, honey, l'm right in
the middle of something here.
Got you, Moms, but maybe
you didn't hear what l said.
Owen Ross, he was here.
l saw him. Own two eyes.
And l saw Joey here waiting on him.
You might want to commend her for
the way she handled him because...
...that guy, he can be real
high maintenance.
What just happened in there?
Hey, could you watch your tone
please? l think l just saved your job.
Who the hell are you?
Drue. Drue Valentine.
-Mrs. Valentine, that's your mom?
-Hey, you pick up quick.
-You said that horrible stuff about her.
-Which doesn't make it any less true.
-You lied to me.
-Correction, l was playing with you.
-Why?
-lt was fun.
My mom told me about the new girl
who was a ''friend'' of the Rosses.
l took one look at you and knew
that you lied to get the job...
...which l totally dig about you,
by the way.
-You're a freak.
-Okay, all right.
So l'm not who l said l was.
Big deal.
l'm actually a lot more fun.
-lt's okay to be hurt, Jen.
-l'm not hurt, Dawson.
lt's just that the only real boyfriend
that l ever had enlisted the help...
...of my best friend to dump me,
and....
You know, and l'm just angry.
Take it from someone who spent
last spring angry at the world.
lt's not worth it.
lt might numb the pain a little bit.
But it's basically just a distraction.
l don't know.
The point is, if you do it right, Jen,
loving somebody is gonna hurt.
The sooner you let yourself feel that,
the sooner you'll be able to love again.
l really don't need one of your sappy
self-help seminars right now.
-l'm just trying to repay a favour.
-What?
You've been sage to my simpleton
more times than l care to count.
God, why didn't you just throw me
into oncoming traffic?
Well, because you've helped me
through the worst of times.
l've really learned a lot from you, Jen.
Really? Like how to downward spiral
your way into adulthood?
No.
No, you didn't-- You're the one
who taught me that love can suck.
That feelings change, passions fade,
partners come and go.
But that, through it all, one thing
remains sacred, and that's friendship.
And it's true because....
Without you guys, this summer
just would've been...
...a huge black hole
of depression for me.
You have to be so damn earnest?
lt's disgusting.
l mean, it makes me
wanna drown you in the creek.
lt's part of my charm.
The funny thing about friends...
...sometimes they bring you
the worst news.
lt's always with the best of intentions.
-Jack.
-Hey.
Thank God. Take her off my hands
for a little while?
-Sure.
-l'll see you, man.
Hey.
All right. l think l owe you
a fairly huge apology.
Okay. That was supposed
to be my line.
You're sorry, l'm sorry,
somebody's always sorry.
l mean, relationships are just
one big sorry after another...
...culminating in a
big final messy sorry.
Sounds like someone's
drowning herself...
...in an economy-sized vat
of self-pity.
Come on, Jack. Aren't the recently
dumped allowed to wallow just a bit?
-l'm really sorry, Jen.
-Me too. l'm...
...sorry for killing the messenger.
l just didn't need you to be
the one to give me the bad news.
l needed you to be my shoulder.
Come here.
Better late than never.
There's my girl.
You're not liking me so much
right now, are you?
Not so much, no.
So l'm talking to my sister,
and she says that it's actually...
...not a bad idea to discuss problems
with your girlfriend.
Nice to know someone in the Witter
family can boast a brain cell or two.
You're not gonna make this
easy on me, are you?
Okay.
So where do l start?
Wherever you want.
Well, l should probably just start first
by saying that you, Josephine Potter...
...have just wrecked me.
ln the best possible way,
you have absolutely wrecked me.
Because, you see,
l fell in love with you...
...knowing that there was never
any possibility of being with you.
Knowing full well that a sizeable
chunk of your heart would...
...always be wrapped up
in our friend, Dawson.
And that much was
actually okay with me...
...right up until the point
that you chose me.
Because then you just turned
everything on its head.
Then l got everything that l wanted.
And from that day forward...
...l've just been a wreck.
-Why?
-Because...
...now all l can do is just wait
for the other shoe to drop.
You know, just wait for you to realize
what a big mistake you've made.
Wait for you to realize that l'm just
gonna be a big disappointment...
...and just wait for you
to realize that....
That Dawson is the guy
that you want to be with.
Pacey, what does Dawson have to do
with you screwing up at school?
Well, nothing and everything.
Dawson Leery would...
...never have screwed up
like l did, Jo.
lt just wouldn't have happened.
You know that.
You're right.
Do you know what else
Dawson would never do?
He would never inspire me to run
away with him for the summer.
lt just wouldn't happen.
And you know that.
We had a magic summer, Pacey.
We shared something l'm gonna
remember for the rest of my life.
l mean, don't you see?
We're creating our own history here.
A history that has nothing
to do with Dawson.
-That's a nice way of looking at it.
-Yeah.
But, you know, this is....
This is where it gets rough.
What do you mean?
We spent three months
on the sea...
...but we haven't even come close
to weathering the storm.
l mean, we ran away.
We made our own reality.
-And it was so wonderful.
-But it couldn't last forever.
Nor should it.
Pacey, a relationship isn't about
a romantic three-month cruise.
lt's gonna be the details
that define us. You know?
The moments.
Okay.
Joey, l am...
...really scared.
l think that l screwed up, and
l'm gonna flunk out of high school.
So l need your help.
Really badly.
That's all you needed to say, Pace.
Easy for you to say.
Whatever it takes, we're gonna fix it.
You know? l mean,
everything's gonna be okay.
How can you be sure?
l'm not going anywhere without you.
Potter?
Yeah?
How come you're
so much smarter than l am?
l'm not that much smarter, Pace.
You just happen to be
a little emotionally retarded.
-ls that it?
-Yeah.
That's such a load off my mind.
Let's go make out somewhere,
all right?
Sounds romantic.
Well, you're far too cynical
for my romantic overtures.
Doesn't mean you don't
earn points for trying.
Oh, come on. You love me.
You bug me.
Subtitles by
SDl Media Group
guidance office after school.
-So?
-So do they wanna see you...
...in the guidance office
after school?
-No.
-No.
That right there's a bad sign.
lt means they're singling me out.
Don't worry, sweetie.
They probably wanna extend a hand...
...to help you fulfil your destiny as the
world's greatest gas-station attendant.
-Oh, that's cute.
-Teasing's out of the question?
Oh, no.
Tease away, you little hussy.
But you raise an interesting point.
We should talk about it
now that we're back to school.
Talk about what, exactly?
Well, our mutual wants and needs.
Did you actually just say that
out loud?
Like you said, we're a couple, Potter.
As a couple, there's a couple of
things we need to discuss.
Such as?
Kissing in public.
Maybe.
-Maybe?
-lf it's of the spontaneous variety.
Good Lord, woman. You really are
a fickle mistress, you know that?
l mean, without kissing,
what do we really have left?
Precious little.
-We should probably break up.
-Yeah. Well, we had a good run, huh?
Excuse me.
Wow, senior year,
then before you know it, college.
lf l don't find a job soon, the only thing
that l have to look forward to is CCC.
Capeside Community College.
Hey, well, there's always CYC.
-What's that?
-Capeside Yacht Club.
My father was just telling me
they're looking for a waitress.
You're high.
Joey, come on. lt's the lce House with
cute rich boys and way bigger tips.
Something tells me the beautiful
people would probably frown...
...on the applicant whose name
is synonymous with scandal.
-So make like you're one of them.
-Yeah, right.
Here's what you do. lf you think
the interview's starting to go south...
...you drop a name.
Whose?
l'd say you could use mine...
...but these days McPhee
is synonymous...
...with gay, crazy and dysfunctional.
How about the Rosses?
They're on the board.
Charles, Kate and son, Owen.
Oh, my God, he is so gorgeous.
So our age and so eligible.
And so perfect for me if
l actually cared about those things.
But you digress.
So anyway, Joey, where else are
you gonna make that kind of money?
Well, there is always that
strip club on the edge of town.
Dawson Leery.
Gretchen. Hey, what are you doing?
Scouting out some new digs.
Until my brother, Douglas,
finds a suitable...
...and l finger-quote, '' partner,''
he's best off living by his lonesome.
So it looks like l'm gonna be
shacking up...
...with my other equally irritating
yet decidedly less anal brother.
That's great.
Good luck with that.
Listen, this is, of course,
none of my business...
...but it breaks my heart to see...
...once-inseparable best friends
so estranged.
lf there's anything that l can do....
Clearly, something
you'd rather not talk about.
Sorry. My bad.
lt's okay.
-Oh, my God.
-What?
Dawson, this is the most offensive
collection of music l've ever seen.
Which is why l'm trading them in.
Yeah, but Dawson, Vanilla lce?
What were you thinking?
l don't know. l was 1 0.
Who has good taste at 1 0?
When l was 1 0, l could rattle off
the name...
...of every band
on the Sub Pop label.
And l was telling anybody who would
listen that a guy named Kurt Cobain...
...would change music
as we knew it.
l could rattle off
every cinematographer...
...Steven Spielberg
had ever worked with.
Which somehow isn't
that impressive, is it?
Okay. What else do we have here?
Okay. The Grateful Dead.
Now, why are you returning this?
My parents got me that CD.
l just wasn't a big fan.
Okay. Okay. l can't believe...
...l am standing in front of
a teenage guy whose parents...
...have better taste in music
than him.
Shame on you, Dawson.
Shame on you.
You gotta be kidding me.
That's the umpteenth time...
-...you checked your e-mail.
-You lie. Thanks.
l don't know.
Every time l went by the computer lab,
l saw the same bosomy blond...
...behind the same blueberry iMac.
All right. All right.
l admit it. You're right.
Jack, l think it's clear that Henry
has forsaken me for another.
Give the poor guy some time
to get acclimated.
l don't know. l mean, it's weird.
lt's becoming a thing.
-What do you mean, ''a thing''?
-A thing. An alarming trend.
All summer long there were
phone calls...
...e-mails, lM'ing each other
to the point of exhaustion.
But now, when l go online,
he's never there.
And when l call,
he's strangely unavailable.
l mean, l'm starting to feel
like l did something wrong.
ls it possible l'm not
a good cybersex partner?
l'm sure you're a very generous
and giving cyber-lover, Jen.
You've got mail.
Who wrote you?
No one.
Now, what exactly is an lce House?
lt's a restaurant.
Well, it burned down last year.
How unfortunate.
Sounds like a charming little joint.
Daddy thought it was a good idea...
...for me to get out there and mingle
with the little people.
And what does Daddy do, dear?
Pharmaceuticals.
Daddy made his fortune
in pharmaceuticals.
Well, then why is it, l wonder...
...that l don't see the Potter name
on our roster?
l guess we're just not much
of the joining kind.
-Where do you summer, then?
-l spent my summer sailing, actually.
Oh, that sounds lovely.
l have to ask, were you
a deck hand or a stowaway?
Excuse me, but before l submit...
...to another second
of your thinly veiled bitchery...
...do you need a waitress or not?
Yes. Now that l recall,
that position's already been filled.
Terrific.
l'll be sure to tell the Rosses
that you said hello.
Excuse me...
-...you know the Rosses?
-Charlie, Kate and Owen?
Oh, from way back. How do you think
l heard about this position?
They're on the board here,
aren't they?
Miss Potter, l think perhaps
you and l got off on the wrong foot.
Please.
Hey, there, Mitch--
--ster Leery.
What are you doing here?
l'm just filling in until they find
a new guidance counsellor.
What'd they do with
the old counsellor?
Right. You mean the one who referred
to you fondly as, and l quote:
''One of the most aggressively
mediocre students...
...ever to galumph his way through
the halls at Capeside High.''
The man was heard muttering your
name as he stumbled into retirement.
Poor guy. So why does this
bring me here?
Okay. So here's the deal.
They have dumped some of the
special scheduling cases into my lap.
What's so special about me?
Apart from the obvious, of course.
For starters, you lack a certain amount
of classification at the moment.
And you seem to lack a certain amount
of clarity at the moment.
What happened to you this summer?
Nothing. l went sailing.
Right. But...
...from the look of things, you
should've been somewhere else.
-And where's that, exactly?
-Right here.
-Here?
-ln summer school, Pacey.
That sounds like a terrible way
to spend the summer.
Tell me something.
Before you took off, did you happen
to look at your report card?
No. l took off a couple days
after school let out.
Had you looked, you might've noticed
you flunked...
...science, history and English.
Three biggies, Pacey.
Well, that sucks.
Look, Pacey, l don't...
...really know how to do this, exactly.
l've had the distinct pleasure
of watching you grow up.
You're one of the most endearing
pests. But l'm not your teacher.
Okay? l'm not your guidance
counsellor. l'm just your friend.
So help me out here, okay?
Cut the glibness
and just listen to me for a second.
-You're in deep trouble here.
-So, what can l do about it?
You can take these classes over.
-When?
-Every day, after school.
l was gonna get a job.
l kind of need the money.
l don't think you understand. You'll
have to work your ass off this year.
-And what if l can't do it?
-No, you can. You just focus.
But what if l actually can't?
Come May, you're gonna watch
your friends graduate without you.
Start their lives without you.
They'll be heading off
for higher education...
...you'll be gearing up for another year
at Capeside High.
How's that sound, Pacey?
-What do you think?
-Oh, l think l hate it.
-Well, l think it's charming.
-Charming?
lt's like something out of
Better Homes and Crap.
Okay, you see crap. l see potential.
Well, no, l see potential too.
l see the potential for rats to gnaw
at our extremities while we sleep.
lt needs but a fresh coat of paint
and a woman's touch.
All we need to do is get word out
that the local crack den is shut down.
-Why are you being such a naysayer?
-Because it becomes me.
Okay, face facts, Pacey.
We don't have a lot of money.
So that killer condo
that you had your eye on...
...is pretty much out of the question.
But this place, while lacking
in many creature comforts...
...is totally within our
budgetary limitations.
And you know what that means?
l'm guessing it means we get to
split the utilities with the cockroaches.
No. lt means we are going to turn this
place into a home, Pacey. l promise.
Until then, we just have to get used to
brushing our teeth with brown water.
Okay. You seem to have a particularly
nasty case of ''first day of school.''
Does senior status not bring
you any joy whatsoever?
You know, it's funny
you should mention that...
...because as it turns out,
l'm not exactly a senior.
Oh, yeah? Then what exactly are you?
Well, l'm screwed.
l'm totally screwed.
Okay, elaborate.
Well...
...it seems as though l managed
to fail three classes last year.
Yeah, three. You know, so now
l gotta retake those three classes...
...and pass all of this year's classes
if l want any hope of graduating.
Okay.
Okay, so you do it.
You work really hard this year, and
you do it. lt's not that big of a deal.
And what does Joey think?
You haven't told her? Why?
Because Joey is smart,
but Pacey is an idiot.
And l'm trying not to make
her more aware of that fact.
You are not an idiot, Pacey.
Something tells me
that Joey's feelings for you...
...are not contingent on your GPA.
Listen, l can stand here and tell you
that everything is gonna be okay.
But it's gonna sound a lot better
coming from her. So tell her. Okay?
Excuse me.
-Excuse me.
-Can l help you?
That's up for debate, actually.
Well, l don't really have
time for verbal Ping-Pong.
Half an hour ago,
l dropped down on one knee...
...and begged you
for an iced tea and a club sandwich.
You're right. l am so sorry.
Don't worry about it. l know how it is.
Somehow l doubt that.
Let me guess. The boyfriend bailed
when the stick turned blue...
...leaving his rusted-out Camaro up
on blocks on your lawn...
...forcing you to drop out
of school and rely on your...
...not-so-reliable alky mom to watch
the little carpet monkey...
...while you wait tables on
your high horse.
None of which is my problem, hon.
This is seriously gonna
cut into your gratuity.
Oh, come on. Where's your sense
of humour? l was kidding.
Well, not kidding, actually.
More like conducting an experiment.
My father, who is
a world-class cretin...
...says that to the help
all the time.
l always think, ''What an idiot.''
You know?
They're gonna go back in the kitchen
and spit in his food. Or worse even.
Fancy that.
Will you excuse me while
l check on your order?
You would, wouldn't you?
-What?
-Spit in my food.
-Or worse even.
-l knew it.
You strike me as very much
in touch with your dark side.
Thank you for your candour.
-All my pleasure.
-First day on the job, huh?
Yes.
-How much do you hate them already?
-Who?
The superficial snobs...
...laying down huge sums to frolic
with other members of their tribe.
-Creeps.
-Wow.
Cue the violins. You know, nothing
tugs the heartstrings...
...like the anguished cry of
a poor little rich boy.
-Will you sign, please?
-Sure.
Something wrong?
Your order will be right up.
Hey.
Do l detect something
vaguely of my generation?
Yeah. l've been giving
the Grateful Dead album...
...you and Mom gave me
a second chance.
l don't get it. l still don't have the
slightest inclination to drop acid...
...or start using hemp products...
...or incorporate anything tie-dyed
into my wardrobe.
Dawson...
...the Dead were a phenomenon
to be experienced live...
...with thousands of nomadic fans,
the endless jams....
That's never gonna come through
those headphones.
Ever get the feeling that you and Mom
are cooler than l am?
lt's a burden. But we cope.
Good to know.
l saw Pacey at school today.
Yeah? Me too.
l had to sit down with him
about his schedule this year.
He's in trouble, Dawson.
And that concerns me how?
Well, look, l know that Pacey isn't
your favourite person right now...
...but you're not always gonna
feel that.
-l could see it standing the test of time.
-Hear me out.
Pacey has gotten himself
into some real academic trouble.
Without the support of his friends,
he might not graduate.
-What do you expect me to do?
-l don't know.
But l've always taken pride
in the fact that my son...
...is someone his friends can
turn to when they need him.
Okay. Dad, l....
l realize this seems hyper-dramatic...
...from the calm perspective of an
adult. But this is my world. My life.
My '' best friend'' pursued
a relationship with a girl l've loved...
...in one way or another for as long
as l can remember. And that hurts...
...so much that sometimes
l can't sit still.
l think l've done a pretty good job
of trying to move forward.
But it doesn't mean Pacey can
reap the benefits of my friendship.
He's on his own. l can't help him.
Maybe you know someone who can.
You're kidding me.
He wants to break up with her?
No, no. He said he wants
to take a break.
After all that? After doggedly
pursuing her for an entire school year.
After scores of
grand romantic gestures.
After behaviour that, clearly, licensed
professionals would call stalking.
He wants to take a break?
Yeah. Well, look,
he's at a new school...
...girls are flirting with him...
...and he's confused. Henry's a
great guy, but you know, he's 1 6.
Guys are maddening creatures.
Tell me about it.
So, what'd you tell him?
l said l'd talk to her.
No, Jack.
l don't think that's a good idea.
ln fact, it borders on the terrible.
-Why?
-Because...
...whatever is between
Jen and Henry...
...is firmly and clearly
between Jen and Henry.
Besides, if a guy was gonna
break up with me...
...l'd hope that he'd be big enough
to do it on his own...
...instead of sending
an intermediary in.
So glad we could make reservations.
Personally, l find the food leaves
a little something to be desired.
But l love the atmosphere.
So how was your day, honey?
Oh, it was just swell.
l think you're grumpy because we're
not in the middle of the Atlantic.
Look, l could have this baby packed
up and ready to go in 1 5 minutes.
You just gotta give me the word.
All this school stuff will still
be here when we get back.
-Root beer?
-No, thanks.
Our summer at sea was
an exceptionally lovely then...
...but this is now.
lt's our senior year. Do you
have any idea what that means?
lf l had a car, l could park it in
the senior lot. That'd be pretty cool.
Read my lips, Pace.
One more year. Then no more
classes. No more books.
No more Dawson's dirty looks.
So, what was that whole guidance
counsellor office thing about, anyway?
You know what? Can we pretend like
we're one of those couples that can...
...consume a meal in
blissfully dysfunctional silence?
Okay.
Thanks.
Well, you wanna hear
about my new job?
What new job?
You're looking at Capeside
Yacht Club's newest serving wench.
Congratulations.
Don't sound too excited
for me there, Pacey.
l didn't know you were so fixated
on getting a job.
Well, yeah.
You of all people should know how
badly l need to make the extra money.
l mean, without it, l'm doomed to roam
the streets of Capeside for eternity...
...which is unacceptable
l'm not ending up some townie.
When did you become a snob,
Miss Potter?
-What are you talking about?
-What's wrong with being a townie?
-Nothing--
-No, honestly.
Living in one place your whole life
makes you a bad person?
-No, of course--
-What if l was a townie?
You're not that kind of person.
l didn't ask what type of person l was.
l said, ''What if l became a townie?''
What, would that somehow
make me less desirable to you?
Guess that's my answer.
What's going on with you?
-Nothing.
-Why are you trying to pick a fight?
-l'm not trying to pick a fight--
-Yes, you are.
Something's going on with you.
You obviously don't wanna talk
about it, which is fine.
l understand that. But, l mean,
please don't sit here...
...and pick some random fight with me
just to make yourself feel better.
-Wagner?
-Here.
-Wilson?
-Present.
Witter?
Witter?
Young?
Here.
Can l get you anything else?
Okay, weird girl, what gives?
-What do you mean?
-First, you haven't let my tea...
...get past the halfway mark
all afternoon.
Second, you've been smiling like
a mental patient. Worst of all...
...you dropped that snappy
sarcasm thing you had yesterday.
l'm just trying to do my job.
Yeah. Well, at least yesterday
you were entertaining. Today...
...you're just creeping me out.
Hey, sit down for a second.
-Why?
-l want you to see something.
What am l looking at?
Okay. What do you see?
A guy in a polo shirt trading stock tips
with Mr. and Mrs. Dull Normal.
Pretty boring, huh?
Sure.
What if l told you
that Polo Shirt Guy...
...has thrice-weekly motel room
meetings with Mrs. Dull Normal?
Really?
Does Mr. Dull Normal know?
Of course not. He's too busy acting
out his own midlife crisis...
...with the poor man's
Pamela Anderson over there.
-Are those real?
-Hardly.
Her silicon valley is the work
of that gentleman over yonder...
...Capeside's own Dr. Liposuction,
who is a creep of the highest degree.
And that one?
She is the worst of them all.
She was married to one
of the beautiful people...
...this New York City rainmaker
who, well...
...as these things tend to go,
traded her in for a younger model.
Divorce followed quickly thereafter...
...which came as a real nasty shock
to the system...
...because the poor gal
got used to the money.
So she packed up the kid...
...and got a job where she could be
around the Fortune 500 set all day.
And now she's the next best thing:
Rich by association.
Wow, no wonder she's such a bitch.
How do you know all this stuff?
Hang around long enough, you
absorb a lot of useless information.
lt's so funny, these people.
All the money in the world,
not an ounce of class.
-What's happening, gorgeous?
-Hey.
So...
...you rang, l ran. What's up?
l don't know. Sit and talk to me.
-Here?
-Yeah, why not?
Just, it's kind of romantic,
don't you think?
Are you thinking about
a crossover episode?
Because if so, now's bad timing.
l's a taken woman.
-Any word from Henry?
-No.
But l was thinking about what you said
the other day, and you're right.
l'll give him time. Let him settle in.
We'll talk, and things will be fine.
Yeah.
You know, let me ask you
something. What if...?
-What if it went the other way?
-What other way?
You know, what if you guys talked
and things weren't fine?
And why would that be?
Oh, l'm just saying...
...have you thought
about the possibility...
...of things not working out?
Where's this stuff coming from?
Nowhere.
Forget it. l'm sorry.
Tell you what. Let's get some dinner.
All right?
-Okay.
-Come on.
Jack?
Have you talked to Henry?
Yes.
What's the hell's going on?
l'm just worried about you, Jen.
He asked you to talk to me.
No. No, he-- No.
Jack, is Henry breaking up with me?
He's lying to you,
and you're lying to me.
-No, Jen. Come on--
-Just leave me alone.
l got it.
-Hey.
-Hey.
-lt's not too late, l hope.
-Oh, no, no. Of course not.
-Come on in.
-Okay.
l wanted to return these.
You're kidding me, right?
No. l was going through my CD
collection, trying to weed out...
...some of the more embarrassing
reminders of my callow youth...
...and l came across your
Counting Crows collection.
Dawson, you borrowed those,
like, three years ago.
Yeah, l know.
l apologize for my appalling lack
of etiquette.
No. l....
So l should go.
-Why?
-Because it's none of my business.
What isn't?
Pacey.
You're gonna have to start making
some sense, Dawson.
You know, just....
Just talk to Pacey. Okay?
-About?
-About school.
He's in trouble.
What are you talking about?
He didn't show up for school today.
lf he's not careful, he'll flunk out.
l can't, for the life of me, figure out
why l should even care about this.
But l'm here, and if there's anyone
who can help him out, it's you. So....
No offence, Dawson, but if Pacey
was in such dire straits...
-...don't you think l'd know about it?
-No, l don't.
-Why?
-Don't you get it, Jo?
When you love someone,
you want her to be proud of you.
You want her to think that there's
nothing in the world that you can't do.
And the thought
of disappointing her is....
lt's crippling.
Good night.
There he is. Try not to bruise him.
Hey, there's my girl.
Why weren't you in school today?
Why are you flunking out? Why do
l have to hear it from Dawson?
Why does Dawson know more
about your life than l do?
Well, because apparently
Leery, Senior has a very big mouth.
-l bet Junior loved that news--
-Can we just stick to the point please?
No, honestly. l'm sure
he loved hearing that.
He's salivating. He gets
to swoop in on his soul mate...
...with a big, fat '' l told you so.''
Are you delusional?
-Dawson has zero to do with this.
-Yeah, sure.
Do you have any idea how insulting
it is to know that l come up last...
...on your list of people
to contact in an emergency?
Jo, this is not that big a deal,
you know? l'm handling it.
And how does cutting school
translate into handling it, Pacey?
Why does this even surprise me?
What is that supposed to mean?
Exactly what l said.
This is how you deal with everything.
You run away.
You take the easy way out every time.
l guess that's why l'm such a loser.
You're not a loser, Pacey. l didn't
spend my summer with a loser...
...building what l thought was
an incredible foundation...
...for a relationship.
l thought that we were a great team.
lt turns out l guess l couldn't have
been more wrong.
l want you to get up, take a shower...
...button up
your best bowling shirt...
...and go apologize
to that girlfriend of yours.
Do you think maybe you could just
leave me alone?
Pacey, this girl is a keeper.
And l cannot, in good conscience...
...allow you to blow it
because you're scared.
What are you talking about?
What? Scared?
Like a little girl.
-What do you know?
-And if you're not careful...
...you're gonna sabotage
the relationship...
...before it has a chance
to become something.
l'm gonna sabotage it, huh?
You've been watching
a little too much Oprah.
l am serious, Pacey.
What do you expect? l've had
to listen in stereo all my life...
...to my brother and my father
telling me how stupid l am.
How can l help not feeling
like a moron sometimes?
You're right. They're jerks.
Both of them, you know?
But get over it already.
Dad and Doug have
so many problems between them...
...you should just throw them
a huge pity party.
And they're not your problem.
Oh, please, tell me,
great oracle of Capeside, who is?
Your problem is Dawson.
And don't tell me you don't hear him.
Whispering in your ear, telling you
that you're not good enough.
But he's just a ghost, Pace.
She picked you.
And now you have to deal with it.
You wanted to see me?
Have a seat, Miss Potter.
l was going over
yesterday's receipts...
...and l noticed that a couple of them
were signed by Owen Ross.
Right.
Thought you were
a friend of the family.
l am.
Then wouldn't you know that they're
in Paris until the first of the year?
-That doesn't make any sense.
-No, it doesn't.
Mrs. Valentine, he was here.
l served him. He was very rude.
Yeah. l'm not sure this is going to
work out, Miss Potter.
Actually, Mom, the Ross kid was here.
Drue, honey, l'm right in
the middle of something here.
Got you, Moms, but maybe
you didn't hear what l said.
Owen Ross, he was here.
l saw him. Own two eyes.
And l saw Joey here waiting on him.
You might want to commend her for
the way she handled him because...
...that guy, he can be real
high maintenance.
What just happened in there?
Hey, could you watch your tone
please? l think l just saved your job.
Who the hell are you?
Drue. Drue Valentine.
-Mrs. Valentine, that's your mom?
-Hey, you pick up quick.
-You said that horrible stuff about her.
-Which doesn't make it any less true.
-You lied to me.
-Correction, l was playing with you.
-Why?
-lt was fun.
My mom told me about the new girl
who was a ''friend'' of the Rosses.
l took one look at you and knew
that you lied to get the job...
...which l totally dig about you,
by the way.
-You're a freak.
-Okay, all right.
So l'm not who l said l was.
Big deal.
l'm actually a lot more fun.
-lt's okay to be hurt, Jen.
-l'm not hurt, Dawson.
lt's just that the only real boyfriend
that l ever had enlisted the help...
...of my best friend to dump me,
and....
You know, and l'm just angry.
Take it from someone who spent
last spring angry at the world.
lt's not worth it.
lt might numb the pain a little bit.
But it's basically just a distraction.
l don't know.
The point is, if you do it right, Jen,
loving somebody is gonna hurt.
The sooner you let yourself feel that,
the sooner you'll be able to love again.
l really don't need one of your sappy
self-help seminars right now.
-l'm just trying to repay a favour.
-What?
You've been sage to my simpleton
more times than l care to count.
God, why didn't you just throw me
into oncoming traffic?
Well, because you've helped me
through the worst of times.
l've really learned a lot from you, Jen.
Really? Like how to downward spiral
your way into adulthood?
No.
No, you didn't-- You're the one
who taught me that love can suck.
That feelings change, passions fade,
partners come and go.
But that, through it all, one thing
remains sacred, and that's friendship.
And it's true because....
Without you guys, this summer
just would've been...
...a huge black hole
of depression for me.
You have to be so damn earnest?
lt's disgusting.
l mean, it makes me
wanna drown you in the creek.
lt's part of my charm.
The funny thing about friends...
...sometimes they bring you
the worst news.
lt's always with the best of intentions.
-Jack.
-Hey.
Thank God. Take her off my hands
for a little while?
-Sure.
-l'll see you, man.
Hey.
All right. l think l owe you
a fairly huge apology.
Okay. That was supposed
to be my line.
You're sorry, l'm sorry,
somebody's always sorry.
l mean, relationships are just
one big sorry after another...
...culminating in a
big final messy sorry.
Sounds like someone's
drowning herself...
...in an economy-sized vat
of self-pity.
Come on, Jack. Aren't the recently
dumped allowed to wallow just a bit?
-l'm really sorry, Jen.
-Me too. l'm...
...sorry for killing the messenger.
l just didn't need you to be
the one to give me the bad news.
l needed you to be my shoulder.
Come here.
Better late than never.
There's my girl.
You're not liking me so much
right now, are you?
Not so much, no.
So l'm talking to my sister,
and she says that it's actually...
...not a bad idea to discuss problems
with your girlfriend.
Nice to know someone in the Witter
family can boast a brain cell or two.
You're not gonna make this
easy on me, are you?
Okay.
So where do l start?
Wherever you want.
Well, l should probably just start first
by saying that you, Josephine Potter...
...have just wrecked me.
ln the best possible way,
you have absolutely wrecked me.
Because, you see,
l fell in love with you...
...knowing that there was never
any possibility of being with you.
Knowing full well that a sizeable
chunk of your heart would...
...always be wrapped up
in our friend, Dawson.
And that much was
actually okay with me...
...right up until the point
that you chose me.
Because then you just turned
everything on its head.
Then l got everything that l wanted.
And from that day forward...
...l've just been a wreck.
-Why?
-Because...
...now all l can do is just wait
for the other shoe to drop.
You know, just wait for you to realize
what a big mistake you've made.
Wait for you to realize that l'm just
gonna be a big disappointment...
...and just wait for you
to realize that....
That Dawson is the guy
that you want to be with.
Pacey, what does Dawson have to do
with you screwing up at school?
Well, nothing and everything.
Dawson Leery would...
...never have screwed up
like l did, Jo.
lt just wouldn't have happened.
You know that.
You're right.
Do you know what else
Dawson would never do?
He would never inspire me to run
away with him for the summer.
lt just wouldn't happen.
And you know that.
We had a magic summer, Pacey.
We shared something l'm gonna
remember for the rest of my life.
l mean, don't you see?
We're creating our own history here.
A history that has nothing
to do with Dawson.
-That's a nice way of looking at it.
-Yeah.
But, you know, this is....
This is where it gets rough.
What do you mean?
We spent three months
on the sea...
...but we haven't even come close
to weathering the storm.
l mean, we ran away.
We made our own reality.
-And it was so wonderful.
-But it couldn't last forever.
Nor should it.
Pacey, a relationship isn't about
a romantic three-month cruise.
lt's gonna be the details
that define us. You know?
The moments.
Okay.
Joey, l am...
...really scared.
l think that l screwed up, and
l'm gonna flunk out of high school.
So l need your help.
Really badly.
That's all you needed to say, Pace.
Easy for you to say.
Whatever it takes, we're gonna fix it.
You know? l mean,
everything's gonna be okay.
How can you be sure?
l'm not going anywhere without you.
Potter?
Yeah?
How come you're
so much smarter than l am?
l'm not that much smarter, Pace.
You just happen to be
a little emotionally retarded.
-ls that it?
-Yeah.
That's such a load off my mind.
Let's go make out somewhere,
all right?
Sounds romantic.
Well, you're far too cynical
for my romantic overtures.
Doesn't mean you don't
earn points for trying.
Oh, come on. You love me.
You bug me.
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