Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 4, Episode 4 - Future Tense - full transcript
Everybody starts to think about their future, and how they are getting into college with Joey concerned about Pacey not having grades good enough to graduate and she being Number Four among the top 10 best in school. Drue makes everybody think it's Jen's birthday so he can throw a party and make the moves on her in which it's revealed that that they've known each other when he used to live back in New York. At the gathering, a worried Joey gets drunk and says some concerning things to everyone involved. Meanwhile, Andie takes over Jack's applications for college and drives him crazy with her obsession over it while he is recovering from a pulled shoulder he gets at football practice. Gretchen gets a job as the bartender at Gail's restaurant, and talks with Dawson about his life problems and hers about the real reason why she dropped out of college.
-l'm bored.
-Good.
Good?
Aren't you
concerned about me...
...due to the recent tragedy?
lt's precisely
because of the recent tragedy...
...that you need some boredom.
Keep reading.
l'm serious.
Why read a book about the future...
...when the future in the book
is the past?
Everybody's future eventually
becomes the past, Pacey.
Yeah, but 1 984? Big whoop.
lt happened. lt's over.
lt was no big deal.
How do you know?
You were in diapers.
VH1 Behind the Music,
thank you very much.
The point is,
these people in the '50s...
...spend their lives worrying
about the future.
When it gets here,
turns out it's okay.
Except for Boy George.
But who could have predicted that?
What's this stuff?
Oh, nothing. lt's just junk mail.
-Junk mail?
-lt's just college mail.
lt came over the summer.
You get junk mail
from Princeton University?
lt doesn't mean anything.
lt comes from everywhere.
l mean, like for instance-- Like l'm
gonna go to St. Olaf College.
Or the University of Hawaii...
...or Valparaiso University. Where's
that? lt's, like, in Brazil or something.
But you are gonna go somewhere.
Not right this second.
lt's early yet anyway. l mean,
you know, maybe l'll just....
Maybe l'll just go to one of those
fictional colleges. You know?
Like on those lame
high-school TV shows.
That go on for way too long and then
just in time to save the franchise...
...all of a sudden there's this...
...amazing college just
right around the corner, where...
...all the principal characters
are accepted.
Just to be safe, we should probably
start the application process.
So, Miss Lindley, it says here
you want to go to college.
l did until l saw how many forms
l was gonna have to fill out.
But l intend to get started. l do.
l've just been really busy with--
--football. l know it's not gonna
help me get into college.
But l did start.
l don't wanna quit until it's--
--done. l am so glad that l did
this Early Action thing.
Oh, it's just like this
giant weight has been--
--placed around my neck.
lt's a big decision.
l can't afford to apply
to a zillion places.
Everyone thinks
l'm going to film school.
-You're not?
-Maybe l will, maybe l won't.
lf the aptitude test says l'm suited
for law enforcement...
...it's obviously in serious need
of retooling.
Have you been
talking to my brother?
-She said what?
-Your sister tells me you're not...
...quite as far along in the college
application process as you could be.
Do you know my sister?
Are you sure there's nothing else
l should be doing at this point?
l mean, couldn't we call
or something?
How can anybody be sure...
...of where they want
to spend 4 years?
l'm sick of answering these
questions.
Where do l see myself in five years?
Wish me luck, lady.
l'll probably still be here.
l'm the first person in my family
to apply to college.
That can work to your advantage.
Elite schools are looking for
people with diverse backgrounds.
You're at the top of your class, Joey.
-The ''top'' top?
-Number four.
And your board scores
are phenomenal.
l think you should be able to get into
practically anyplace in the country.
This must be where
the '' but'' comes in.
The lvies-- Georgetown, Duke,
Stanford, l mean....
These schools accept only a miniscule
amount of the people that apply.
And hardly anybody ever gets
a free ride.
So you're telling me
l've set my sights too high?
lt's a crapshoot. Do l think that
you're smart and talented enough...
...to be one of those people
that gets in? Yes.
Do l think you should
prepare yourself...
...for the possibility that you might not
be one of those people?
That couldn't hurt.
Jenny! Jenny! What?
You no longer answer to Jenny?
Not since l left the 21 2 area code.
Not so fast. Can l walk you home?
Carry your books?
Buy you a soda at the malt shop?
That's what people do
for fun here, right?
Drue, l'm gonna say this in the nicest
way possible. Go away.
lf l didn't know better, l'd think maybe
you weren't happy to see me.
-No, really?
-Here l am, your chum from the city...
...cast adrift in a small town
with no good Chinese food...
...and you don't roll out the red carpet.
You don't sit with me at lunch...
...or introduce me to your friends.
You already seem
to know my friends.
They knew you were here
before l did.
And they didn't warn me.
l wonder why that is?
Okay. Busted. l didn't tell them
l knew you.
l wanted to lay low. Soak up some
impressions of Jen, Version 2.0.
So, what do you say? You and me,
one milk shake, two straws.
Catch up on old times. l missed you
these past two years.
No, you didn't. You didn't miss me.
You missed my idiotic willingness
to try out any illegal substances...
...that you got in
Washington Square Park.
Come on. Not all that Ecstasy turned
out to be headache medication.
You make it sound like
we never had any fun.
l don't have that kind of fun now.
l don't know what you hope to gain
by this trip down memory lane--
lt's not that l don't dig this whole
hip-to-be-square thing, because l do.
l just think that we should hang out.
-Hang out?
-That's all. So, what do you say?
No way. Not ever.
Never gonna happen.
They're closed.
lt's okay. l know the owner.
-Oh, hey.
-Hey.
Your mom's in the back.
Some fish-related crisis.
That's the only kind there is
around here.
You staking out a seat
for the early-bird special?
No. lnterviewing for a job.
-The bartending job?
-l may not be Coyote Ugly material...
...but l can make a Seven and Seven.
l believe you.
So how's it going?
The interview.
Okay. l guess. At least l hope so.
l really need this job.
l was tending bar all summer
up in Provincetown.
And now that the tourists are gone,
bye-bye job. C'est la vie.
Sorry about that. Tonight's special just
changed from red snapper to ahi tuna.
Hi, honey.
You know, Gretchen, everything
certainly looks great on paper.
l do have one more question.
What are your plans for school?
-School?
-College.
Are you going back soon?
Because l was hoping to find
somebody who could stay for a while.
No, l.... l'm on break.
You know, indefinitely.
ls there a reason for that?
Not a very interesting one.
So, Mom, do you want me to set
tables or what?
Yeah, honey. lt is getting late.
You know what, Gretchen?
lnstant decision time here.
Can you start tomorrow?
Yes. Tomorrow, today, yesterday.
That's great.
Whenever you're ready,
gentlemen.
Look out, Jack, inside!
Good catch, Jack.
Take five, men. Not too much water.
Don't want you cramping up out there.
-What's up?
-You are not gonna believe this.
Something good? Bad? What?
Something good. Okay, you know
Ms. Watson, the college adviser?
-Yeah.
-She actually called Harvard for me.
-And?
-And...
...the woman she spoke to not only
said that everything looked good...
...but she remembered my essay.
My essay. Out of thousands! Mine!
-That's great, Andie.
-McPhee! Break's over. Let's go.
-Duty calls.
-Okay.
Go, team!
Go to Jack!
-l got it. l got it.
-You got it?
Oh, l'm sorry.
l'm really, really sorry.
That looks a lot worse than
what you led me to believe.
Dad said you wouldn't
be here today.
Oh, it's fine. lt's nothing.
The worst part was the sound it made
when they popped it back in.
lt was so gross. You guys, ER does
not prepare you for that kind of stuff.
McPhee, sorry about the shoulder.
Oh. Yeah, thanks.
Anything else?
We were wondering
if the party was still on.
-What party?
-Was it a surprise or something?
-What surprise?
-The birthday party.
Hey, Lindley, happy birthday.
-Party tonight, dude.
-You know it, dude.
You didn't tell me
it was your birthday.
-Happy birthday!
-No, no, no. lt's not.
Her birthday's in May.
So it's not your birthday.
But people who say ''dude''
are attending your birthday party.
You might wanna look into that.
Yeah.
Can l ask you a question?
What does it mean if you dream
that your teeth...
...are slowly receding
back into your head...
...and the world's leading experts
are powerless to stop it?
lt means you shouldn't stay up all
night stressing about college.
You'll get in someplace great.
They'll give you tons of financial aid.
And everything will be perfect.
Yeah, that's what l thought too,
until yesterday.
What happened yesterday?
l had a meeting
with the new college adviser.
-So?
-l'm fourth.
Fourth? Fourth in your class?
Joey, that's amazing!
Yeah. lt's amazing, but....
All the places that l thought
l wanted to apply to...
...they're looking for people
who are number four and they're...
...you know, concert violinists, or they
won the Westinghouse Science Prize.
Or they're legacies like Andie.
l mean...
...maybe l shouldn't even bother. l'll
just be wasting the application fees.
Your defeatist attitude has got to go.
-What does Pacey say?
-Pacey's barely gonna graduate.
l can't exactly...
...cry on his shoulder about my tragic
lack of extracurricular activities.
lf l tell Pacey how stressed l am,
he's just gonna think that l'm this...
-...pathetic, whiny cry-baby, you know?
-Look...
...going to these schools
could open up opportunities...
...you've always dreamed about, right?
-Yes.
-So your dreams are your dreams.
You can't apologize for them.
Just talk to him. You'll probably
find out they're his dreams too.
-Unacceptable.
-Excuse me?
You throwing me a birthday party.
Unacceptable.
So you found out about that.
Yeah. Well how could l not?
l spent the morning fielding birthday
wishes from complete strangers.
My French class sang
to me, in French.
Oh, bummer. Hey, Palmer! Jason,
l'm gonna see you there, right dude?
-You know it, man.
-Excellent. lsn't this great?
Yesterday l didn't know
that guy at all. Today...
-See you later.
-...paisans.
This party's been great
to get to know people.
Good. But the fact
that it's not my birthday...
...that puts no damper
on the festivities?
l like to think of tonight as an omnibus,
retroactive birthday celebration.
lt covers all the parties
we missed while we were apart.
Plus l'm doing a public service.
Getting you out of the funk you've
been in since that guy dumped you.
First, he didn't dump me.
l dumped him.
-Technicality.
-Second...
...this isn't a funk. lt's me.
-Harsh.
-Third, it's not my birthday.
Another technicality. Look, l'm gonna
let you in on a little secret.
Something the old Jen
used to know.
People are sheep. They need a reason
to celebrate, okay?
That's where l come in. l give them
something to celebrate. You.
Tell me, why on earth would l actually
attend this little shindig?
You can't miss your own birthday.
-But it's not my--
-l know.
But everyone here thinks it's your
birthday. So work with me, okay?
lf you don't show up...
-...that makes you a stuck-up--
-Don't say it.
l'd hate for turtles to die while they're
dragging the creek for your body.
lt starts at 8. Dress is casual.
But not that casual.
You might wanna go home first.
Spiff yourself up a little.
Okay? See you later.
You know, Jack, things aren't as bad
as you think they are.
ln fact, this whole injury could be
a really good thing.
Oh, yeah. Let me guess. lt'll give me
more time to work on my applications?
-Exactly.
-Yeah.
You don't want to get behind.
Not like you already aren't.
Look, Andie, l am in some
serious pain here.
Just lay off the lectures a little bit,
just until l get some...
-...pills in me.
-Sure thing.
Thanks.
Although...
...you might want to consider
that this whole experience...
...could make a really great
essay topic.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's good. l'm gonna get
working on that when l get home.
Are we done with this
little shopping excursion of ours?
Almost. l just wanna get a present
for Jen for her birthday.
lt's not actually her birthday.
l know. Just seems kind of rude
to show up empty-handed.
l am never eating a home-cooked
meal again, am l?
Yeah, looks like you're stuck yet
again with four-star gourmet cuisine.
So Gretchen seems to be
working out.
Oh, yeah. So far.
l just wish l knew she was gonna
stay for more than a few months.
Now, why would this beautiful and
bright and talented young woman...
...who could be at college
getting an education...
...choose to be tending bar?
Because maybe college isn't
the be all and end all that parents say.
Maybe once you get past the rhetoric
of all these books that nobody reads...
...college is basically just a holding
pen for 1 8 to 22-year-olds.
Like an airport that everyone stops at
on the way to someplace else.
Like prison with better meals.
Tell me you're saying these things
just to get a rise out of your mother.
Most people aren't in college to learn.
They're there to drink and
mingle with the opposite sex.
l'm not complaining,
but how did l end up...
...with the only 1 7-year-old in the
country who thinks that's a bad idea?
l'm not opposed to it.
l just think the whole idea...
...of higher education's
a bit of a misnomer.
People should
call things what they are.
Like when people are running away
from problems...
...they should admit they're
running away?
Are we talking about
somebody l know?
Your father and l noticed...
...that all of the college
applications coming in the mail...
...seem to be coming from zip codes
more than 1 000 miles away.
Right.
And you never thought
that your movie-obsessed son...
...might want to go to California?
We don't have a problem
with you going to California...
...or New Mexico or Alaska,
if that's what you really want.
We don't want you to make a choice
that'll affect your whole life...
...based on the wrong criteria.
-Like?
-Like the desire to put a continent...
...between you and a certain
girl we both know.
If I tell you my problem,
do you promise...
...not to laugh or tell me l'm crazy or
that l should just get over myself?
l think l can probably do that, yeah.
l found out yesterday that l'm fourth.
My class rank.
l'm fourth.
That's your problem?
That's not a problem.
That's a reason to quit studying.
l don't know why l bother.
l knew you wouldn't understand.
Okay. l'm sorry. That was bad.
Can we try that again? Yeah?
This time you gotta cut out that
stuff about being number four.
Because l know that can't possibly be
the reason you're so bothered.
Well, no, it's....
lt's just that l always
thought that if l did well in school...
...these doors would open for me,
you know?
Maybe l was just being naive.
Maybe l've just set these goals
that are really unrealistic.
And certain people get into certain
places because of their parents--
You're not even listening.
No, l was listening.
Look, we should just
all have your problems.
You're sitting here with
the brightest future in the world...
...with a guy who won't
get into anyplace...
...where they don't give him
his own tools.
Put your shoes on. Let's go out.
-Out? We can't go out.
-Yeah.
Just when this conversation
gets emotionally complex...
...you want to bail. Who's the guy
in this relationship?
You are.
As the guy, you have a choice.
You can stay here and prove
how sensitive you aren't...
...or we can go to Jen's
un-birthday party.
Right. l'll get my shoes.
-How you doing?
-l want your phone number.
Look at that.
There's our host.
On a good day, he'll ruin your
chances of getting into college...
...convince you he's the sausage king
of Chicago and wreck your dad's car.
Somehow, you end up thanking him.
Can l ask the inevitable question?
Was he my boyfriend? No.
Was he an indiscretion? Yes.
But to be quite honest,
l'm not sure what he remembers.
We were both chemically altered
at the time.
l don't think l need to go
any further than that.
Witter! l knew you
couldn't resist a party.
l see you brought
the Prim Reaper.
We came for your immortal soul.
That is, if you have one.
l'd just like a drink.
That's one for you.
And for you.
Oh, no. No, no. l don't think so.
lt is a proven fact that you, madam,
cannot hold your alcohol.
Let me get this straight.
You can drink at parties and l can't?
Yes. Because as you rightly
pointed out, l am a guy.
lf l'm gonna get in trouble
for being a guy...
...l think l should get to act like one
every once in a while.
You know, with your advance
permission and approval.
Of course, l wouldn't, you know,
do it without asking you first.
That's fine.
-That's fine?
-Yeah.
We'll both be guys tonight.
Cheers.
Drue.
So the guest of honour finally decides
to honour me with her presence.
Unavoidable.
Listen, l'm working on a little theory.
This isn't your house, is it?
l am shocked. l welcome you...
...and 65 of your friends
into my home...
...and this is how you repay me?
By accusing me of what, exactly?
Misrepresenting my place
of residence?
What could l possibly gain
by such a tactic?
Plausible deniability.
l know what you're doing.
See, if you throw a wild party at your
own house, you will get caught.
But if you throw the same party
at some stranger's summer house...
...there's nothing to link you
to the scene of the crime.
Plausible deniability.
That's a pretty sophisticated
theory you got going on there.
-l'm a pretty sophisticated girl.
-Yeah.
Oh, and l almost forgot the best part.
The thing that elevates this
whole '' happy birthday, Jen'' thing...
...from a mildly amusing runner to a
potentially ingenious little plot twist.
And that would be...?
Should the cops show up and ask
who's responsible for this mess...
...all the drunken masses will
remember is that it was Jen's birthday.
So it's just impossible that
my intentions are pure?
That all l wanted is for you
to have a good time?
l wouldn't say that it's impossible.
l'd put the chances around 3 percent.
You know what? l have a theory
about your theory.
l think the first half is right.
l think this isn't my house.
Because maybe my house wouldn't
impress anyone in this town...
...least of all you. Maybe my house
isn't even a house.
What's this? Some sort of riddle?
-Come over here, man!
-Party calls.
See you later, birthday girl.
So number four with a bullet, huh?
How do you know that?
Kenny Reiling and friends have
already established a betting pool.
Kind of pathetic, isn't it?
l mean...
...1 2 years of being a control freak
about school.
Almost giving myself an ulcer...
...hunting snails and building
balsa-wood bridges for extra credit.
And where does that get me?
Fourth.
Joey, which is amazing.
l mean, the race isn't even over yet.
ls that what you're doing?
Celebrating?
Yeah.
The future. Whoopee!
Joey, everything's working out exactly
the way you always wanted.
With your grades and SAT scores,
you can go anywhere.
Not you too, Dawson.
l mean, can't two people sit down
and make small talk...
...without the subject of college
coming up?
l mean, isn't that possible?
l mean, what's next?
Are you gonna ask me
where l see myself in five years?
l don't have to. You wanted to be an
anthropologist or an oceanographer.
Yeah.
Dawson...
...do you know how much
money anthropologists make?
Besides, l was just saying that
to get your goat.
Your buttons are so easy to push.
Well, were so easy.
So you never had any desire to do
great heroic things with your life?
See faraway places,
uncover lost civilizations?
When it comes down to it,
you'd be happy here in Capeside?
Look, l didn't say that.
Don't put words in my mouth.
l'm wondering why someone...
...who's about to get what she's
worked for her entire life...
...is trying to drown herself
with 80-proof fruit punch.
Look, don't do this, Dawson.
Okay. Cheers.
Okay, that looks good. Poker time,
gentlemen. Who's playing?
How about you?
You up for a game of cards...
...or you need to ask
the old ball and chain?
l'd be happy to just find
the old ball and chain right now.
l think l saw her talking to Dawson.
Oh, no wait. That's wrong.
She took a walk with birthday girl.
Which is why you should stay
and play cards with us.
So, what do you say? Five-card draw.
Are you in or out?
Well, it's your money.
Joey, l think that we've walked far
enough. What do you need to tell me?
-ls here good?
-Yes. Here's good.
Good. Because l...
...would like to make a toast.
All the love and happiness in the world
to my friend, Jen, on her birthday.
Well, thank you very much, Joey.
But you do know it's really
not my birthday.
That's all right. l mean,
we're not really friends.
l'm just kidding.
l'm kidding. l'm kidding.
We are.
l think we are. Do you think we are?
l can't really even pinpoint exactly
when we became--
You know what?
Let's not delve too far into it.
Because we'll remember why we're
supposed to hate each other.
-l don't hate you.
-l know.
l love you.
Joey, Joey, you love
everybody tonight.
Let me ask you something.
Do you think you can
summon up enough...
...brainpower for one question?
ls it about our future?
-No. No, it's purely about the present.
-Shoot.
Do you happen to know
where Drue lives?
Ding, ding, ding.
l do know the answer to that one.
Drue lives in an apartment
at the yacht club, with his mother.
Okay. And what about his father?
Taos, New Mexico, l think.
l guess he ran off with some
New Age chippy.
Nice, huh?
Left him high and dry.
'' You Too Can Get Into
the College of Your Choice.''
Please tell me that's a joke
between the two of you.
lt's not a joke.
lt's a very helpful book.
Maybe so. But as a birthday present,
or an un-birthday present...
...it pretty much sucks.
Okay. And what's your problem?
My problem...
...is that...
...not everyone wants to spend every
moment thinking about college.
Some of us want to actually enjoy the
remainder of our senior year, Andie.
-And l don't?
-No. You don't.
Since you finished your applications...
...all you've done is get on
my case about mine.
Look, don't get me wrong, okay?
l'm happy for you.
l'm glad that everything's going
so well and you've got everything...
...under control.
But l don't need you
to control my life.
And you don't need
to branch out into Jen's.
So you want me to just watch as you
back yourself into a corner...
...and ruin your entire future?
lt is not my future
that l'm concerned about.
lt's the present. Look, 24 hours ago,
my year officially began to suck.
The only thing l was looking forward
to in this damn school was football.
l don't even have that now.
So can we please just forget about
the future for now? Just for tonight?
Okay.
There you guys are.
l've been looking all over for you.
Except here. Because if you'd
looked here, you would have found us.
Because this, Andie,
is where we are.
lgnore her.
-So where's Jack?
-Avoiding me. Am l too controlling?
-Yes.
-Yes.
-Thanks for the vote of confidence.
-lt's not a judgment.
Some people like salad dressing
on the salad.
And some people
like it on the side.
Okay. Well, you know, it's just...
...l want everyone that l know to be
able to live up to his or her potential.
Well...
...l have great potential
as a waitress.
That's great, Joey.
What do you say we get out of here?
All right? l've got somebody
that l owe an apology to.
No, no, no. Stay here.
Before anyone leaves this spot...
...we have a very important
question to answer.
Where do we see ourselves
in five years?
And not the version that you answer to
your college adviser. Come on.
All right. l plan to be working on my
master's thesis: Are Men Necessary?
And l guess l'll be in PR.
Because that's all l've really
ever been good at in life...
-...painting a happy face on disaster.
-Andie!
Well, you know. Think about it.
Okay, you're up.
You tell me.
All right. That's an easy one.
You will have graduated...
...from a ridiculously expensive
lvy League school...
...moved to New York, where you will
have taken a job...
...in a funky Soho art gallery...
...where your starting salary
is less than a year's tuition.
And why New York?
Because New York is finishing
school for cynics like us.
l'm not a cynic.
Okay, you're not exactly
sunshine personified, Joey.
Okay, you guys. Come on. Right
here, right now, let's make a deal.
ln five years, we'll get back together
and see if these predictions came true.
-Deal.
-Deal.
-Okay.
-Shall we?
We shall.
Watch out, you guys.
Oh, wait. You guys...
...how are we gonna remember the
date? lt's not really Jen's birthday.
l'll remember.
Do you promise?
So you think we're the only two people
not having fun?
Everyone else could be having fun.
Or they could just be imitating
the fun they see in movies.
Yeah.
Hey, you idiot! l've been
working on that all night!
-Should we--?
-They're guards.
They're slow as hell.
They'll never catch him.
l forget you actually know
these people.
Yeah. Well, it's all part of being
on a team, l guess.
-Or on the sidelines, as it may be.
-Right.
l don't know. Funny, you think
something's making your life hell...
...and then when it's gone,
you really miss it.
But then again, l guess you probably
know that feeling.
Yeah.
Excellent. l love this girl.
lt's like she's trying to lose.
Strip poker?
l leave you alone for two seconds,
and you end up playing strip poker?
Originally, this was just '' poker'' poker.
Until l started kicking his ass. Then he
decides to change the stakes on me.
But l'm finished now,
and we can just leave.
Why leave? There's a half-naked
chick in the room.
Until now, nobody's
taken off anything other than socks.
So it's just all good, clean fun?
Yeah, exactly. Just good, clean,
American guy fun.
Deal me in.
-Excuse me?
-You heard me.
Now, what does a girl have to take off
to play this game?
Okay, that's enough. lt's time for us
to leave because you're drunk...
...bordering on disorderly
and definitely insane.
Yeah, let's go. Show them?
Finished? Stand up. Let's go.
-You want me to stand up?
-Yes. l'd like for you to stand up now.
And why would l do that?
Because you are forcing me to make
the ultimate guy manoeuvre.
You can put me down now, please!
You know, l can't believe
l'm saying this, but thank you.
For the party. lt turned out
not to be so horrible.
Well, thank you for coming.
l hope l got the number
of candles right.
lt'll do.
-So should l make my wish?
-First, your present.
Hate for you to squander it on
something that may be in this box.
Listen....
Drue, l'm sorry about your parents.
Joey told me.
l'm sorry that l just assumed
everything would be the same.
-That was stupid of me.
-lt was.
What are you waiting for?
Open it.
All right.
-But you didn't have to do this.
-l know.
l know l didn't have to.
l wanted to.
-What the hell is this?
-l think you know what it is.
Ecstasy? l thought l made my feelings
perfectly clear on this subject.
Too clear. Which led me to suspect
the lady was protesting too much.
God, l am really an idiot.
-You haven't changed.
-And you have?
Please. Your hairstyle, maybe.
People don't change.
-Not that much.
-Yes, they do.
They grow up.
They accept responsibility.
They see that ''die young,
leave a good-looking corpse'' ...
...is not all it's cracked up to be.
l don't want your present.
Fine.
But since you're such
a paragon of responsibility...
...l guess it won't bother you
if l just leave it right here.
For safekeeping.
Hey.
Just wanted to make sure
that you got home okay.
Yeah. l hitched a ride
with my one good arm.
l thought maybe
Dawson gave you a lift.
Not that l care. l'm not going to get
too involved in your life or anything.
You know, this is all your fault.
l know. That's why l'm here
apologizing.
l'm not copying the apology part.
l'm sorry. l really am.
l'm sorry that l wasn't more
understanding with football.
And l'm really sorry that l got
all over your case on college.
-Keep going.
-You want me to abase myself further?
Basically, yeah.
Okay, Jack, you seem to think
that l am, like...
...really obsessed
with the future, and l'm not.
l mean, l don't want it to get
here any quicker than you do.
Yeah, well, you have a funny way
of showing it.
Look, in less than a year, my life
is gonna be completely changed.
Everything is gonna be different.
l'm gonna live somewhere different.
l'm gonna have different friends.
Everything is gonna be different.
And you know, in times of uncertainty,
l look for things that l can fix.
You can't fix me, Andie.
l've gotta make my own mistakes
in my own way and in my own time.
lt's not just me. You've gotta work on
letting go of things you can't control.
Like where you're gonna go
to college.
Or where l'm gonna go to college.
Agreed.
But do you realize next year
will be the first year ever...
...that we won't be
in the same school together?
l tried to start kindergarten
without you.
What? That is such a story
that Mom and Dad told you.
And besides, how could that
possibly be true...
...when everybody
knows it's a fact...
...that l, the more responsible one,
am definitely the older sibling?
All right.
l can't walk, Pacey.
Before, l have to drag you,
kicking and screaming, but now...
...you want to be carried? No.
lt's a woman's prerogative
to change her mind.
But tonight you're one of the guys,
remember? And guys walk.
So come on, number four.
Out you get. Watch your head.
l don't really feel so good.
Guess what. You're gonna feel
even worse tomorrow.
And you won't be any closer to getting
into an lvy-covered institution.
Pacey?
l've been doing some thinking.
Yeah. Drunk thinking.
Maybe....
Maybe that's not what l really want.
Maybe l just want to stay here.
You know? l mean....
l mean, look,
it's really beautiful here, and....
-And l could just--
-Just what?
Stay here and work
as a waitress all your life?
Forgive me if you lose me here, Jo.
But honestly, you haven't
made sense all night.
-Even before you were drunk.
-l wanna be with you.
l wanna stay and be with you.
lf you wanna be with me, staying
here would be a really stupid idea.
Considering l don't plan to be here.
l plan to be wherever you are.
-Really?
-Yes, really.
Not that you deserve
to hear such things right now.
l know, l know. lt was a very stupid
thing to get drunk.
Yes, it was. l mean,
let's face it here, Jo.
You are destined
for academic glory.
And your boyfriend is circling
the drain, which is a problem.
ln fact, that is a very big problem.
You couldn't possibly have thought
you could solve your problems...
...in one night, with alcohol,
of all things.
-No.
-No.
Because alcohol has
that effect on problems.
lt just never solves them. Ever.
And l would hate to think
that l fell in love with a moron.
So you're in love with me, huh?
Well, not currently, no.
Right now you're just a crazy,
drunk girl l gotta get in that door...
...without waking up the
customers at her sister's B&B.
But generally speaking, yes.
-May l kiss you right now?
-Yes, please.
But l'm still not carrying you.
-Please?
-Nope.
You can give me the eyes.
lt's just not gonna work.
Oh, come on. Honestly, you don't....
Jo, what do l look like?
Just fell off the turnip truck?
You think l'm gonna fall for this?
Jo....
Halfway. That's it. l swear.
l'm not kidding.
My back's killing me here.
l guess.
Since you're up.
Oh. l'm sorry. l saw the lights on,
and l thought you were my mom.
lt's okay. She went home early.
So...
-...congratulations on the job.
-Thanks. l feel like l owe you one.
Can l take a rain check?
Oh, we're not gonna drink.
But for every quarter
that l bounce into that glass...
...you're gonna tell me
one thing that's bothering you.
How do you know something's
bothering me?
Please.
Oh, there. See? Perfect.
So spill.
All right.
Earlier this evening...
...my mother accused me
of wanting to go to California...
...so l could run away
from my problems.
And you think she's right?
l don't know.
l mean....
The past few weeks, l've seen things
that make me want to run screaming.
Like?
Don't make me answer this.
Come on. This is much more
therapeutic than drinking.
l've seen how much she loves him.
l've seen it in her face.
l've seen them hold hands.
l've seen them kiss.
And tonight, l saw them fight.
Which is something l've seen them
do every day since the first grade.
-But not like this?
-Yeah.
l think it was actually worse
than the kissing.
You know, Dawson...
...it might interest you to know,
l did take one film class in college.
Was it a huge waste of time?
No, it was great, actually.
Know what my teacher said was the
most bogus line in Hollywood cinema?
''There's no place like home.''
-The Wizard of Oz.
-Exactly.
lt's what everybody remembers.
But it doesn't resonate
with the rest of the story.
Think about it. Home...
...is this desolate, grey place where a
nasty old lady is trying to kill your dog.
-And Oz is--
-Technicolor.
And sure it has its problems. You
know, poppy fields, flying monkeys--
Talking trees.
But along the way, you make friends.
Good friends.
With people that you never even knew
existed when you were growing up.
-Straw people, tin people--
-And lions.
Exactly.
And you help each other realize
that all the things you want to be...
...you already are.
And it's fun.
Well, if it's so much fun...
...what are you doing here?
l don't recall you getting to ask
any questions as part of our deal.
What if l can bounce a quarter
in that glass?
-Never happen.
-You're not even gonna let me try?
Oh, you can try, but you're gonna
have to use your own money...
...because l worked very hard
to earn these quarters.
You're not gonna loan me
one lousy quarter?
-No.
-l don't think that's fair.
Well, that's too bad.
-Good.
Good?
Aren't you
concerned about me...
...due to the recent tragedy?
lt's precisely
because of the recent tragedy...
...that you need some boredom.
Keep reading.
l'm serious.
Why read a book about the future...
...when the future in the book
is the past?
Everybody's future eventually
becomes the past, Pacey.
Yeah, but 1 984? Big whoop.
lt happened. lt's over.
lt was no big deal.
How do you know?
You were in diapers.
VH1 Behind the Music,
thank you very much.
The point is,
these people in the '50s...
...spend their lives worrying
about the future.
When it gets here,
turns out it's okay.
Except for Boy George.
But who could have predicted that?
What's this stuff?
Oh, nothing. lt's just junk mail.
-Junk mail?
-lt's just college mail.
lt came over the summer.
You get junk mail
from Princeton University?
lt doesn't mean anything.
lt comes from everywhere.
l mean, like for instance-- Like l'm
gonna go to St. Olaf College.
Or the University of Hawaii...
...or Valparaiso University. Where's
that? lt's, like, in Brazil or something.
But you are gonna go somewhere.
Not right this second.
lt's early yet anyway. l mean,
you know, maybe l'll just....
Maybe l'll just go to one of those
fictional colleges. You know?
Like on those lame
high-school TV shows.
That go on for way too long and then
just in time to save the franchise...
...all of a sudden there's this...
...amazing college just
right around the corner, where...
...all the principal characters
are accepted.
Just to be safe, we should probably
start the application process.
So, Miss Lindley, it says here
you want to go to college.
l did until l saw how many forms
l was gonna have to fill out.
But l intend to get started. l do.
l've just been really busy with--
--football. l know it's not gonna
help me get into college.
But l did start.
l don't wanna quit until it's--
--done. l am so glad that l did
this Early Action thing.
Oh, it's just like this
giant weight has been--
--placed around my neck.
lt's a big decision.
l can't afford to apply
to a zillion places.
Everyone thinks
l'm going to film school.
-You're not?
-Maybe l will, maybe l won't.
lf the aptitude test says l'm suited
for law enforcement...
...it's obviously in serious need
of retooling.
Have you been
talking to my brother?
-She said what?
-Your sister tells me you're not...
...quite as far along in the college
application process as you could be.
Do you know my sister?
Are you sure there's nothing else
l should be doing at this point?
l mean, couldn't we call
or something?
How can anybody be sure...
...of where they want
to spend 4 years?
l'm sick of answering these
questions.
Where do l see myself in five years?
Wish me luck, lady.
l'll probably still be here.
l'm the first person in my family
to apply to college.
That can work to your advantage.
Elite schools are looking for
people with diverse backgrounds.
You're at the top of your class, Joey.
-The ''top'' top?
-Number four.
And your board scores
are phenomenal.
l think you should be able to get into
practically anyplace in the country.
This must be where
the '' but'' comes in.
The lvies-- Georgetown, Duke,
Stanford, l mean....
These schools accept only a miniscule
amount of the people that apply.
And hardly anybody ever gets
a free ride.
So you're telling me
l've set my sights too high?
lt's a crapshoot. Do l think that
you're smart and talented enough...
...to be one of those people
that gets in? Yes.
Do l think you should
prepare yourself...
...for the possibility that you might not
be one of those people?
That couldn't hurt.
Jenny! Jenny! What?
You no longer answer to Jenny?
Not since l left the 21 2 area code.
Not so fast. Can l walk you home?
Carry your books?
Buy you a soda at the malt shop?
That's what people do
for fun here, right?
Drue, l'm gonna say this in the nicest
way possible. Go away.
lf l didn't know better, l'd think maybe
you weren't happy to see me.
-No, really?
-Here l am, your chum from the city...
...cast adrift in a small town
with no good Chinese food...
...and you don't roll out the red carpet.
You don't sit with me at lunch...
...or introduce me to your friends.
You already seem
to know my friends.
They knew you were here
before l did.
And they didn't warn me.
l wonder why that is?
Okay. Busted. l didn't tell them
l knew you.
l wanted to lay low. Soak up some
impressions of Jen, Version 2.0.
So, what do you say? You and me,
one milk shake, two straws.
Catch up on old times. l missed you
these past two years.
No, you didn't. You didn't miss me.
You missed my idiotic willingness
to try out any illegal substances...
...that you got in
Washington Square Park.
Come on. Not all that Ecstasy turned
out to be headache medication.
You make it sound like
we never had any fun.
l don't have that kind of fun now.
l don't know what you hope to gain
by this trip down memory lane--
lt's not that l don't dig this whole
hip-to-be-square thing, because l do.
l just think that we should hang out.
-Hang out?
-That's all. So, what do you say?
No way. Not ever.
Never gonna happen.
They're closed.
lt's okay. l know the owner.
-Oh, hey.
-Hey.
Your mom's in the back.
Some fish-related crisis.
That's the only kind there is
around here.
You staking out a seat
for the early-bird special?
No. lnterviewing for a job.
-The bartending job?
-l may not be Coyote Ugly material...
...but l can make a Seven and Seven.
l believe you.
So how's it going?
The interview.
Okay. l guess. At least l hope so.
l really need this job.
l was tending bar all summer
up in Provincetown.
And now that the tourists are gone,
bye-bye job. C'est la vie.
Sorry about that. Tonight's special just
changed from red snapper to ahi tuna.
Hi, honey.
You know, Gretchen, everything
certainly looks great on paper.
l do have one more question.
What are your plans for school?
-School?
-College.
Are you going back soon?
Because l was hoping to find
somebody who could stay for a while.
No, l.... l'm on break.
You know, indefinitely.
ls there a reason for that?
Not a very interesting one.
So, Mom, do you want me to set
tables or what?
Yeah, honey. lt is getting late.
You know what, Gretchen?
lnstant decision time here.
Can you start tomorrow?
Yes. Tomorrow, today, yesterday.
That's great.
Whenever you're ready,
gentlemen.
Look out, Jack, inside!
Good catch, Jack.
Take five, men. Not too much water.
Don't want you cramping up out there.
-What's up?
-You are not gonna believe this.
Something good? Bad? What?
Something good. Okay, you know
Ms. Watson, the college adviser?
-Yeah.
-She actually called Harvard for me.
-And?
-And...
...the woman she spoke to not only
said that everything looked good...
...but she remembered my essay.
My essay. Out of thousands! Mine!
-That's great, Andie.
-McPhee! Break's over. Let's go.
-Duty calls.
-Okay.
Go, team!
Go to Jack!
-l got it. l got it.
-You got it?
Oh, l'm sorry.
l'm really, really sorry.
That looks a lot worse than
what you led me to believe.
Dad said you wouldn't
be here today.
Oh, it's fine. lt's nothing.
The worst part was the sound it made
when they popped it back in.
lt was so gross. You guys, ER does
not prepare you for that kind of stuff.
McPhee, sorry about the shoulder.
Oh. Yeah, thanks.
Anything else?
We were wondering
if the party was still on.
-What party?
-Was it a surprise or something?
-What surprise?
-The birthday party.
Hey, Lindley, happy birthday.
-Party tonight, dude.
-You know it, dude.
You didn't tell me
it was your birthday.
-Happy birthday!
-No, no, no. lt's not.
Her birthday's in May.
So it's not your birthday.
But people who say ''dude''
are attending your birthday party.
You might wanna look into that.
Yeah.
Can l ask you a question?
What does it mean if you dream
that your teeth...
...are slowly receding
back into your head...
...and the world's leading experts
are powerless to stop it?
lt means you shouldn't stay up all
night stressing about college.
You'll get in someplace great.
They'll give you tons of financial aid.
And everything will be perfect.
Yeah, that's what l thought too,
until yesterday.
What happened yesterday?
l had a meeting
with the new college adviser.
-So?
-l'm fourth.
Fourth? Fourth in your class?
Joey, that's amazing!
Yeah. lt's amazing, but....
All the places that l thought
l wanted to apply to...
...they're looking for people
who are number four and they're...
...you know, concert violinists, or they
won the Westinghouse Science Prize.
Or they're legacies like Andie.
l mean...
...maybe l shouldn't even bother. l'll
just be wasting the application fees.
Your defeatist attitude has got to go.
-What does Pacey say?
-Pacey's barely gonna graduate.
l can't exactly...
...cry on his shoulder about my tragic
lack of extracurricular activities.
lf l tell Pacey how stressed l am,
he's just gonna think that l'm this...
-...pathetic, whiny cry-baby, you know?
-Look...
...going to these schools
could open up opportunities...
...you've always dreamed about, right?
-Yes.
-So your dreams are your dreams.
You can't apologize for them.
Just talk to him. You'll probably
find out they're his dreams too.
-Unacceptable.
-Excuse me?
You throwing me a birthday party.
Unacceptable.
So you found out about that.
Yeah. Well how could l not?
l spent the morning fielding birthday
wishes from complete strangers.
My French class sang
to me, in French.
Oh, bummer. Hey, Palmer! Jason,
l'm gonna see you there, right dude?
-You know it, man.
-Excellent. lsn't this great?
Yesterday l didn't know
that guy at all. Today...
-See you later.
-...paisans.
This party's been great
to get to know people.
Good. But the fact
that it's not my birthday...
...that puts no damper
on the festivities?
l like to think of tonight as an omnibus,
retroactive birthday celebration.
lt covers all the parties
we missed while we were apart.
Plus l'm doing a public service.
Getting you out of the funk you've
been in since that guy dumped you.
First, he didn't dump me.
l dumped him.
-Technicality.
-Second...
...this isn't a funk. lt's me.
-Harsh.
-Third, it's not my birthday.
Another technicality. Look, l'm gonna
let you in on a little secret.
Something the old Jen
used to know.
People are sheep. They need a reason
to celebrate, okay?
That's where l come in. l give them
something to celebrate. You.
Tell me, why on earth would l actually
attend this little shindig?
You can't miss your own birthday.
-But it's not my--
-l know.
But everyone here thinks it's your
birthday. So work with me, okay?
lf you don't show up...
-...that makes you a stuck-up--
-Don't say it.
l'd hate for turtles to die while they're
dragging the creek for your body.
lt starts at 8. Dress is casual.
But not that casual.
You might wanna go home first.
Spiff yourself up a little.
Okay? See you later.
You know, Jack, things aren't as bad
as you think they are.
ln fact, this whole injury could be
a really good thing.
Oh, yeah. Let me guess. lt'll give me
more time to work on my applications?
-Exactly.
-Yeah.
You don't want to get behind.
Not like you already aren't.
Look, Andie, l am in some
serious pain here.
Just lay off the lectures a little bit,
just until l get some...
-...pills in me.
-Sure thing.
Thanks.
Although...
...you might want to consider
that this whole experience...
...could make a really great
essay topic.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's good. l'm gonna get
working on that when l get home.
Are we done with this
little shopping excursion of ours?
Almost. l just wanna get a present
for Jen for her birthday.
lt's not actually her birthday.
l know. Just seems kind of rude
to show up empty-handed.
l am never eating a home-cooked
meal again, am l?
Yeah, looks like you're stuck yet
again with four-star gourmet cuisine.
So Gretchen seems to be
working out.
Oh, yeah. So far.
l just wish l knew she was gonna
stay for more than a few months.
Now, why would this beautiful and
bright and talented young woman...
...who could be at college
getting an education...
...choose to be tending bar?
Because maybe college isn't
the be all and end all that parents say.
Maybe once you get past the rhetoric
of all these books that nobody reads...
...college is basically just a holding
pen for 1 8 to 22-year-olds.
Like an airport that everyone stops at
on the way to someplace else.
Like prison with better meals.
Tell me you're saying these things
just to get a rise out of your mother.
Most people aren't in college to learn.
They're there to drink and
mingle with the opposite sex.
l'm not complaining,
but how did l end up...
...with the only 1 7-year-old in the
country who thinks that's a bad idea?
l'm not opposed to it.
l just think the whole idea...
...of higher education's
a bit of a misnomer.
People should
call things what they are.
Like when people are running away
from problems...
...they should admit they're
running away?
Are we talking about
somebody l know?
Your father and l noticed...
...that all of the college
applications coming in the mail...
...seem to be coming from zip codes
more than 1 000 miles away.
Right.
And you never thought
that your movie-obsessed son...
...might want to go to California?
We don't have a problem
with you going to California...
...or New Mexico or Alaska,
if that's what you really want.
We don't want you to make a choice
that'll affect your whole life...
...based on the wrong criteria.
-Like?
-Like the desire to put a continent...
...between you and a certain
girl we both know.
If I tell you my problem,
do you promise...
...not to laugh or tell me l'm crazy or
that l should just get over myself?
l think l can probably do that, yeah.
l found out yesterday that l'm fourth.
My class rank.
l'm fourth.
That's your problem?
That's not a problem.
That's a reason to quit studying.
l don't know why l bother.
l knew you wouldn't understand.
Okay. l'm sorry. That was bad.
Can we try that again? Yeah?
This time you gotta cut out that
stuff about being number four.
Because l know that can't possibly be
the reason you're so bothered.
Well, no, it's....
lt's just that l always
thought that if l did well in school...
...these doors would open for me,
you know?
Maybe l was just being naive.
Maybe l've just set these goals
that are really unrealistic.
And certain people get into certain
places because of their parents--
You're not even listening.
No, l was listening.
Look, we should just
all have your problems.
You're sitting here with
the brightest future in the world...
...with a guy who won't
get into anyplace...
...where they don't give him
his own tools.
Put your shoes on. Let's go out.
-Out? We can't go out.
-Yeah.
Just when this conversation
gets emotionally complex...
...you want to bail. Who's the guy
in this relationship?
You are.
As the guy, you have a choice.
You can stay here and prove
how sensitive you aren't...
...or we can go to Jen's
un-birthday party.
Right. l'll get my shoes.
-How you doing?
-l want your phone number.
Look at that.
There's our host.
On a good day, he'll ruin your
chances of getting into college...
...convince you he's the sausage king
of Chicago and wreck your dad's car.
Somehow, you end up thanking him.
Can l ask the inevitable question?
Was he my boyfriend? No.
Was he an indiscretion? Yes.
But to be quite honest,
l'm not sure what he remembers.
We were both chemically altered
at the time.
l don't think l need to go
any further than that.
Witter! l knew you
couldn't resist a party.
l see you brought
the Prim Reaper.
We came for your immortal soul.
That is, if you have one.
l'd just like a drink.
That's one for you.
And for you.
Oh, no. No, no. l don't think so.
lt is a proven fact that you, madam,
cannot hold your alcohol.
Let me get this straight.
You can drink at parties and l can't?
Yes. Because as you rightly
pointed out, l am a guy.
lf l'm gonna get in trouble
for being a guy...
...l think l should get to act like one
every once in a while.
You know, with your advance
permission and approval.
Of course, l wouldn't, you know,
do it without asking you first.
That's fine.
-That's fine?
-Yeah.
We'll both be guys tonight.
Cheers.
Drue.
So the guest of honour finally decides
to honour me with her presence.
Unavoidable.
Listen, l'm working on a little theory.
This isn't your house, is it?
l am shocked. l welcome you...
...and 65 of your friends
into my home...
...and this is how you repay me?
By accusing me of what, exactly?
Misrepresenting my place
of residence?
What could l possibly gain
by such a tactic?
Plausible deniability.
l know what you're doing.
See, if you throw a wild party at your
own house, you will get caught.
But if you throw the same party
at some stranger's summer house...
...there's nothing to link you
to the scene of the crime.
Plausible deniability.
That's a pretty sophisticated
theory you got going on there.
-l'm a pretty sophisticated girl.
-Yeah.
Oh, and l almost forgot the best part.
The thing that elevates this
whole '' happy birthday, Jen'' thing...
...from a mildly amusing runner to a
potentially ingenious little plot twist.
And that would be...?
Should the cops show up and ask
who's responsible for this mess...
...all the drunken masses will
remember is that it was Jen's birthday.
So it's just impossible that
my intentions are pure?
That all l wanted is for you
to have a good time?
l wouldn't say that it's impossible.
l'd put the chances around 3 percent.
You know what? l have a theory
about your theory.
l think the first half is right.
l think this isn't my house.
Because maybe my house wouldn't
impress anyone in this town...
...least of all you. Maybe my house
isn't even a house.
What's this? Some sort of riddle?
-Come over here, man!
-Party calls.
See you later, birthday girl.
So number four with a bullet, huh?
How do you know that?
Kenny Reiling and friends have
already established a betting pool.
Kind of pathetic, isn't it?
l mean...
...1 2 years of being a control freak
about school.
Almost giving myself an ulcer...
...hunting snails and building
balsa-wood bridges for extra credit.
And where does that get me?
Fourth.
Joey, which is amazing.
l mean, the race isn't even over yet.
ls that what you're doing?
Celebrating?
Yeah.
The future. Whoopee!
Joey, everything's working out exactly
the way you always wanted.
With your grades and SAT scores,
you can go anywhere.
Not you too, Dawson.
l mean, can't two people sit down
and make small talk...
...without the subject of college
coming up?
l mean, isn't that possible?
l mean, what's next?
Are you gonna ask me
where l see myself in five years?
l don't have to. You wanted to be an
anthropologist or an oceanographer.
Yeah.
Dawson...
...do you know how much
money anthropologists make?
Besides, l was just saying that
to get your goat.
Your buttons are so easy to push.
Well, were so easy.
So you never had any desire to do
great heroic things with your life?
See faraway places,
uncover lost civilizations?
When it comes down to it,
you'd be happy here in Capeside?
Look, l didn't say that.
Don't put words in my mouth.
l'm wondering why someone...
...who's about to get what she's
worked for her entire life...
...is trying to drown herself
with 80-proof fruit punch.
Look, don't do this, Dawson.
Okay. Cheers.
Okay, that looks good. Poker time,
gentlemen. Who's playing?
How about you?
You up for a game of cards...
...or you need to ask
the old ball and chain?
l'd be happy to just find
the old ball and chain right now.
l think l saw her talking to Dawson.
Oh, no wait. That's wrong.
She took a walk with birthday girl.
Which is why you should stay
and play cards with us.
So, what do you say? Five-card draw.
Are you in or out?
Well, it's your money.
Joey, l think that we've walked far
enough. What do you need to tell me?
-ls here good?
-Yes. Here's good.
Good. Because l...
...would like to make a toast.
All the love and happiness in the world
to my friend, Jen, on her birthday.
Well, thank you very much, Joey.
But you do know it's really
not my birthday.
That's all right. l mean,
we're not really friends.
l'm just kidding.
l'm kidding. l'm kidding.
We are.
l think we are. Do you think we are?
l can't really even pinpoint exactly
when we became--
You know what?
Let's not delve too far into it.
Because we'll remember why we're
supposed to hate each other.
-l don't hate you.
-l know.
l love you.
Joey, Joey, you love
everybody tonight.
Let me ask you something.
Do you think you can
summon up enough...
...brainpower for one question?
ls it about our future?
-No. No, it's purely about the present.
-Shoot.
Do you happen to know
where Drue lives?
Ding, ding, ding.
l do know the answer to that one.
Drue lives in an apartment
at the yacht club, with his mother.
Okay. And what about his father?
Taos, New Mexico, l think.
l guess he ran off with some
New Age chippy.
Nice, huh?
Left him high and dry.
'' You Too Can Get Into
the College of Your Choice.''
Please tell me that's a joke
between the two of you.
lt's not a joke.
lt's a very helpful book.
Maybe so. But as a birthday present,
or an un-birthday present...
...it pretty much sucks.
Okay. And what's your problem?
My problem...
...is that...
...not everyone wants to spend every
moment thinking about college.
Some of us want to actually enjoy the
remainder of our senior year, Andie.
-And l don't?
-No. You don't.
Since you finished your applications...
...all you've done is get on
my case about mine.
Look, don't get me wrong, okay?
l'm happy for you.
l'm glad that everything's going
so well and you've got everything...
...under control.
But l don't need you
to control my life.
And you don't need
to branch out into Jen's.
So you want me to just watch as you
back yourself into a corner...
...and ruin your entire future?
lt is not my future
that l'm concerned about.
lt's the present. Look, 24 hours ago,
my year officially began to suck.
The only thing l was looking forward
to in this damn school was football.
l don't even have that now.
So can we please just forget about
the future for now? Just for tonight?
Okay.
There you guys are.
l've been looking all over for you.
Except here. Because if you'd
looked here, you would have found us.
Because this, Andie,
is where we are.
lgnore her.
-So where's Jack?
-Avoiding me. Am l too controlling?
-Yes.
-Yes.
-Thanks for the vote of confidence.
-lt's not a judgment.
Some people like salad dressing
on the salad.
And some people
like it on the side.
Okay. Well, you know, it's just...
...l want everyone that l know to be
able to live up to his or her potential.
Well...
...l have great potential
as a waitress.
That's great, Joey.
What do you say we get out of here?
All right? l've got somebody
that l owe an apology to.
No, no, no. Stay here.
Before anyone leaves this spot...
...we have a very important
question to answer.
Where do we see ourselves
in five years?
And not the version that you answer to
your college adviser. Come on.
All right. l plan to be working on my
master's thesis: Are Men Necessary?
And l guess l'll be in PR.
Because that's all l've really
ever been good at in life...
-...painting a happy face on disaster.
-Andie!
Well, you know. Think about it.
Okay, you're up.
You tell me.
All right. That's an easy one.
You will have graduated...
...from a ridiculously expensive
lvy League school...
...moved to New York, where you will
have taken a job...
...in a funky Soho art gallery...
...where your starting salary
is less than a year's tuition.
And why New York?
Because New York is finishing
school for cynics like us.
l'm not a cynic.
Okay, you're not exactly
sunshine personified, Joey.
Okay, you guys. Come on. Right
here, right now, let's make a deal.
ln five years, we'll get back together
and see if these predictions came true.
-Deal.
-Deal.
-Okay.
-Shall we?
We shall.
Watch out, you guys.
Oh, wait. You guys...
...how are we gonna remember the
date? lt's not really Jen's birthday.
l'll remember.
Do you promise?
So you think we're the only two people
not having fun?
Everyone else could be having fun.
Or they could just be imitating
the fun they see in movies.
Yeah.
Hey, you idiot! l've been
working on that all night!
-Should we--?
-They're guards.
They're slow as hell.
They'll never catch him.
l forget you actually know
these people.
Yeah. Well, it's all part of being
on a team, l guess.
-Or on the sidelines, as it may be.
-Right.
l don't know. Funny, you think
something's making your life hell...
...and then when it's gone,
you really miss it.
But then again, l guess you probably
know that feeling.
Yeah.
Excellent. l love this girl.
lt's like she's trying to lose.
Strip poker?
l leave you alone for two seconds,
and you end up playing strip poker?
Originally, this was just '' poker'' poker.
Until l started kicking his ass. Then he
decides to change the stakes on me.
But l'm finished now,
and we can just leave.
Why leave? There's a half-naked
chick in the room.
Until now, nobody's
taken off anything other than socks.
So it's just all good, clean fun?
Yeah, exactly. Just good, clean,
American guy fun.
Deal me in.
-Excuse me?
-You heard me.
Now, what does a girl have to take off
to play this game?
Okay, that's enough. lt's time for us
to leave because you're drunk...
...bordering on disorderly
and definitely insane.
Yeah, let's go. Show them?
Finished? Stand up. Let's go.
-You want me to stand up?
-Yes. l'd like for you to stand up now.
And why would l do that?
Because you are forcing me to make
the ultimate guy manoeuvre.
You can put me down now, please!
You know, l can't believe
l'm saying this, but thank you.
For the party. lt turned out
not to be so horrible.
Well, thank you for coming.
l hope l got the number
of candles right.
lt'll do.
-So should l make my wish?
-First, your present.
Hate for you to squander it on
something that may be in this box.
Listen....
Drue, l'm sorry about your parents.
Joey told me.
l'm sorry that l just assumed
everything would be the same.
-That was stupid of me.
-lt was.
What are you waiting for?
Open it.
All right.
-But you didn't have to do this.
-l know.
l know l didn't have to.
l wanted to.
-What the hell is this?
-l think you know what it is.
Ecstasy? l thought l made my feelings
perfectly clear on this subject.
Too clear. Which led me to suspect
the lady was protesting too much.
God, l am really an idiot.
-You haven't changed.
-And you have?
Please. Your hairstyle, maybe.
People don't change.
-Not that much.
-Yes, they do.
They grow up.
They accept responsibility.
They see that ''die young,
leave a good-looking corpse'' ...
...is not all it's cracked up to be.
l don't want your present.
Fine.
But since you're such
a paragon of responsibility...
...l guess it won't bother you
if l just leave it right here.
For safekeeping.
Hey.
Just wanted to make sure
that you got home okay.
Yeah. l hitched a ride
with my one good arm.
l thought maybe
Dawson gave you a lift.
Not that l care. l'm not going to get
too involved in your life or anything.
You know, this is all your fault.
l know. That's why l'm here
apologizing.
l'm not copying the apology part.
l'm sorry. l really am.
l'm sorry that l wasn't more
understanding with football.
And l'm really sorry that l got
all over your case on college.
-Keep going.
-You want me to abase myself further?
Basically, yeah.
Okay, Jack, you seem to think
that l am, like...
...really obsessed
with the future, and l'm not.
l mean, l don't want it to get
here any quicker than you do.
Yeah, well, you have a funny way
of showing it.
Look, in less than a year, my life
is gonna be completely changed.
Everything is gonna be different.
l'm gonna live somewhere different.
l'm gonna have different friends.
Everything is gonna be different.
And you know, in times of uncertainty,
l look for things that l can fix.
You can't fix me, Andie.
l've gotta make my own mistakes
in my own way and in my own time.
lt's not just me. You've gotta work on
letting go of things you can't control.
Like where you're gonna go
to college.
Or where l'm gonna go to college.
Agreed.
But do you realize next year
will be the first year ever...
...that we won't be
in the same school together?
l tried to start kindergarten
without you.
What? That is such a story
that Mom and Dad told you.
And besides, how could that
possibly be true...
...when everybody
knows it's a fact...
...that l, the more responsible one,
am definitely the older sibling?
All right.
l can't walk, Pacey.
Before, l have to drag you,
kicking and screaming, but now...
...you want to be carried? No.
lt's a woman's prerogative
to change her mind.
But tonight you're one of the guys,
remember? And guys walk.
So come on, number four.
Out you get. Watch your head.
l don't really feel so good.
Guess what. You're gonna feel
even worse tomorrow.
And you won't be any closer to getting
into an lvy-covered institution.
Pacey?
l've been doing some thinking.
Yeah. Drunk thinking.
Maybe....
Maybe that's not what l really want.
Maybe l just want to stay here.
You know? l mean....
l mean, look,
it's really beautiful here, and....
-And l could just--
-Just what?
Stay here and work
as a waitress all your life?
Forgive me if you lose me here, Jo.
But honestly, you haven't
made sense all night.
-Even before you were drunk.
-l wanna be with you.
l wanna stay and be with you.
lf you wanna be with me, staying
here would be a really stupid idea.
Considering l don't plan to be here.
l plan to be wherever you are.
-Really?
-Yes, really.
Not that you deserve
to hear such things right now.
l know, l know. lt was a very stupid
thing to get drunk.
Yes, it was. l mean,
let's face it here, Jo.
You are destined
for academic glory.
And your boyfriend is circling
the drain, which is a problem.
ln fact, that is a very big problem.
You couldn't possibly have thought
you could solve your problems...
...in one night, with alcohol,
of all things.
-No.
-No.
Because alcohol has
that effect on problems.
lt just never solves them. Ever.
And l would hate to think
that l fell in love with a moron.
So you're in love with me, huh?
Well, not currently, no.
Right now you're just a crazy,
drunk girl l gotta get in that door...
...without waking up the
customers at her sister's B&B.
But generally speaking, yes.
-May l kiss you right now?
-Yes, please.
But l'm still not carrying you.
-Please?
-Nope.
You can give me the eyes.
lt's just not gonna work.
Oh, come on. Honestly, you don't....
Jo, what do l look like?
Just fell off the turnip truck?
You think l'm gonna fall for this?
Jo....
Halfway. That's it. l swear.
l'm not kidding.
My back's killing me here.
l guess.
Since you're up.
Oh. l'm sorry. l saw the lights on,
and l thought you were my mom.
lt's okay. She went home early.
So...
-...congratulations on the job.
-Thanks. l feel like l owe you one.
Can l take a rain check?
Oh, we're not gonna drink.
But for every quarter
that l bounce into that glass...
...you're gonna tell me
one thing that's bothering you.
How do you know something's
bothering me?
Please.
Oh, there. See? Perfect.
So spill.
All right.
Earlier this evening...
...my mother accused me
of wanting to go to California...
...so l could run away
from my problems.
And you think she's right?
l don't know.
l mean....
The past few weeks, l've seen things
that make me want to run screaming.
Like?
Don't make me answer this.
Come on. This is much more
therapeutic than drinking.
l've seen how much she loves him.
l've seen it in her face.
l've seen them hold hands.
l've seen them kiss.
And tonight, l saw them fight.
Which is something l've seen them
do every day since the first grade.
-But not like this?
-Yeah.
l think it was actually worse
than the kissing.
You know, Dawson...
...it might interest you to know,
l did take one film class in college.
Was it a huge waste of time?
No, it was great, actually.
Know what my teacher said was the
most bogus line in Hollywood cinema?
''There's no place like home.''
-The Wizard of Oz.
-Exactly.
lt's what everybody remembers.
But it doesn't resonate
with the rest of the story.
Think about it. Home...
...is this desolate, grey place where a
nasty old lady is trying to kill your dog.
-And Oz is--
-Technicolor.
And sure it has its problems. You
know, poppy fields, flying monkeys--
Talking trees.
But along the way, you make friends.
Good friends.
With people that you never even knew
existed when you were growing up.
-Straw people, tin people--
-And lions.
Exactly.
And you help each other realize
that all the things you want to be...
...you already are.
And it's fun.
Well, if it's so much fun...
...what are you doing here?
l don't recall you getting to ask
any questions as part of our deal.
What if l can bounce a quarter
in that glass?
-Never happen.
-You're not even gonna let me try?
Oh, you can try, but you're gonna
have to use your own money...
...because l worked very hard
to earn these quarters.
You're not gonna loan me
one lousy quarter?
-No.
-l don't think that's fair.
Well, that's too bad.