Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 6, Episode 18 - Love Bites - full transcript

Dawson asks Pacey to help him invest for his first independent film and then returns to Capeside to write his next script. But Gail asks Dawson what will he do in case his plans of becoming a successful director fall through. Meanwhile, Pacey escorts Joey to Harley's school dance where they have a perfect time despite Harley's date, Patrick, picking a fight with another guy. There, Joey tells Pacey she can't have anything to do with him because Eddie is back from California during a break before he starts college in the fall. Also, Grams tells Jen she has been diagnosed with having breast cancer, and Jen sees her entire world fall apart with the possibility of Grams's death.

Eddie, what the hell
are you doing here?

Right, so--

What happened to California?

Well, it's still there. You know,
l just kind of left for a while.

-And what happened to school?
-Again, still there.

Still standing without me
and everything.

lt's hard to believe, l know.

Look, l start in the fall.

Everything worked out, Jo.
Everything, Jo.

l mean, l had this interview, right?
And l didn't stutter or stumble...

...or throw up or anything, and they
loved my writing, which is just...

...totally, like, surreal, because no one
has ever loved anything l've done...

...except for you.

Which is why l'm here.

l wanted to say thank you...

...because you knew l could do it,
and l had no idea.

But you know, Jo, it's not just
because l didn't think l could do it...

...it's because l didn't see
the world that way.

You know? lt's a place where people
get second and third...

...and fourth chances
to make something of themselves.

Or as a place where....

You can be a coward...

...and hurt someone. Hey.

But they still have the decency
to see the decency in you.

And, Joey...

...you are the most decent
person l know...

...and you have incredible eyes...

...and the sexiest voice,
and a smile that breaks my heart...

...and if l'm gonna be a writer...

...l need someone like that around.

l need you around.

What do you say?

No.

No.

Well, that's not the answer
that l'm looking for, really.

Eddie, you walked away.

l came back.

l moved on.

Okay...

...that's how you feel, then....

Okay, l understand.

l do.

l guess l' ll be seeing you, Joey.

Sorry.

Brutal. Do not let your enemies
have access to this closet.

Tell me this was purchased for some
Halloween Church Lady costume.

lt looks much better on.

Keep telling yourself that, Sweetie.

Perhaps you'd like to focus on
the task at hand...

...so you can hurry up and go
and leave me to my work.

lf you're gonna be chaperoning
my semi-formal...

...need you to wear something
that's moderately hip...

...so l don't look like a freak
associating with you.

Not like sultry, older woman sexy.

What am l saying? l'd never find
anything like that in this closet.

Did l actually agree to this?

Oh, that's Audrey's...

...but l could borrow it.

No way.

You need to look good,
but not too good.

The men of Milton
are weak of constitution...

...and highly susceptible
to the wiles of an older woman.

So seeing as it's my night,
and my fair-weather...

...jack-of-no-trades boyfriend
Patrick is going to be there...

...and he has some sort of
unholy attachment to you...

...we're gonna keep
your wiles covered...

...under...

...this lovely subdued dress.

What is this, rayon?

lt's silk..

...blend.

lt's perfect.

Not too perfect.

Harley, look...

...l swear to keep my Mrs. Robinson
claws off your boyfriend.

But can you go?
l have a lot of work to do.

Yeah, but do you think
l should go pasties or strapless?

Neither. l'm considering investing
in a chastity belt for you.

Pushing your buttons, Potter.

-Out.
-l'm out.

l look ridiculous.

No, you don't.
You look beautiful and glowing...

...and definitely like you just
partook of your boyfriend.

Great.

And all the more beautiful for it.

You Lindley women are
something else.

You know, Grams broke
Uncle Bill's heart.

The man is a shell of himself,
can't watch Wheel of Fortune...

...because Vanna reminds him
of his devastation.

My Grams, the black widow.
Who knew?

All right. l should go.

No, you shouldn't. No.

You're the one who made me
get out of bed.

l know, but l'm woman enough
to admit when l've made a mistake.

Yeah, you should go.

-Oh, God, you gotta go.
-Yeah.

Yeah.

All right, well. Look, l' ll see what
l can find out about Grams.

Okay. l'll call you later.

-Okay, later.
-Okay, bye.

Bye.

-Hello?
-Hi.

ls this Potter's House of Pain?

This is Mistress Joey speaking.

l'm glad l caught you. l thought you
might have gone out of business.

I was expecting you last night.

Yeah, l.... You know...

...l finished up at the bar,
and l was just exhausted...

...and no energy left for
the naughty stockbrokers.

That's okay. l understand. l was
kind of tuckered out myself.

Look, here's what I'm thinking.
Last night, we were very old people.

But tonight, let's at least pretend
like we're young people...

...go out late, stumble home
very late. What do you say?

l have plans.

-No.
-Yeah.

l promised Harley l'd do her a favor.

What exactly does
Rosemary's baby want?

She wants me to chaperone
the Milton semi-formal.

Would that involve you
being in a dress?

-And heels?
-Possibly.

Well, okay. Consider my arm twisted.
l'll be there.

What? l mean, really? lt's...

-...it's a Friday night. Are you sure?
-I'm sure as rain.

Great. Meet me here at 6.

l'll see you there.
Shoes shined and suit pressed.

Pacey Witter.

Dawson, hi.

Welcome to the dream machine,
my friend.

Can you smell the money growing?

lf it smells like Drakkar Noir,
then yeah, bigtime.

What are you doing here?

-What's this?
-lt's all the money...

...l saved working with Todd.

l need you to make it grow.

You need to slow down
for just a second--

Could you transform that into
a budget for an indie film...

...coming of age story, no special
effects, although l might need...

...a slumming A list actor looking for
industry cred. You up for it?

Would you mind stepping
into my office?

Sure.

You know that thing that
l told you l could do for you?

Yeah.

l was actually kind of kidding.

But that's what you do for a living,
right? lnvest money for other people?

Technically, yes.

-Why are we whispering?
-Because if the guys ever heard me...

...turning down investment money
based on moral reasons...

-...l would be professionally castrated.
-What moral reasons?

l haven't exactly hammered out my
mixing-friends-and-business policy yet.

Pace, we don't have to worry
about it getting awkward.

We've certainly been through awkward,
but never '' l'm broke, it's your fault.''

l'm not worried.

l know this sounds
disgustingly L.A. of me...

...but this whole project just has
a really good vibe.

Because l'm your friend...

...l'm never gonna tell anybody that
you just used the word ''vibe.''

l'm serious, man. l just....

l made a decision to trust my
instincts, and ever since l did...

...everything's been falling into place.
l wrote 20 pages last night.

l could barely type fast enough to
keep up with the ideas...

...that were coming, and l can't
wait to go home and write more.

l mean, honestly, the only thing
holding all this up right now is you.

Grams, Grams, Grams, we gotta chat.

Why'd you drop the hammer on
Uncle Bill? The man is distraught.

Well, apparently,
he has sworn off women for life.

Of course, if we're speaking
frankly, l don't know how long...

-...that could actually be.
-Jennifer.

You know what's funny,
though, is that, well...

...l'm embarking on
a somewhat functional...

...possibly even fully
committed relationship.

You, two generations my senior,
are behaving like a fickle teenager.

You are breaking hearts
left and right.

l most certainly am not.

Okay. Outburst.

Perhaps l should be slipping some
St. John's Wort into your Metamucil.

-Hey.
-Hi.

Oh, my lord. You are way too
hot to be a chaperone.

l think l'm living out one of my
teenage fantasies right now.

Well, you look quite comely yourself.

Oh, this old thing? No.

Now, in order to make up for our last
high school dance experience...

...in which l did actually
buy you a corsage...

...but let it wilt to a lovely shade
of brown. l brought you options.

ln box A we have the corsage for
the fun loving and whimsical Joey...

...a carved radish on a bed
of baby carrots. And then, option B...

...for the classic and sophisticated
Joey, roses on a bed of baby's breath...

...which has a creepy name,
but is a classic flower.

Well, in honor of the youth with whom
we'll be sharing the dance floor...

...l think l'm gonna go with
option A, the veggies.

All right. Veggies it is.

Cool.

And, in honor of the classy guy
you are tonight--

-Don't be fooled, it's just a costume.
-No, really.

You get a rose.

lt's perfect.

Shall we?

-This'll be fun.
-Yeah.

A flashback.

Nice night.

l just love the smell of Secret
antiperspirant in the evening.

lt had to be said.

This whole night bites already,
and l haven't even gotten to the part...

...where my friends swarm me, and
shriek how much they love my dress.

You're not the first women in
the history of semi-formals...

...to accompany a non-dancing
date. Mr. Witter over here was...

...famously uncooperative when
it came to the booty shake.

-Hey, l danced.
-Under duress.

He broke up with me at senior prom,
so we never had the chance...

-...to dance at our own prom.
-Okay. Dirty laundry joke. Let it go.

Had to be said.

This guy's obviously not of sound mind
to hurt the feelings of a babe like you.

Harley.

-l love your dress! Cute!
-Thanks.

A little too Aguilera for a school
event, but maybe it's just me.

Just keep it down, all right?

Your friend might think l'm attached.

-l hate you.
-Patrick...

...perhaps you'd like to go
over to the punch bowl...

...and retrieve some drinks? l think
she might wanna claw your eyes out.

Have you ever noticed how much
that dress brings out your eyes?

-No.
-Oh, well, it does.

You look so pretty,
l bet if you and l were to...

...step onto the dance floor you would
be the most beautiful woman on it.

What?

Oh, beverages. l was wondering
why l went over there.

You know, l should tell you that
l happen to be personal friends...

...with Woody Kulchak, who has snuck
in a bottle of peach schnapps tonight.

So if you'd like this dance
to be truly magical...

...l could arrange for cocktails for two
underneath the bleachers.

-Just give me the word.
-No.

Think about it, babe.

Hey, what's all this?

Returning to my youth for inspiration.

Hey, have you seen my Hook poster?

No, not recently.

Maybe you could check the attic.

So, now that you are revisiting 1 5...

...does that mean l have to start
paying you an allowance again?

l don't ever recall you
giving me an allowance.

What are you gonna do for money?

lt's fairly inexpensive to live at home.

Hence the living at home.

Meaning that you don't plan to
contribute to the household expenses.

Well, l absolutely can...

...if you want me to. l mean,
l can get a part-time job or...

...l'll babysit Lily, that way you don't
have to pay somebody else to.

That's not what l'm
getting at, Dawson.

-What are you getting at?
-Well, what l'm wondering is...

...how do you intend to
make money in the long-term?

-What's your plan?
-All right.

The plan is write this movie, shoot it,
finish it, send it off to festivals...

...hopefully it'll be good enough
to get picked up, distributed...

...and will make enough money
to finance my next project.

l mean what's your backup plan?

lf directing doesn't work?

''lf directing doesn't work?''

Making a living as a film director
is a one in a million chance.

Now, l know you don't
wanna hear this, but...

...you need to be practical.

Then l got bumped up to junior varsity
when Cy Watson tore his Achilles.

Well, you probably heard that l was
all-state last year...

...because l'm a good outside shooter,
and l can dunk, which is good...

...for somebody my age, and l'm
a good passer. But l've always been...

...really good.
l score 30 points a game.

What kind of school dance
actually has a punch bowl?

The schmancy private school dance.

l hope for the sake of all
some intrepid student...

...has spiked this punch,
or else it loses its clich? value.

When do we get our picture taken
in front of the tropical mural?

That would be prom.

-Right. Blocked prom out.
-As you should.

lt wasn't exactly your finest hour.

Well, l was troubled back then.

You know, James Dean type.

You were a dumb-ass.

Was l at least a mysterious dumb-ass
with smoldering sex appeal?

Dumb-ass.

Okay, fine. l can accept that...

...because now l'm a happy
dumb-ass. l got a second chance.

-Pace, we should--
-Okay, fine.

Patrick, let go of him!

-Let go of him!
-Why should l?

You were dancing pelvis to
pelvis like it was going out of style.

lt was my only recourse after
you failed me in every way!

Jamie came to my aid.

Jamie is not your date. l am.

ln name only. Did you do one
date-like thing the entire night?

This is date-like!

Are you gonna do something?

Oh, yeah. Of course. Of course.

lt's just so funny. Okay, okay.

Okay, okay. Hey, break it up.

You win my honor by trying to
give the guy a wedgy?

lt's called the Krav Maga,
and J-Lo used it in Enough.

Hey, it's Patty-from-the-block.

You walked right into that one.

-Yeah, that wasn't even funny, buddy.
-Okay.

-Your girlfriend liked it.
-Oh, yeah?

Look at me.
l look completely hideous.

No, you don't. You look like
a rock star. Are you kidding?

You have the whole
smoky-eye look going.

Where's
he-whose-name-shall-not-be-spoken?

He's in the boy's bathroom with
Pacey, getting cleaned up. Sort of.

-Did he ask about me?
-l was there briefly.

-Was he with other girls?
-lt was the boy's bathroom.

Which is where we had
our first kiss. Hello?

l'm all for the grand romantic gesture,
but instead of flailing around wildly...

...why don't you just
tell her you like her?

lf you still feel the need
for throwing a punch...

...pick an enemy your own size.
Like an opossum.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Like you're
the Rock, or something.

Hey, hobbit, at least
l can grow facial hair.

-What do you call this?
-Lint.

Look at me.
l'm crying in the bathroom.

Thus carrying on an age-old tradition
of women crying in the bathroom.

-l did it in high school.
-l don't wanna hurt your feelings...

...but my high school experiences
shouldn't be the same as yours...

...or l'm doing something
terribly, terribly wrong.

Sorry, kiddo...

...but that's just how it goes
with the high school dance.

You buy the dress,
you mess with the hair...

...you think your date is finally gonna
say all the things you've been dying...

...for him to say, and no. You end up
in the girl's bathroom crying.

-Look, you like Harley, right?
-She has her strong points.

Okay. l mean, as long
as we're talking man to man...

...yeah, l like her. A lot.

Well, good. Congratulations, man,
because true feelings for a woman...

...that's the best experience you're
gonna have. lt'll make you strong...

...it'll make you stupid, it will take you
closer to being the man you wanna be.

What do boys have to suffer through?

Thinking they're gonna have sex
and being sorely disappointed.

-Well....
-Don't even think about it.

l know. Relax.

Don't be afraid to be nice to her.

So, by nice to her, you mean....

l mean tell her you like her shoes.

Oh, and her--

Tell her that you like her, idiot.

Hey.

-Don't push me.
-Oh, yeah? Let's see what's up.

So, you've honestly had a bad time
at every dance you've gone to?

Yeah.

Except this one. This one was...

...nice.

Well, l'm glad someone
had a good time.

Hello?

-Everything okay?
-Yeah, fine.

Yeah, everything's good in here.

Just checking.

Yeah, l don't know why l
should be taking advice from you.

Like you're some kind of Yoda
when it comes to the chicks.

Have you seen my date?

Tell me more, sensei.

-That was for you.
-Yes...?

The phone.

Yes?

Dr. Loomis' office calling to confirm
your appointment tomorrow at 1 2:30.

Dr. Loomis isn't your regular doctor.

How come l've never heard
his name before?

All right. Something is
going on with you...

...and l demand to know what it is.

lf you are looking for mystery or
drama, you'd best search elsewhere.

l'm sorry. l'm not going to let you
keep this secret.

l've lived with you for five years,
and every time l've tried to mope...

...around the house, you've insisted
l come clean for the common good.

So now it's your turn.

All right.

Dr. Loomis is an oncologist.

l am seeing her because there is
a malignant tumor in my breast.

l will be starting a round of
radiation therapy next week...

...because the growth has spread
beyond the point...

...where surgery would be effective.

-Are you talking about breast cancer?
-Yes.

Oh, my God.

Yes.

Would you be a dear?
Go turn the oven down.

l don't want the crust to burn.

Jennifer, l told you what it is.
Now please...

...just go.

Very well. l'll do it myself.

Hey.

Yeah, l know. Kids today, huh?

-Damn rap music.
-And those baggy pants.

So even with the damage
to my unsuspecting eardrum...

...l did think that tonight was nice.

-Quite nice.
-Yes. Quite.

Perfect. lt was-- lt's been
a perfect night.

Pace?

l can't do this.

You can't do what?

Even when everything is perfect...

...being with you doesn't feel right,
and l'm sorry.

Look, everything tonight-- l mean,
tonight was lovely and fun...

...and you've become this...

...l mean, this amazing man,
but it doesn't...

...l'm sorry. l don't...

...l don't feel it...

...and l can't do this with you.

Okay, Joey, just slow down
for a second--

No, Pace, it's-- lt's true and...

...l'm sorry.

So what, you're scared.

Right? You're scared.
And so am l, believe me...

...and l'm scared because l don't
know where this thing is going, Jo.

As in, l think it could go anywhere.

This could be it.

lt won't be.

How could you possibly know that?

Last week you're onboard, and
now you're psychically telling me...

...that this could never
be something great.

You can't possibly know that,
because we don't know that, Joey.

And l'm sorry. l know that this
is such a horrible thing to say.

But how? How could you know?

When did you make this decision,
tonight? l thought tonight was great.

lt was. lt was great.

So, then when?

And don't tell me that you're not
scared, because l know that you are.

l mean, l've known you too long
and seen you...

...push away too many good things to
let you push me away right now.

My whole life, Joey,
my whole life you have been...

...the most beautiful thing in my orbit.
And my feelings for you...

...were what proved to me
that l could be great...

...and those feelings were stronger
and wiser and more persistent...

...and more resilient than
anything else about me.

-Pacey, stop.
-Jo--

-Pacey.
-When l was afraid of everything...

...l was never afraid to love you.
l could love you again. l could.

Pacey, no. Pacey, stop.

Eddie came back.

l'm sorry. He came back last night.

-He came to the bar--
-Oh, okay.

Look, l'm sorry--

Hey, l brought you some coffee since
you're burning the midnight oil...

...and a turkey sandwich. Protein.

Thanks, Mom.

Your early work.
You really are feeling nostalgic.

Well, l don't know.

ln those days it wasn't just me
alone in front of a computer screen...

...l mean, l had people pitching in.
l had a whole support system.

So, how is your script coming?

Great. Great. lt's....

Well, actually, you know what?
lt's not so great right now.

Look, Mom, there's
something l've got to tell you.

l don't have a back-up plan.
And l won't ever have one.

l'm going to be a director.

l don't want anything to fall back on.
There's nothing else that l want to do.

lt's not always about what you want.

Life isn't what you thought it was
going to be like when you were a kid.

l agree.

And you're right, being a
director is a child's dream...

...and that's how l know
that it's real, because...

...it's what l wanted to do before
l knew how to be scared or cynical.

Okay, honey, what about college?
At least go back, finish film school...

...to make sure that
you're committed to this thing.

lf a year of fetching lattes and cajoling
actresses out of their trailer to act...

...didn't kill my desire to make
movies, nothing will. l know that.

l don't need to spend $60,000 of this
family's money to figure that out.

l mean, making movies is...

...it's my life.

l need you to believe that l'm that one
in a million who's going to make it...

...because l do.

Honey, did l ever tell you
the story about the time...

...your father decided to make
chewing gum on our kitchen stove?

Please tell me you're kidding.

No. He was going to sell it
to local gift shops...

...and l won't get into anything
beyond the fact that...

...it was a sticky mess and we had
to shave part of your head once...

...Dad decided to make you
sous-chef of the strawberry division.

-You shaved my head?
-Part of your head. You were five.

lt was the eighties.
We told you it was punk.

-That's great.
-Anyway, l'm just--

Well, l'm bringing it up because Dad
had a lot of harebrained schemes...

...and l was always convinced that
the gum one as based on...

... Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
which was his...

...favorite book as a child.
But he wouldn't admit it.

This one's a little more subtle than
your other life lessons.

Dawson...

...your dad's pipe dreaming,
it drove me right up the wall...

...but it was also one of the things
that made me fall in love with him...

...because, like you...

...he had the courage to believe
life could be as great...

...as you think it could be
when you're a kid.

So, you get what l'm saying?

-Would you like me to watch Lily?
-Yeah...

...and then go jump off the cliff.

Only metaphorically, of course.

-Mom.
-l'm your mother. l can't help it.

Apparently...

...you liked my little metaphor
about things that fade.

Actually, l thought it was cool
there are people in this world...

...who would give you the prize
out of their Cracker Jack box.

lt's because l love you, honey.

Okay. There is nothing wrong
with being scared.

lt's perfectly natural.

Being scared does no one any good.

Okay.

So, what do l do to help?

Well, you can fetch me the butter
from the top shelf of the refrigerator.

l wasn't referring to this culinary
exercise...

...in displaced energies. l mean you.
l mean, what do l do to help you?

You're going to need somebody
to drive you to treatments...

...and l can do that.

l can cook meals in advance...

...TiVo 60 Minutes...

...and when you get bored...

...Jack and l are going to act out
scenes from Moulin Rouge for you.

Jack can have nothing to do with
this, nor can you, Jennifer.

This is my own...

...personal business,
and l can take care of it myself.

Well, what about me?

l mean, who's going to
take care of me?

l mean, you're my grandmother,
the person l love most in the world...

...and you're sick,
and l'm the one who's scared.

Look, Jennifer,
this is not a death sentence.

Now, many people my age,
they have...

...one round of radiation therapy
and they live...

...long happy lives in remission.

Okay, so let's talk about that.

-Oh, Jennifer--
-But can we at least just start talking?

Jennifer, l am not ready to die yet.

Come here.

Do you hear me?

Do you?

And as my fist was rocketing
towards his neck, l was just, like...

...you know, Patrick,
you're a lover, not a fighter.

That last part was pretty obvious...

...and as for the first part....

You mean the lover part?

Not a chance.

Oh, well, l didn't mean it literally.

Well, l did, you know, but that's not
the reason l'm at the dance with you.

l'm at the dance with you
because if l weren't...

...you'd be with some other guy,
and that would kill me.

Because you like me?

Yeah.

Nice speech. Pacey teach you that?

Yeah. Yeah, that and how to
unhook a bra with one hand.

Try it and you'll have one hand left.

lf memory serves,
l owe you a dance, Ms. Potter.

You're probably wondering
what the hell l'm doing here.

-Hi.
-Hi.