Dawson's Creek (1998–2003): Season 6, Episode 21 - Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road - full transcript
Pacey, now jobless and penniless, returns to Capeside where Dawson invites him to be a producer on his autobiographical film. Pacey accepts, but can't work up the courage to tell Dawson that all his money is gone. With classes at Worthington over, Joey says goodbye to Audrey who has to stay behind to attend summer classes to make up for her absences, with Jack Osbourne tagging along. Joey also returns to Capeside to see Dawson where they have minor argument with about how she wanted him to be the most significant person in her life and somehow he became her only one night stand. Back in Boston, Jen invites her mother, Helen, over to Grams' house where she wants her to tell Helen about her cancer. While introducing C.J. to Helen, Jen witnesses C.J.'s Uncle Bill storm into the house and yell at Grams, revealing everything by saying that she shouldn't give up on her life just because she has cancer. Jen suggests that they all move to New York to live with Helen. Also, Audrey decides on a low-key change for herself by playing an old-fashion acoustic guitar at Hell's Kitchen, and Pacey finally tells Dawson about losing all his money in his poor stock investments.
Pacey?
l thought that was you out here.
Were you ever gonna come in?
l forgot you guys
don't lock your doors.
We're gonna have to, now that
l got this film equipment in here.
Come on inside. There's something
l wanna show you.
-You okay?
-Yeah.
Yeah.
l went out after work with a couple
of guys. We got a little caveman.
But l'd love to see
what you got going.
lt's pretty crazy, huh?
Took me forever. l wanted to
make sure everything was perfect.
What do you think?
You're the first person who's seen it.
Well, l would say that this officially
makes you the king of procrastination.
No, no. We're gonna shoot
in here.
l know it's tight, but l figured out a way
to make the camera fit.
By saving money on locations, we
can go all out on everything else.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Got three credit cards last week,
maxed them out in a day.
Got lights, cameras,
awesome sound equipment.
l'm going completely overboard,
but l don't care.
l'm talking a mile a minute. l haven't
asked what brought you to Capeside.
Man.
Being in this room just takes me back
to a whole other era.
When the future was a clean slate
for all of us.
Well, the room may have
gone back in time...
...but l think you and l
have moved ahead rather nicely.
Despite obstacles
we went through...
...we ended up doing
what we wanted.
There was that period of time l toyed
with the idea of being a rodeo clown...
...but l guess this'll do.
You made something of yourself. Now
you're making something out of me.
l don't know that you should
go that far.
You'd have done this
by yourself, right?
Even if you had nothing,
this would....
l'm not-- l'm say--
You're not hearing me, man. l'm....
l'm trying to thank you.
Well, you're welcome, l guess.
But, Dawson, l mean...
...we all knew you'd do this.
This was your dream.
You just needed to take
a trip down memory lane.
Yeah, l needed that and a very
financially savvy associate producer.
l'm giving you credit on the film.
So...
...you're part of this now.
Welcome to Hollywood...
...where people have meaningless
titles for not even showing up on set.
l'm sorry. What is it
that you wanted to talk about?
lt was....
Just...
...as your associate producer,
l do have...
...some concerns about the casting.
Particularly the role of Pacey, which
l feel are some fairly large shoes to fill.
You'll let this power go
straight to your head.
Yeah, l gotta enjoy it
while l can, right?
Let me show you these headshots.
l tell you, l don't think these amateurs
know what they're getting into.
No.
Somebody ought to warn them.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Did you get a haircut?
No. Five inches of blond just fell off.
lt was really the damnedest thing.
lt's-- lt's very French.
Come in. The cab's gone,
so so are your hopes of leaving.
Jenny, please.
Thank you.
You look good, Mom.
Not as Upper East Side-y.
l think that divorce must suit you.
A lot better than marriage,
that's for sure.
Jennifer...
...did you get the door?
Helen.
Hello.
-Good start.
-Well, what are you doing here?
Jen asked me to come.
l was so shocked,
l could hardly say no.
l can imagine.
l'll just....
Can l take my bag upstairs?
Oh, of course.
You go on up, and l'll come up
in a minute and get you settled.
Fine.
-Jennifer.
-l know, l know, l know.
You're worried we won't have
enough food for dinner...
...but l've taken care of that.
Just don't pull
your speed-talking technique on me.
You had no right to invite
that woman into my house.
That woman-- Will you calm down
and remember that we're all related?
l specifically told you l did not want
Helen to know that l had cancer.
Cancer.
The point is, it is my business
to dispense with in my own time...
...and you had some nerve
to take it upon yourself to tell her.
l didn't tell her. You will.
Look, l don't think that she's any
frigging Mary Poppins myself...
...but l think that she deserves to be
in the loop, and l can't do this alone.
l love you.
Does she actually run in these?
l don't know, l guess.
Okay, gross. No, gross.
God, can't you just patronize
lnternet porn like a normal person?
Must you root around
in my roommate's sweats...
-...like you're a homeless man?
-My mom was so right about you.
This hoity-toity school
has made you so uptight.
Your mom thinks l'm uptight?
l might have some in your size
if you want me to look.
These will do just fine.
-l'm Joey.
-The roommate. We finally meet.
Could you please step away
from the clothes? Slowly.
Keep your hands
where l can see them.
All right. All right.
Jack is meeting with the dean...
...to see if Worthington is right for him
or some such hoo-hah.
Right for you?
Do you know how many people
would kill to come here?
l spent my entire high school career
trying to get an interview here.
-You just-- lf it's right for you?
-You're turning a little red.
l know this is new to you, but behold
the wrath of the Hollywood offspring.
But Jack's a smart guy,
aren't you, Jack?
Smart enough to know
if my integrity...
...is being questioned
by a couple of uptight wenches.
Yeah, okay. You know what?
You'll have to change the T-shirt.
Be a good boy and root around
in your satchel...
-...because Joey and l have to bond.
-l'll watch from a safe distance.
-Joey.
-Audrey.
l feel a Lifetime moment coming on.
lt's not like we're never
gonna see each other again.
l know...
...but our time in this particular room
is over.
Anyway, the point is this:
l love you very much, Joey Potter.
l love you too.
So much so, in fact, that l could not
leave you without a parting gift.
You know, something
for those lonely summer nights.
You shouldn't have, Audrey. l didn't--
You really shouldn't have.
Audrey, l hate this hideous eyesore.
l know! Which is why you must carry it
with you on all of your travels.
Because, like me, it seems harsh
and overwhelming at first...
...but once you give in to its delicious
comfort, you cannot live without it.
You know what l've realized
in our tenure together?
That l've never really had
a girlfriend, not a good one.
And nobody like you.
Oh, Joey.
Okay, Jack, what's next?
Tomatoes.
Since when do you know
how to cook, anyway?
Oh, come on. How hard can it be?
l can read, can't l?
l'm sorry l won't be there
to test your culinary skills.
You're coming. No, l'm not
facing my mother without you.
Which is even more shocking
than the whole cooking thing.
-Why is she in town?
-Because l called her.
lt's a long story. l'm sure it'll all unfold
beautifully this evening...
...which is why l need
moral support.
lsn't C.J. typically, you know, the
moral part of the whole, you know...
-...equation?
-Look, l just need the whole gamut...
...of boy power this evening.
Which is why l don't wanna be there
for the whole meet-the-boyfriend thing.
lt's not a meet-the-boyfriend thing.
l mean, it is, but that's not
its express purpose, okay?
Exactly. lt's more like a, you know,
''goodbye, C. J.'' type of night...
...because he's going to New York
tomorrow for the grad thing.
Yes, but l'm sure we'll have time
to stare into each other's eyes...
...and pontificate on
what we mean to each other.
l just need to take care
of some things first.
String beans. l need string beans.
Go ahead.
lt's perfect.
Your eye for detail is creepy.
l'm not gonna get in that closet
and play E. T., but aside from that...
...it's perfect.
Now that you're here,
it's just about right.
But you do seem
to be quite well, Helen.
You too, mother.
Did you change your hair?
Maybe a little more grey.
Jennifer's changed her hair.
Did you notice?
We've already had a discussion
about that.
l have honey on my hands.
l'll tell you what. Why don't you two try
to find a topic that is more probing...
...than current hairstyles
or weather patterns...
...and l'll go wash up, okay?
That means you.
Shouldn't be this difficult,
l suppose...
...making conversation
with your own mother.
l think the problem is the very notion
of having to make conversation.
Everything seems to be happening
a little too late, doesn't it?
l mean, why did Jen
call me out here now?
Why have we waited so long?
One thing l've learned is
to regret the past is useless.
You can't change it.
Might as well live the rest of your life
as pleasantly as possible.
Mom, you've gone soft.
-Never.
-No, it's nice.
l think Jen's made you happy.
She seems younger now than
she did when she was in New York...
...running around like a grownup.
A toxic one,
but a grownup nonetheless.
lf she had stayed there,
going the way she was going...
...she would've run
right over me, Mom.
Oh, Helen.
lt wasn't a magical transformation.
She just needed a little patience...
...and no access
to public transportation.
lt's funny.
Now that she doesn't need me...
...l kind of think that l need her.
Not as much as l needed you,
though.
l could--
l could never repay you.
Acts of love
do not require repayment.
What if l needed to call upon you,
and l needed your help, your support?
You'd be there for me, wouldn't you?
How could you even ask that?
You're my mother. Of course.
l guess you get to my age, you don't
want to take these things for granted.
Mom, is everything okay?
ls something wrong with Jennifer?
Jennifer? Oh, no.
No, no, Helen, no, everything's fine.
l'm just a little overwhelmed,
l guess.
Oh, we need some more water.
l'll just freshen up the pot.
Oh, my God.
My ex-boyfriend is a day drinker.
Life is clearly bleak without me.
l thought you said
he worked for the man.
Let's go investigate, shall we?
-Hi.
-Hi.
Hi.
Of all the bars in the world,
you decide to stumble in here.
Well, l am stalking you.
Hey, Jack. How you doing?
Oh, you know, if this is the scene,
not so good.
l gotta take a piss.
They told me you went away
for a while.
Let's not be awkward exes, Pacey.
-l was drying out in Malibu.
-Okay.
-Well, you look great, anyhow.
-Clean living, my friend.
So, what happened to your job?
You're not just taking
a long lunch break.
You were too hard-core for that.
Well, l've been reassessing
how l allocate my time.
So you're drinking?
-l'm thinking about it.
-You're thinking about...
...taking a tasty downward spiral?
You'd better quit while you're ahead.
-You're not cut out for this.
-What? l can spiral with the best.
Speaking of...
...shouldn't you really
avoid places like this?
l can't hide
from my problems forever.
lt's kind of how l ended up in rehab
in the first place.
Well, that's brave of you.
But you were always good like that.
Yeah, well, l'll be your
personal superhero, okay?
-Okay.
-Unless, of course...
...you want to spend your days
hiding out in dives like this.
What are you hiding from, Pacey?
l'm hiding from the suit...
...because it's evil.
Bad things happen when it's on.
l allowed people to believe in me
for a second...
...which was foolish, and now it's really
coming back to bite them in the ass.
You know what?
This isn't you talking. This is
your former self rearing its ugly head.
Come on, Pacey.
l know moments like these.
One path is the harsh reality,
and one path is the comfortably numb.
But guess what?
ln the morning,
when you're sobered up...
...the problem's still gonna be there.
Only now it'll be
like a big, festering wound...
...and you'll just be the jerk
who sat back and let it get worse.
Thanks for not walking
on eggshells around me.
lt's weird, huh?
This room was
the official meeting place...
...where we discussed
what happened that day.
And now it's just a film set...
...and l don't even know
what happened this year.
Yeah.
l was kind of hoping l could
just climb up the ladder...
...and magically fill in
all the lost time.
-How's that working for you?
-Not so easy.
Yeah.
-Maybe l was gone for too long.
-Well...
...we'll piece it together
between the two of us, then.
The lost year of Dawson and Joey.
-lt wasn't easy.
-What wasn't?
Not talking to you.
Maybe it seemed like it was.
And l guess it just...
...became routine, just another thing
that l didn't do.
Well, like...
...shooting heroin or driving drunk.
l'm up there
with dangerous activities.
Or casual sex.
Dawson, for so long...
...you were the only person
in the whole world l wanted to be with.
Then somehow you became
my only one-night stand.
-l never meant for it to be like that.
-l know.
l know.
Maybe being in this room
makes it easier.
Having it set up this way.
You know, it's so familiar...
...and it seems insane not to talk.
And sometimes the hardest things
to say are the things...
...that really matter.
Why do you think l've spent years
trying to write a screenplay about you?
-l read it in one sitting.
-Okay.
l hope you don't think
l gave it to you so you could just...
-...say all the obligatory nice things.
-And why would l feel obligated?
Exactly. lf l can't get an honest opinion
from the girl who loathes me...
...more than anyone else,
who can l trust?
You've always been
this devilishly clever.
Well...
...yeah.
But....
l got-- l wanted you to read it
because...
...well, you're the only person
in the world...
...who can tell me
if l got it right this time.
You grew up, Dawson.
You grew up.
l always wanted to think
that you were this hopeless dreamer...
...and l was the adult that...
...escaped.
But l didn't escape anything,
not really.
Sure, you got out of Capeside.
Wasn't that the original plan?
Couldn't escape myself, could l?
You were right.
So much of what l was fighting
was growing up.
And l figured out this past year
that it's hard for me.
To talk about sex, to talk about...
...getting close with someone.
And maybe...
...l'm not supposed to lose myself.
You know, it's not part of the plan.
But then again, l never thought that
losing you was part of the plan, either.
l think sometimes...
...you have to lose somebody
completely...
...before you can figure out
what they really mean to you.
l missed you, Jo.
You got it right this time, Dawson.
l missed us.
So how did you and Jennifer meet?
-No, l'm-- l'm Jack, Mrs. Lindley.
-Well, yes, l know that.
Yeah, well, this is....
This is Jen's boyfriend here.
-Oh, l'm sorry. You're not--?
-No, no. l'm the gay one.
Actually we-- We met
a few years back.
-l guess you don't remember me.
-Oh, right.
That wasn't the best Thanksgiving.
l was probably drunk.
Yeah. l know l was.
That was a joke. l was just kidding.
-Jen speaks very highly of you.
-Apparently not very descriptive.
Well, you and Jack
are both so attractive...
...and l don't know what the gays
look like these days.
Thank you?
-You're going to school in New York?
-Leaving tomorrow, actually.
-Well, you'll have to call me.
-l know young people who could...
...take you out on the town.
The Parkers, who live downstairs,
have two lovely daughters.
Okay, that's enough. My boyfriend
doesn't need to meet anyone lovely.
-lt's not like we're breaking up.
-Oh, good to know.
l've only just figured out now
which one is your boyfriend.
That's because Jack
acts like a boyfriend.
Well, technically--
Technically, l am her boyfriend.
Technically, you're not.
You don't sleep with me.
ls that the only difference?
Who's leaving me
for higher learning tomorrow?
-You said you were happy for me.
-l am.
Don't begrudge me the only friend
l have in your absence.
-Jen, you were always so popular.
-That was called '' putting out,'' Mom.
Evie?
Get your butt out here.
-Uncle Bill, what are you--?
-Hey, hey, cool it.
l got business with this skirt,
and l'm not leaving till it's finished.
-Evie!
-Do you know this man?
Yeah, he's C.J.'s uncle, Bill.
He and Grams had a thing.
A thing?
William, what are you doing here?
Now look, you don't just walk away
from Bill Braxton...
...and expect him to roll over
like a dead dog.
l've been doing some Pl work on you,
and you know what l found out?
-You are full of malarkey.
-Bill.
This is neither the time
nor the place for this conversation.
That's half your problem right there.
You keep wanting to compartmentalize
everything in time and space.
You're making yourself sick,
and that's why you have cancer...
...and you're eating yourself up.
Mom.
ls this true?
Yes.
Yes, Helen, it's-- lt's true.
l certainly never intended for you
to find it out this way.
Look, l don't wanna watch
another woman...
...who l love give up.
Were you sent here on this earth to
die alone with your knitting needles...
...or were you sent here
to live a little?
You must have failed to notice
that l am not alone.
Yes, l can see there are a bunch
of people here who give a damn...
...and even though you spurned
my advances, l give a damn too.
Grams, aren't you gonna thank Bill
for doing your dirty work for you?
Yes, thank you, Jennifer.
l was just about to do that.
You mean, nobody else knew?
No, Bill, nobody else knew...
...which accounts for the shock
on my daughter's face.
l gotta say, Grams,
l'm pretty shocked too.
Jen, what's up?
You weren't gonna tell me?
Jack, it was not Jennifer's
responsibility to tell you.
lt was mine.
l'm sorry.
This is why you called me?
Yep.
l don't know. Grams told me
that she had breast cancer...
...and it was just like
the whole world melted away...
...but l had a thousand questions
in my head of:
'' How am l going to take care of her?''
And, '' How much time do we have?''
Bill, l think you're right.
l mean, Grams, you can't try
and be a rock here...
...because it's not making you
any happier or any better...
...and it's not making
your life any easier.
So l just feel like the best thing
for you to do...
...is just to be around your family.
l'm so sorry.
What can l do?
Well, actually,
it's funny you should ask...
...because we have
an interesting opportunity here.
Opportunity for what?
To move to New York
to live with Mom.
l don't even wanna fight about it
or discuss it. l just want it to be okay.
Oh, Helen, l--
l couldn't dream...
-...of imposing--
-No, it's not.
She lives five minutes away
from the best hospital in the country.
l don't see that
there's any imposition in that.
-But l--
-No.
Mom, it's okay.
She's right.
-l didn't realize how late it had gotten.
-When you came over...
...you didn't expect to spend
the afternoon talking, huh?
Call it a nice surprise.
l've still got one big problem,
though.
-What's that?
-The same one l've always had:
Finding somebody to play you.
Pacey.
l didn't know you were home.
l wasn't planning on making a trip,
but l need to talk to you for a second.
-ls that okay, Dawson?
-Yeah, of course.
l.... l guess l'll see you
tomorrow, maybe?
-Deal.
-All right.
Actually, Jo, why don't you
hang out for a second...
...because you're gonna
hear this sooner or later.
What's going on? Are you okay?
We were just getting back
to being friends too.
lt's such a shame to ruin that.
What are you talking about?
What would ruin it?
Money. Money would ruin it.
What happened?
lt's gone.
Your money's gone,
my money's gone...
...a guy on Long lsland's
money is gone.
What do you mean, ''gone''?
-That was all the money l had.
-l know it was, Dawson...
...and l honestly thought Stepatech
was gonna take off, l swear to you.
Right. Yeah, of course.
Otherwise, why would you
ignore my request to sell the stock?
-l was trying to do the right thing.
-Damn it, Pacey, this--
You're always trying to do
the right thing.
You're always so eager
to be the hero...
...you never quite see
all the pieces of the puzzle.
Dawson, you came to me with
your dream because you thought...
...l could help make something of it.
And somehow this comes back
yet again...
...to the fact that
l screwed you over?
Let's just stick to the topic
at hand, okay?
So we can just solve this problem by
going inside and trying to get calm...
...and we'll talk about it.
Joey, talking about this
is not gonna solve anything.
-What are you talking about?
-He means it's not about money.
So fine, then. Let's just talk about
what's really going on here.
You know what? l see no reason
to drudge up baggage from the past...
...just to fill in the moment, Pacey.
l mean, let's remember something.
This exchange between you
and Dawson is a business exchange...
...and we need to remember
to keep it at that.
She's right.
lt is business between us.
Because God knows we haven't been
best friends in a long time, have we?
No, we certainly have not.
You wanna know
why we're not friends, Pace?
lt's not what happened with Joey, even
though it turned my world around.
lt's because, from that day forward,
l realized you hadn't been my friend...
...for maybe quite some time. The
second you made us competitors--
That l made us competitors?
No. No. Now you're rewriting history,
Dawson.
l remember when
my best friend had a choice...
...and chose to turn his back on me.
lf you stopped setting us
against each other...
...you'd realize you and l
aren't far apart.
Spare me the speech. You're not
gonna convince me that our worlds...
...are anything alike.
You're upset
because l broke out of mine.
Broke out of yours? How?
By slaving away at something
that doesn't interest you?
You made money. Congratulations.
You impressed us all.
How dare you?
You know nothing about me, man.
l was good at my job.
-Then why am l broke?
-Because that's life!
l didn't make that choice!
l have lost literally everything!
What do you want from me, man?
Does this make you happy,
that you're back on top now?
You always liked it
when you were in charge...
...so is this what you wanted?
Does this make it all right?
You don't wanna know me, Pace.
You wrote me off a long time ago.
Really?
Really? Back when we were
the best of friends?
When we were brothers?
Was l out of the house every time you
called me over the last three years?
Okay, can you guys just stop it?
l can't stand here and
listen to you guys do this anymore.
l didn't mean to lose your money.
l didn't know that that would happen.
l'm sorry.
Yeah, so am l.
This....
This was just a big mistake
from the beginning, l guess.
Okay.
You okay, Pace?
-You don't have to do this.
-Do what?
Sit out here with me.
You'd rather be in the house
with Dawson...
...so why don't you just go
and help him lick his wounds.
Things never change here, do they?
No.
These are the roles
we're destined to play.
No, Pace, these are the roles
we chose to play.
Look at us,
sitting out here on this dock...
...in front of the same house
we've been haunting for years.
We're ghosts of our former selves.
And honestly...
...l don't think anyone remembers
what they're mad about anymore.
l wouldn't be so sure about that.
Pacey, if l wanted to go
back into that house...
...l would've gone a long time ago.
Don't you know me at all by now?
l don't want you sitting here
feeling sorry for me.
l don't feel sorry for you.
l feel for you, Pacey.
-Can't you ever tell the difference?
-l don't know.
l don't know, because you and l have
had a very confusing run of things.
Especially lately.
Okay.
You know, and no matter...
...how much l love you
or how long l stay with you...
...you're only gonna remember
the moments when l leave.
You gotta give me that much...
...because those are
the most painful moments in my life.
That's because you ask for them.
l'm sorry. You do.
Your whole life, you spend
so much time expecting the worst...
...you don't even notice the moments
when people are loving you.
And, Pacey, people spend
a lot of time loving you.
Well...
...with all due respect, Jo...
...my best friend
just walked away from me.
But that's not even the worst of it.
The worst thing is...
...he hasn't known me for the last
three years. Clarify that for me.
How does that qualify me as a man
with a support network?
Well, you have a person
sitting right here, don't you?
But, of course, that's not enough.
Not until you let it.
ln what world do l have you?
Look, just because l don't fit
into that place you want me to...
...doesn't mean there's not
a place for me, Pacey.
Does it?
-Joey, this isn't your fight anyway.
-You're right.
You're right. lt's not my fight.
Because it's been over
for a really long time, Pacey.
And it is up to you
to make it right.
l don't know how to make it right.
Well, you're gonna have
to figure it out.
You know, that's the thing
about ghosts.
They say that...
...they don't leave until they're
at peace with what they left undone.
Hey.
So...
...l guess any petty bickering
about when you were gonna tell me...
-...is pretty much out of the question.
-Oh, please.
You know l love bemoaning
after the fact.
Jen, you just--
You gotta realize that...
...you and Grams are pretty much
all the family l've got.
l know.
Remember the time l went over to your
house after Grams kicked me out?
Yeah, how could l forget?
That's the day you became my hag.
No, we're family. lt doesn't change.
l will never forgive you two
if you make me cry tonight.
Grams.
l'm so sorry.
Jack.
Don't feel sorry for me.
Just believe in me.
That's what l need.
l promise that l will come and see
the two of you every chance that l get.
-Oh, that won't be necessary.
-Okay.
You don't honestly believe
Jennifer and l...
...are gonna leave you to your own
questionable devices, do you?
-What are you talking about?
-What?
My daughter's rattling around in that
house she got through the divorce...
...and l think we need a man
around the house.
l mean, you'll have to share
a room with Jennifer--
Okay, Grams, come on. l mean, l--
l just can't, you know, pick up
and leave this place.
Come on, guys, l have stuff
going on, you know?
Besides, what am l gonna do, mooch
off you two for the rest of my life?
Certainly not.
You'll be earning your keep.
-What's keeping you here, Jack?
-Yes, what's keeping you here, Jack?
Last l heard, Beantown
had no great hold on you.
You can be an apathetic student
anywhere, and Boston Bay sucks.
Yeah, Boston Bay
does suck. That's--
That's why l said, you know,
we should've gone to New York.
There you go.
You've been saying it all along.
-Well?
-Yeah, come on.
This place doesn't appreciate
your absolutely fabulous gayness.
-What do you say?
-What do l say? What do l say?
Well, what do you say? You say....
You say,
'' How can l turn down living...
...with three generations of crazies
on the Upper West Side?''
That's what l say.
-You ready for this?
-Yes.
Okay, just don't mention anything
weird about my childhood or anything.
Come on, if l'm gonna sell you,
l've gotta exploit you somehow.
-Just get up there.
-Okay.
So next up...
...we have a girl who's
near and dear to my heart...
...or at least across
from my bedroom window.
lf l had to be a woman,
l'd be Audrey Liddell.
She's the toughest blond l know.
Put your hands together.
-All right.
-Audrey!
-Do it.
-Let's hear it.
Oh, thank you.
l thought that was you out here.
Were you ever gonna come in?
l forgot you guys
don't lock your doors.
We're gonna have to, now that
l got this film equipment in here.
Come on inside. There's something
l wanna show you.
-You okay?
-Yeah.
Yeah.
l went out after work with a couple
of guys. We got a little caveman.
But l'd love to see
what you got going.
lt's pretty crazy, huh?
Took me forever. l wanted to
make sure everything was perfect.
What do you think?
You're the first person who's seen it.
Well, l would say that this officially
makes you the king of procrastination.
No, no. We're gonna shoot
in here.
l know it's tight, but l figured out a way
to make the camera fit.
By saving money on locations, we
can go all out on everything else.
-Really?
-Yeah.
Got three credit cards last week,
maxed them out in a day.
Got lights, cameras,
awesome sound equipment.
l'm going completely overboard,
but l don't care.
l'm talking a mile a minute. l haven't
asked what brought you to Capeside.
Man.
Being in this room just takes me back
to a whole other era.
When the future was a clean slate
for all of us.
Well, the room may have
gone back in time...
...but l think you and l
have moved ahead rather nicely.
Despite obstacles
we went through...
...we ended up doing
what we wanted.
There was that period of time l toyed
with the idea of being a rodeo clown...
...but l guess this'll do.
You made something of yourself. Now
you're making something out of me.
l don't know that you should
go that far.
You'd have done this
by yourself, right?
Even if you had nothing,
this would....
l'm not-- l'm say--
You're not hearing me, man. l'm....
l'm trying to thank you.
Well, you're welcome, l guess.
But, Dawson, l mean...
...we all knew you'd do this.
This was your dream.
You just needed to take
a trip down memory lane.
Yeah, l needed that and a very
financially savvy associate producer.
l'm giving you credit on the film.
So...
...you're part of this now.
Welcome to Hollywood...
...where people have meaningless
titles for not even showing up on set.
l'm sorry. What is it
that you wanted to talk about?
lt was....
Just...
...as your associate producer,
l do have...
...some concerns about the casting.
Particularly the role of Pacey, which
l feel are some fairly large shoes to fill.
You'll let this power go
straight to your head.
Yeah, l gotta enjoy it
while l can, right?
Let me show you these headshots.
l tell you, l don't think these amateurs
know what they're getting into.
No.
Somebody ought to warn them.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Did you get a haircut?
No. Five inches of blond just fell off.
lt was really the damnedest thing.
lt's-- lt's very French.
Come in. The cab's gone,
so so are your hopes of leaving.
Jenny, please.
Thank you.
You look good, Mom.
Not as Upper East Side-y.
l think that divorce must suit you.
A lot better than marriage,
that's for sure.
Jennifer...
...did you get the door?
Helen.
Hello.
-Good start.
-Well, what are you doing here?
Jen asked me to come.
l was so shocked,
l could hardly say no.
l can imagine.
l'll just....
Can l take my bag upstairs?
Oh, of course.
You go on up, and l'll come up
in a minute and get you settled.
Fine.
-Jennifer.
-l know, l know, l know.
You're worried we won't have
enough food for dinner...
...but l've taken care of that.
Just don't pull
your speed-talking technique on me.
You had no right to invite
that woman into my house.
That woman-- Will you calm down
and remember that we're all related?
l specifically told you l did not want
Helen to know that l had cancer.
Cancer.
The point is, it is my business
to dispense with in my own time...
...and you had some nerve
to take it upon yourself to tell her.
l didn't tell her. You will.
Look, l don't think that she's any
frigging Mary Poppins myself...
...but l think that she deserves to be
in the loop, and l can't do this alone.
l love you.
Does she actually run in these?
l don't know, l guess.
Okay, gross. No, gross.
God, can't you just patronize
lnternet porn like a normal person?
Must you root around
in my roommate's sweats...
-...like you're a homeless man?
-My mom was so right about you.
This hoity-toity school
has made you so uptight.
Your mom thinks l'm uptight?
l might have some in your size
if you want me to look.
These will do just fine.
-l'm Joey.
-The roommate. We finally meet.
Could you please step away
from the clothes? Slowly.
Keep your hands
where l can see them.
All right. All right.
Jack is meeting with the dean...
...to see if Worthington is right for him
or some such hoo-hah.
Right for you?
Do you know how many people
would kill to come here?
l spent my entire high school career
trying to get an interview here.
-You just-- lf it's right for you?
-You're turning a little red.
l know this is new to you, but behold
the wrath of the Hollywood offspring.
But Jack's a smart guy,
aren't you, Jack?
Smart enough to know
if my integrity...
...is being questioned
by a couple of uptight wenches.
Yeah, okay. You know what?
You'll have to change the T-shirt.
Be a good boy and root around
in your satchel...
-...because Joey and l have to bond.
-l'll watch from a safe distance.
-Joey.
-Audrey.
l feel a Lifetime moment coming on.
lt's not like we're never
gonna see each other again.
l know...
...but our time in this particular room
is over.
Anyway, the point is this:
l love you very much, Joey Potter.
l love you too.
So much so, in fact, that l could not
leave you without a parting gift.
You know, something
for those lonely summer nights.
You shouldn't have, Audrey. l didn't--
You really shouldn't have.
Audrey, l hate this hideous eyesore.
l know! Which is why you must carry it
with you on all of your travels.
Because, like me, it seems harsh
and overwhelming at first...
...but once you give in to its delicious
comfort, you cannot live without it.
You know what l've realized
in our tenure together?
That l've never really had
a girlfriend, not a good one.
And nobody like you.
Oh, Joey.
Okay, Jack, what's next?
Tomatoes.
Since when do you know
how to cook, anyway?
Oh, come on. How hard can it be?
l can read, can't l?
l'm sorry l won't be there
to test your culinary skills.
You're coming. No, l'm not
facing my mother without you.
Which is even more shocking
than the whole cooking thing.
-Why is she in town?
-Because l called her.
lt's a long story. l'm sure it'll all unfold
beautifully this evening...
...which is why l need
moral support.
lsn't C.J. typically, you know, the
moral part of the whole, you know...
-...equation?
-Look, l just need the whole gamut...
...of boy power this evening.
Which is why l don't wanna be there
for the whole meet-the-boyfriend thing.
lt's not a meet-the-boyfriend thing.
l mean, it is, but that's not
its express purpose, okay?
Exactly. lt's more like a, you know,
''goodbye, C. J.'' type of night...
...because he's going to New York
tomorrow for the grad thing.
Yes, but l'm sure we'll have time
to stare into each other's eyes...
...and pontificate on
what we mean to each other.
l just need to take care
of some things first.
String beans. l need string beans.
Go ahead.
lt's perfect.
Your eye for detail is creepy.
l'm not gonna get in that closet
and play E. T., but aside from that...
...it's perfect.
Now that you're here,
it's just about right.
But you do seem
to be quite well, Helen.
You too, mother.
Did you change your hair?
Maybe a little more grey.
Jennifer's changed her hair.
Did you notice?
We've already had a discussion
about that.
l have honey on my hands.
l'll tell you what. Why don't you two try
to find a topic that is more probing...
...than current hairstyles
or weather patterns...
...and l'll go wash up, okay?
That means you.
Shouldn't be this difficult,
l suppose...
...making conversation
with your own mother.
l think the problem is the very notion
of having to make conversation.
Everything seems to be happening
a little too late, doesn't it?
l mean, why did Jen
call me out here now?
Why have we waited so long?
One thing l've learned is
to regret the past is useless.
You can't change it.
Might as well live the rest of your life
as pleasantly as possible.
Mom, you've gone soft.
-Never.
-No, it's nice.
l think Jen's made you happy.
She seems younger now than
she did when she was in New York...
...running around like a grownup.
A toxic one,
but a grownup nonetheless.
lf she had stayed there,
going the way she was going...
...she would've run
right over me, Mom.
Oh, Helen.
lt wasn't a magical transformation.
She just needed a little patience...
...and no access
to public transportation.
lt's funny.
Now that she doesn't need me...
...l kind of think that l need her.
Not as much as l needed you,
though.
l could--
l could never repay you.
Acts of love
do not require repayment.
What if l needed to call upon you,
and l needed your help, your support?
You'd be there for me, wouldn't you?
How could you even ask that?
You're my mother. Of course.
l guess you get to my age, you don't
want to take these things for granted.
Mom, is everything okay?
ls something wrong with Jennifer?
Jennifer? Oh, no.
No, no, Helen, no, everything's fine.
l'm just a little overwhelmed,
l guess.
Oh, we need some more water.
l'll just freshen up the pot.
Oh, my God.
My ex-boyfriend is a day drinker.
Life is clearly bleak without me.
l thought you said
he worked for the man.
Let's go investigate, shall we?
-Hi.
-Hi.
Hi.
Of all the bars in the world,
you decide to stumble in here.
Well, l am stalking you.
Hey, Jack. How you doing?
Oh, you know, if this is the scene,
not so good.
l gotta take a piss.
They told me you went away
for a while.
Let's not be awkward exes, Pacey.
-l was drying out in Malibu.
-Okay.
-Well, you look great, anyhow.
-Clean living, my friend.
So, what happened to your job?
You're not just taking
a long lunch break.
You were too hard-core for that.
Well, l've been reassessing
how l allocate my time.
So you're drinking?
-l'm thinking about it.
-You're thinking about...
...taking a tasty downward spiral?
You'd better quit while you're ahead.
-You're not cut out for this.
-What? l can spiral with the best.
Speaking of...
...shouldn't you really
avoid places like this?
l can't hide
from my problems forever.
lt's kind of how l ended up in rehab
in the first place.
Well, that's brave of you.
But you were always good like that.
Yeah, well, l'll be your
personal superhero, okay?
-Okay.
-Unless, of course...
...you want to spend your days
hiding out in dives like this.
What are you hiding from, Pacey?
l'm hiding from the suit...
...because it's evil.
Bad things happen when it's on.
l allowed people to believe in me
for a second...
...which was foolish, and now it's really
coming back to bite them in the ass.
You know what?
This isn't you talking. This is
your former self rearing its ugly head.
Come on, Pacey.
l know moments like these.
One path is the harsh reality,
and one path is the comfortably numb.
But guess what?
ln the morning,
when you're sobered up...
...the problem's still gonna be there.
Only now it'll be
like a big, festering wound...
...and you'll just be the jerk
who sat back and let it get worse.
Thanks for not walking
on eggshells around me.
lt's weird, huh?
This room was
the official meeting place...
...where we discussed
what happened that day.
And now it's just a film set...
...and l don't even know
what happened this year.
Yeah.
l was kind of hoping l could
just climb up the ladder...
...and magically fill in
all the lost time.
-How's that working for you?
-Not so easy.
Yeah.
-Maybe l was gone for too long.
-Well...
...we'll piece it together
between the two of us, then.
The lost year of Dawson and Joey.
-lt wasn't easy.
-What wasn't?
Not talking to you.
Maybe it seemed like it was.
And l guess it just...
...became routine, just another thing
that l didn't do.
Well, like...
...shooting heroin or driving drunk.
l'm up there
with dangerous activities.
Or casual sex.
Dawson, for so long...
...you were the only person
in the whole world l wanted to be with.
Then somehow you became
my only one-night stand.
-l never meant for it to be like that.
-l know.
l know.
Maybe being in this room
makes it easier.
Having it set up this way.
You know, it's so familiar...
...and it seems insane not to talk.
And sometimes the hardest things
to say are the things...
...that really matter.
Why do you think l've spent years
trying to write a screenplay about you?
-l read it in one sitting.
-Okay.
l hope you don't think
l gave it to you so you could just...
-...say all the obligatory nice things.
-And why would l feel obligated?
Exactly. lf l can't get an honest opinion
from the girl who loathes me...
...more than anyone else,
who can l trust?
You've always been
this devilishly clever.
Well...
...yeah.
But....
l got-- l wanted you to read it
because...
...well, you're the only person
in the world...
...who can tell me
if l got it right this time.
You grew up, Dawson.
You grew up.
l always wanted to think
that you were this hopeless dreamer...
...and l was the adult that...
...escaped.
But l didn't escape anything,
not really.
Sure, you got out of Capeside.
Wasn't that the original plan?
Couldn't escape myself, could l?
You were right.
So much of what l was fighting
was growing up.
And l figured out this past year
that it's hard for me.
To talk about sex, to talk about...
...getting close with someone.
And maybe...
...l'm not supposed to lose myself.
You know, it's not part of the plan.
But then again, l never thought that
losing you was part of the plan, either.
l think sometimes...
...you have to lose somebody
completely...
...before you can figure out
what they really mean to you.
l missed you, Jo.
You got it right this time, Dawson.
l missed us.
So how did you and Jennifer meet?
-No, l'm-- l'm Jack, Mrs. Lindley.
-Well, yes, l know that.
Yeah, well, this is....
This is Jen's boyfriend here.
-Oh, l'm sorry. You're not--?
-No, no. l'm the gay one.
Actually we-- We met
a few years back.
-l guess you don't remember me.
-Oh, right.
That wasn't the best Thanksgiving.
l was probably drunk.
Yeah. l know l was.
That was a joke. l was just kidding.
-Jen speaks very highly of you.
-Apparently not very descriptive.
Well, you and Jack
are both so attractive...
...and l don't know what the gays
look like these days.
Thank you?
-You're going to school in New York?
-Leaving tomorrow, actually.
-Well, you'll have to call me.
-l know young people who could...
...take you out on the town.
The Parkers, who live downstairs,
have two lovely daughters.
Okay, that's enough. My boyfriend
doesn't need to meet anyone lovely.
-lt's not like we're breaking up.
-Oh, good to know.
l've only just figured out now
which one is your boyfriend.
That's because Jack
acts like a boyfriend.
Well, technically--
Technically, l am her boyfriend.
Technically, you're not.
You don't sleep with me.
ls that the only difference?
Who's leaving me
for higher learning tomorrow?
-You said you were happy for me.
-l am.
Don't begrudge me the only friend
l have in your absence.
-Jen, you were always so popular.
-That was called '' putting out,'' Mom.
Evie?
Get your butt out here.
-Uncle Bill, what are you--?
-Hey, hey, cool it.
l got business with this skirt,
and l'm not leaving till it's finished.
-Evie!
-Do you know this man?
Yeah, he's C.J.'s uncle, Bill.
He and Grams had a thing.
A thing?
William, what are you doing here?
Now look, you don't just walk away
from Bill Braxton...
...and expect him to roll over
like a dead dog.
l've been doing some Pl work on you,
and you know what l found out?
-You are full of malarkey.
-Bill.
This is neither the time
nor the place for this conversation.
That's half your problem right there.
You keep wanting to compartmentalize
everything in time and space.
You're making yourself sick,
and that's why you have cancer...
...and you're eating yourself up.
Mom.
ls this true?
Yes.
Yes, Helen, it's-- lt's true.
l certainly never intended for you
to find it out this way.
Look, l don't wanna watch
another woman...
...who l love give up.
Were you sent here on this earth to
die alone with your knitting needles...
...or were you sent here
to live a little?
You must have failed to notice
that l am not alone.
Yes, l can see there are a bunch
of people here who give a damn...
...and even though you spurned
my advances, l give a damn too.
Grams, aren't you gonna thank Bill
for doing your dirty work for you?
Yes, thank you, Jennifer.
l was just about to do that.
You mean, nobody else knew?
No, Bill, nobody else knew...
...which accounts for the shock
on my daughter's face.
l gotta say, Grams,
l'm pretty shocked too.
Jen, what's up?
You weren't gonna tell me?
Jack, it was not Jennifer's
responsibility to tell you.
lt was mine.
l'm sorry.
This is why you called me?
Yep.
l don't know. Grams told me
that she had breast cancer...
...and it was just like
the whole world melted away...
...but l had a thousand questions
in my head of:
'' How am l going to take care of her?''
And, '' How much time do we have?''
Bill, l think you're right.
l mean, Grams, you can't try
and be a rock here...
...because it's not making you
any happier or any better...
...and it's not making
your life any easier.
So l just feel like the best thing
for you to do...
...is just to be around your family.
l'm so sorry.
What can l do?
Well, actually,
it's funny you should ask...
...because we have
an interesting opportunity here.
Opportunity for what?
To move to New York
to live with Mom.
l don't even wanna fight about it
or discuss it. l just want it to be okay.
Oh, Helen, l--
l couldn't dream...
-...of imposing--
-No, it's not.
She lives five minutes away
from the best hospital in the country.
l don't see that
there's any imposition in that.
-But l--
-No.
Mom, it's okay.
She's right.
-l didn't realize how late it had gotten.
-When you came over...
...you didn't expect to spend
the afternoon talking, huh?
Call it a nice surprise.
l've still got one big problem,
though.
-What's that?
-The same one l've always had:
Finding somebody to play you.
Pacey.
l didn't know you were home.
l wasn't planning on making a trip,
but l need to talk to you for a second.
-ls that okay, Dawson?
-Yeah, of course.
l.... l guess l'll see you
tomorrow, maybe?
-Deal.
-All right.
Actually, Jo, why don't you
hang out for a second...
...because you're gonna
hear this sooner or later.
What's going on? Are you okay?
We were just getting back
to being friends too.
lt's such a shame to ruin that.
What are you talking about?
What would ruin it?
Money. Money would ruin it.
What happened?
lt's gone.
Your money's gone,
my money's gone...
...a guy on Long lsland's
money is gone.
What do you mean, ''gone''?
-That was all the money l had.
-l know it was, Dawson...
...and l honestly thought Stepatech
was gonna take off, l swear to you.
Right. Yeah, of course.
Otherwise, why would you
ignore my request to sell the stock?
-l was trying to do the right thing.
-Damn it, Pacey, this--
You're always trying to do
the right thing.
You're always so eager
to be the hero...
...you never quite see
all the pieces of the puzzle.
Dawson, you came to me with
your dream because you thought...
...l could help make something of it.
And somehow this comes back
yet again...
...to the fact that
l screwed you over?
Let's just stick to the topic
at hand, okay?
So we can just solve this problem by
going inside and trying to get calm...
...and we'll talk about it.
Joey, talking about this
is not gonna solve anything.
-What are you talking about?
-He means it's not about money.
So fine, then. Let's just talk about
what's really going on here.
You know what? l see no reason
to drudge up baggage from the past...
...just to fill in the moment, Pacey.
l mean, let's remember something.
This exchange between you
and Dawson is a business exchange...
...and we need to remember
to keep it at that.
She's right.
lt is business between us.
Because God knows we haven't been
best friends in a long time, have we?
No, we certainly have not.
You wanna know
why we're not friends, Pace?
lt's not what happened with Joey, even
though it turned my world around.
lt's because, from that day forward,
l realized you hadn't been my friend...
...for maybe quite some time. The
second you made us competitors--
That l made us competitors?
No. No. Now you're rewriting history,
Dawson.
l remember when
my best friend had a choice...
...and chose to turn his back on me.
lf you stopped setting us
against each other...
...you'd realize you and l
aren't far apart.
Spare me the speech. You're not
gonna convince me that our worlds...
...are anything alike.
You're upset
because l broke out of mine.
Broke out of yours? How?
By slaving away at something
that doesn't interest you?
You made money. Congratulations.
You impressed us all.
How dare you?
You know nothing about me, man.
l was good at my job.
-Then why am l broke?
-Because that's life!
l didn't make that choice!
l have lost literally everything!
What do you want from me, man?
Does this make you happy,
that you're back on top now?
You always liked it
when you were in charge...
...so is this what you wanted?
Does this make it all right?
You don't wanna know me, Pace.
You wrote me off a long time ago.
Really?
Really? Back when we were
the best of friends?
When we were brothers?
Was l out of the house every time you
called me over the last three years?
Okay, can you guys just stop it?
l can't stand here and
listen to you guys do this anymore.
l didn't mean to lose your money.
l didn't know that that would happen.
l'm sorry.
Yeah, so am l.
This....
This was just a big mistake
from the beginning, l guess.
Okay.
You okay, Pace?
-You don't have to do this.
-Do what?
Sit out here with me.
You'd rather be in the house
with Dawson...
...so why don't you just go
and help him lick his wounds.
Things never change here, do they?
No.
These are the roles
we're destined to play.
No, Pace, these are the roles
we chose to play.
Look at us,
sitting out here on this dock...
...in front of the same house
we've been haunting for years.
We're ghosts of our former selves.
And honestly...
...l don't think anyone remembers
what they're mad about anymore.
l wouldn't be so sure about that.
Pacey, if l wanted to go
back into that house...
...l would've gone a long time ago.
Don't you know me at all by now?
l don't want you sitting here
feeling sorry for me.
l don't feel sorry for you.
l feel for you, Pacey.
-Can't you ever tell the difference?
-l don't know.
l don't know, because you and l have
had a very confusing run of things.
Especially lately.
Okay.
You know, and no matter...
...how much l love you
or how long l stay with you...
...you're only gonna remember
the moments when l leave.
You gotta give me that much...
...because those are
the most painful moments in my life.
That's because you ask for them.
l'm sorry. You do.
Your whole life, you spend
so much time expecting the worst...
...you don't even notice the moments
when people are loving you.
And, Pacey, people spend
a lot of time loving you.
Well...
...with all due respect, Jo...
...my best friend
just walked away from me.
But that's not even the worst of it.
The worst thing is...
...he hasn't known me for the last
three years. Clarify that for me.
How does that qualify me as a man
with a support network?
Well, you have a person
sitting right here, don't you?
But, of course, that's not enough.
Not until you let it.
ln what world do l have you?
Look, just because l don't fit
into that place you want me to...
...doesn't mean there's not
a place for me, Pacey.
Does it?
-Joey, this isn't your fight anyway.
-You're right.
You're right. lt's not my fight.
Because it's been over
for a really long time, Pacey.
And it is up to you
to make it right.
l don't know how to make it right.
Well, you're gonna have
to figure it out.
You know, that's the thing
about ghosts.
They say that...
...they don't leave until they're
at peace with what they left undone.
Hey.
So...
...l guess any petty bickering
about when you were gonna tell me...
-...is pretty much out of the question.
-Oh, please.
You know l love bemoaning
after the fact.
Jen, you just--
You gotta realize that...
...you and Grams are pretty much
all the family l've got.
l know.
Remember the time l went over to your
house after Grams kicked me out?
Yeah, how could l forget?
That's the day you became my hag.
No, we're family. lt doesn't change.
l will never forgive you two
if you make me cry tonight.
Grams.
l'm so sorry.
Jack.
Don't feel sorry for me.
Just believe in me.
That's what l need.
l promise that l will come and see
the two of you every chance that l get.
-Oh, that won't be necessary.
-Okay.
You don't honestly believe
Jennifer and l...
...are gonna leave you to your own
questionable devices, do you?
-What are you talking about?
-What?
My daughter's rattling around in that
house she got through the divorce...
...and l think we need a man
around the house.
l mean, you'll have to share
a room with Jennifer--
Okay, Grams, come on. l mean, l--
l just can't, you know, pick up
and leave this place.
Come on, guys, l have stuff
going on, you know?
Besides, what am l gonna do, mooch
off you two for the rest of my life?
Certainly not.
You'll be earning your keep.
-What's keeping you here, Jack?
-Yes, what's keeping you here, Jack?
Last l heard, Beantown
had no great hold on you.
You can be an apathetic student
anywhere, and Boston Bay sucks.
Yeah, Boston Bay
does suck. That's--
That's why l said, you know,
we should've gone to New York.
There you go.
You've been saying it all along.
-Well?
-Yeah, come on.
This place doesn't appreciate
your absolutely fabulous gayness.
-What do you say?
-What do l say? What do l say?
Well, what do you say? You say....
You say,
'' How can l turn down living...
...with three generations of crazies
on the Upper West Side?''
That's what l say.
-You ready for this?
-Yes.
Okay, just don't mention anything
weird about my childhood or anything.
Come on, if l'm gonna sell you,
l've gotta exploit you somehow.
-Just get up there.
-Okay.
So next up...
...we have a girl who's
near and dear to my heart...
...or at least across
from my bedroom window.
lf l had to be a woman,
l'd be Audrey Liddell.
She's the toughest blond l know.
Put your hands together.
-All right.
-Audrey!
-Do it.
-Let's hear it.
Oh, thank you.