[Pacey's car]

(Pacey is driving while Joey sits in the passenger seat)

Joey: (happily) You know, you never know how things are gonna turn out.

Pacey: Very true, Potter.

Joey: I mean, who would've thought that I'd actually be able to use those dance lessons?

Pacey: There's gonna be dancing at this thing? (He takes a flier from her)

Joey: Yeah.

Pacey: I thought you said it was just self-congratulatory award giving.

Joey: This is a big deal! AJ's going to be reading his work in front of several very important alumni. He's the youngest person in his department to win the-

Pacey: (reads) Creating Viting Award? (he holds up the paper)

Joey: (taking it from him) Creative writing.

Pacey: Yeah, I'll say.

Joey: (annoyed) It's calligraphy.

Pacey: It's pretentious. (pauses) You know what, don't mind me. Just have a good time this weekend.

Joey: I will. (wistfully) I mean this could be the most romantic night of my life. I mean, its not every day that I get invited to elegant dinners with distinguished guests, accompanied by a friend who

Pacey: Friend? Is that what you and AJ are?

Joey: (starting to explain) Well I… AJ and I are… (gets upset) It's really none of your business what AJ and I are.

Pacey: AJ and you are friends who kiss.

Joey: (exasperated, throws her head back on the seat) Pacey, look. Long-distance relationships don't necessarily follow the same rules and definitions as regular relationships.

Pacey: No they don't, and that's why they're perfect for you. Cuz they're not real.

Joey: What is that supposed to mean?

(Pacey parks the car and he and Joey get out)

Pacey: Don't you see? (he gets her bag from the trunk) Little scrubber girl gets to put on a pretty dress and go to the ball with college Prince Charming. That's not real. It's a fairy tale.

Joey: Say what you will, but fairy tale or not, I still feel what I feel, Pacey.

Pacey: All I'm saying is all you have here is an eyes-closed wish.

Joey: (tosses her head) Sometimes wishes come true.

Pacey: Yes, sometimes wishes do come true, sometimes even in unexpected places. But reality always finds a way of creeping back in, Jo. Clock inevitably strikes midnight and then it's pumpkin city, the fantasy fades.

Joey: (walks away) Try to have a good weekend, Pacey. Thanks for the ride.

Pacey: Have a good time.

(She waves goodbye without looking back at him, obviously annoyed. Pacey looks regretful)

[Gale's Yet-To-Be-Named Restaurant)

(Dawson looks over some papers. Gale enters carrying a tray.)

Gale: We could have a winner here.

Dawson: I really hope you're right.

Gale: What, just because my restaurant opens in less than a week and I haven't found a chef?

Dawson: Or waiters or menus.

Gale: What, the menus still haven't arrived from the printers?

Dawson: No, we sent them back yesterday, remember? We said twenty-two hundred dollars was a little pricey for scampi.

Gale: Right, um you just keep screening applicants for my wait staff. (She stirs her spoon in the bowl) Hopefully we have found our kitchen talent. The chowder smells amazing. (Both of them take a bite and grimace.) What do you think?

Dawson: Look, I don't know fine food, but I know enough to tell you that this sucks.

Gale: Are you sure that we don't want to just steal Bodie from the Potters?

Dawson: Not unless we decide that Bessie and Alexander don't need a home, and I don't need Joey as a friend.

Gale: Chowder isn't easy to master. Here, try his breaded monkfish, it looks great. I've got to go off to the printer. Oh and Honey, don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine. (She gives him a kiss and leaves. Dawson shakes his head. Andie and Jack enter behind him. Jack holds a large sign in his hands.)

Andie: Hey.

Dawson: Hey. Thanks so much for picking up the sign, I really appreciate it.

Jack: Yeah, well unfortunately this may exacerbate the insanity. (Jack holds it up to show there's nothing written on it.)

Andie: Unless of course you want to keep the place a secret.

Dawson: What happened?

Jack: Well, the guy told your mom he had to have a name by today, he's already got another job.

Dawson: I thought it was The Fish Bistro.

Andie: Dawson, a woman has the right to change her mind.

Dawson: Not this late in the game.

Andie: Well, uh, okay so the restaurant could be like one of those hip no-name clubs, you know, too cool to have a name.

Foreign Man: Excuse, please. I look for restaurant of fish, I am trying out for chowder menu.

Dawson: You guys hungry?

Capeside Mentor Center

(Pacey and a Woman walk down a staircase)

Pacey: So who is this kid worthy of being a Witter mentee?

Woman: Someone your school administration and I thought would be appropriate.

Pacey: How exactly do you guys go about making that determination?

Woman: You'll see. If there are any problems, I can always assign you to someone else.

Pacey: I think I'll probably be able to handle a nine-year old, thanks.

(The Woman opens the door to reveal Buzz sitting on the floor.)

Woman: Buzz Thompson, meet Pacey Witter.

Pacey: Hey, how you doing, kid? (He reaches down to shake Buzz's hand)

Buzz: How old are you?

Pacey: Sixteen, how old are you?

Buzz: You have a five o'clock shadow.

Pacey: Well, I'm mature.

Buzz: Is that what you call it?

Pacey: (bends down) I get it, you're a smart-ass. (He sits) That's why they put us together, people think I'm a smart-ass, too.

Buzz: (sarcastically) But when they really get to know you, they discover under the gruff exterior lies a vulnerable, beating heart.

(Pacey laughs bashfully)

Buzz: Get real! I'm not like one of those kids on 7th Heaven, and I'm not like you, Pissy.

Pacey: (trying to be patient) Pacey.

Buzz: Whatever, Pissy.

Pacey: (getting more angry) Pacey, and you don't know anything about me, kid.

Buzz: I know you think you don't want to be here, but you're just dying to throw your arm around me and have a warm and fuzzy. Well don't bother, 'cause you're going to be back here trying to get rid of me. I give you 48 hours, kid!

(Pacey looks back at the Woman who smiles)

[Boston Train Station]

(Joey looks around, looking lost. She sees a sign that says "Potter, Joseph." She smiles and waves. The crowd parts to reveal Morgan, a tall, beautiful blonde. Joey's face falls.)

Joey: Hi, um, I'm Joey Potter.

Morgan: Of course you are.

Joey: And you are?

Morgan: I'm Morgan. I am AJ's oldest friend.

Joey: Oh. Where's AJ?

Morgan: The jumpy boy is still trying to decide on what to read for tomorrow night.

Joey: (laughing hesitantly) Why do I feel like I fell asleep on the train and suddenly woke up the protagonist in a Kafka story?

Morgan: Well, there's the wit, just like he said.

Joey: The wit?

Morgan: The famous Potter wit. He's told me all about you: artist, political agitator, and size 8 foot. (She holds up some rollerblades) Put these on, we're gonna go blading.

Joey: (hesitating) Thanks.

[Arcade] (Buzz and Pacey walk through the arcade)

Buzz: Is this the fun part? Is this the part where we're having fun, or did I blink and miss it?

Pacey: You know, you got me, man. I don't want to be here anymore than you do, I got stuck with you, but this still doesn't have to be so horrible.

Buzz: Here comes the honesty, next is the intimacy.

Pacey: What exactly do you want?

Buzz: Let me make this easy for you, read my lips, Pikachu!

Pacey: You want something that has to be treated with antibiotics?

Buzz: Man, your generation is so out of it! Pokemon, you putz!

Pacey: (defensively) I knew that.

Buzz: I got Alakazam through Medopod, but I'm in serious need of Apollyra. There's a vendor right over there. (He points)

Pacey: You've got to be kidding me, man. There's no way I'm spending twenty bucks on a Japanese trading card.

Buzz: You have a serious problem with anger. I hope the Capeside Mentoring Program knows who I'm dealing with here.

Pacey: (kneels) Okay, if I buy you the stupid card, would you shut up for two seconds, please?

Buzz: Mm-hmm.

Pacey: Okay. (He gives Buzz some tokens) Here, take these. Go whack some moles and stay out of trouble while I'm gone.

Buzz: Whatever, Pissy.

(Pacey mutters to himself under his breath. He comes back a moment later to see a bunch of kids yelling and Buzz hitting them with the mallet.)

Pacey: Hey, hey, hey, what the hell's going on over here? What are you doing?

Kid #1: He hit me in the head with the mallet.

Kid #2: Put me right in the nose.

Buzz: They tried to push me out of my game!

Pacey: Okay, that's it, you're done, no more decisions. (He throws Buzz over his shoulder)

Buzz: Let me down!

[A café in Boston]

(AJ sits at a table, writing. Morgan enters and blades over to the table.)

Morgan: Hey.

AJ: Hey. Where's Joey?

Morgan: I showed her around town just like you asked.

AJ: You didn't. You did.

(Joey hobbles to the doorway, teetering on her rollerblades.)

AJ: Joey, it's great to see you.

Joey: Hey, you too. (She goes to the table)

AJ: How was your trip?

Joey: It was a trip.

AJ: I'm sorry I wasn't there to meet you, but I still haven't picked a reading for tomorrow. Do you hate me?

Joey: (deadpan) Completely.

AJ: (smiles) Hi. (They kiss)

Morgan: (disgusted) Oh good God, get a room.

AJ: I hope she didn't totally wear you out.

Joey: No, it was actually very informative. I had no idea that the Charles River ran through so much of the city.

AJ: You took her on the Charles River circuit?

Morgan: She did better than you.

AJ: I'm sorry, I asked her to pick you up, not take you on an endurance test.

Morgan: Oh, you're threatened. (To Joey) He can't blade to save his life, and if anytime a girl shows greater skill than him, he gets totally threatened.

AJ: What?!

Joey: How long have you guys known each other?

Morgan: Pretty much since we were zygotes.

AJ: Morgan and I grew up together, same town, same high school.

Joey: Same college?

Morgan: Actually, I got bored with this geek and I decided to make some new friends, so I went to school last semester at Sorbonne. (Transcriber's Note: This should be The Sorbonne, but apparently Morgan never caught on to that even though she studied there for four months. Come on! I learned that my first lesson in French Class!!)

Joey: I've always wanted to study in Paris.

Morgan: pleutage a tu de ser est publice (Transcriber's note: They spoke really quickly et ma Francais est tres mal)

AJ: ah si je peut te pege

Joey: I'm sorry, my French isn't very good.

AJ: Oh, Morgan likes to embarrass me, so I'm not letting you two hang out together anymore.

Morgan: See? Threatened.

AJ: Don't let the friendly banter fool you, Joey, we really can't stand each other.

Morgan: You know, you were all he wrote about in his letters to me.

Joey: Really.

Morgan: I'll bet he never tells you a thing about me. Yeah, well I can see that you two need some time together.

AJ: Thank you, at least you can take a hint!

Morgan: (rising) Joey, I'm glad that you're here. I was beginning to think that you might be one of his fantasies.

AJ: Nope, she's real, told ya.

Morgan: Yeah, flesh and blood.

Joey: That's me. Joey Potter, flesh and blood.

[Gale's Restaurant]

(Dawson, Jack and Andie are still tasting)

Dawson: Here's another one, this guy says his Spanish Mackerel Quiche is world famous. Does anybody have any idea what that is?

Andie: You don't want to know.

Jack: The lady who did the cod flambe, that was my favorite.

Dawson: Yeah, she was a gem, huh? You should see the kitchen ceiling, it's covered in tiny burnt fish bones.

Jack: Yeah, your mom needs some serious help, man. (Jen enters)

Andie: I want to know what rock these people have been cooking under.

Jen: Hi, guys.

Andie: Hey!

Jack: Hey, Jen.

Dawson: Its you! I know you, you were at a rally right? No, or was it the hacky-sack circuit at Capefest?

Jen: Very funny. I know, I've been a little out of circulation, spending most of my time with Henry.

Andie: Ooohh.

Dawson: That's understandable. I think there's a six-week honeymoon period you go through whenever you get into a new relationship.

Jen: Well yeah, but then you wake up one day you realize you've got the relationship, but not much else.

Dawson: Well, if you're in need of sustenance, you've come to the right place.

Jen: Actually, I was thinking about serving said sustenance.

Dawson: Jen Lindley wants to be a waitress?

Jen: Yeah, I think it would be a great way for me to meet new people, I could earn enough tip money to occasionally take Henry out and I'm tired of living off of my Grams.

Dawson: Okay, well as you can see, my mom is in immediate need of assistance.

(A crash comes from the kitchen)

Dawson: How soon can you start?

[AJ's dorm room]

(AJ is cleaning a scrape on Joey's knee)

AJ: Can you believe I haven't been able to decide on a reading for tomorrow? It's only the most important opportunity of my lifetime. What's wrong with me?

Joey: She's pretty.

AJ: Who?

Joey: Morgan. She's really pretty and so smart.

AJ: (sarcastically) Yeah, real smart.

Joey: (As he touches her knee) Ow!

AJ: Sorry.

Joey: AJ, why didn't you tell me about her?

AJ: I don't know, I guess we have so little time together, I just figure I'd concentrate on the big things.

Joey: And you don't think one of your oldest friends is a big enough thing for you to tell me about?

AJ: Yeah, but I mean how much do you talk to me about your friends?

Joey: I guess you're right.

AJ: So I'm trying to decide on something I did more recently, or maybe one of my older pieces, I don't know.

Joey: Did you two ever date?

AJ: Joey, look, I promise you, you have nothing to worry about.

Joey: Ow!

AJ: I'm sorry, damn this stuff, but I just want to make sure that no foreign elements get introduced into your hemoglobin, 'cause that's the part of the blood that transports your--

Joey: I know what that is.

AJ: Sorry. You know, I know something that might work better than this. (He bends down and kisses her knee) Is that better? (He kisses it again)

Joey: Well, uh, see now I'm feeling a little light headed.

AJ: Really?

Joey: Yeah, I don't think my hemoglobin is transporting enough oxygen through my body.

AJ: Oh, that could be a problem. (He kisses her. Morgan enters the room and finds them lip-locked.)

Morgan: I was thinking-oh, I guess you guys got that room. (She turns to leave)

AJ: No, wait, what were you thinking?

Morgan: I was thinking, Arthur, go with the Nature of Love piece.

AJ: You don't think it's too old?

Joey: Arthur?

Morgan: They already know your new stuff they want to know where it comes from. I say be honest and show them your roots.

AJ: Yeah, you're right. Yeah, that's a great idea.

Morgan: (looking over at his closet) What's up with the double-breasted jacket and the rope tie? You win one award and suddenly you turn Ralph Lauren on us?

AJ: I just want to look respectable, what's wrong with that?

Morgan: It'll take a lot more than a boring jacket. Why not just be yourself? You know, khakis, sweater, loafers. That's you. (To Joey) Oh, and I have something for you. (She pulls Joey out of the room)

Joey: Who's Arthur?

[Pacey's boat]

(Pacey takes Buzz over to the boat)

Buzz: You can't make me do this.

Pacey: The hell I can.

Buzz: This is slave labor!

Pacey: Can you do anything besides whine, kid?

Buzz: I could write letters.

Pacey: You could paint. (He demonstrates with a brush) Look, watch and learn, right? It's up and then down, and then up and then down, you got it?

Buzz: Have you ever heard the expression don't go against the grain?

Pacey: Who on earth got you to sit still long enough to teach you how to paint?

Buzz: My dad.

Pacey: Really? Where is your dad now?

Buzz: Somewhere in the Atlantic.

Pacey: Oh yeah? Your dad's a sailor?

Buzz: No, fish food. Scattered his ashes off Nantucket.

Pacey: Oh.

Buzz: Where's yours?

Pacey: Uh, my dad, he's probably hanging up his holster right about now.

Buzz: A cop! That explains your authority issues.

Pacey: (sniffs) I don't have authority issues.

Buzz: Issues, issues, issues.

Pacey: I don't have issues, okay?

Buzz: Look how you handled me at the arcade.

Pacey: You got into a fight! You're gonna have to learn that there are better ways to handle confrontations like that than playing Whack-A-Kid.

Buzz: (in a funny voice) Okay, mentor, how'd you get in this stupid program?

Pacey: (looks down and says quietly) I hit a guy.

Buzz: What?

Pacey: I hit a guy.

Buzz: That's it! I'm out of here! (He runs off)

Pacey: (in pursuit) Hey, come back! Hey, come back here!

Buzz: I won't, you'll whack me upside the head!

Pacey: You little brat. (He catches him and picks him up)

Buzz: Help, help, child abuse! Let go of me, you hypocritical maniac!

[Morgan's Dorm Room]

(Joey sits on Morgan's bed while she goes through drawers)

Morgan: His father's name is Arthur, so they named him Arthur Jr. That's what the AJ stands for.

Joey: I can't believe he never told me.

Morgan: You would've gotten it eventually.

Joey: Who's that? (She points at a picture)

Morgan: A friend.

Joey: He's gorgeous. Wow, these drawings are incredible! I can't believe that people just draw these on the sidewalk.

Morgan: Actually, sidewalk chalk drawings are a classic Parisian tradition.

(They both look at the pictures on Morgan's wall)

Joey: Yeah, but who does this kind of work?

Morgan: Me, um that one took me three days. People just respectfully walked around while I worked. This semester, I'm studying photography. I guess I was wanting something more substantial in my life. Here, take this. (Morgan hands her a coat.)

Joey: It's beautiful.

Morgan: Yeah, well he may chicken out and not even show up tomorrow night. You know, sometimes you really have to kick his butt. (She sits on the floor) I mean, once I gave him some thick, gray crane paper, told him he had to fill it up with words before he talked to me, and he didn't talk to me for two weeks.

Joey: Wow, there are so many things about him that I'm learning every day.

Morgan: Did you know that he likes to eat all the peanuts out of Chex Mix?

Joey: Really?

Morgan: Yeah, he's been banned from social gatherings in over twenty states.

Joey: (laughs) Well, I have been witness to his pasta slurping.

Morgan: (She imitates his slurping) Does he still conjugate Latin verbs under his breath when he gets nervous?

Joey: Yes! (She imitates him) Adamo, adamas, adamat.

Morgan: He is such a mutt.

Joey: Yeah, but he can kiss.

Morgan: Yeah, well…

Joey: You don't have to.

Morgan: Once. Afterwards we felt really weird and silly and um, well we just we know each other too well, and uh we have way too many fights, but there is just no mystery, so um there's absolutely and positively nothing there.

Joey: Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?

Morgan: Actually, one of my favorite activities. I'm gonna get the early Sunday times and just--

Joey: Come with us.

Morgan: That's your thing.

Joey: No, you're AJ's oldest friend, you should be there.

Morgan: Yeah, but you're his girlfriend.

Joey: Isn't it possible for the both of us to be a part of AJ's life?

Morgan: You're alright, Joey Potter.

[Gale's Restaurant]

(Jack and Andie stand up to leave)

Dawson: Hey, you guys are leaving already?

Andie: Ach, Dawson, I've eaten so much in the last few hours, I just can't be objective.

Dawson: Are you sure you want to say that? I've got a good feeling about the guy who's back there now.

Jack: (as he and Andie put on their coats) Yeah, well I can still be objective. If this guy is half as bad as the dozen before him--

Dawson: H says that his salm--

Andie: No, no, no, don't even mention anything that comes from the sea.

(Jen enters and drops a tray, spilling its contents all over the floor.)

Andie: Oh, thank you.

Jen: I promise to stop doing this before you guys open.

Dawson: Don't worry about it.

Gale: (enters from the kitchen) Is everything okay? Oh God, what happened?

Mitch: (from off camera) Your wait staff is just experiencing the difficulties of proper serving.

Gale: Hi.

Mitch: (helping her pick up her mess) Jen, I'd be happy to demonstrate the standard way of carrying a stack.

Jen: Oh, thank you, God.

Gale: Well, thanks for the offer, but I think we've got it covered.

Mitch: Well, okay then, what can I do?

Gale: What do you mean?

Mitch: Well, I'm here, reporting for work as requested.

Gale: Who requested that you come to work?

(Mitch looks at Dawson, Dawson looks at Gale, Gale looks mad)

[Pacey's boat]

(Buzz is up on the boat doing work while Pacey looks on from the ground)

Buzz: You know, you can't keep treating me this way. There are laws, you have to feed me.

Pacey: Here. (handing him a hot dog)

Buzz: Wieners?!

Pacey: It's all beef.

Buzz: Want to know what part of the beef?

Pacey: Come here. (Pacey picks him up and puts him on the ground)

Buzz: When are you taking me home? My mother's cooking me meatloaf and mashed potatoes tonight.

Pacey: You want to wait for meatloaf and mashed potatoes, wait.

Buzz: Who's the girl?

Pacey: What girl?

Buzz: The one you named your boat after.

Pacey: True Love isn't a person, it's an idea, an unattainable idea.

Buzz: Who's the unattainable girl?

Pacey: Man, you just love getting under my skin, don't you?

Buzz: Have you kissed her?

Pacey: I told you, there's no girl.

Buzz: Why didn't you just kiss her?

Pacey: And why don't you just shut your mouth?

Buzz: He has no problem taking a swing at a guy, but he can't tell a girl how you feel about her. Man, you're pathetic.

Pacey: You wanna go home?

Buzz: You're bluffing. You need me to finish your boat.

Pacey: I don't need you, let's go. (heading towards the car)

Buzz: Bluffing coward.

Pacey: (getting in the car) Let's go.

Buzz: Fine, but tomorrow you'd better find something creative for me to do, because I'm not working on your pitiful raft anymore.

Pacey: Well maybe tomorrow I just won't show up.

Buzz: Make my day, loser.

[AJ's Banquet]

(AJ, Joey and Morgan sit together at a table, dressed up)

AJ: What am I doing here? I mean, I had a good life, good friends, modest but promising little future teaching at a junior college in a pleasant suburban town.

Woman at the podium: At this time, it is my honor to introduce the young man who made this institution so proud. Tonight he will share with us his imaginative mind and distinct voice.

AJ: (to Joey) There's still time, you wanna make a break for the back door with me?

Woman: AJ, come up here and share with us.

Joey: Too late.

(The audience applauds as AJ rises and goes to the front)

AJ: Greetings. Tonight, I'm reminded of FDR's immortal words: the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Of course, FDR never stood up here.

(The audience laughs. AJ begins to read) A silent dream. It had always seemed like a silent dream to her, the many meaningless passings in the hallway, the sense of disconnection from those she supposedly knew so well. But when she met him, the boy she'd already known all her life, she realized that love unspoken was the loudest sound of all, and she awoke. (Aj looks at Morgan who smiles. Joey looks nervous.) Her name was Mary, and more than anything she loved to read the times on Saturday night. Mary dated frequently, and sadly found the time spent alone as merely shelter from the rain. It seemed no one else noticed the dawn of her heart. I fell into her and awoke by the radiance she gave me. Her silent dreams gave me courage, her dances my feeling, her smile-

(Morgan continues to beam proudly while Joey squirms in her seat)

[Capeside Mentor Center]

(The Mentor Woman sits behind a desk, facing Pacey)

Pacey: The kid hates me.

Woman: Don't take it personally, he's been through four mentors in the last year.

Pacey: And you've been expecting this conversation?

Woman: I had hoped not to have it with you, but I'm not surprised. His mother works all hours and the program really isn't designed to be a cheap baby-sitting service.

Pacey: I've tried to do more with that kid than just baby-sit him.

Woman: He has the highest IQ in his class, but he's constantly failing. He can't seem to finish anything he starts.

Pacey: Guess that thing with his father really screwed him up, huh?

Woman: Wouldn't it screw you up if your father ran off with a young woman?

Pacey: Ran off?

Woman: Started a whole new family.

Pacey: In Nantucket.

Woman: Mm-hmm. That's why he behaves the way he does, he feels rejected.

Pacey: Well I know that feeling.

Woman: So he tests the people in his life just to see if they'll come back to him. Well if you like, we can reassign you immediately.

Pacey: Reassign? You thought I came in here because I couldn't handle the kid? I don't know what kind of problem those other four guys had, but there's not a kid on earth Pacey Witter can't handle. The only reason I came in here was to ask you if I could pick him up early tomorrow.

Woman: Sure, I think we could arrange that.

[Gale's Restaurant]

(Dawson comes out of the kitchen. He doesn't see Gale standing behind him)

Gale: I'm really angry with you, Dawson. You had no business telling your father that I needed help.

Dawson: Mom, you do!

Gale: Where did you get a ridiculous idea like that?

Dawson: Ridiculous? You mean like the state this place is in right now? Mom, you open in less than a week, I can't do it all!

Gale: I only ask you to screen applicants for my wait staff, oversee some tastings!

Dawson: Yeah, things I know nothing about.

Gale: Well, bringing in my ex-husband certainly isn't the solution.

Dawson: Okay, Mom, you and Dad had made it very clear how much you want to be a part of each other's lives. I thought I was confused before.

Gale: Dawson, do you want people to tell you how to direct your movies? No, you need people to act in them, light them, take direction. This is my career now, Dawson. God, I thought of all people you would understand that!

Dawson: Well, excuse me for not wanting to see you fail, Mom! You know, if there's one thing that you've taught me, it's that you should never be ashamed to ask for help, right? I don't understand why you can't take your own advice.

(Dawson walks away. Gale looks upset)

[Streets of Boston]

(Joey, AJ and Morgan walk home. Joey carries her shoes in her hand)

AJ: Can you believe the pinshon look alike gave me a bottle of dom?

Morgan: It's definitely your night. (to Joey) You have no idea how lucky it is you broke your heel. The guy can't dance to save his life.

(They all stop at the corner and look around)

AJ: Well, here we are…

Joey: Here we are…

Morgan: Have you guys thought about heading down to the arboretum? I bet its amazing down there tonight

Joey: (to AJ)I want to go back to your room.

AJ: (smiling) Okay. (Transcriber's Note: I guess AJ thinks he's getting lucky. He smiled pretty big)

Morgan: Good, I'll have the arboretum all to myself. Catch you kids later.

Joey: This is yours. (She takes off the coat and hands it to her) Thank you, Morgan.

Morgan: You're welcome.

(Morgan walks away and AJ and Joey exchange a look and take hands)

[AJ's Dorm]

(AJ and Joey walk down the hall towards his room)

AJ: What's the matter?

Joey: You tell me. You're feeling guilty right now, aren't you?

AJ: Guilty? No. I don't like the idea of Morgan hanging out by herself at night, that's all.

Joey: Go join her. I want to go back to your room alone.

AJ: What?

Joey: Tonight is one of the most memorable experiences of your life, AJ, and you should share it with Morgan.

AJ: I don't understand.

Joey: You've got to be the thickest Mensa member around. AJ, Morgan is your muse.

AJ: No, Joey, she's just my friend, that's all.

Joey: No, she's more than just a friend. She picks out paper for you and she encourages you to write and she demands that you be yourself and she does this in such a selfless way that you can't even begin to comprehend and--

AJ: Wait, wait, wait, did she tell you something? Did she say that she wants more than friendship?

Joey: No.

AJ: Then where is this coming from?

Joey: I know what its like to, to harbor feelings for somebody that you deny, and I know how horrible it is to realize those feelings way too late. And this is coming from my own experience, my own life, which honestly you know very little about.

AJ: Well God, Joey, give me a chance! Let me get to know more about you, isn't that the fun part?

Joey: Yes, it's fun and it's romantic and exciting and unbelievable, but it's not real.

AJ: Well then, let's make it real.

Joey: See, you already have something that is real, and Morgan has just recently realized it, why do you think she came back from France? Can't you hear it, too?

AJ: Hear what?

Joey: The loudest sound of all, love unspoken. The feelings between you and Morgan.

AJ: Joey, you're reading way too much into this.

Joey: Am I?

AJ: Yes.

Joey: AJ, then why the look?

AJ: What look? What are you talking about?

Joey: In the reading, you paused and you looked at her.

AJ: I don't know, I was reading something and, okay, I guess it made me think of her.

Joey: It's because it's about her.

AJ: No, it's a made-up character, Joey.

Joey: No. AJ, I want you to go to her, and I want you to look into her eyes, and look deep and see just how made-up that character is.

AJ: Is that what you really want?

Joey: Yes.

AJ: So that's it? I mean, what about us.

Joey: This is something that I'm gonna remember for the rest of my life, but see, us is a memory and you and Morgan, a reality.

AJ: I used to think a broken heart was just hyperbole. Now I know the truth.

Joey: AJ, there are worse things than a broken heart. Like the love that you don't explore.

AJ: Guess I'll see you around, Potter comma Joseph.

(Joey nods and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He looks at her a long time then walks off dejectedly.)

[Buzz's Front Door]

(Pacey knocks, a bag of groceries in his hands. Buzz opens the door, then tries to close it again. Pacey stops him)

Buzz: I gave back ? (Sorry, couldn't tell what he was saying)

Pacey: I just wanted to come by and tell you something about your work on the boat.

Buzz: Yeah?

Pacey: Yeah, it ain't half bad, kid.

Buzz: Yeah, if you pay attention, I'll teach you a thing or two.

Pacey: What do you know about making meatloaf and mashed potatoes?

[Buzz's kitchen]

(Pacey stirs the meat in a bowl with a wooden spoon while Buzz watches)

Buzz: You have to work it with your hands.

(Pacey gives him a look, then does as he's told)

Pacey: Like this?

Buzz: You're getting the hang of it.

Pacey: It's a good thing your Mom had to work late tonight, huh?

Buzz: Yeah. And so you know, my Father's not entirely dead.

(Pacey nods, Buzz sighs)

Pacey: Her name's Joey.

Buzz: (smiling) Is she a hottie?

Pacey: I'm not answering that.

Buzz: Come on, I'm nine, I have years before I get there. The least you can do is cough up a description.

Pacey: Okay. (leans in) She's so beautiful that every time you look at her, your knees tremble, your heart just melts and you know right then and there, without any reservation, that there is order and meaning to the universe.

Buzz: She's a hottie.

Pacey: She is.

Buzz: Where is she?

Pacey: Right now? She is probably out having the time of her life…

[Boston Train Station]

(Joey walks in, goes to the screen with the schedule. The next train to Capeside leaves at 9am. Her face falls, she looks around at some people on the bench. Then she takes a long look at the phone, goes up to it, looks at her watch, gets some change from her pocket and begins to dial. She lets out a long, deep breath)

[Docks]

(Jen walks up to Dawson who's looking out over the water)

Jen: Looks like you've been out here for a while. I'll bet you could use a friend.

Dawson: For someone who's been so wrapped up in her own little world, you're pretty perceptive.

Jen: Well, that's just the kind of girl I am, thoughtful, empathetic, and I can see pretty much everything that happens out here from the Restaurant.

Dawson: So you heard the fight I had with my Mom?

Jen: Yeah, and then I caught a mini-version of her wrath myself…just after I broke a few more plates.

Dawson: I think the pressure of the Restaurant has finally gotten to her. I mean, you saw, all I was trying to do was help her out and she completely unloaded on me.

Jen: I think you were trying to do a little more than just help her. You're trying to help yourself, too.

Dawson: Help myself?

Jen: You're trying to put your family back together, Dawson.

Dawson: No, I'm not. Jen, come on, you saw how angry I was at the B&B when they tried to pose as husband and wife.

Jen: Exactly, because that was a façade, a lie. Of course that upset you. What's going on in the Restaurant is real.

Dawson: No, what's going on in the Restaurant is chaos.

Jen: We invariably return to what we know, Dawson, what's in our bones. Your family, it's in your bones.

Dawson: Yeah, but I know that they're not getting back together, so what am I doing?

Jen: (looks into the distance and points) I remember a couple of years ago, at that spot right over there, you asked me to dance and you said that you wanted to be my boy adventure.

Dawson: Did I really say that?

(Jen nods and laughs)

Dawson: God, I was so naïve.

Jen: And sweet and honest. On the outside, you're not that same naïve little boy anymore, you've been through too much recently. But deep down at your core, there's always gonna be a part of you that rejects reality and that's eternally hopeful and just wants his parents back together.

[Train Station]

(Joey sits on a bench, her hand on her head. Pacey comes up to her)

Pacey: Hey.

(Joey looks over, then looks away and wipes her eyes)

Joey: Hey.

Pacey: So, what happened?

Joey: Nothing happened. (puts on her scarf and coat)

Pacey: You got bored? You got homesick? He finally ripped off his rubber mask and revealed his true alien features, what?

Joey: (sullenly) I don't want to talk about it. (She gets up and leaves)

Pacey: (follows her) Well, forgive me if I'm having a little trouble with the no-questions-asked part.

[Gale's Restaurant]

(Dawson enters and looks around. All the tables are set up and everything is in perfect order. He sees Gale sitting in a chair at the bar)

Gale: Good morning.

Dawson: Good morning. I came here to apologize for undercutting your authority around here, and offer my services, but it looks like you're doing just fine without me.

(Gale hands him a mug. He takes a drink)

Dawson: This coffee tastes like Clam Chowder.

Gale: Oh, that's good.

Dawson: (takes another drink, with surprise) That is good.

Gale: Uh-huh!

Dawson: This is not the place I left last night.

Gale: Oh, you mean you weren't at Leery's Fresh Fish?

Dawson: I thought Leery's Fresh Fish was--

Mitch: (off-camera) It's her name, too, Dawson. (Mitch stands beside Gale)

Dawson: Okay, so what's going on?

Gale: You know, you were right about what you said, Honey, I do need a partner and I was just too proud to admit it.

Mitch: Don't be so hard on yourself. Running a restaurant takes many talents, you've got the most important one already, you know how to delegate.

Dawson: So you made dad a partner after all?

Mitch: No, no, that would never work. She hired me as a general manager.

Gale: Hired being the operative word.

Mitch: And my first order of business was to strongly suggest she make Bodie her partner.

Dawson: Bodie? Well, wait--

Gale: Yeah, he's going to own twenty percent of the business, and in return he's going to provide me with all his recipes, oversee the kitchen, work only nights that way it won't take him away from his B&B. Oh, and we're going to have to fire Jen from the wait staff.

Dawson: But--

Gale: Honey, as a waitress she's going to put me out of business in a week.

Mitch: But she'd make a charming hostess.

Dawson: I think she would like that. Apparently, you guys work well together.

(Gale smiles at Mitch)

[Pacey's car]

(Joey stares out the window, not looking at Pacey)

Pacey: So you ever gonna speak again? Come on, Jo, say something.

Joey: (angrily) What do you want me to say, Pacey? You were right? You were right, okay? Right, as always. Pacey Witter, the only person in my life who ever speaks the truth.

Pacey: That's not entirely accurate.

Joey: Well, you told me what was going to happen.

Pacey: Which was what, Jo? What happened up there?

Joey: There was another girl.

Pacey: Oh, I'm sorry, Jo.

Joey: You know, the whole time that I was watching them, I just kept thinking, this is it. This is real, just like Pacey said. This is the real thing. And it reminded me once again what exactly I don't have.

Pacey: You keep looking, you'll find it.

Joey: No, I won't, I mean, isn't that obvious by now? I'm not meant to.

Pacey: Why, because you're sixteen and alone? Come on.

Joey: No, because I'm sixteen, and in my entire life there have been two people who have actually known me,

Pacey: Dawson and-

Pacey: This AJ guy didn't know you, alright? I don't care how you felt about him, Jo, he didn't know you cuz if he did, he never would've walked away.

Joey: (sullenly) I was going to say you, Pacey.

(Pacey looks over at her. She is looking out the window and sighs. He sighs with frustration)

Pacey: Okay. (He pulls the car over)

Joey: Have you totally lost it?

Pacey: No, not totally. Not yet.

(He gets out, she gets out and he nervously walks over to her side of the car)

Pacey: (demanding) Alright, what did you mean by that?

Joey: By what?

Pacey: About me knowing you better than anybody else?

Joey: Exactly what I said, Pacey, you know me, okay? In a way that nobody else besides Dawson ever has--

Pacey: We're not talking about Dawson right now, we're talking about me. I mean, you can't keep on doing this to me, Potter!

Joey: Doing what? What, so I count on you and I tell you secrets, and suddenly--

Pacey: And you call me in the middle of the night to pick you up, why?

Joey: Well, I'm sorry that I called, I thought that I--

Pacey: I'm not mad that you called me, I just want to know why you called me.

Joey: You were the first person that I thought of, Pacey.

Pacey: (urgently) What does that mean, Jo?

Joey: It means that, I guess it, it means that I can talk to you, and that you're there for me--

Pacey: Don't you ever get tired of talking?

Joey: No!

Pacey: Well, I get tired of talking--

Joey: I don't get tired, I don't know, I don't--

Pacey: I don't want to talk anymore.

Joey: What are you trying to say, Pacey?

Pacey: Jo, I don't-

Joey: Why are we standing, I don't--

(He cuts her off mid-sentence and kisses her and the camera pans out to the water.)