05x20 - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Dawson's Creek". Aired: January 1998 to May 2003.*
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Four friends in a small coastal town help each other cope with adolescence.
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05x20 - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Post by destinyros2005 »

Episode 520 - Separate Ways

In this episode: Pacey's surprised to learn that Brecher sold Civilization, leaving it in the hands of Alex Pearl, a businesswoman who fires Audrey and makes it clear that she's got designs on Pacey. Meanwhile, Joey and Charlie take the next step in their increasing attraction, but when Charlie turns down a unique opportunity to stay close to Joey, Joey wonders if she's gotten in over her head. Meanwhile, Dawson and Oliver have an opportunity of their own when they meet with a big time agent in New York.

Original Airdate: April 24, 2002

[Scene: The halls of the Dorm rooms. Audrey is walking along and comes to the door, but before opening the door she notices a scrunchy on the door handle, stops and then turns away without going into the room. Cut to inside the room, we find Joey and Charlie sleeping in her bed, fully clothed.]

Charlie: Good morning.

Joey: You could say that.

Charlie: How did you sleep?

Joey: [Sighs] Well, between the talking in the sleep and the stealing all the covers, not too well, actually.

Charlie: That drool stain on your pillow begs to differ.

Joey: That's not drool!

Charlie: Like a basset hound.

Joey: I do not drool, and if you tell anyone I do, then I'll just mention how you moan in your sleep about your mom taking away your Barbie dolls.

Charlie: Ok, I didn't—

Joey: Only for about 20 minutes.

Charlie: Ok, in that case, I saw no drool.

Joey: [Laughing] You know what my favorite thing about it is?

Charlie: What?

Joey: Do you know where I got that scar?

[Shows him her elbow]

Charlie: No.

Joey: Do you know who my sixth grade teacher was?

Charlie: No. Mine was Mrs.—

Joey: Shh! You're ruining my favorite thing.

Charlie: Ok, I'm sorry. Ok, you lost me at the scar.

Joey: The point is, I wasn't there for every day of your life up until now, and you weren't here every day of mine.

Charlie: This is supposed to be a good thing?

Joey: Living without the weight of 18 years of expectation? Yes, it's a good thing. I mean, think about it. At this point, all I really know about you and your childhood is that... you used to play with Barbie dolls.

Charlie: Ok, it wasn't a doll. All right? It was m-- ok. So maybe it was. Barbie looks really hot naked.

Joey: Whatever you say.

Charlie: Hey, and look, there are rules about information obtained while in bed.

Joey: Locked away.

Charlie: Thank you.

Joey: So, did you have the Malibu beach house? Because I always wanted the Malibu beach house.

[Laughter and then they get into a pillow fight]

[Opening Credits]

[Scene: The Civilization. Audrey and Pacey come walking in ready for work, and begin to notice that no one is there.]

Audrey: So you didn't read the memo?

Pacey: Do I look like the kind of guy who reads memos?

Audrey: It was in the envelope with our paychecks. It contained the phrase, "under new management." None of this rings any bells?

Pacey: Look, I'm telling you, there is no way that Danny's gone. I talked to him right before we went on vacation, and he didn't mention anything to me about leaving.

Audrey: Pacey, not to burst your boy-crush bubble, but didn't Danny always used to say that someday you'd look up and he'd be gone in search of greater culinary adventures?

Pacey: Yes, but I think he would have told me first.

Audrey: Well, you know what? If you'd read the memo, you'd see that day had come.

Pacey: Audrey, that doesn't make any sense. Danny loves this place. He's not gonna just up and quit.

Audrey: I don't think that he had any choice, Pacey.

Pacey: Do you think they would fire Danny? Like, I'm going to go away on vacation for 5 days, and the guy's just gonna disappear. He's just gonna be gone.

Audrey: I don't know. I don't speak corporate, but the memo sounded like some big conglomerate bought the place and wants to turn it into a chain or something.

Pacey: Since when do we have an organization that communicates by memo?

[Audrey picks up a memo from the counter]

Audrey: Since now, apparently. "Closed for lunch, staff meeting with new manager at 3:00." Would it have k*lled someone to call us?

Pacey: I am sure that there is a perfectly logical explanation for all of this.

Audrey: Logical, yes. Good, no.

[Scene: School Ground. Joey is just exiting the building after attending a class, when Charlie comes running up to her.]

Charlie: Hey, you are not gonna believe the news I have.

Joey: Charlie, don't they have classes at Boston bay?

Charlie: Well, yeah, sure, but no one goes to 'em.

Joey: Explains a lot. So let me get this straight. You were waiting out here this entire time—

Charlie: No, no, no, no. I was not waiting out here this entire time. Ok, well, most of the time. Anyway, what do you know about lust to love?

Joey: Excuse me?

Charlie: They're a band. Lust to love. They're like a Go-Gos tribute thing.

Joey: There are people who actually want to relive the Go-Gos?

Charlie: Yeah, sure, of course. I mean, the Go-Gos rocked, in their time, of course. Anyway, we opened up for them a couple weeks ago, and now Lloyd is dating Natasha, their drummer, and they want us to go on tour with them.

Joey: A real tour?

Charlie: Yes! I mean, nothing too fancy. We're just basic indie-rock, DIY thing, you know, and 10 cities in a van-- I mean, this is exactly what we've been looking for.

Joey: Charlie, that's amazing! Congratulations!

Charlie: Thank you.

Joey: So, when do you guys go? This summer?

Charlie: No. Actually, we hit the road Monday.

Joey: But it's the middle of the semester.

Charlie: Well, sure, yeah, but, I mean, the rest of the guys, they're not even in college, and the way I see it, I mean, I think I can put in a few incompletes, make up stuff next year, I mean, unless we hit it big.

Joey: Well, it sounds like you've got it all figured out.

Charlie: Almost. I think you should come with me.

Joey: Charlie, you can't be serious. You're not asking me to drop out of school and go on tour with you? I mean, this is my life-- Worthington college. I love it here.

Charlie: So you're saying you think I shouldn't go?

Joey: No, I'm saying that I don't think that I should go.

Charlie: Right. Ok, I'm sorry, all right? I know I'm not being fair. It's just that this thing between us-- we just got it started, and it took me a really long time to get you to even consider me as a prospect. I guess what I'm trying to say is just that I don't want... this to end just yet.

Joey: You're not leaving right this second, are you?

Charlie: No.

Joey: It's not over yet.

[She takes his arm and pulls him along]

[Scene: Dawson's Bedroom. Dawson is packing a bag, while Oliver is sitting on his bed waiting for him.]

Dawson: All right. So, at the top, obviously, we apologize for rescheduling, and then I say we get right to talking about the movie, all right? How we made it, how much it cost—

Oliver: Whatever, but if you let me do most of the talking, I think you'll find the whole thing goes over much better.

Dawson: Why?

Oliver: Well, I don't want to hurt your feelings, Dawson, but you're a little dry. I mean, camera angle this, lighting the sh*t that... trust me. This is what I do. I shine in meetings.

Dawson: You've had meetings?

Oliver: Well, you know, practice meetings... with family members.

Dawson: Great.

Oliver: Would you stop worrying so much?

Dawson: Oliver, how many agents did we send this movie to?

Oliver: 50.

Dawson: 60. How many actually answered our letter?

Oliver: One, but trust me. We got no worries here. You're a terrific director, and I'm a phenomenal writer. After today, when someone asks us, do you 2 gentlemen have representation, we can say, why, yes. Yes, we do.

Dawson: Plenty people are talented, Oliver. Not all of them have agents.

Oliver: That's true, do you know why? Because it's all about presentation. We go in there looking like a million bucks, who's gonna turn us down? Huh?

Dawson: [Sighs] I know I'm gonna regret asking this, but how exactly do I do that?

Oliver: Ok. You see the movie rain man?

Dawson: Yeah.

Oliver: Well, remember when they're coming down the escalator in Vegas? Right?

Dawson: This isn't going where I think it's going, is it?

Oliver: That was a kick-ass entrance!

Dawson: Oliver, no!

Oliver: How great would that go over? We'd look like the ultimate team.

Dawson: We're not gonna go to this meeting wearing matching suits.

Oliver: How about just matching shirts, huh?

[Dawson grabs his bag and walks away from him]

Oliver: Come on! We'd look like Siegfried and Roy!

[Scene: Audrey and Joey's Dorm. Audrey is putting on some makeup while Joey is sitting in a chair talking to her.]

Audrey: Oh! So, wait a minute. Let me just get this straight. He waited for you after class, and then he asked you to go with him?

Joey: Yes.

Audrey: On tour?

Joey: Yes.

Audrey: To sing, right?

Joey: No. To be his girlfriend.

Audrey: Oh! Charlie? Charlie Todd? The boy who'll break your heart and then start in on your sister?

Joey: Yes, the roguishly handsome bad-boy we've grown to know and love: Gone, vanished.

Audrey: Elvis has left the building.

Joey: Yes. Well, no, he hasn't. He's actually downstairs right now buying snacks from the vending machine.

Audrey: He's here? Now?

Joey: He wants to spend as much time together as possible before he leaves.

Audrey: Oh, so, what's the problem?

Joey: Audrey, many levels have been skipped here-- many, many levels.

Audrey: Yeah, but it is kind of romantic, isn't it? I mean, this boy drives halfway across the country to sweep you off your feet, and now he wants you to join him on the open road for some great adventure?

Joey: It's not romantic, Audrey. It's frightening, and it's getting worse.

Audrey: How much worse?

Joey: Well, when he found out I wasn't really up for the mission of madness, he started to talk about staying. I believe the word "us" may have even been used.

Audrey: Oh, yikes! More levels. All right, but he's not going to, though, right? Stay, I mean.

Joey: Well, no, but—

Audrey: So, chill out! I'm sure you're just overreacting a little. Besides, it sounds like the worst thing that could happen is that you hurt his feelings a little bit. Wow! Bonus! Who knew that Charlie Todd had any feelings? Oh, my god. I've got to go. I'm supposed to meet Pacey outside. We have to go meet the new manager of civilization.

Joey: New manager?

Audrey: Yeah. I'll write you a memo.

[Audrey goes and opens the door to find Charlie outside it]

Charlie: Hello, Audrey.

Audrey: Bye, Charlie.

[Charlie comes in carrying snack foods.]

[Scene: The Civilization. All the employees are arriving for the big meeting. Audrey and Pacey come in and get in a spot close to the bar with the rest of the employees.]

Audrey: I hope this thing is over quickly. Oh, and let me tell you something. If there's flair involved, I just want you to know I'm quitting. Did you get a hold of Danny yet?

Pacey: No, I didn't, and the message on his home answering machine said something about New York for the weekend, so I don't know how long it's gonna be.

Audrey: Oh, god.

[Alex (played by Sherilyn Fenn) comes walking in and goes and stands in front of the bar to address everyone.]

Alex: Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I get your attention, please. If everyone's here, I guess we'll get started. I'm Alex Pearl, and as I'm sure you've all heard, civilization was sold last week. Now, the old owners and the old chef have already moved on to new prospects, but they've built something here so successful that the new owners are looking to expand it into a series of restaurants.

Pacey: You mean a chain.

Alex: More like multiple locations with similar atmosphere and menu. Do you have a problem with that?

Pacey: No, no. [Laughs] I just have a little problem with people being forced out of things that they built with their own 2 hands.

Alex: Well, I can assure you that nobody walked away from this deal poverty-stricken. After all, that is why people get into the restaurant business.

Pacey: Why? To make money?

Alex: That's why we're all here, isn't it? Now, as manager of this location, I'll be instituting a lot of changes, not only in policy, but also in staff. Invariably, some of you will be let go.

Pacey: Some of us?

Alex: Yeah, I'm sorry, but have you been elected to speak for the entire staff?

Pacey: Oh, no. I apologize. I didn't realize that we had to be allowed to speak.

Alex: You will be, individually. Over the course of the evening, I'll be speaking with each of you about your employment prospects. Now, in the meantime, I hope that you'll take any free time that you have to familiarize yourself with our employee handbook.

[Audrey turns to Pacey]

Audrey: That sound you just heard? That was all the fun leaving the building, Pacey.

Alex: As for those of you who will be let go, I apologize. It's nothing personal. It's just that some personalities don't mesh. That's all for now. Thank you.

[Employees talking quietly]

Audrey: Ok, it's official. She's the devil.

Pacey: Relax, will you? We don't know how bad this is yet.

Audrey: Well, you better hope it doesn't get too bad, Mr. I've-been-elected- to-speak-for-the-staff, because you didn't make the most stellar first impression.

Pacey: Why don't we just get through the dinner rush, and we can compare notes later, ok?

Audrey: Ok.

Pacey: Ok.

[Alex comes walking up to them.]

Alex: Pacey? Pacey Witter?

Pacey: Yeah?

Alex: I'm Alex Pearl.

Pacey: It's nice to meet you.

Alex: Nice to meet you. I apologize if I seemed harsh back there. I would hate to seem as if I don't welcome employee feedback. As a matter of fact, you're first on my list, if you could follow me to my office.

Pacey: Sure.

Alex: Great. Come on.

[Commercial Break]

[Scene: Alex's Office. Alex and Pacey come walking into the office, and Alex goes and sits behind the desk, while Pacey takes a seat.]

Alex: Smile, Pacey. It's not the end of the world.

Pacey: Well, that's easy for you to say. You're not about to lose your job.

Alex: You don't like authority much, do ya?

Pacey: Not really, no.

Alex: But you liked Danny Brecher?

Pacey: Well, the man taught me everything I know.

Alex: Including your attitude?

Pacey: Most especially my attitude.

Alex: So I've heard.

Pacey: Which is why you're f*ring me now?

Alex: Is that what you want?

Pacey: No. Believe it or not, I need this job, and I want to stay.

Alex: Good. Because it was my plan to promote you. I need someone with leadership abilities in the kitchen, at least until I hire someone permanent, of course.

Pacey: Are you being serious?

Alex: Do I look serious?

Pacey: Yes, you do. Honestly, don't you think that I'm a little inexperienced for that kind of responsibility?

Alex: Oh, all you have to do is maintain the status quo, Pacey. Look, if you can't handle it, there are several other people that I could ask.

Pacey: No, no. I can handle it.

Alex: Overconfident. I like that. Don't you think you better get to work?

Pacey: Yes, absolutely. And thank you.

Alex: And you're welcome.

[They shake hands]

Pacey: Ok.

[Scene: Joey's Dorm Room. Charlie is sitting on the floor flipping through a magazine, while Joey is lying on her bed studying.]

Charlie: You are coming to the show tonight, right?

Joey: Of course. I wouldn't miss your farewell to Boston.

Charlie: [Sighs] Listen. Will you stop studying for a second?

Joey: Ok.

Charlie: I've been thinking a lot about what happened this morning, right? And you know the part where I came and talked to you about the tour? You know, it didn't go exactly the way I planned.

Joey: Yeah. It was a little awkward.

Charlie: Yeah, and... and I was thinking that... you know, maybe I shouldn't go.

Joey: You mean, not go on the tour?

Charlie: I mean, you're right. You know, school is important, you know? Maybe it's not important to me, but, you know, in theory, school's important, you know, but it can wait. I mean, I already got one opportunity, and others are bound to happen. And until then...

[He kisses her]

Charlie: Look, we're gonna have a good time together. I mean, hell, we can start our own band, right? You and me.

Joey: Charlie, I can't—

[He kisses her before she can finish]

Joey: I don't think this is a good idea anymore.

Charlie: Look, I know you have your doubts about me, Joey Potter. Hey, and you should! Hell, some days I have my own doubts about me, but...it's not too late for me to prove that I can be a person of substance.

Joey: It's not about you proving to be an—

[He kisses her again before she can finish]

Charlie: We are going to be great together, Joey. You and me. I know this is the right decision. We'll talk more later.

[Scene: The Agent's Office. Dawson and Oliver as sitting on the couch in the reception area, waiting to meet with the Agent.]

Dawson: All right, this is our last chance to go over any strategy before we get in there.

Oliver: This guy's gonna keep us waiting at least another half an hour. It's a power thing. He's playing games with us.

Dawson: Or he's actually busy.

[The receptionist looks over at them and smiles before going back to her computer.]

Oliver: Whoa.

Dawson: What?

Oliver: Did you see that?

Dawson: What?

Oliver: The receptionist. I think she just checked me out.

Dawson: She's not even looking over here.

Oliver: Oh, but she was. Think I should ask her out?

Dawson: No.

Oliver: Yeah, it's the whole long-distance thing. She lives in New York, I live in Boston.

Dawson: Right. Exactly. That's it.

Oliver: But, you know, if she's willing to go for it, it might work out. Ok, maybe on my way out. She looks busy now.

[He goes back to his magazine]

Oliver: Yes. Pulp Fiction II.

[Scene: The Civilization kitchen. Pacey is preparing some foods, when Audrey comes into the kitchen, with an unhappy look on her face.]

Pacey: How'd it go? Not so bad, huh?

Audrey: Worse.

Pacey: Oh, come on. The woman is not the devil. She's just putting up a tough front to intimidate us, trying to make us respect her. I bet 10-1 it will not last.

Audrey: Ok, well, you can let me know how it all turns out, ok?

Pacey: I guarantee, you'll wanna see it for yourself.

Audrey: No, actually, I won't because I'm no longer an employee of civilization.

Pacey: You quit?

Audrey: No. Wench fired me.

Pacey: She did what?

Audrey: Are you gonna make me say it again?

Pacey: No, no, no. I'm sorry. This is not a big deal, ok? In fact, it's an easy fix, so why don't you go home, take the night off and relax, and I will talk to her.

Audrey: What good is that gonna do?

Pacey: Well, it can't hurt, right? I'm willing to go out on a limb and be optimistic here and tell you that I can guarantee you will have your job back by tomorrow afternoon.

Audrey: You promise?

Pacey: I promise.

Audrey: Ok.

[Scene: Inside the Agent's Office. Dawson and Oliver are sitting down, as Andrew finishes up on a phone call.]

Andrew: Yeah, so screw 'em if they can't take a joke. Sorry about that. Sorry about keeping you guys waiting all day. Andrew Waller.

Dawson: Dawson leery. Don't worry about it. We're thrilled to be here.

Oliver: Thirst for vengeance? You weren't responsible for that were you?

Andrew: We packaged it, yes.

Dawson: We were just talking about that movie on the way down, actually. That was an interesting choice to have him direct that movie.

Oliver: Yeah, but that script, bazooka comics have more depth than that.

Andrew: Must be the writer.

Dawson: Yeah...we both are, actually, which is what kind of what makes us such a good team, 'cause Oliver, in addition to knowing what he likes, also has the ability to think big, in almost operatic terms.

Andrew: And you reign him in?

Dawson: Right. Yeah. As a director, I've learned that sometimes you just have to think in terms of what's logistically possible. Otherwise, you won't get anything on film.

Andrew: And you did something far beyond the usual student film, and believe me, I've seen a lot of them.

Dawson: Thank you.

Andrew: So, what I wanted to discuss with you—

Oliver: Um, can I interrupt for a moment?

Andrew: Sure.

Oliver: Because we don't have a lot of time. Actually, we have a couple more meetings today. Mostly production companies, more on the edgier, indie side. Not that we're opposed to, you know, compromising our artistic integrity to earn a couple bucks. The point is, what is it that Hollywood is always looking for, but never seems to find enough of?

Andrew: Is this a riddle or something?

Dawson: Oliver

Oliver: Don't worry. I got this. Young talent! Heh heh. And that, my friend, is what me and my partner are-- we are young, and we're talented.

Andrew: I would agree on both counts, which is why I asked you to come meet with me.

Oliver: So let's cut to the chase, shall we?

Dawson: Or we could just listen to what the man has to say.

Oliver: Where does that term come from, anyway? "Cut to the chase." It's a Hollywood term. No one wanted to just sit through boring hours of narrative. They wanted to get right to the exciting chase sequence. Isn't that right?

Andrew: I believe it is, yeah.

Oliver: Thus...cut to the chase.

Dawson: Ok, that ends another fascinating edition of "anatomy of a phrase."

Andrew: Is he...ok?

Oliver: Depends on what you mean by that term.

Andrew: I'm just sort of wondering if he's on some kind of dr*gs.

Oliver: Ha!

Dawson: No. He's just eccentric.

Oliver: Mr. Waller, we don't mean to waste your time.

Andrew: Well, in that case, Oliver. Dawson. Nice to meet you both. Thanks for stopping by. We'll be in touch.

[He escorts them out.]

[Scene: Joey and Audrey's Dorm room. Audrey is lying down on her back, on her bed, watching as Joey is pacing around the room.]

Joey: I told you this was going to happen, Audrey. You said I was overreacting, but I wasn't, was I? You are still coming with me tonight, right? Make it seem less like a date?

Audrey: Yeah, sure. Now that I'm fired, what else have I got to do?

Joey: It's official. I'm a horrible person.

Audrey: You are so not a horrible person.

Joey: I am. I'm the worst kind of person because I suck these boys into my web, and then I make them give up their dreams until they're left sad and dreamless and living in Boston.

Audrey: Yeah, well, what about you? What about your dreams?

Joey: I have my dream. This is it.

Audrey: Well, you need to dream bigger.

Joey: Audrey...

Audrey: Right. Ok. First of all, you need to stop it with the circles 'cause you're making me nauseous. And secondly, if you felt this strongly about it, why didn't you just tell Charlie to go on the tour?

Joey: I tried. But he dropped this bombshell and then left.

Audrey: I suppose there was kissing involved.

Joey: I suppose.

Audrey: Ok. Well, I get it.

Joey: Get what?

Audrey: The problem. Face it, it'd be hard for any girl to look into those rock-hard abs and say, "Charlie, I'm sorry. "Think you could just get the hell out of town and never call me for the rest of my life?"

Joey: Audrey, that's not it. I don't want to hurt his feelings. I mean, how do you tell someone who's obviously into you that you're not...

Audrey: Into them?

Joey: I'm not ready to be anyone's girlfriend, and I certainly don't want anyone to change their life for me.

Audrey: You're sure that's what he's doing?

Joey: He says he wants to prove to me that he can be a person of substance.

Audrey: Oh. This is much worse than I'd imagined.

[Audrey falls back on her bed, and Joey looks at her, then just stares off into the distance thinking]

[Commercial Break]
[Scene: The civilization. Alex is walking around talking to one of the waiters, and heading towards the kitchen]

Alex: Apologize for the mistake and offer a dessert with our compliments. [She goes into the kitchen] Ok, what's going on in here? We've got 3 tables waiting for their food.

[Pacey directs her out of the way of some of the waiters trying to get in and out of the kitchen]

Pacey: This is really not a great place for you to be standing. It's kind of a high-traffic area, so if there's something I can help you with...

Alex: I need to know how many lobsters we serve tonight. I think we're ordering too many from the vendor.

Pacey: We are, but Danny has a deal with the guy, so it's—

Alex: Ah, ah. Changes, Pacey. Remember what I said about changes.

Pacey: Actually, it's funny that you should mention that because there is something that I wanna discuss with you. It's regarding one of the waitresses you fired today.

Alex: Yes, well, I fired a lot of waitresses today. You're gonna have to refresh my memory.

Pacey: She's young and blonde and—

Alex: Ooh, my favorite combination.

Pacey: Look, she's actually a wonderful waitress, and if you gave her a chance, I'm sure that she would—

Alex: Do you have some kind of special interest in her?

Pacey: Well, yeah. She is my girlfriend.

[One of the cooks knocks Alex into Pacey's Arms]

Alex: Oh, whoa.

[They uncomfortably pull apart from one another.]

Alex: Um, this is not the time to talk about this. Food, customers.

Pacey: Of course not. Right. Work. I understand.

Alex: But if you wanna come and see me later, that'd be fine.

Pacey: Sure.

[Scene: The Parking Garage. Dawson and Oliver are walking back to the jeep after leaving the meeting.]

Dawson: Oliver, do me a favor. Just tell me that you have no idea what you did in there, because I'm gonna look a whole lot more charitably on this whole fiasco if you just plead ignorance.

Oliver: Ok, so I got a little carried away.

Dawson: A little? Oliver, you're always doing this. You're always pretending that we're something we're not. What the hell's wrong with being what we are? We're amateurs.

Oliver: I was just trying to keep the conversation going. I didn't want there to be any sad, terrifying silences.

Dawson: Like the one that happened after you called the guy's movie a piece of crap?

Oliver: Ok, I could've been more diplomatic about that. Next time, I promise the full Hollywood brown-nose treatment.

Dawson: What next time? Oliver, that guy's never gonna meet with us again.

Oliver: Ok, Dawson, a little perspective, please? Andrew Waller is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole world of agencies out there just waiting to be introduced to the blinding brilliance of Chirchick and Leery.

Dawson: None of whom returned our letters or our phone calls.

Oliver: Yeah, but our film kicks serious ass, and the next one's gonna be even better. We are a great team, man. We're like the Cohen brothers or the Hughes brothers or the Wachowskis.

Dawson: Except we're not brothers.

Oliver: Yeah, I mean, no, of course not. I've never had a brother.

Dawson: We made one film together, Oliver. One film. And after today, I'm starting to think this whole partnership is just a bad idea.

Oliver: What? You wanna end the partnership?

Dawson: No. I just... look, I didn't walk into this meeting expecting it to be some miracle that would change my life forever, ok? But I wanted it to go better than that.

Oliver: Yeah, so did I, but it didn't. You know, I figure let's just go back to making movies, and then, when we get another chance—

Dawson: Another ch--Oliver, this was our chance! That was our chance, and we blew it!

Oliver: Ok! Excuse me for trying to be a little optimistic about our future, you know. Wait a minute. What was that you said about us not having a future?

Oliver: I'm trying to be realistic here, and you're just being naive.

Dawson: Naive? I'm naive? Mr. "Let's drive all the way down to Florida to fulfill my romantic destiny"?

Oliver: This is different.

Dawson: Yeah, you bet it is. I'm gonna take the train back.

[Oliver grabs his bags and goes walking off, as Dawson can do nothing but shake his head in disbelief.]

[Scene: The Bar where Charlie's band is playing. Charlie is on stage with the band performing, while Audrey and Joey are watching. They go over and sit down at a table to continue watching the show.]

[Rock music plays]

Joey: This is so depressing. I can't even have a fling properly. We're so young. This was supposed to be fun. It was supposed to be carefree.

Audrey: And it will be as soon as you tell him how you feel. Dump him. Break his little heart. It's the only way to get that boy on the tour bus.

Joey: Well, how do I go about breaking one's heart?

Audrey: Oh, puh-lease. Like you've never done it before.

Joey: Not intentionally.

[Pacey comes up to join them.]

Pacey: Hey!

Audrey: Oh, hey, you made it.

Pacey: Yeah, finally.

Audrey: So, am I employed again, or what?

Pacey: I figured the dinner rush wasn't the best time to pop the question, but I promise you, you will get your job back tomorrow. Because when I need to be, I can be very charming and persuasive.

Audrey: Aw, my self-aggrandizing hero.

Joey: So what's she like, your new boss?

Pacey: The question isn't, what's she like? It's, what's she look like?

Joey: Bit of a hottie?

Audrey: As far as older women are concerned.

Pacey: Not that old.

Joey: How old?

Audrey: She is older than us. She's, whatever. Younger than grams.

[The band finishes their last song]

Charlie: Thank you, everybody. Good night! Oww!

[Cut back to the table]

Pacey: Ok, so tell me again what exactly we're doing here.

Audrey: We're lending moral support.

Joey: Charlie's band's going on tour.

Pacey: And so yet another sordid chapter in the love life of miss Joey Potter comes to an end.

Audrey: No. She said Charlie's band is going on tour, not Charlie. Charlie, it seems, has decided to stay.

Joey: For many reasons.

Audrey: But mainly for Joey. It seems the boy is quite smitten.

Pacey: Really? Not that I can say as I blame him.

Joey: Thank you.

Audrey: Oh, my god. Hey! That's it.

Joey: What's it? [Joey looks at her confused]

Audrey: Nothing. I got it. Just let me handle this, ok?

Pacey: Handle what?

[Charlie comes up and takes a seat at the table.]

Charlie: So congratulate me. The deed is done. Charlie Todd is no longer a member of aggressive mediocrity.

Audrey: And Audrey Liddell will no longer be made a fool of. And you call yourself my friend!

Joey: I am.

Audrey: Well, then, maybe you would like to explain to me why you have been sleeping with my boyfriend for the past 3 months!

Pacey: What?!

Joey: What?!

Audrey: Hey! Silence! Nobody cares what you have to say! This is between me and bambi eyes over here! Although I'm sure that Charlie probably has an opinion on the subject! Not that you care what he thinks.

Joey: I care!

Charlie: Ok, look, please could somebody tell me what's going on here?

Pacey: Yeah. Me, too.

Audrey: Yeah, tell them, home wrecker! Tell them how you still have certain feelings for Pacey! And now that you see the 2 of us together, you realize what a fantastic male specimen he is!

Joey: I wouldn't go that far, but...

Audrey: Yes! Yes, you would! In fact, if you had to, you would fight me for him!

Joey: I would? [Audrey gets up and hits her in the shoulder] Ow!

Audrey: Slut!

[They get into a fake cat fight]

Joey: Hussy!

Audrey: Ow! That really hurt!

Joey: No duh!

[Joey gets up and hits her back]

Audrey: Ow!

Joey: Ow!

Pacey: Come on, ladies. There's plenty of me—

[Pacey gets up to stop them, and gets between them, but only manages to get them to hit him instead.]

Pacey: Ow! Ow! Ok! Chuck, could I get a hand here?

[Charlie grabs Joey from the fight, and Pacey grabs Audrey]

Charlie: Hey, hey, hey! Ok, I think that one right there needs medication.

Pacey: I think you'd find that they're both a little crazy.

Charlie: I have to say, I really don't get you guys. What is this, some sort of elaborate private joke?

Pacey: Oh, yes. It's elaborate, and it's private. It's just the joke part that I'm not too sure about. So, Lucy, Ethel... would you care to tell the young man what is going on here?! 'Cause I would, but I don't know where to start.

Joey: Just go. I'm fine.

Pacey: Ok.

[Pacey and Audrey leave them alone]

Charlie: Wow. So do you mind telling me what this is all about?

Joey: No, uh... I'm just not quite sure how.

Charlie: You and Pacey aren't really getting back together, are you?

Joey: No, we're not.

Charlie: So the purpose of this little piece of performance art was?

Joey: It was... to convince you... not to stay.

Charlie: Not to stay? Ok, so that would involve me leaving.

Joey: You have to go on this tour. If you don't, you'll regret it, and, Charlie, if you're staying because of me... don't.

Charlie: Wow. That's a hell of a lot to go through just to break up with a guy.

Joey: Would you have responded to anything less?

Charlie: Yeah. Probably not.

Joey: Can I ask you a question? If I weren't in the picture, would you have considered, even for a second, the possibility of not going on this tour?

Charlie: No.

Joey: Are you starting to see my point?

Charlie: You know, this doesn't... this doesn't feel too good, does it?

Joey: No, but... neither does missing the greatest opportunity of your life just because some girl asked you to.

Charlie: Yeah, but you didn't ask me to, did you? [He sees her lack of reaction] Yeah.

[Commercial Break]

[Scene: Outside the Agent's Office. Dawson is sitting at the bottom of the stairs waiting when Andrew comes walking down the stairs and sees him.]

Andrew: Geez, man. What the hell are you doing here? You know what time it is?

Dawson: I stopped checking my watch hours ago.

Andrew: You're crazier than the other one, aren't you?

Dawson: Maybe even crazier, because I've got something to say, and I'm not gonna leave until I say it.

Andrew: I'm listening.

Dawson: Give us another chance.

Andrew: Is that it? That's what you wanted to say? You waited 5 hours to ask for another chance?

Dawson: Look, I know we might not seem like we're the greatest risk right now, but that's what you do, right? You take chances on people. You bet on which ones are gonna be a success. Well, I'm telling you, bet on us. I want this like I've never wanted anything. It's been the hardest year of my life, and I've screwed a lot of things up, but I'm not gonna screw this up.

Andrew: What are you? You're like 19, 20?

Dawson: 19.

Andrew: And life really feels this desperate?

Dawson: Life is desperate. Life is chances that you never get back, which is why I've been waiting here for so long. It's why I'm not gonna leave until you at least agree to take a look at our next project.

Andrew: You're not faking it, are you? The desperation, the anguish, the youthful torment?

Dawson: God, I wish I was.

Andrew: Well, don't. It's good stuff, all that teenage crap. It's one thing you can't fake as you get older. Very marketable, too.

Dawson: So you're saying...

Andrew: I'm saying send me your next project. And in the meantime, I can make a few phone calls, put some feelers out, see who I can get to look at the film. I can't promise you anything, but...

Dawson: Understood.

Andrew: Then I guess we have a deal.

[Scene: Joey and Audrey's Dorm room. Joey and Audrey are sleeping when they are awakened by music coming from the window.]

Audrey: Um, what is that?

Joey: I'm checking.

Audrey: It sounds like a cat dying.

Joey: I think it is music.

[They both get up and walk to the window to see that Charlie is outside playing his guitar, and singing.]

Audrey: Could he be any cuter?

Joey: No, but he could be more in tune.

Audrey: Come on. This is so romantic. It's like that movie. It's like you make him want to be a better man.

Joey: Wouldn't it be better for society if I made him want to be a better guitar player?

Audrey: Ok, it is official. You are the queen of negativity. There'll be a crowning ceremony later in the day. Go. Go out there.

[]

Joey: You're gonna wake the whole campus, you know?

Charlie: Well, you know, I'm just trying to make a little money, expenses for the tour.

Joey: So you're just busking for some change?

Charlie: Yeah.

Joey: Interesting choice of locations.

Charlie: You know, I thought you might find it odd.

Joey: So then you're definitely going.

Charlie: On the tour? Yep.

Joey: I'm glad.

Charlie: I figured you would be. You know, I may never be as smart as you, but I will be a person of substance, and on that day, I just may have to come looking for you.

Joey: I'd like that.

Charlie: You wouldn't slam the door in my face?

Joey: No. Because this has never been about you being insubstantial. It's been about you making a major decision about your life based on...

Charlie: On you.

Joey: I was going to say a whirlwind romance.

Charlie: Yeah, but sometimes those are the best kind. Infatuation, mystery, the thrill of the chase. These are very powerful things.

Joey: But they're not real, and they don't last, and you can't build your life on them.

[He kisses her]

Charlie: Well, I had a good time.

Joey: Me, too.

Charlie: So I guess this is it. I guess I'll just go, disappear into the sunset.

Joey: Sunrise.

[Laughing] Whatever.

Joey: You take care of yourself, Charlie.

Charlie: I will.

[He turns and leaves as Joey watches him disappear into the distance]

Charlie: Ohh.

[Scene: The Civilization. Pacey is finishing cleaning up, and then goes over to Alex's Office door and knocks on it.]

Alex: Yeah?

Pacey: Alex, hey. I'm sorry to disturb you.

Alex: Pacey, I thought everyone had gone home.

Pacey: Well, everybody else did, but I was kind of hoping that you and I could finish that conversation we started earlier.

Alex: Oh, remind me. What was that about again?

Pacey: The girl that you fired-- Audrey?

Alex: Oh, yes. I think I remember her now. Last hired, first fired.

Pacey: So I guess that means the new regime governs by adage?

Alex: Technique I picked up in business school. Hey, will you help me hang this up?

[She hands him a framed degree.]

Pacey: Of course.

Alex: Actually, you know what? I shouldn't do that. Bad luck to put something on the walls before you know if you're gonna be sticking around. In this economy, everything is temporary.

Pacey: Which is precisely why I would really appreciate it if you could just give Audrey one more chance.

Alex: Audrey, your girlfriend.

Pacey: Yes.

Alex: How old are you, Pacey?

Pacey: 19.

Alex: You seem older.

Pacey: Well, I'm not.

Alex: Isn't that a little young to be settling down?

Pacey: I don't know exactly how settled we are.

Alex: But you are together?

Pacey: Yeah, definitely.

Alex: That's all I mean by settling. A shame, really. There are no adorable single men left in this town.

Pacey: Guess not, but, look, about Audrey.

Alex: Yeah. I think we might be able to work something out.

Pacey: Great.

Alex: I mean, we both want the same thing, don't we?

[She kisses him]

Pacey: Um... no. I don't think that we do. I'm sorry, but we must have gotten our wires crossed there somewhere.

Alex: Did we? It didn't feel that way to me.

Pacey: Yes, we most definitely did. Look, it's late. I think I should be going.

Alex: Are you sure about that?

Pacey: I think that I should leave, Alex.

Alex: Your decision.

[He turns and leaves]

[Scene: Outside Grams' House. It is night, and Dawson is coming out of the house alone, and he closes the door and begins to walk down the sidewalk when Joey comes walking up from behind him.]

Joey: Hey, not so fast, stranger.

Dawson: Hey, I was just heading out to get some food.

Joey: No food chez grams? Must be a sign of the apocalypse.

Dawson: She's a little preoccupied.

Joey: Oh, right--Mr. Smalls. Guess love does funny things to people.

Dawson: Yes, it does. So what brings you around?

Joey: Duh. I came by to see how your meeting went.

Dawson: Right.

Joey: Did it go as well as you hoped it would?

Dawson: Let's just say it started out badly, but it ended well.

Joey: How well?

Dawson: I think I may have an agent.

Joey: Nice. Better than nice. Congratulations. It's a dream come true.

[She hugs him]

Dawson: Almost.

Joey: That food you were going to get wouldn't happen to be something in the pizza family, would it?

Dawson: Vaguely.

Joey: Wouldn't happen to want some company?

[They start walking away from the house]

Dawson: I would love some. So what happened the last couple of days? I miss anything?

Joey: Um...the usual. You know, broke a few hearts, started a few barroom brawls.

Dawson: The usual...

Joey: Yeah, something like that.

[the walk off into the distance, then fade to black]
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