Previously on Dawson's Creek
Everyone's been telling me
how okay they are with me coming out.
I don't want to be treated like I'm different.
So what are you hoping for?
I want you back.
It's not right.
Joey, if you and I are not meant to be together,
then I don't know anything.
Our lives have always been so intertwined
that I need to find out if I'm capable
of being a whole person without you.
Well, do it quickly, because...
...God, I love you.
Well?
Well... Ahem!
Uh...
I don't think I can find the words--
Keep in mind that it's a rough cut and everything. I just...
J-just tell me. Be honest.
In my entire life, I have never been so...
unequivocally moved by words and moving images on screen.
I mean...
this is the type of motion-picture-going experience
that not only enlightens and inspires,
but it can change the way people look at their lives,
their world, their universe.
Joey, you have no idea how much that means,
especially coming from you.
There's no question about it.
Jack McPhee will be one of the great filmmakers
of our generation.
And think about it, Dawson:
We knew him when.
Joey, I directed this--
Spielberg, Scorsese,
Fellini, Bergman, McPhee...
What are you talking about? You were there!
I directed it! Look. Look at this. "A film by...
Jack McPhee?"
Honey, there's only one word to describe you.
Brilliant!
No. Genius!
Honey, you won't believe what happened.
I ran into Steven Spielberg in the cafeteria.
He offered me a job.
I'm going to Hollywood!
Will you marry me?
Yes.
But you-- But you're gay!
I guess not.
Let's go.
We'll, uh...
We'll send you a postcard from Tinseltown.
Joey, Joey...
What about us?
Hey, that's show biz, Dawson.
Jo-- Joey!
Get over it, Dawson.
You're not my type.
You never were.
No!
Great filmmakers have always asked questions,
taken risks.
They're not afraid to make the audience think and feel,
even if it makes them squirm in their seats a little.
The truth can have that effect on us.
So...how does this movie make you feel?
Jen?
I think that Capra's a little too saccharine.
You know, I mean, his characters are just so unrealistic.
They're, like... Gee whiz, isn't life great?
I think that's a misconception.
Capra's films are actually pretty dark.
in Meet John Doe, the Gary Cooper character
is protesting the plight of the common man.
Good, Dawson. What else does his character represent?
I think optimism.
I mean, the hero's an innocent,
which allows him to believe that the future has hope,
so...the antagonist would be cynicism.
I agree. Good films are complex and ambiguous.
They're filled with darkness as well as light.
I think this film's about how things could be.
Or should be.
I was sorry to see Mr. Gold leave,
but Miss Kennedy is like--
Every 16-year-old boy's wet dream.
No.
Mm-hmm.
It's more like hero worship with her.
I mean, she's the real deal.
The reason she's here, she's taking a sabbatical
to write this major screenplay for Tristar.
Great. Now you got somebody around
whose opinion actually carries some weight, huh?
Yeah. So have you showed her Creek Days yet?
No. Heh. Dawson...
I'm afraid she's gonna think it's amateur hour.
Show it to her. It's ready.
Hey.
Hi, Dawson. Hi, Mr. Leery.
Oh, come on, you can call me Dad.
It's awkward enough to have you for my English teacher,
but if people hear me call you Dad,
I'm gonna get beat up.
Come on, it's not that bad.
I'm serious.
It's great that you got a job that you enjoy.
I just... When we're in school,
just pretend like you don't know me.
Not sleeping?
No.
I was having nightmares.
It-- It's like I'm...
sitting alone in a dark theater,
watching my life go by on screen, and...
all the coming attractions are box-office bombs.
What's happened to my son, the eternal optimist?
People move on.
Only person you can really rely on is yourself.
It's, uh...
I-- I've spent the last couple weeks trying to change things
that I've absolutely no control over.
The one thing that I know for certain
is that I wanna be a filmmaker,
and that's all that matters to me.
So, no matter what, I have to make that happen.
Loser.
Pervert.
Serial killer.
Airhead.
Okay, Jack, it's your turn
to rate the guys in the lunch line.
Joey, I appreciate your attempt to bond with me
and my, uh, new identity,
but... I'm not gonna check out guys with you.
Why not? There's nothing sexual about it.
It's a purely superficial, idiotic,
and ridiculously fun way
to spend the lunch hour.
Are you all right?
I'm bored.
With this school, with work, with this town...
Mostly with myself.
I mean, this is the most amusement I've had in weeks.
Hm.
Conceited.
Too pretty.
Oh, definitely a Frank...
As in stein.
Ooh... Leo, as in DiCaprio.
How completely bizarre is this? You know,
a month ago, we were dating,
and...now...
I know.
I admit, it's a little strange.
Does it bother you?
Actually, um...
No. You?
No, it doesn't bother me.
Why not?
Because last year, a bunch of punk kids
threw water balloons at me,
and then jocks knocked the booth over.
And because being coerced under the threat of death
to run the safety booth for the Capeside Police Department
is not exactly my idea of a raucous good time.
I looked up to our safety mascot when I was a kid.
And you wonder why
they called you Andie McGeek on the playground.
Okay, you were not supposed to repeat that.
Listen, a stuffed animal named Skippy the Safety Dog
is not going to deter kids from doing drugs.
No, Captain Skippy sends out a positive message.
It's completely worthwhile.
This is a democracy.
If a 2-year-old child doesn't want to sit in a safety seat,
he shouldn't have to. Pacey...
All right, that's a bad example, but you know what I mean.
Look, there's supposed to be
a fortune teller at the fair,
and I really wanna know what my fortune is.
Andie... What is it with you
and all the mumbo-jumbo crystals crap?
It's a scam, all right?
Okay.
If you do the Captain Skippy booth...
then we can...
'Allo, boys and girls,
it's your old friend Captain Skippy here.
So tell me, Miss Potter...
is this still-life collection from your earlier works?
Hmm? Joey?
Where were you?
None of your business.
Oh, okay. Uh...
Lost in X-rated thought.
No.
Come on. Tell me.
Okay.
But promise you won't laugh.
I was thinking about... kisses.
Forget it!
No, No. I'm sorry. It just sounds funny
coming...uh, from the girl
who decided to throw away...
relationships
while in pursuit of her true self.
I know.
Sometimes I'm sorry I ever said that. I mean...
I'm being honest with you
to the point of total and utter humiliation.
I miss the kissing part.
And I like to think I'll get kissed again
before the millennium comes and goes.
It'll happen.
What'll happen?
Uh, nothing.
Okay.
I guess I'll...see you guys later.
No. Why don't you stick around and help us...
set up?
Yeah. You can set.
No. I'm helping out Miss Kennedy
with the, uh, silent film exhibit, so...
Frank? Leo?
Dawson is definitely a Leo.
Dawson seems a little moody lately.
I know.
You know, I can always tell when something's wrong with him,
but... he just doesn't seem to want my help right now.
I can't get our friendship back,
and I miss him, you know.
Oh, give him time.
I'm sure he'll want you back in his life.
Trust me.
In the meantime,
why don't we find out
when that elusive next kiss
is gonna find its way to your lips?
What?
And so remember what Captain Skippy says.
If you are going to have the sex,
protect yourself.
Do it where you can't get caught, you know.
Uh-huh. Mm-hmm.
Okay. come on. Why won't you get your fortune told?
I don't need to go in there,
have that woman take one look at me,
and predict Armageddon, death, and destruction
on the global level.
The end of the world as we know it.
Thought you didn't believe in them. I don't.
I just think that the power of suggestion is very dangerous.
Don't you think that if you knew what was coming up,
if you knew what to expect,
then you could at least be prepared?
I think that you should save your money, blondie.
The all-powerful Pacey-dini will predict your future.
I see...a tall, dark, and handsome man
who is occasionally brilliant and often self-effacing
coming into your life
and sweeping you off your feet.
Heh. Well, good.
Then I have something to look forward to.
That's funny. Very funny. Mm-hmm.
Have I told you how funny you are,
huh? Aah!
Five dollars.
I see a C.
Do you know a Carrie?
Clare? Connie?
Cora?
Casey. Caroline.
I know a Carol, but...
I haven't seen her since kindergarten.
Yes. Carol.
She's telling me that...
she borrowed something of yours.
Does that mean anything to you?
I don't know. She may have borrowed a pencil or something.
Yes...she has your pencil.
There has been much pain in your past.
Too much loss for one so young.
You put up walls to protect you from harm,
but by doing so, you cut yourself off
from new possibilities,
new adventures.
You must say yes to every opportunity
that comes your way.
So, what about my future?
What you want to know?
What's going to happen?
You'll come to a fork in the road.
You'll have to choose
which path to take.
Well, how will I know which to choose?
You will be safe
as long as you follow your heart.
Anything else?
A tall, dark man will come into your life.
When?
Soon.
When do I get to see
this cinematic masterpiece of yours?
How did you know that I made a movie?
Your father brags about you in the faculty room.
Oh, God. According to him,
You're gonna be one of the next great filmmakers of our time.
Oh, Mitch tends to exaggerate.
Really? Oh, you mean because he's already rented
the tux for the Oscars?
Oh... Just shoot me now, please.
Well, if you're not gonna show it to me,
at least tell me what it's about. It's a romance.
Really? Something else we have in common. Hm.
I'm writing a romantic comedy for Columbia.
I know. I-- I heard.
I know I probably sound like a completely naïve film geek
when I say this, but...
your being here has really given me a lot of hope.
I mean, you grow up in a small town like this,
and...the idea of being a filmmaker
just seems like kind of this impossible dream that...
I don't know, just the fact that you're here
really has kind of inspired me.
Mm.
Well, ha!
I don't know. I just... wanted to say that.
Do I make you nervous?
No!
No, I'm just...
I mean, I guess I'm...
you know, a little intimidated by you.
Sometimes people mistake my ambition for arrogance.
It's just that, you know,
when I first started out in the business,
I had to do it on my own.
I guess it just toughens the exterior.
Yeah.
Should've guessed your film was a love story.
Really? Why?
Eh. you have quite the romantic spirit, Dawson Leery. Heh.
Five bucks, they tell me a tall, dark stranger
is going to come into my life.
Yeah, and hopefully, he's a Leo, not a Frank, right?
I can't believe I wasted $5 of my hard--
And I mean hard. --earned cash
- to hear that-- - Excuse me,
are these yours?
These are really quite good.
Colin Manchester.
Hi.
Well...
keep up the good work.
Let me get this straight:
Your destiny walks up to you,
introduces himself,
and you send him packing?
You can really turn on "The ice queen cometh"
when you want to.
So I panicked.
Jack, I'm not looking for a boyfriend anyway.
I'm looking for myself, for my future...
Whatever that means.
Well, I think maybe he's a sign.
Maybe he's the answer to getting that
pre-millennium, no-strings- no-commitments kiss,
Hmm?
Heh. Come on, at least use the guy as practice.
Take a chance.
Have an adventure.
That's what the fortune teller said today.
She said to say yes
to every opportunity that crosses my path.
Then throw caution to the wind. Come on.
Go talk to him.
I appreciate your help, dear.
I know you must have better things to do.
The sad thing is that I...really don't.
Are you sure you can't work things out
with that nice young man, Ty?
Nope. Sorry.
It looks like we're both destined
to face the future as single women, Grams.
Grams... Grams, don't look now,
but that guy over at that booth
is totally checking you out.
Don't be silly.
Someone checking me out? The very idea!
No, I swear to God, he's coming over here right now.
Evelyn Ryan?
It's me. Whit.
Whit Hubley.
Lord in heavens, I thought you were dead.
Great pickup line.
Look at you.
It must be... What, 30 years.
Has it been that long?
Look, why don't we have dinner together tonight
and catch up on old times?
Oh, no.
Really, I-I-I couldn't. Thank you anyway, Whit.
Look, if you change your mind,
you know where you can find me.
What?
What is that he's very sexy.
Gram, I'm serious.
I saw the look in his eyes.
He was having impure thoughts about you.
Oh, you stop it. You stop that talk right now.
You know, your work is really quite remarkable.
Thanks.
Um, Joey. Joey Potter.
Can I buy you a cup of hot chocolate, Joey Potter?
That would be lovely, thank you.
Cool. Let's go.
This is incredible. you got Charlie Chaplin,
Buster Keaton, Harry Langdon.
Where did you get these?
I had them sent down from the Boston archives.
You really are a true film buff, aren't you?
Film obsessed, actually.
And nobody's really understood my tunnel vision.
It used to really bother me, but now I just--
I don't care.
Nothing else matters. Yeah, I can relate.
I'm pretty obsessive about my writing.
I think it shows in my work.
Which I'm sure it does yours.
Um...speaking of my work...
I was wondering if you would--
Watch your film?
I thought you'd never ask.
My mom was an artist,
and one of my first memories in life
is of her all covered in paint
with this serene look on her face.
But I just recently began taking classes.
You wanna sit?
Sure.
Look, please don't take this the wrong way,
but are you even aware
of how unbelievably beautiful you are?
You know, you're an incredible photographer.
When did you start taking pictures?
For as long as I can remember,
I've always been fascinated with faces.
How differently they appear in certain light.
And I made the discovery that there are a few faces
that can exude a million different emotions all at once.
That you can stare at for hours, like a work of art.
So, you're a freshman at the art institute?
Jo, you have the most unbelievably sensuous lips.
Kind of like Carole Lombard's.
Thanks.
Look, this may be completely out of line here, but--
But?
Could I...
I mean, would it at all be possible for me to...
Yes?
...photograph you?
Sure, heh.
What is this?
It's a decorated clothespin
to seal open potato chip bags.
Of course it is.
Grams, he's coming over again,
and if he asks you out to dinner, say yes.
I won't take no for an answer.
You wouldn't make an old man eat alone.
Actually, I would.
All right, all right.
Dinner.
Great.
Yeah.
I'll meet you here at, uh, 8:00.
Grams?
Wh-- What-- What is it? What's the matter?
Because you feel guilty about Gramps?
Because you shouldn't.
I mean, I know that he'd want you
to go on with your life.
No.
- What? - It isn't that.
What is it?
That part of my life is over.
There are certain things in life
I've said good-bye to.
Besides, look at me.
I graduated from high school with Whit Hubley,
and look at me, I look old enough to be his mother.
You know, I think it's time to introduce you
to some wonderful women that I know.
Who?
Miss Clairol and Estee Lauder.
And remember, kids, Captain Skippy says
never talk to strangers,
always fasten your safety belts,
and memorize your address and phone number, okay?
Hey, Captain Skippy.
You're a great big smelly jerk.
I know you are, but what am I?
Captain Skippy take break now. bye-bye.
Good. Good.
So? What do you see?
Andie, you won't believe--
Hey, what happened? What's wrong?
Nothing. Um, I'm fine.
I'm just gonna go for a walk.
Hm? What happened?
He wants to take my picture for his portrait class.
He's a freshman at the art institute.
And I'm meeting him in an hour.
Where?
The community arts building.
I guess there's some costumes and stuff backstage.
What do you know about this guy?
Nothing. And I don't wanna know anything about him.
I don't wanna know if he has a girlfriend
or a foot fetish or a rap sheet.
And he doesn't know anything about Joey Potter,
waitress extraordinaire.
He's an artist-- He's-- He's different,
he's life experience.
Maybe I'll learn something from him.
Yeah, like what? The high art of French kissing?
it's not about that, Jack.
It's about me expanding my horizons.
I'm having an adventure, I'm having fun--
And I'm going with you.
Jack! No. There's no argument.
I mean, like, this guy could be like a--
A tall, dark psychopath.
I'm not in love with him.
He's my best friend.
And you. You are some barracuda
who needs someone to keep her bed warm.
You don't know the first thing about me.
and before you try to paint me
into some role of the wicked temptress
who's trying to seduce your non-boyfriend,
at least get your facts straight.
I told you, I am a virgin.
Please. We Creeksiders may be provincial,
but we are not stupid.
Now, Grams, it is the '90s,
and women today have to protect themselves.
You do have contraceptives, don't you?
That's it. I'm not going.
Oh, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
Back here. Come on.
I predict that this will be a magical evening,
filled with old-fashioned romance.
And besides, Whit seems like a really cool guy.
I'm sure he has Trojans in his wallet.
So, what should I wear?
You can wear whatever you want.
Just think of this as an opportunity
for you to try on a different side of your personality.
You know, how would you like to see yourself?
This one. Right here. This is it.
I feel like a drag queen.
No, you look great.
All right, loosen up there, loosen up.
All right, Joey, give me a little attitude.
- Attitude. Yes! - Yeah.
Excellent. All right,
You're Madonna, strutting her stuff onstage.
Good. Good. Keep that up, keep that up.
All right, all right. Marilyn Monroe
singing "Happy Birthday" to JFK.
- Excellent. That's it. - Yes.
That's what we're talking about.
You're the ghost of Katherine,
waiting for Heathcliff at the end of Wuthering Heights.
Good one. Thanks.
God, she's amazing.
So, you two, uh, just friends?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, friends.
Definitely.
Good. Excellent, Joey.
Give me one more of those. Give me one more.
That's it. That's it, Joey.
That's it. Now come down a little bit, come down...
That's it, that's it.
You're fabulous, Joey. Absolutely fabulous.
I cannot wait to print these up.
Thank you.
You are a born diva.
No.
Definitely not.
Nope.
No.
Dating is just like riding a bike.
All you have to do is get back on.
And when he takes one look at you,
believe me,
he won't wanna do much talking.
You should come to see me, young man.
Your fortune told for only $5.
I'm just curious...
When somebody comes to you to have their fortune told,
why can't you just say something nice,
something reassuring?
I guarantee you that's all they wanna hear.
But that would not be the truth.
If they ask for truth,
then they must hear the answer.
Well, I'm not asking.
I think I tell you anyway.
I see a young man who wears a mask
that is not his own.
To the world, he's strong and confident,
but beneath the mask is a little boy,
afraid of the world, afraid of everything.
He knows all he has is resting on a house of cards.
Even the tiniest gust of wind-- Poof.
--knock it all down.
There's something I wanted to, um...
Naw.
Naw, just forget it. It's nothing.
No, what?
There's something I wanted to, uh...
Yes?
Is your friend Jack dating anyone?
So? What happened?
Well, he probably would have thrown me on the ground
and made passionate love to me if, um...
If?
He wasn't gay.
What?
He compared me to Madonna and Marilyn Monroe--
I mean, talk about your red flags.
What?
He's gay. As in "Three-dollar bill."
You're kidding me.
No. Um, and Jack,
you really need to develop some gaydar.
Oh, yeah. I hear they're giving a training course on that
down at the community center.
Look, I'm sorry.
I'm new at this, and...
You? What about me?
People look at me like any minute,
I'm about to...start tap dancing to Bette Midler albums.
Well, this should cheer you up.
As it turns out,
a tall, dark stranger's coming into your life.
What? He wanted to meet you after the fair,
so I told him you'd be by the fire at 11.
You what? Why?
Because he's nice and smart and attractive.
I mean, what's your problem? just go out with him.
You know, just because there happens to be
a second homosexual in Capeside,
it doesn't mean that I'm obligated to go out with him.
So...
What did you think?
It's fine.
Fine?
Come on...
Your opinion is really important to me.
I really wanna learn, so...
You want my honest opinion?
Yeah. Don't hold back.
Are you sure you want the truth?
Yeah.
Okay, then I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, Dawson.
I think your film is completely uninspired.
The production value's flat,
your story's non-existent,
even your dialogue isn't believable.
It needs some work. I mean, I know that--
It lacks emotion of any kind
and says nothing to the audience.
I was thinking, if I cut the B-story line--
It won't help.
It's a preposterous soap opera
about a bunch of teenagers who talk too much.
I mean, we've seen it before.
All that self-aware, self-referential hyperbole
filled with clichés that are disguised as send-ups.
It actually borders on plagiarism.
I mean, this is only my second film, though.
I'm still learning.
Look, Hollywood's tough.
They don't hand out rejection with a box of chocolates.
It's real, it's harsh, and it hurts.
You're sweet, Dawson,
and you're just the kind of person
that Hollywood eats for breakfast.
And it would break my heart
to see that happen to you.
Thank you. I appreciate your honesty.
I'm sorry, Dawson.
Thanks.
I'm sorry, Joey.
I overreacted.
I know that I should be moving forward
towards this whole new sexual identity.
The truth is, I'm just not ready.
Not yet.
Yeah. We have a whole lifetime
of adventures ahead of us, right?
Plenty of time for romance.
Plenty of time to be kissed.
Thanks.
Hm. Come here.
All right. Talk to me, Andie,
Tell me what happened.
I just wanted to know
that things were going to get better.
But they're not.
She said that the troubles of my past
are only a preview of what's to come.
I need to know that the worst
is behind me, Pacey, because...
I don't know if I can handle any more unhappiness.
Andie, how can you possibly take the word
of a five-dollar carnie charlatan seriously?
Your future is gonna be so bright and so magnificent
that it's off the scale.
There is no measure for how wonderful
your life is gonna turn out.
I wish I could believe that.
Well, you know what, you don't have to,
because I'll believe it for you.
Hey, Colin.
I'm sorry, but Jack isn't coming.
And I really didn't have any right to accept for him.
Oh, I understand.
Are you okay?
With this? Yeah.
You sure?
The truth is...
I'm on the proverbial rebound.
I just recently broke up with someone--
And we'd been friends for a long time before that.
And now...
I don't have the relationship or the friend.
I guess I'm just... trying to fill the void.
Can I ask you something? Yeah.
Why did the two of you break up?
You know what, at the time,
I could think of a million different reasons,
but now I can't think of any.
Does that make any sense?
Yeah. Uh...
More than you can imagine, heh.
Sometimes I wish I hadn't been in such a hurry
to move forward, you know?
Just...comes a point where it's impossible to go back.
Good night.
Grams?
Grams, what's the matter? Where's Whit?
Oh, well, uh,
his-his wife wasn't feeling well,
so he had to cancel.
His wife? Mm-hm.
Oh. You know, I'm so sorry.
I... I never should have pushed you
into going out with him. I had no idea.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I feel like crap.
Well, you shouldn't.
You did something wonderful for me today.
You know, ever since your grandfather died,
I just assumed I'd done all the living I was meant to do,
but now I realize I can't live in the past.
I-- I need to open up to-- To new people, new friends.
Hm. Hm.
Do you ever--
Do you ever get afraid of facing the future alone?
Oh... Yes.
Sometimes.
Me too.
It's $5, right?
I'm closed. You're closed.
Ha, ha. Of course you are.
Sorry. You know what, I don't even--
Need to know my future.
I pretty much know what my future holds.
Dawson Leery is destined to live in misery,
and die loveless, friendless,
and in complete obscurity.
Don't mock the spirits.
They are powerful and unforgiving.
Ah. The Lovers.
It's very interesting.
A soul mate walks in your path--
One who you have known
for many lifetimes before this one.
She knows you well.
She sees into your soul. She feels your pain.
She blew me off.
No.
She is here.
She surrounds you.
Then why do I keep losing her?
That which is lost can be found again.
Thanks.
Who's there?
Daddy.