Previously on Dawson's Creek,
"Arthur Isaac Brooks."
"Aspiration: To become a great Hollywood filmmaker."
I've had the exact same dream
for as long as I can remember.
Good for you.
Andie's my friend
and she's in the hospital right now
because of something that she got from me.
And you don't think that I should feel bad?
I have never been so deeply disappointed
in anything or anyone.
When did they become going out together buddies?
I believe this is the inaugural event.
Your friendship means a lot to me.
Coming back here has been really hard,
and somehow you've made the transition
a lot more enjoyable than I ever thought it could be.
Aah!
Wow.
"Wow. Look at the hidden treasure I've unearthed"?
Or "wow. There's 87 minutes of my life I'd like back"?
I wanted to hate it.
I really did, but I--
I can't. This--I mean, this is the...
Heartbreaking work of a staggering genius.
Wait a second. Are you trying to tell me
that Turn Away, My Sweet" is the product of a genius?
As much as it pains me, yeah.
I don't know, Dawson.
All I saw was some formula gangster movie.
I'm still picking the pulp out of my teeth.
Yeah, it was pulpy, and by-the-numbers,
but underneath all the hard-boiled sturm and drang
was this great big thumping heart.
I mean, this is a love story
masquerading as a genre piece.
Dawson, the girl hired the guy to kill her.
How is that a love story?
Because just when she had given up on love,
he came into her life. And he tried to kill her.
But he couldn't because he fell in love with her.
Right when she'd given up and stopped looking,
she stumbled into her own fairy tale. It's brilliant.
I don't know. If you ask me,
Tarantino does this stuff a lot better and in color.
Oh, ho! And now you're completely
proving my point even more for me.
Which is?
A.I. Brooks was way ahead of his time.
I like you like this.
Dare I ask what "this" is?
Passionate, opinionated, irritating, even.
Why--why did he stop?
Someone could ask you the same thing. I mean, when I left for college
you were like this unstoppable force of film geek energy.
I mean, you were all Spielberg this and Hitchcock that,
and I come back and film is like this unfinished project
you sort of stuffed in your closet.
Which begs the question whatever happened
to the talented young filmmaker Dawson Leery?
Why did he stop? And where is he now?
I'm not paying you to study for your G.E.D., dear.
Mrs. Valentine, it's 3:45, which means I'm early.
15 whole minutes to do with what I please.
And why is it so hard for you to remember
that I go to school with your son?
Yes, and speaking of things I'd just as soon forget,
I ran into your sister Becky at the drug store.
Clearly not there to pick up any contraceptives.
It's Bessie.
Oh, well, that's important, isn't it, dear?
Walter!
Mrs. Valentine.
What can I do for you, Walter?
I just wanted to make sure
everything was in order for Saturday night.
Oh, Walter, we are in tip-top shape.
We are fully stocked and fully staffed,
and I was just about to tell little Joey Potter here
that her Saturday night off
was now a Saturday night back on.
But-- Joey.
In addition to being one of the club's handsomest members,
Mr. Kubelik here is also the alumni rep for Worthington,
and Saturday night he's hosting a networking party
for promising new applicants,
and I'm going to need you to help wait on them.
I can't.
So you're quitting, then?
No-- - Ooh! You've gone insane.
Look, Mrs. Valentine, I will be there.
Yes. You will.
Now, Walter, where were we?
I don't think you're understanding me, Mrs. Valentine.
I'll be there...
At the party...
As a guest.
- Wait a minute. - You're Josephine Potter?
Hey, it's a pleasure to meet you.
Your essay was outstanding.
Mrs. Valentine, this young lady
is one of our most promising applicants.
Oh. I would appreciate it
if you gave her the evening off
and sat her at my table.
Of course, anything you want.
I just don't know who we're going to get to replace her.
Joey's such a shining member of our wait staff.
Well, there's always Drue.
Yes. Yes.
Ok, guys. Historic moment.
I am finishing my very last essay
from my very last college application...
USC film school.
And I...am...
- Done. - Congratulations, honey.
Yeah, we're proud of you.
And now you're free to relieve your pregnant mother
of her light-stringing duty.
Wow. Could it be?
Could this mean it's time
for the annual Leery holiday party?
Oh, did I just say something wildly inappropriate?
Oh, no, not at all, honey.
It's just, um...
Well, we haven't done that in a while.
Let me decode.
We haven't had a Christmas party past couple of years
because Mr. and Mrs. Leery have been busy riding a roller coaster
otherwise known as their relationship.
Oh.
Well, that's too bad.
I loved those parties.
It all just seems a bit overwhelming at the moment.
What, with the baby--
And the restaurant.
Ok, let's make a deal.
You have the party,
and I take care of everything.
I will cater. I'll decorate.
I'll even call all the guests.
Oh, come on. Please? You got to let me.
Well, sweetheart, if it means that much to you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks.
We have got a lot of work to do.
What was the part you said about you doing everything?
Will.
Grace.
Can I get you anything, Jack?
No. No, thanks, Grams.
Nothing for me. I'm fine. Thank you.
What was that all about?
That, my dear, is the external manifestation
of Grams' extreme disappointment in me
for that whole ecstasy incident.
She's still stuck on that, huh?
Yeah. Not a word in weeks.
Which makes the house that Gramps built
a bit chilly at the moment.
Hmm. Well, she will get over it.
She always does.
Right. Whatever.
Do you want to do something?
Do you want to go see a movie?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, I'd love to.
Perfect way to celebrate, actually.
Celebrate?
I finished my applications today.
Just handed 'em to Ms. Watson...
And the essay part almost killed me.
If I ever in my life have to write about
where I see myself in 10 years,
I'm gonna have to say, "dead,"
because the prospect of writing about it
will have driven me to suicide.
Good. That's great. Awesome. Congrats.
Ok, so what are we gonna see?
Um...you know what?
I want to see that gay one with Dean Cain.
All the reviewers are calling it St. homo's fire.
Sounds awesome. What do you say?
Yeah. Yeah. It sounds good.
Let me ask you something.
Have you finished your applications yet?
Yeah. Pretty much. Why?
How much is pretty much?
Um, I just have the essay part left.
Well, I talked to Ms. Watson,
and she mentioned something about
not getting anything from you,
and I said, well, come on. Jen Lindley,
that's crazy. She's all about higher learning.
Totally. So where did you apply?
Bunch of places. Come on, Jen.
What's with all the vague answers?
What's with all the annoying questions?
There's a deadline.
And it's quickly approaching.
Don't worry about it. I'm fine.
You know what? I have to say
I'm kind of not in a movie mood after all.
Can we catch up later?
Yeah.
Sure.
I'll give you a call.
Ok.
Bye.
Good-bye.
Grams.
Think you could do me a favor?
Anything, of course. Cookie?
Yeah.
Thanks.
Extra sprinkles.
You think you could talk to Jen?
Anything but that, perhaps.
Look, I know the two of you
aren't on the best of terms at the moment,
but I'm worried about her.
I have this feeling she hasn't
filled out any of her applications
and she's not talking about it,
so I thought maybe you could talk to her.
No, no, Jack.
Jennifer is a big girl.
God knows, I tried long and hard
to aid her in making the right decisions,
but she neither wants nor appreciates my help.
So the only thing left for me to do
is to let her make her own mistakes.
If the girl chooses to drag her heels about college,
so be it. She is on her own.
So, um, have you seen any good movies lately?
I saw a picture called Star Wars here a while back.
I, uh, I didn't get it.
Star Wars came out in 1977.
Like I said, it was a while back.
I saw a great film last night.
Bully for you.
It was this incredible fusion of film noir,
black comedy, and a love story.
It was--what was the name of it? Um...
Turn Away, My Sweet.
Think you're pretty clever, don't you?
How am I supposed to deal with this?
How am I supposed to deal with the fact
that the big grumpy old man
who basically forced me into indentured servitude
turns out to be a cross between Sam Fuller and Cameron Crowe?
Who's Cameron Crowe?
Uh, Fast Times at Ridgemont High,
Say Anything, Jerry Maguire.
Never heard of him.
Fuller--hmm, god rest his soul.
He did some good pictures.
And so did you, Mr. Brooks.
I've seen everything I could get my hands on.
Your films are-- they're amazing.
You know, you're like this true American primitive.
I have so much respect for what you've done.
First of all, Mr. Leery, they're not films.
They're pictures.
Second of all, they're not amazing.
They're hack work, and third of all,
I'm uncomfortable with this new found respect you have for me.
You can play the curmudgeon all you want, A.I. Brooks,
but you can't fool me.
Well, that's a load off.
I saw those movies, and the man responsible for them
obviously cares a great deal about things that matter--
things like love and death and morality and honor.
The man responsible for them cares a great deal
about eating his Chilean sea bass in peace.
Ok.
I just--I--
I wanted to tell you that your mov--your pictures
really had an impact on me.
I just...
Well, I thought you might like to hear that.
Thank you very much for the kind words, Mr. Leery, now I--
Can I--can I just ask you about the chemistry
between your 2 leads in Turn Away, My Sweet? It was incredible.
It was like it practically jumped off the screen.
Listen, I am old,
and I reserve the right to eat my dinner in peace.
So kindly remove yourself from my general vicinity.
Ok.
Well?
The girl can't help it. She's beautiful.
Do you think it's too much?
Only if Pacey wears his camouflage pants.
Which isn't exactly outside the realm of possibility.
You know, I do feel kind of bad
dragging him to this thing.
Oh, you're not dragging him to anything.
You need his support. I'm sure he gets that.
Yeah, well--
I just--I don't want him to feel out of place.
Joey, my brother's nuts about you.
I think he plans to make a career
out of being in close proximity to you.
Just don't let him do that nervous joke-telling thing that he does.
You are, however, gonna miss a great party at Dawson's house.
Dawson Leery's having a party? Not so much.
I talked Mitch and Gale into letting me organize their holiday party.
Really? I love those.
I mean, they've been a part of my life
since I was, like, 5, I think.
They always put me in the right mood for the holidays.
Which is kind of weird considering Dawson and I would
just hide up in his bedroom
and watch old movies, but...
Which has it's own distinct charms.
I mean, Dawson is one of those rare guys
who can somehow make popcorn and a rented video
seem like an event.
I know what you mean.
You're gonna do great, Joey.
Huh?
Saturday night, you're gonna do great.
Good job, Dawson, getting all of your applications in.
I just had a couple of questions. Ok.
Why do you think you want to be a filmmaker?
Uh, well, doesn't my essay pretty much cover it?
That's the problem, Dawson. It doesn't.
You spend 5 pages rather eloquently
skirting the essay question...
Why do you want to be a filmmaker?
Well, it's a pretty difficult question to answer.
And USC's a difficult school to get into.
There are thousands of students, just like yourself,
hoping against hope at a chance
to study at one of the best film schools in the country.
So I'm thinking...
We might want to shoot for greatness here.
In other words...
Dawson, do better.
Do we have to?
Yes, Pacey, we have to.
Well, have you thought about hiring an escort?
From what I'm told you can't take me anywhere.
I called around, but they're all out of socially-presentable man-meat.
What if I just broke up with you?
What would you do then?
Look, do what you have to do.
You're still coming with me.
Fascist. Scaredy-cat.
Are we at least gonna have a good time?
My guess is no.
So why can't we just say "nay" to the whole idea
of hanging out with the prep school contingent,
go over to Mitch and Gale's party?
Because, Pacey, that would severely diminish
my chances for getting into college.
Well, you put it that way--
Pace?
Yes.
You know how important this party is to me.
Yes, I know.
And being in a relationship means
that sometimes you do have to do things
that you don't particularly enjoy for that other person.
Yeah.
You know, for me that would be
Sunday dinners with your parents.
Oh, hold on. Do you think
that I enjoy those dinners for one second?
For the record, we could stop those any time.
I know you're still trying to get out of this party.
Yeah, I really am. Is it working?
It's like watching a train wreck.
These are for you, Jennifer.
From your mother and father.
Whew, that time of year already.
I'll tell you what.
That is a sweater... From Mom,
from Barney's.
But it was hand-picked by the maid.
Yeah, jewelry. Jewelry, probably from Dad,
and I'll bet that it was thrown back in his face
by a slutty secretary who did not appreciate the fact
that she was actually being paid for services rendered.
Remind me to send them a thank you card.
Why don't you take them upstairs
and open them in your room.
I've got a better idea.
Why don't you take 'em to goodwill.
Donate 'em to somebody who cares.
That is not an appropriate attitude for the holidays.
Yeah, well, merry f-in' Christmas.
Jennifer! You know, you are quite possibly
one of the most spoiled, self-involved brats
I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.
You know what? You're absolutely right.
Why don't I just go to my room.
While you're there, why don't you take the time
to fill out a couple of your college applications?
Right. Of course.
Anything to get me out of the house quicker, huh?
That is not what I meant.
So then were you trying to light a fire under me?
I'm sorry, but you haven't spoken
so much as a complete sentence to me
ever since I disappointed you.
So you don't get to instill me with motivation.
You don't get to discuss my future.
You lost that right when you wrote me off.
Dawson, I don't know why you're having such a problem with this.
I mean, just tell them the truth.
The truth being what, exactly?
That filmmaking will provide you with everything
that a young man could ever want or need...
A 3-picture deal with Columbia
and a spot just high enough on the premiere power list
to bag yourself one of the girls of The WB.
Moments like this it becomes glaringly obvious
just how related to Pacey you really are.
Come on. Take a break.
Help me hang the mistletoe.
Ok.
Why don't you ask Mr. Brooks?
Ask Mr. Brooks for what?
For help on your essay.
I don't think so.
I told the guy I like his movies,
he practically took my head off.
Oh, Dawson, say what you want about his mercurial moods,
but the guy is a resource. Take advantage of him.
He's probably one of the only guys you've met
who's a real-life filmmaker.
And maybe a conversation with him will clear your head.
You know, get rid of the cobwebs.
Is there a point to what we're doing?
Who cares? It's tradition.
And you don't monkey with tradition.
What?
I never had you pegged as a traditionalist.
It's cute.
Actually, you were right.
She hasn't filled out one application,
and she's not going to.
Well, maybe we can talk to her. You know, gang up on her.
Oh, that won't work.
I know my granddaughter. She's far too stubborn
to stand for anything even resembling an intervention.
Yeah, I know.
Well, any better ideas?
Actually, I do,
and I'm going to need your help.
Mr. Brooks?
Mr. Brooks!
My god, kid!
You scared the crap outta me.
I'm sorry. I knocked. You didn't hear me.
Why didn't you just leave?
Uh, 'cause I wanted to talk to you.
If you came to ask if I slept with Marilyn Monroe,
you can crawl back from whence you came.
No, it's nothing like that. I--
Did you?
Huh. What is it I can do for you, Mr. Leery?
I need some advice.
Have you tried the teen help line?
Well, this is gonna clearly take longer than I'd hoped,
but I supposed I could give you a--
would you like a soda pop, Mr. Leery?
No, thank you. I'm fine.
All right. I'm ready to dispense advice. Sit down.
Um...
Well, I--
I've got to write this essay--
an application for USC film school, and...
It's killing me. I can't...
For the life of me answer the question,
"Why do you want to be a filmmaker?"
Well, why do you, kid?
Well, see that's the problem.
I'm having trouble putting it into words.
If you can't do better than that,
you might as well make out an application to McDonald's.
Mr. Brooks, I need to know why
you stopped making movies.
What does that have to do with anything?
'Cause I've stopped, too.
Well, that's a tragic loss for the arts.
Mr. Brooks, I’m--
I'm serious.
You know, I was going full-steam ahead.
Nothing was gonna stop me, and then--
You know.
Life got in the way. I--
I--I had what you might call a crisis of faith.
Crisis of faith?
But, gee, you're kind of young for that, aren't you,
what are you, 15?
17. 17 and already had a crisis of faith.
You know,
I thought we were beyond this.
I thought we had moved on,
but I guess not. I guess whatever happened to you
made you the kind of person
who would tear into a 17-year-old kid
whose only mistake was to equate talent
with wisdom and kindness, so...
You ok?
Sure.
You know, we could always just turn around.
Which would, of course, be incredibly cowardly.
Yet sounds incredibly appealing.
You're grinning like an idiot.
Yeah, I know. I can't help it.
Why?
Because...
I'm the only guy at this party
who gets to walk in with Audrey Hepburn on his arm.
Mmm. Hi.
Hi--whoa! Whoa!
Look at you.
Can you believe this? No.
You look beautiful. You guys look so happy.
Come in.
Thought I might find you in here.
Hey. How's the party?
Somewhat lacking in cute high school boys at the moment.
Come try my eggnog.
Uh, I'll be down in a minute.
Ok.
You ok?
Yeah. Yeah, I'm just--
just thinking.
About...
About what you said to me the other night.
What did happen to me.
Here I am. I'm applying
to one of the best film schools in the country,
and I'm not even sure I want to go.
I'm not sure I deserve to go.
You know what you sound like, Dawson?
What?
You sound like a guy who just broke up with this girl.
And he's happy he broke up with her--
I mean, at least he says he is--
and he goes on and on about, you know,
how much better off he is without her,
but the thing is he can't stop talking about her.
Everything comes back to this girl.
You loved this girl, Dawson.
Now that, oddly enough, has not kept her
from breaking my heart time again.
Yeah, but that doesn't matter.
I mean, you're trying so hard to answer this question,
and you're thinking there's some right answer,
and there's not.
You know, maybe if you just admit that you love movies,
the geek will resurface,
and you'll be able to connect with that part of you
that won't tolerate cynicism under any circumstances,
and people will respond to that.
They will respond to that great big thumping heart of yours.
Trust me.
Now come try my eggnog.
And I will not lose any more sleep
over the fact that my class rank was third.
I mean, it's like I could toss and turn all night
wondering what I did wrong, you know?
Why I wasn't good enough for first,
or even second, but third?
I mean, what is that?
So what did you place?
Fourth.
Oh. Oh, that's good.
Yeah, fourth is good.
Oh, cute boy.
Yeah, I do believe I need a refill.
Let me get that for you.
Nonsense. Excuse me!
Excuse me, waiter boy?
Yes, annoying girl?
Yeah, I'll have a club soda with a lime in it, please.
Anything for you, Joey?
Fine, thanks.
There you are, Potter.
I never got the chance to thank you
for ruining my night.
I think we could talk about it another time.
Sure. Sure. How about midnight?
Just in time to watch you turn back into a pumpkin.
Did you know that Joey here is one of our finest waitresses?
I think it's sweet how you've taken her under your wing.
Oh, uh, you know what?
I think I see this girl that I know from boarding school.
So I'm gonna go over and say hi.
Excuse me.
How bad do you want to do me bodily harm right now?
Oh!
Later.
Too many witnesses.
You did it! - No, I didn't.
Yes, you did,
and your essays were wonderful.
They were?
Yes, they were.
You should be very proud of yourself.
Mmm. What--
what did I do, exactly?
You got your apps in on time.
Higher education is yours, Jen Lindley.
Good job.
Yeah, um...
You've certainly been quiet tonight, Miss Potter.
Just soaking it all in, I guess.
Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Um...
There's really not much to tell.
I'm pretty much your average teenage girl.
Having reviewed your application,
I hardly think so.
I seem to remember a certain fondness for art.
Have you been to the new Guggenheim?
No, but I have always wanted to go to New York.
It's actually in Bilbao, hon.
Spain?
Which isn't important.
What is, however, is the building itself.
It's really the most amazing feat of construction.
It's an extraordinary combination
of intersecting shapes.
It's an architectural epiphany.
No, I don't know.
You ask me, the thing just looks like a big artichoke.
No, I'm serious. It does.
Oh, so you've been?
No, but my brother--
he's this big architecture buff,
and he's into those coffee table art books.
So I've seen all the pictures,
and I'm here to tell you,
it looks like a big artichoke.
Big artichoke.
You're right. It does look like an artichoke.
Mr. Leery.
Mr. Brooks.
Ah, quite a shindig you got for yourself, here, huh?
Uh, yeah.
Do you want to come in?
Oh, no. I'm not much for crowds.
Why is that not a surprise?
Is there something I can do for you?
Ah.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang?
That's Pauline Kael.
The best film critic ever was.
She says it a lot better than I ever could.
Says what?
Why,
when I was a kid,
I lived for Saturday afternoons at the Rialto.
Why I left this town the day I graduated high school,
and hopped on a train headed for the Los Angeles.
Why I almost cried the first time
I stepped on a studio lot.
And why I did the first time I yelled, "action!"
Sorry I snapped at you, kid.
You just happened to scratch an open wound
that still hasn't healed after all these years.
Which is none of my business.
1956 Louis B. Mayer calls me into his office.
He's got this brilliant idea.
Wants to cast my best friend and my girlfriend
in my next picture.
Turn Away, My Sweet.
Well, I got to agree with him.
It's great casting.
Till we started shooting and I am a madman.
Crazed beyond belief.
I don't even notice what's happening
right in front of my eyes.
My best friend's falling in love with my girlfriend.
By the time I realize it,
it's too late. She's gone,
and I still have half a picture to direct.
Do you have any idea what that's like?
I would imagine it would be terrible.
Yeah, made me hate directing,
everybody, and everything.
The day we wrapped I caught another train...
For Capeside, Mass. I never looked back.
Started a new life. Started a better life.
Mr. Brooks?
Mr. Brooks!
What?!
Would you like to come inside?
Why do you want to make pictures?
How can you explain the things you love?
You can't. You just do.
God help you, kid.
So then the rabbi says, "Rectum? I damn near killed 'em!"
Good one, right?
It's very good.
Joey, I had no idea your boyfriend was such a charmer.
Who knew?
Worthington could use a young man like you, Pacey.
Why haven't you applied?
Yeah, Pace, why haven't you?
Well, I--
To be perfectly honest, uh,
both of my parents are real big lefties,
so for me it's Yale or nothing.
Well, that certainly is our loss.
Hey, Pace, can I talk to you for a second?
Yeah, sure.
Outside.
Excuse us.
I can't believe you just did that.
Just did what? You lied!
Hold on a second--
And after that whole pseudo-motivational diatribe, you flat out lied.
Can I have the floor for just a second? - Pacey, why are you trying so hard
to impress these people? - Are you done yet?
I don't even know who you are right now.
All I'm try-- - Excuse me, Pacey.
Excuse me.
I would love for you to meet the Dean.
Do you mind, Joey?
Course not.
Sure.
He's a great guy. An old friend.
I'd love for him to hear the, uh...
2 rabbis. Yeah.
I thought that was a pretty good one.
Jack.
Hey.
Did I not make myself perfectly clear to you?
What? Did I or did I not
ask you to just mind your own business?
Ah, Jen-- - No, Jack,
you didn't have any right to do what you did.
He had every right. As did I.
Listen, I'm not looking to be saved here, all right?
I don't want to go to college.
Could you just leave me alone?
You do want to go to college.
I know that for a fact, and I know why you haven't applied.
No, you don't. Yes, I do.
You haven't applied because you refused
to ask your parents for help.
I--I can't. I can't keep putting myself out there over and over again.
I won't ask them. I won't do it.
And I won't let you.
Now, look, I'm sorry that you haven't
felt like you could talk to me lately,
but you must understand something, Jennifer.
You must understand that no matter how angry
or upset or disappointed I may be in you,
I will always be there for you.
You are going to college, young lady.
If I have to beg, borrow, or steal, I will get you there.
You are the most important thing in my life, Jennifer,
and I love you.
I--I kinda love you, too.
Aw...
Hi, Joey.
Uh, hi, Mr. Kubelik, um...
I'm sorry, I...
I think I need to apologize.
Really? Whatever for?
Well, I think I blew it tonight.
And it's just, um, this is kind of a whole new world for me,
and I, um, I don't really know what to do or what to say,
and I know that I don't fit in very well--
Joey, you didn't blow anything.
Your academic record stands on its own.
You're a stunningly bright young lady.
No one is grading you on your social skills.
Be that as it may, you couldn't ask
for a better character witness than that boyfriend of yours.
Seriously. He just talked the Dean's ear off, all about you.
How you've changed him, how you've helped him.
How he couldn't imagine a better life than one with you by his side.
What a rare gift, to have someone say such things about you.
So, where did I apply?
Uh, you applied to Bard, Brown, Columbia, Emerson, and Sarah Lawrence.
Oh, and B.U.
Nice.
You know, I had to ransack your computer.
With a little pruning, that, um, that paper you did on women's suffrage movement
made a really good essay.
Really? Cool.
Yeah. Yeah, and, you know, I stumbled across your journal.
Oh.
I didn't realize you still had those kind of dreams about me.
More nog?
Sure. Love some more nog.
You again.
Have we met?
You know very well we've met.
I had the distinct displeasure
of watching you yelling and screaming at poor Dawson Leery
over nothing but some silly boat of yours.
It was quite the little tantrum.
If I remember correctly, you put me in my place.
I admire that in a woman.
Oh, you fancy yourself quite charming, don't you?
On my better days, yes, I do.
On your better days, I'd say your mind is clearly playing tricks on you.
Which is understandable. You are getting on in years.
I did yell at the kid, but that's before I got to know him,
before I realized he's not an idiot, just a nuisance.
Well, perhaps in the future you will take the time
to get to know a person before you dismiss them.
Perhaps you might do the same.
Perhaps.
What?
You were flirting with Grams.
Heh heh. Nonsense.
That looked like flirting to me.
You'd know if I was flirting.
Matter of fact, you could pull up a seat
and take a lesson or two.
Heh heh.
I shouldn't have been surprised
that you were a movie director.
What else could have satisfied that massive ego?
Listen, just because we shared a moment out there
doesn't mean we have to get all chummy.
Point taken. Ahem.
But I wanted you to know something.
What?
I think I'm ready to make a movie again.
Oh, "crisis of faith" over?
I'll alert the media.
All right, laugh all you want.
I intend to.
Ahem. What is this, um, picture of yours gonna be about?
You.
Excuse me? Say that again into my good ear, would you?
My mov--my picture is going to be about you. Your life story.
We'll talk later.
Enjoy the party.
Apology accepted.
I didn't apologize, Pace.
Well, no, but you were going to.
I was?
Yeah, you were going to apologize for bitching me out earlier.
And what about you? You're the one who lied.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe I was doing that all for you?
And how, exactly, do I benefit
from your distortion of the truth?
Well, maybe I just wanted these people
to see you through my eyes just for one night.
To see this girl, this woman,
who has more class and intelligence
and beauty and grace
than anyone else who's walking the face of the planet.
And maybe things like this just come tumbling out of my mouth
because I happen to be head over heels in love with you,
but the really scary thing is--is...
I think that they're true.
Sorry, Pace.
I just wanted to impress these people so bad,
you know, to fit in, and I completely froze.
Hey, that doesn't matter. Yes, it does!
I've never wanted anything so bad in my whole life.
And you--you just fit right in better than I ever will.
Because there's nothing at stake for me here, Jo.
I have nothing to prove to these people.
And Jo, this world, it is opening its doors to you.
And when you step through,
you are going to be such an amazing part of all of this.
And wherever you choose to go,
you're doing them the favor, not the other way around.
You know, your mom should get a medal.
Mom? Really, why's that?
Because she raised a perfect boy.
And maybe things like that just tumble out of my mouth
because I happen to be head over heels in love with you,
but the scary thing is, I think it's true.
Mm. Ok. What do you say
you and I take our little mutual admiration society on the road?
Please, can we go someplace we both fit in?
Yeah? Yeah.
Thanks.
Hey.
You did a very good thing.
Years from now, I'm not gonna remember
what the hell I got for Christmas,
but I will remember what it felt like to see my parents so happy.
So thank you.
Hey...
Total selfishness on my part.
This just takes me back to a time
before everything got so complicated.
Why don't you quit flirting and kiss her?
Excuse--
You gotta be kidding me.
I had nothing to do with this.
Ok, well, I guess we'd better get it over with, then.
You think?
It's tradition, Dawson,
and you don't monkey with tradition.
Oh, that's right.