-Hey. -Hey. You're here.
Well, I thought we were watching movies tonight, Dawson.
Yeah. I'm-- I'm glad you're here.
I just-- I didn't think...
[STUTTERS]
I didn't even get any movies from the store.
Well, actually, I just came by
to tell you that I couldn't make it, so...
You dropped by to tell me you couldn't drop by?
Yeah. See ya, Dawson.
Wait, just-- Joey, stay.
We can-- we can watch bad reruns
and throw sarcastic remarks at the television.
Well, for the record,
I'm getting pretty tired of the television.
I mean, the metaphor alone is making me nauseous.
What are you talking about?
I mean, every night it's the same.
We hang out in your Spielberg-ized bedroom
and watch obscure movies and TV reruns.
It's so predictable.
[TURNS ON TV]
This is a great show. This is-- it's a huge 2-parter.
The big cliffhanger.
[SCOFFS] Cliffhanger?
Come on, Dawson. you of all people
should know that a cliffhanger
is merely a manipulative
TV standard designed to improve ratings.
No. A cliffhanger's purpose is to keep people interested,
Keep 'em guessing what's gonna happen
in future episodes.
Yeah, but just like in our own lives,
they are so predictable.
I mean, the producers put the characters
In some contrived situation hoping that the audience
will think something's going to change,
but you know what? It never does.
It's back to the same way
it was before your so-called cliffhanger.
It's boring, Dawson.
Well, what if this time it's different?
What if this time in the cliffhanger something changes?
You wouldn't want to miss that, would ya?
[TURNS ON TV]
Still sounds like one big tease to me, Dawson.
♪ [MUSIC PLAYS]
-[BIRDS CHIRPING] -GRAMS: And what else?
Arthur Elders missed the Deacons' Meeting.
Third week in a row.
He says his staff meeting ran late,
but Marissa Partridge said she saw him
leaving the happy hour at The Rolling Friar,
which doesn't surprise me one bit.
And in addition...
Your granddaughter and I seem to be coexisting lately.
She broke it off with Dawson Leery, though.
Heaven help us, between you and me,
I think she's starting to miss him.
-How's he doing this morning? -Peaceful.
No real change.
Same sleep he's been in for the last 3 months.
Well, I'll see you after school.
Oh, don't forget your sweater.
It's gonna turn cool this afternoon.
I know.
Bye, Gramps.
-[BIRDS CHIRPING] -♪ [MUSIC]
Good-bye, Jen.
Jennifer! Jennifer!
He's awake.
I just feel like this big cloud has just been lifted
-off my shoulders, you know? -[LAUGHS]
I mean, they had to take him to the hospital
to run some more tests,
so I can't see him till tomorrow, but...
I don't know, for the first time in a long time
I just feel like letting loose and having some fun.
I mean, I know it's a school night and everything,
but what do you say, you and me?
Um, tonight, actually, I have plans with Joey.
Oh.
I guess I could ask if I could bag, but--
No, no. Whatever.
-Speak of the devil. -Joey.
Oh, hey, guys.
Is everything ok?
Yeah, I think so.
How do you go about getting a passport?
Why? Where you going?
Mrs. Tringle just informed me
that Grace Elkins turned down a scholarship to spend
next semester in France
'cause she doesn't want to leave her boyfriend.
So the faculty had to pick a replacement and...
and they picked you?
Yeah.
Dawson, isn't that amazing?
Wait-- slow down. you're going to France?
I don't know yet.
I mean, I have 2 days to decide.
But if you did go, when would you leave?
Two weeks.
Um, I'll see you guys later.
[LOCKERS SLAMMING]
Um, I definitely think she should go. Don't you?
Um...
Yeah. Why not?
I mean, France is so far away.
I won't know anybody. I don't speak the language.
Plus, I don't know if I could spend a year
in any country that worships Mickey Rourke.
[LAUGHS] Well, whatever you decide to do,
I think it's an honor just to be asked.
Really, kid. I'm proud of you.
Dad will be, too, when you tell him all about it.
Uh, question... Why would I tell dad?
Don't tell me you've forgotten what tomorrow is.
-Apparently I have. -It's his birthday, Joey.
Well, you're on your own, Bessie.
-Enjoy yourself. -I'm not going, Joey. You are.
Wake up, Bessie.
I am not going anywhere.
Joey, we made a deal. I know you remember.
Alternating birthday visits for as long as he's in there.
Now, I went last year,
so according to my calculations, it's your turn.
Forget it.
You're not getting out of this one.
If you don't go, I swear to God,
I'll make you regret it.
Look, I know you're still angry at him
for what he did to mom and to us. I am, too.
But you know what, Joey? He's still our father.
Yeah. Our father who art in prison.
♪ [MUSIC PLAYS]
[SIREN]
[BRAKES SQUEAK]
What do you want, man? I got to go to work.
Dad's looking for you, and he's pissed.
Well, gee, I wonder what it is I did this time.
Well, I'd say it's more like what you didn't do,
like pass any of your midterms this semester.
Principal Eiger called to issue the official failure watch,
and frankly, Dad's a little worried.
Well, you tell him that the concern is appreciated.
But he should save it for the closet case with the gun.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Tell me something, Pacey...
Does being the leading contender
for the official joke of Capeside
bother you even a little bit?
Because I must say, it's a distinction
the rest of the Witter family could certainly live without.
You know what, Doug, why don't you just run along
and go grab a cat out of a tree or something?
And tell dad that if he wants to talk to me,
he should do it himself.
You know, one day, Pacey, you're gonna
be tired of being a joke, and it's gonna be too late.
You're gonna wake up and realize
that you're just a bad punch line
that nobody's laughing at.
You have a good day, now, little brother.
♪ [MUSIC]
You know, thanks a lot for coming with me, Dawson.
I could kill Bessie for making me do this.
Not a problem.
When was the last time you saw your dad, anyway?
2 years ago.
About the same time I discovered he was trafficking marijuana
while cheating on my dying mother
with a bleached-blonde cocktail waitress.
Well, it's only for today.
You'll get through it. I promise.
Thanks.
By the way, any, um, decision on the whole European thing?
Eh...
I'm still weighing it for fantasy elements.
But, it's an incredible opportunity.
What would you do if I left?
Um...
[CHUCKLES] Suicide?
Something painless, you know...
Pills. Car fumes, maybe.
No, really, Dawson.
What would you do?
-[WATER RIPPLING] -[SEAGULLS CAWING]
If Paris made you happy...
Then I'd be happy for you.
♪ [MUSIC]
-[INDISTINCT INMATE VOICES] -[VOICES ON LOUD SPEAKER]
DAWSON: So you ready?
No.
Well, tough.
You're kidding me. We missed visiting hours?
I'm sorry. These are the rules.
Inmate visitation ends promptly at 5:00.
Yeah, but we just spent 4 hours on a bus.
I mean, what are we supposed to do now?
Look, miss, I know you think your problem's very important,
and I'm sure to you it is,
but here at a prison housing over 800 felons,
it's not even a blip on the radar.
Now, can I ask you, are we done here yet?
This is becoming a far bigger nightmare
than I'd ever anticipated.
Look, Joe, I'm sorry. I know you wanted
to get this over with, but if you ask me really nicely,
I'll come back with you tomorrow.
Thanks for the offer, Dawson,
but there's got to be a better solution
than spending another day on the bus.
Maybe there is.
-[CRICKETS CHIRPING] -[DOG BARKING]
Hey, I just talked to my mom, and she said that she would
tell Bessie we had to stay overnight.
[NEWS ANCHOR ON TV]
-Feel like watching some TV? -Mm, no, thanks.
I'm pretty tired. I think I'm just gonna hit the sack.
Ok.
[TURNS OFF TV]
Um, so are we-- are we sleeping left to right?
-Yeah. As usual's fine with me. -Ok.
It's the first time we've ever slept together in a foreign bed.
Is that a problem, Dawson?
No. it's just...
Different.
You know?
A little weird.
And lumpy.
Um...
You know, maybe I should just sleep on the floor.
You can't sleep on the floor. It's freezing.
[CHUCKLES]
Besides, what's the big deal, Dawson?
I mean, we've been sleeping in the same bed for years.
[LAUGHS] Never mind.
[BED COVERS RUSTLE]
Joe?
Yeah?
I don't want this to affect your decision about France, but...
I would really miss you if you left.
[SIGHS] I'd miss you, too, Dawson.
I've been thinking about us a lot lately.
-You have? -Yeah, I have.
And?
And...
I want to figure out where we are...
What's going on between us.
And how do we do that, Dawson?
Oh, God...
I'm sorry, Joe. I'm-I'm not--
I'm just not all there.
I can analyze somebody else till the cows wander home,
but as soon as I turn
all that indulgent perception on myself,
it's like...
I completely lose connection between my heart and my head.
It's like the two are incompatible,
and I can't get it together.
And I really wish I could because
I'm so scared of what might happen if I don't.
Does this make any sense to you at all?
What are you so scared of, Dawson?
I don't know.
-[BIRDS CHIRPING] -[DOG BARKING]
[WATER RIPPLING]
-[PHONE RINGING] -[VOICE OVER INTERCOM]
How is he?
His tests seem to be going well.
They tell me it's because he was lucky,
but I know luck has nothing to do with it.
I know it's because of our daily prayer
and our faith in the Lord.
That's what got him through it.
You know, Grams, no one is happier
about his recovery than me,
but I-- I very much doubt
that prayer had a whole lot to do with it.
Jennifer... God has a hand in all good things.
But he had nothing to do with war, famine, AIDS, huh?
It isn't always up to us to understand the Lord's way.
You know what?
Let's not revert back to business as usual.
Gramps is better.
That's all that matters.
[SIGHS]
I guess we'll just enjoy it in our own ways.
DAWSON: I should probably go now.
I'll be right outside.
No, Dawson. you're not going anywhere.
Joey, you haven't seen him in forever.
I mean, don't you want to spend some time alone with him?
Yeah, right. Like I want to spend time with the man
who's responsible for the destruction of my family.
[DOOR BUZZING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[ECHOING]
If I knew you were coming, I would've sent for cigars
and champagne. A couple of Doughnuts, anyway.
Joey, you're beautiful.
No, I'm not.
-Hello, Dawson. -Hello, Mr. Potter.
I thought the other night you might come.
Then I thought I'd better not get my hopes up.
Birthdays in prison are depressing enough.
Well, I'm here, aren't I?
And I'm so glad. You have no idea.
[DOOR BUZZING]
You're all grown up. It's amazing.
Well, that's what people do. They grow up.
How's, uh...
School?
That's what you want to talk about?
-[DOORS SLAMMING] -[INDISTINCT VOICES]
What do you want to talk about?
Nothing.
[METAL DOOR OPENING]
It gets so lonely here, Joey.
I miss you.
And your sister. I miss my family.
Your family?
Tell me this. Do you miss Mom?
[BELL RINGING]
Yes. very much.
Joey, talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking.
You don't want to know what I'm thinking.
Believe me.
You know, this was a mistake.
And I guess I should tell you
that I'm probably going to be leaving
in a few weeks. I'm going to France.
So I won't be around anymore.
And that family that you miss,
It doesn't exist anymore.
It's over.
It's not over, Joey. It's still a family.
Well, it's over for me.
Have a happy birthday, Dad.
Joey.
I should go with her.
I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. Good luck.
Dawson, wait, please.
-[DOOR BUZZING] -Tell me about her.
-Tell me about my daughter. -[DOOR SLAMS AND ECHOES]
What do you want to know?
Anything...everything.
She's great. I mean, she's...
She's smart. She's beautiful.
She's funny. She's a big ol' scaredy cat.
[LAUGHS]
If you creep up from behind her,
she'll jump out of her skin.
It's pretty amusing.
Um, she's honest.
She always calls them just like she sees them.
You can always count on getting the truth from Joey, even if the truth hurts.
She's stubborn. We fight a lot.
She can be so frustrating sometimes.
But she's a really, really good friend...
And loyal to a fault. She's...
She believes in me.
And I'm a dreamer, so, I mean, it's so good
to have somebody like that in my life.
God, if she goes away, I don't know what I'm gonna do.
I mean, she's... She's my best friend, you know?
She's...more than that.
♪ [MUSIC]
She's everything.
[SIGHS]
Ok. What's your deal?
What do you mean?
You haven't said one word the entire bus ride home.
I mean, if anyone should be brooding, it's me.
Talk to me, Dawson.
What did he say?
He asked a lot of questions about you.
He misses you.
He loves you.
-You shouldn't have left. -Don't lecture me.
I'm not, but--
But what?
You've gotta deal with him sometime.
I deal with him every day of my life, ok, Dawson?
Every single second, I am dealing with the legacy
that he left for me.
He doesn't want me to deal with him. He wants me to make him feel better.
He wants me to say, "I forgive you, Dad,"
But I can't.
I don't forgive him for anything.
I'm sorry, but I can't.
-Then tell him that. -What's the point?
The point is he's your father.
Joey, he's your only father.
I hate him, Dawson.
-Hate's a strong word. -Well, it applies.
Joey, sooner or later, you're gonna have to deal
with these feelings of anger and resentment
you've got towards him.
Otherwise you're just gonna handcuff yourself to him
for the rest of your life,
and it's gonna cause you nothing but pain.
Even in Paris?
[SNIFFLES]
You've decided to go?
Yes, Dawson.
I think a geographic change is exactly what I need.
It'll give me time to think. You know...
Start over, clear my head.
Running away's not the answer, Joey.
What is the answer, Dawson?
Why don't you give me one good reason
why I should stay?
Give me one non-analytical, off the top of your head reason
why I should stay.
-[WATER RIPPLING] -[BIRDS CHIRPING]
♪ [MUSIC]
I thought so.
[WATER RIPPLES]
Grams?
-What's wrong? -It's your grandfather.
He's, uh...
-He's had another stroke. -What?
-How is he? -He's in intensive care.
But I thought that--
I don't understand.
It was unexpected.
His heart isn't strong enough to keep him awake.
No, no. Everything was just turning around.
It doesn't make sense.
God has a plan for everything.
For your grandfather, for me. For you.
Now...now sometimes
we don't understand it. we can't see it,
but this is when prayer is most important.
How can you have so much faith in prayer?
Just because you pray doesn't mean it can change God.
Oh, child, you've got it backwards.
Prayer doesn't change God. Prayer changes me.
♪ [MUSIC]
Sorry, Pacey. Kitchen's closed.
Please don't make me eat dinner with
the Stepford family.
Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise?
I guess I can scrape something up.
I think I saw some rat droppings behind the oven.
Great. I'll take 'em.
Just toss 'em in the microwave and warm 'em up, you know?
That was weird. For a second there,
I was overcome with this wave of sympathy for you.
-It'll pass. -Tell me something, Joey.
You have a habit of being annoyingly honest with me.
When was it that I got designated the town loser?
I mean, I know I've done some stupid things in my life,
but what exactly was it that pushed me over the edge to being a walking, talking
embarrassment to my perfect family?
You're not an embarrassment to your family, Pacey.
According to Deputy Doug, I am.
Well, at least your whole family isn't an embarrassment.
I just got back from visiting my dad.
How'd it go?
[SIGHS]
Fathers are weird creatures, you know that?
When I was 8-years-old, I used to play pee-wee baseball.
We had this huge game at the end of the season,
and it was 2 outs, bottom of the ninth,
and I was up to bat, and I struck out.
Anyhow, we get home,
and my dad just proceeds to ream me,
telling me what a loser I am and what a disgrace I am
to the whole family and town for losing the game.
The next morning, I go down to breakfast,
and I overhear my dad relaying the events
of the game to my brother.
I heard him say to him, "At least I have you."
[CHUCKLES]
I don't know. I never told anybody this,
but I wish I never heard him say that.
Well, maybe you should have a talk with your father.
You know, tell him that he hurt you.
Is that what you did?
No.
-But I'm going to. -Yeah?
No, I mean tonight. I'm gonna go back there tonight.
I have to. I have to go back and see him.
[CHUCKLES]
Sorry, Joe, but the buses don't run this late.
Well, can you help me? When have I ever asked you for a favor?
I mean, can't you steal your dad's car or something?
I prefer to call it borrowing, but sure.
Thank you.
-[MEDICAL MACHINES BEEPING] -[BREATHING MACHINE INFLATING]
I've missed you.
You know, just when I thought I was gonna get you back,
you go away from me again.
What am I supposed to do?
What can I do to get you out of this bed
and back into my life, b--
because I feel so helpless sitting here right now,
because I want to help you so badly...
And I can't.
'Cause I want you to help me.
I want you to smile at me, and I want you to listen to me,
and I want you to magically
uncomplicate my life the way you used to.
[SNIFFLES]
Like I told the lady before,
visiting hours are over at 5:00.
Do you think maybe I could talk to you
over here for a second. Just-- yeah?
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[INAUDIBLE]
Ok, miss. Follow me.
What did you say to him?
Just reasoned with the man.
How much did you give him?
20 bucks.
Thanks.
[CHUCKLES]
Jen?
Hey, um, I know I usually use the door, but can I come in?
Yeah, of course.
[JEN SIGHS]
How's your grandfather?
It doesn't really look too good.
I think I'm losing him. I feel like I'm losing everybody.
God, I'm really sorry, Jen.
[SIGHS]
I miss you, Dawson.
I really do miss you.
I'm here, Jen.
No, you're not. You're-- you're half here.
And part of that's my fault, Dawson. I blew it.
You know, but I'm gonna stop blowing it.
Jen, what are you talking about?
Can I sleep here tonight...
Dawson, with you the way Joey does?
As friends? Can I just lie here with you tonight?
Yeah.
Sure.
Um...
There.
♪ [MUSIC PLAYS]
[CRIES]
It'll be ok, Jen.
It'll be ok.
[SNIFFLES]
-♪ [MUSIC] -[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
Hi.
I don't really know what I'm doing here. I...
[SIGHS]
That's not true.
Um... [CLEARS THROAT]
Look...
I came here tonight because...
I wanted to tell you that you messed up.
You really messed up.
And not because you--
you broke the law or you got caught
or you left me without a father.
You messed up because you don't know me.
I'm your daughter, and y-you don't know me at all.
So...
I guess I just came to say that...
I'm all right.
I turned out pretty good.
And I'm gonna be ok.
[SNIFFLES]
No help from you.
And, um...
I just had one question.
[TREMBLING BREATHING]
Do you love me?
[CRYING]
More than you'll ever know.
And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Do you think about me?
Sweetheart...
All day long,
every day, every hour, every minute.
Do you really love me, though?
Because I'm 15-years-old,
and I go through every day of my life
thinking that nobody loves me.
Well, nothing could be further from the truth.
And I'm not the only one.
Dawson Leery, he loves you, Joey.
He's never told you?
Ever.
Well, he does. I know it.
How?
Because he looks at you the same way your mother
used to look at me.
And you love him.
-[SNIFFLES] -Have you told him?
You have to tell him, Joey.
Don't make my mistake.
Don't wait till someone you love
is eaten with cancer and wasting away
while you hold back
the one thing they're waiting to hear.
-♪ [MUSIC] -[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[WHISPERS] I love you, Dad.
I love you.
I gotta go.
♪ [MUSIC]
[WATER RIPPLES]
♪ [MUSIC CONTINUES]
-Morning. -Good morning.
Thanks for letting me crash here, Dawson.
No problem.
[LADDER RATTLING]
Joey.
Joey, wait.
JEN: Dawson, she'll be ok.
Joey!
Oh, God. I can't believe this.
Where are you going?
I...
To stop her. She's got the wrong idea about us.
-Does she? -Yeah.
Are you in love with her, Dawson?
[SIGHS] I don't know what I am. It's...
I just know I gotta talk to her. I gotta go.
[LADDER RATTLES]
[SIGHS] Bye, Dawson.
♪ [MUSIC CONTINUES]
Joey!
How is he? Any change?
I was at the hospital all night.
There's been no change.
I'm-- I'm going to church later, if you want to join me.
What's the matter, Jen? Is something wrong?
No, I'm fine.
No, no. You want to talk about it?
No. Not right now.
But thanks.
Come to church with me, Jen.
Put aside your stubborn beliefs just this once
and open up to something new,
something that could provide you
with an enormous amount of comfort.
Grams...
You know, you don't have to be in God's house
for him to hear you.
♪ [MUSIC]
[WATER RIPPLES]
Joey!
[GLASS BANGING] Joey!
Is Joey here?
No. Haven't seen her.
-[PHONE RINGS] -[RECEIVER CLICKS]
Hello?
No, this is her granddaughter.
He's gone.
♪ [MUSIC CONTINUES]
He's in the Lord's hands now.
[SIGHS]
Oh, please, Lord, take unto him my dearest love.
Please, keep him safe for me.
And me, too.
[SOBS]
Grandma?
Dear God, I miss him so much.
-[SOBS] -Shh. Shh.
♪ [MUSIC]
Joey, God.
I've been looking everywhere. Where--
Look, there's nothing going on between Jen and me.
What you saw today was completely innocent.
Look, you don't have to explain to me, Dawson.
Yes, I do. Joey--
Why? Why do you feel the need to explain?
We're just friends. that's all, Dawson.
Joey, come on. You know that's not true.
[SIGHS]
So what are we, Dawson?
You know, I am so tired of the way we relate
to one another.
I mean, we spend all of our time
analyzing our sad, little adolescent lives.
I know we know too many big words, but it's a good thing to analyze.
But it doesn't get us anywhere.
I mean, it doesn't move us forward.
We're in the same place we were 3 months ago.
It's time to grow up, Dawson.
I know, Joey. We can.
-We are growing up. -No, we're not.
Every day is the same.
We watch a movie, preferably a Spielberg film,
find the appropriate life correlation.
Then we pat ourselves on the back
for being so clever.
You know, and as much as our perception is dead-on,
our honesty is severely lacking, Dawson.
There is something lacking.
And the reason I came here tonight
is because we need to move on.
Look, we're not kids anymore,
and I'm not gonna do this anymore,
and I just thought you should know, so...
So, are you going to France?
Ah, the inevitable cliffhanger:
am I going to France?
Are you?
Look, I am tired of all the drama in my life
right now, Dawson, and-- and leaving town
just makes the most sense to me, so--
No, it doesn't.
Why should I stay?
Is there some new release at the video store
I don't know about?
It's time to grow up, Dawson.
Well, then we'll do it together.
Joey, I can grow up. Give me a chance.
Even Spielberg outgrew his Peter-Pan syndrome.
I could have told you that months ago, Dawson.
You did.
Yeah.
[SIGHS] Look, Dawson...
I am so tired of dancing around these big words.
You know, I-- I just want to be honest with you.
Me, too.
Joe, more than anything, I just want to be honest.
Do you think we're ready for that honesty?
Yeah.
I do.
Are you sure...
Because honesty is a big word, and...
It changes things,
and it complicates things. It...
Are you sure you're ready for everything
that goes along with telling the truth?
♪ [MUSIC]
I'll see ya, Dawson.
Joey! Joey.
♪ [MUSIC CONTINUES]