Dawson's Creek s05e17 Episode Script

Highway to Hell

Joey Potter.
Just the girl I'm looking for.
You have that first-name, last-name thing down.
Does that help you keep the ladies straight? I don't wanna confuse you with Joey from Amherst.
I saw her.
Didn't like the looks of her.
She's got nothing on you.
Now isn't a prime time for obnoxious banter so if the scary stalking part is over- Move it along? Yeah, okay.
I need you.
Don't burst into "You've Lost That Loving Feeling.
" No, but, funny you should mention bursting into song.
I thought we agreed to never speak of that night again.
I thought you just meant the kissing part.
There you are, speaking of it.
Okay, listen.
We're doing a gig upstate this weekend.
Five songs, opening act.
It's an incredibly big deal.
We're even getting paid.
Five hundred bucks.
Wow, that's a month's worth of hair gel.
Look, this is kind of our first big break except for the lead singer quit.
Couldn't handle the bass player with mystique getting the girls? No, these days there's really only one I want.
Charlie, I'm flattered, really, in kind of an obligatory way, but- I need you to sing.
Excuse me? I come to you with open arms, Joey, purely a guy asking a girl a favour.
You really trust me to front your band? Absolutely.
Does this mean you'll do it? I'll think about it.
You're totally gonna do it, aren't you? - Here's the set list.
- I said I'd think about it.
The longer we stand here, the longer I have to think about - the reasons not to do this.
- Thank you.
Hey! Yeah.
This is really hot and everything, but the thrill of knowing Joey could walk in the door any minute is wearing off.
And here you told me you didn't have any fantasies.
You know what I mean, Pacey.
I don't.
There's not a lot of blood running through my brain.
These make-out sessions were very old-school charming but now it's moving into the realm of slutdom.
Your car, my dorm room, the coed bathroom.
A lady must be courted, Pacey.
So that's it, then? - We're having that talk, are we? - You need to get an apartment.
Is that it? And here I thought you were dumping me.
What's to dump? I'm not holding you back from anything, sport.
Fly out into the world, my butterfly.
Be free.
- Do I have to? - No.
You just have to get an apartment.
Seriously, I am feeling all kinds of inhibited right now.
This is you inhibited? Yeah.
I mean, I can't really let my freak flag fly with all those warnings from my R.
A.
Then I definitely have to get an apartment.
I gotta go.
Okay.
Well, whatever.
Call me from wherever you're squatting tonight.
Will do.
All right.
- Potter.
- Witter.
Hey, before I forget, guess who called? No, forget it.
You suck at this game.
- Charlie called.
- He called again? Persistent.
- So are we going? - He told you? I am very engaging on the phone, Joey.
You're kidding me if you're telling me you're not gonna do this gig.
It was kind of fun at the bar, but- Kind of fun? Come on, it was verging on embarrassing.
I practically had to drag you off the stage.
You're such a media whore.
But the thing is tonight.
I mean, that means we'd have to leave, like- In an hour.
Charlie and I have it under control.
I'm not riding in the van with his questionable guitarists.
Just relax and concentrate on your heroin chic thing.
It so happens I know a guy with some wheels.
What's with this Charlie petition? He's smarmy.
Okay, let's just be honest here.
I brought down the house that night but Charlie has asked you to sing.
Either he's intimidated by my talent, which is likely, or he's hot for you.
- I don't think it's such a bad thing.
- I mean, if I do this which apparently we've decided I am it's for the fun experience of it, not Charlie, just to clarify.
Well, duly noted.
Now, let's go pick out an outfit.
And not from your closet, okay? From mine.
Is it stupid for me to get clothes for my sister for her birthday? No, I think that it's great.
She's developing her own sense of style as opposed to that typical blatant nudity.
Hey, speaking of which Why am I having such a hard time getting dressed? We're going to Capeside for a 1-year-old's birthday party.
- Who am I trying to impress? - You got me.
Do you mean I got you or you're stumped? What? I don't know.
Getting dressed.
Carry on.
Jennifer, Dawson.
I hope you're decent as I've already entered the room, and I- Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were Let's move on.
Joey's waiting for you at the door, Dawson.
Thank you.
Wow, I feel really old and boring all of a sudden.
Because Grams didn't catch us in a compromising position? Yes, exactly.
Not every morning has to begin with an embarrassing Grams encounter.
I know.
I know.
We should go unless you want to I do and I would, but I finally just got dressed.
I'm just not in the mood to be separated from my outfit at this point.
Okay.
That was easy.
Excuse me? Aren't you supposed to want to have sex at every opportunity? I pretty much do.
You just said you're not in the mood.
You've been cranky, which makes me not in the mood, so before this fight you're trying to pick becomes fodder for your show, I'm answering the door.
Smartass.
Are you okay? Seriously.
Yeah.
Yeah, Dawson, I'm fine.
Okay.
Okay.
Perfect timing.
We're leaving in 10 minutes.
Well, actually, Dawson, I came to tell you that I'm not gonna make it at all.
Something come up? Kind of.
It's a long story and- Well, I'm- I'm going upstate to sing with Charlie's band.
When you say it out loud, it sounds kind of crazy.
- " Charlie" Charlie? - One and the same.
Okay.
Well, we're gonna miss you.
Well, I'll miss you more than Lily, but you can't blame the kid.
She's got a short attention span.
Well, can you give this to her for me? It's just a little something.
I hope she likes it.
It's bright and shiny.
She'll love it.
Have a great trip.
Yeah, you too.
Not gonna be the same without you.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Is this a new kind of orange juice? I think it's some pulp instead of tons of pulp.
Interesting.
I think I'm gonna break up with Dawson.
- You ready to go? - Yeah.
Okay.
Wow.
I had no idea you were throwing such a soiree.
Quite a shindig for something Lily won't even remember.
Well, I have been a little cooped up lately.
Lily's birthday was just a nice excuse to gather some old friends.
Coffee's ready, Gale.
Hey, you must be Dawson.
- It's nice to meet you.
- Hey.
Oh, sorry.
How rude of me.
Dawson, honey, this is my friend Nathan and his daughter Haley.
- Say hi.
- Hi.
This is my girlfriend, Jen.
Hi.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
Well, I think I have just about everything ready.
Except I did forget to pick up the cake at the bakery.
Jen and I, we can do that for you, Mrs.
Leery.
No problem.
- Yeah, that's no problem at all.
- Oh, thanks, guys.
So, Evelyn, Dawson, how about some coffee? Be right back.
Well, you can't dump him now.
Jack, it's not funny.
No, it's not, which is why we're going together so you can fill me in on what the hell is going on here.
Get in the car.
Come on! - And you'll let me pick the music? - If you must.
It will be fun, Pacey.
Come on! There are worse ways to spend your day than travelling with a couple hotties.
True.
But I still don't like the idea of catering to Chip Mark and his merry band.
- Charlie Todd.
- I don't wanna know his actual name.
- I just don't want you out of the loop.
- He's not even in our social circle.
He circled around it like a vulture, but he's not actually in the circle.
No, but he is running towards us with alarming speed.
Oh, you gotta be kidding me.
Thank God I found you.
- The guys left in the van an hour ago.
- They were telling you something.
I overslept.
You guys mind if I catch a ride? Well, I don't see any reason why you can't.
What was your backup plan? If you overslept and your ride failed you? - Well, this is pretty much it.
- And even that's an overstatement.
- What? - Nothing.
Pace, I know this sucks.
There's not much they can do without him, and as long as we're going Oh, thank you.
You guys rock.
I'm really sorry, Pace.
Nobody planned on this.
I beg to differ.
I'm pretty sure laughing boy over there planned this.
" I missed my ride.
" This guy is just stalking Joey- Present love interest standing in front of you.
It has nothing to do with that.
I saw what he did to Jen.
I don't want him to do it to another friend.
Okay, let's just enjoy this for what it is.
Wacky road-trip high jinks with a motley crew and their collective sexual tension.
Throw in a bag of pork rinds, it's a deal.
- Okay.
- But you keep this guy away from me.
Seriously.
- What? - It's just - I think I dreamt this once.
- What are you talking about? You and me, a big back seat.
This back seat has no implications.
- Hey, I didn't say that it did.
- This is strictly business.
All my back-seat transactions are.
Looks like we're only gonna be a half an hour away from Salem.
I don't know that you'd be safe there, sweetie.
What's the name of this place we're playing again? "We," huh? I knew it would just be a matter of time before you started to embrace the life of a rock star.
You're really roughing it old-school style.
This is a really sweet ride.
How much did it set you back? Where I come from, it's not polite to dig into a man's financial affairs.
So, what is the name of this place we're going to, anyway? The Drunk & the Dead.
That sounds like a nice family joint.
It's awesome.
I haven't actually been there, but some of the other guys have.
We hear the crowd really gets into it.
It's gonna be like an actual set, you know? Not just a bunch of college kids killing time.
Hey, don't worry.
I'm not worried.
- Just excited? - I'm not anything.
Yeah, right.
In your mind, you're already imagining your gateway drug and which mode of destruction you'll attack the hotel room with first.
What's up with you and Dawson? Is it getting old? No, things are just kind of coming into focus because I, you know, was so quick to jump into this and tell everybody that they were wrong and that I was right and me and Dawson were destined to be together, and it was crazy.
I just feel like that existed in some parallel universe and now it's just sort of- Safe.
If I admit that then I am really gonna seal the deal as a dysfunctional poster child.
It's not like Steve the indie rocker made me have any profound revelations about the meaning of love, but- But you felt something.
No, I missed something.
That thing where you meet somebody for the first time, and you get to decide yes or no with only yourself in mind.
I don't wanna be that girl that's upset that Saturday nights aren't more fun.
Dawson doesn't deserve that.
He's had enough already.
- Jen, you should tell him that.
- Yeah.
So your mom tells me you're enjoying your new film program in Boston.
Yep.
Yeah.
I used to dabble a bit in film when I was in Amherst.
Nothing as advanced as you.
No, I'm just starting out.
What about that Matrix movie? I mean, they used a lot of that new digital technology, didn't they? Right.
Well, this one right here, I tell you Come here, Miss Lily-wily.
We gotta keep an eye on you, right? This one, I tell you, she gets in those crayons and her momma calls her a genius.
Hi, genius.
I guess the old visual-creative gene runs in everybody's blood in this family.
Excuse me for a minute.
- Hey, Pace? - Yeah, Chuck? I don't mean to be a back-seat driver but we kind of need to put the pedal to the metal.
- Did he really just say that to me? - Yeah.
I understand that you wanna be easy on the old girl, but we're running late.
Maybe you'd make better time on the old hog, huh, Chuck? Hey, now, okay, guys.
No need to auto-bash here.
Charlie, honey, I'm sure we'll be fine.
And, Pacey, sweetheart, a little speed never hurt anybody.
If you want me to drive, Granny, hey, I can hop up front, all right? Okay.
What are you doing? Anger management.
This one's for me.
Chuckles, get out of my car.
- What's the problem? - No problem.
- You're hitchhiking.
- You're being ridiculous.
- I'm being ridiculous? - Here we go.
You've been asking for this since you showed up uninvited.
I'm regretting it more and more every single second but cut me some slack because you don't even know me.
You don't know me.
If you did you would've already started walking.
You don't think I can take you? Guys, guess what.
You're both very masculine and the girls are impressed.
Can we go now? Are you challenging me? Should I bother? You want that? Then let's go.
Let's go.
Honey, could you hold on to that for a second? Snookums, come on! - Come with me now.
- Let's go.
I have unfinished business- Your Neanderthal charms have me smitten.
Please come with me into the woods.
That's not fair.
That's not fair.
- What? - That's not fair.
Yeah, let your woman take care of you.
- What is his problem? - What is your problem? He's giving you a ride because he's a decent person.
- Why did you have to speak? - I don't know, I mean it's a good way to pass a six-hour drive.
You've gotta admit, he totally overreacted.
That's a moot point.
Now, why not be a good little back-seat freeloader and just ignore him? There are rules about these things.
Oh, God forbid you think for yourself.
- What is that supposed to mean? - You obviously rub him the wrong way.
I think you're probably his version of a chesty blond.
You think I'm cute.
I say chesty blond, and you think I'm hot for you.
This is never gonna work.
- But you're thinking about it.
- Yeah.
Hey, if you're good maybe later we could stop for ice cream.
Okay, we're ready to go now.
- All better? - Charlie.
Whatever you did, I don't want any details, but thank you.
You're welcome.
I'm all freaked out.
I mean, I didn't- I didn't expect my mom to be on the dating circuit.
I just- I think that you should probably prepare yourself for this.
Maybe not for Nathan, but for the possibility of a Nathan.
Right, I will prepare myself but right now I'm angry and a little shocked.
If you're upset with your mom, just talk to her.
Well, I'm kind of trying to talk to you.
She's moving on.
- From my father? - Sorry.
That's not what I meant.
I mean that she's moving on with her life.
That's gotta make you happy to some small extent.
- Does it? - People need to breathe sometimes and act on their impulses.
Your mom isn't gonna always react the way you think she should.
I know that.
I'm not her keeper.
I'm just saying, I have a right to a reaction, don't I? - Or maybe not.
- I didn't say that you didn't.
I'm trying to talk to you, and maybe you're trying to talk to me but we're not having the same conversation.
You know what? I am just painting myself into a corner here.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm I'm really thrown.
I don't mean to attack you.
You're not attacking me.
I just- I don't want to say something that I'm gonna end up regretting.
- Like what? - Nothing.
I just- I just want to go.
I'm gonna go.
- Wait a minute.
What-? - Nothing, okay? We were talking, and then there was a continent between us.
- You wanna tell me what's going on? - No.
I just want to take a breather.
I'm gonna go somewhere with Jack.
Okay.
Tell me we're just stopping here for directions.
Yeah, I'm sure the friendly patrons of this bar are just dying to help us plucky college kids.
So it's got some character.
I'm exploring.
The guys are here.
We won't have time to rehearse.
- Are you serious? - Joey, it's okay.
This crowd won't care much about your singing, if you know what I mean.
You can make money off her after the show, if you know what I mean.
- Come on, man.
- I'm just curious why you brought Joey to a place like this.
I thought she could have fun.
Maybe you'd have fun watching her, right? Okay, guys, I'm standing right here.
Sorry.
Guess what.
There's this chick in the back.
She's doing jailhouse-style tattoos.
Ten bucks with a shot.
All right.
Let's go toughen you up.
Sounds divine.
I got my eye on you.
I don't know why, considering the company.
Sounds like this other band is pretty popular.
It is not a face-off, bunny.
No need to fret, no point.
Not much means of defence against a Sabbath tribute band.
It's not that.
I mean, I don't care.
Except that I do care.
I've been trying this whole time not to care, but nonchalance doesn't suit me.
Something tells me I'm not gonna win them over.
Yeah, you don't do so well with things you don't do so well.
But it's not like you'll ever see these people again.
The night is young.
Who knows what will strike your fancy? I'm serious, Audrey.
Playing to this crowd is a lot different than playing to a bunch of warm and fuzzy college students.
Why did I even say yes to Charlie? Hey, Joey? We're on in five.
The set's taped to the mike.
I'll introduce you, and then You look gorgeous.
Thanks.
And, incidentally, you said yes - because you're curious.
- I never said I liked him.
I never said " liked," I said "curious.
" Same difference, clearly.
- I have to go perform.
- I know how serious you are about your music.
Shut up.
Hey, never turn on your stylist, Joey.
Never! - Everything okay? - Oh, a little stage fright, I think.
Maybe that's because the front row is sharpening knives with their teeth.
When did you become Mr.
Mom? I thought you loved dives like this.
I do, for me, for the occasional wallow, not for my friends.
And now, the girl who made Aggressive Mediocrity strive to be better men Joey Potter! Yeah! - Let's go, baby! - Hi.
You gonna sing or what? All right! Take it off! - All right.
- Don't forget about you know what! Come on! - Hey.
- Hey.
She's out like a light.
Well, she was quite the belle of the ball.
So where did Jen go? She and Jack went to go take a walk.
I guess the party got a little wild for them.
Actually, we had a fight.
About what? I guess what it was about was moving on.
Which side were you on? Apparently, I'm against it but the longer I look at Lily the less clear my reasons become.
Sometimes there aren't even reasons, honey.
Choosing a new direction in life, it isn't always something that requires a list.
- You just feel different? - You don't even mean to.
But if the choice comes down to moving on or trying to fit into the shell of your former self, well I guess it depends on what you can live with.
- I should go find Jen.
- You'll find each other.
Nobody's going anywhere, tonight anyway.
Grams is passed out in the guestroom.
Party animal.
- Oh, you know, we forgot to open that.
- It's from Joey.
- It was strange not having her here.
- Yeah, I was just thinking that.
Well, I think that I am going to go clean up - and call it a night.
- Hey, Mom? I know.
I should've told you.
But, honey, to be honest, I didn't know what to tell.
What I was gonna say was it was nice tonight meeting your friend.
Thank you.
Well, good night, sweetheart.
Good night.
It's kind of like watching figure skaters fall.
Get off! You suck! Oh, God, you'd think the guy was Jimmy Page.
Yeah.
Except that it's the year 2002.
Look, Pacey.
What is up with the machismo, okay? I wasn't gonna say anything, but I'm thinking of going home with Rusty over there.
It's nothing.
I just He's just that guy.
When you and Dawson were making that movie together I had to watch him shove his tongue down your throat while you and I were still working this out.
So I want to punch him in the face.
If that makes me a bad guy, I'm a bad guy.
When I see the two of you together, it drives me crazy.
And I wish that I could really impress you right now by saying something self-assured, but I can't, because I care.
That's the best I can do.
So do you think that we could leave and just go get a burger or something, please? No.
That's pretty much the last thing I want to do right now.
Fine.
I'm gonna go get the car.
Hey.
I was thinking more along the lines of checking into that motel across the street.
- Did I miss something? - I can't believe you want to punch a guy in the face for me, Pacey.
It's so disturbingly cute.
- Really? - Really.
Not to interrupt a good time, but are you guys ready to go? Yes, actually there's been a slight change in plans, Joey because Pacey and I are really tired.
And don't you think that it would be a good idea if we stayed the night in that motel? Not really, no.
Well, you know, I understand it's no Potter B & B but wouldn't you just hate to miss out on any of the local charm? Hey, sounds good to me, man.
I'm- I'm wiped.
Well, will you look at that? The gentlemen agree on something.
Shocking.
The poolside breeze is tempting this time of year.
Exotic, really.
I got us a room.
Let me guess.
There were no single beds left.
No, no, I swear.
Not a one.
Are you nervous? About what happens after the prom? I think I'll be okay.
Did you and Pacey go to the prom together? We did indeed.
God, that must be strange.
Having him in there with your roommate.
That's the way we like to do things around here.
Aren't you the guy who met my friend Jen? Okay, okay.
I don't need to rehash.
So is-? Is he the only guy you ever had sex with? You know, that is so inappropriate on so many levels.
I'm just trying to cut to the chase here.
Why do we always have to banter? - Why can't we have a conversation? - Why do we need to have one? We don't, I guess.
Look, I just can't figure out why you wouldn't want to make a new friend.
I mean, all the rest of your friends are sleeping together.
Okay.
You got me.
You're right.
Yes, Pacey's the only one I've slept with.
I've only slept with two people.
One in high school and then Jen.
Really? I feel really close to you right now.
You should.
I don't tell a lot of people that.
What did you tell the girl that you were cheating on Jen with? It didn't count? - Oh, right.
- It's kind of endearing, actually.
Seeing the tired routine meet its end before my very eyes.
God, I can't believe how much you throw off my game.
Well, I try my best.
You know, I think I'm gonna call it a night.
If you ever get cold or slightly curious about the room, that is it's number seven.
Good night, Charlie.
See you later, Joey.
You know, you were really great tonight.
Thanks.
You did kind of help me out.
No, you didn't need it.
I just couldn't resist the urge.
To what? To be close to something that amazing.
Good night.
Excuse me.
We're okay.
Long day, huh? Yeah.
Provisions for the lady? Yeah, something like that.
Those are two of the most high-maintenance women known to man, and somehow you managed to wrangle both of them.
" High-maintenance" is just another way of saying " high-quality.
" That's a nice way of looking at it.
So then tell me something.
Why are we suddenly starting to have a normal conversation? I don't know, really.
That was a nice thing that you did out there tonight.
Maybe I got tired of hating you so intensely.
But make no mistake, if you do anything to hurt Joey I will make you regret it for the rest of your waking days.
Yeah, I figured that.
So you only kind of hate me now? If I were you, I wouldn't take that so personally.
It's not a short list.
- Have a good night, man.
- You too.
- You gonna stay out here all night? - I was thinking about it.
If he tries anything unsavoury, you know where to find me, right? I think I can handle him.
After watching you lull a biker bar into submission tonight I'm pretty sure you could handle Charlie.
If you wanted to, you could break his heart into a million pieces.
If I wanted to do such a thing.
Of course.
Poor guy.
Oh! Thank the sweet Lord! Did you have to manufacture your own shoddy condoms? I love the way your mind works.
But I never said that I was going out to get condoms.
Well, you said that you forgot something.
And you said you never knew me to be unprepared, so perhaps I went out because I wanted to extend to you a romantic gesture.
I didn't get you anything.
What is this for again? This is our first night together.
No roommates, no back seats, no security guards.
- Just you and I.
- Right.
Did you make a wish? I did.
Did it have something to do with four walls and an IKEA catalogue? See, I always thought you were more the Restoration Hardware type of guy.
I always knew you were a classy girl.
Well, that shows how much you know.
How did I know I'd find the two of you guys here? Yeah, it's some kind of hybrid of " pathetic" and " predictable," I guess.
Okay, speaking of pathetic, I think that I'm going to go check out the football field.
Run a few laps, rip out my shoulder.
Catch you guys later.
Bye.
So, what happened today? I don't know.
Tell me anything.
Okay.
I got out of a cab four years ago, and And you were there.
And you looked so open and innocent and happy.
And I thought to myself you were the boy for me.
And I kind of put- I put everything, into that.
And, you know, I don't doubt for a minute that you're the best guy I'll know and that I wish that you'd just marry me, because- Well, then, why are you doing this, Jen? There's a reason that this worked out in the first place.
There's a reason that we got together.
Isn't there? Dawson, I don't think that this is just me.
It was right at the time.
We needed each other.
So, what just happened? Did we-? Yeah.
Yeah, we did.
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