[Joey's kitchen] 

(Bessie chops vegetables while talking to Joey and Bodie) 

Joey: Bessie, it was probably just a stupid little prank and I wouldn't be surprised if Matt Caulfield did it himself. 

Bodie: Bess, relax, I'm sure its no big deal. 

Bessie: What if it wasn't a prank? We can't afford to antagonize the people who hold the mortgage on this house. Or at least Bodie and I can't, we'll still be living here when you go to college. 

Joey: So I'm just supposed to sit around and wait patiently until I get out of this town? I'm not allowed to criticize it or even try to change it in any way? 

Bessie: I didn't say that. 

Joey: Look, I can't stop now, Bessie. Is that what you want me to do? 

Bodie: Jo, Jo, Jo, no ones' asking you to stop. I think Bessie just wants 

you to be realistic about the situation. 

Joey: I am being realistic! 

Bessie: Spending a lot of time and effort defending a man who won't even defend himself? How is that realistic? 

Joey: He shouldn't have to defend himself, he didn't do anything wrong! 

Bessie: And you're sure of that? You sure this kid doesn't deserve another chance? 

Joey: Of course I am! Everyone at school knows that Capeside High is a much better place without Matt Caulfield. The students know it and the teachers know it. 

Bessie: So all these parents that are so up in arms, they're just wrong? 

Joey: Yes! You weren't at that meeting, you don't know what Mr. Caulfield said, okay? He's got his own personal agenda and I'm not just talking about saving his son's ass. 

Bessie: What do you mean? 

Bodie: She means all these concerned citizens wouldn't be fighting this decision so hard if Principal Green were white. 

Bessie: (stubbornly) They would still be upset. 

Bodie: Upset, yeah. And they might try and take action about it, but not like this. There wouldn't be this level of anger and hostility and misunderstanding and they certainly wouldn't try and threaten the family ofsome teenage girl trying to speak her mind. 

Bessie: I give up. Joey you want to change the world from our living room, fine. Whatever. 

(Bessie exits in a huff. AJ enters looking penitent and Bodie exits) 

AJ: Sorry. 

Joey: It's okay. I'm glad you're not a paying guest, this scene would have been even more heinously awkward. 

AJ: Look, this is probably not the best time to say this but, uh-- 

Joey: You're leaving? 

AJ: Yeah. I figured since I've alienated you from your sister and completely undermined the financial liability of your family business, my work here is done. 

Joey: You can't leave, I mean we just started! I could give you another 

room maybe, something without nautical wallpaper. 

AJ: No, I've gotta go. I've got papers to write, actually papers to grade. Listen, Jo, you think you need me, but you don't. You're surrounded by a lot of people who believe in you, good people, smart people. I mean, Pacey turned out to be not such a bad guy. 

Joey: What gave you that idea? 

AJ: I'm an excellent judge of character. I found you, didn't I? 

(Joey shrugs) 

[Docks at night] 

(Pacey furiously staples a flier onto a pole. Jen comes from behind him) 

Jen: Pacey? I think you got that one covered. A hurricane won't take it down. You know, it might make you feel better if you talk about it. 

Pacey: Talk about what? 

Jen: About what's bothering you. 

Pacey: There's nothing bothering me. 

Jen: Oh, fine. 

Pacey: Okay, so I do kinda have a problem. 

Jen: Yeah, I noticed. 

Pacey: It's that obvious, huh? 

Jen: Yeah, it's becoming so. 

Pacey: So you think it would be at all possible to, I don't know, pretend like it wasn't that obvious? 

Jen: Only if we pretend to have a conversation about it. 

Pacey: You really wanna make me do that? Okay. Okay, um, let's just say for the sake of argument that I had gotten myself into an impossible situation. That I had, hypothetically speaking, fallen for, or was in the process of falling for, the worst possible person that I could ever fall for. What would you tell me to do? 

Jen: I guess I would tell you that impossible situations are only made better by doing something about them. 

Pacey: So I should just go and declare myself to her so that she can laugh in my face? That's a great idea. 

Jen: How do you know that's how she'd react? 

Pacey: Well, I have it on pretty good authority that my rough charms don't really register on her rarified romantic palate. I mean, let's face it. I've got Duckie written all over me. 

Jen: Duckie? 

Pacey: Yeah, Duckie. Molly Ringwald's best friend from Pretty In Pink. The guy who definitely does not get the girl. 

Jen: Yes, but he makes the girl feel good about herself. He does, he stands by her through innumerable fashion emergencies, he even humiliates himself by lip-synching in a public place, and he takes her to the prom. 

Pacey: Where she promptly dumps him for another guy. 

Jen: Alright, the question is, Pace, this girl that you have developed impossible feelings for, are you going to stand by her in a very Duckie-like fashion, or are you going to let hurt feelings and pride prevent you from being the friend that you so innocently purport yourself to be? 

Pacey: (staples a poster and sighs) I guess it just hurts, that's all. 

Jen: Well that just means that it isn't pretend anymore. 

[Outside Superintendent Fielding's Office] 

(Dawson and Gale sit waiting for an interview) 

Dawson: Mom, why are we doing this? If Green won't talk, why are we interviewing Fielding? 

Gale: Because there's two sides to every story and it's not our job to editorialize. 

Dawson: Well I'm sorry, but it's my editorial opinion that the world's heard enough from his side. 

Gale: Honey, if I didn't do this interview, I'd be just like Sherry, picking the news that I want to tell. 

Dawson: Well why shouldn't you? Everyone else does these days. 

Gale: No, not the best journalists. The best ones just ask the right questions. That's the only way that the truth can surface. 

Secretary: Dr. Fielding will see you now. 

[Superintendent Fielding's Office] 

(Shot of Superintendent Fielding talking through Dawson's camera) 

Fielding: What we're asking Principal Green to do is not an unreasonable request. Simply readmit one student who may have caused a little trouble here or there. 

Gale: Yes, but most of Matt Caulfield's fellow students side with Principal Green on this one. 

Fielding: Green could offer to shorten the school day by fifteen minutes, they'd follow him anywhere. 

Gale: They can make a lot of noise, though. This rally, for instance? 

Fielding: They can rally all night for all the good its going to do them. Howard Green has until Friday at three o'clock to rescind his ruling or its going to be his last day at Capeside. 

Gale: It would seem to me that firing Principal Green is as extreme as him choosing to expel Matt Caulfield. Now are you really sure that firing Principal Green is what's best for our students? 

Fielding: It's what's best for the community. 

Gale: Ah, and that's who you're responsible to, the community. 

Fielding: Ultimately, yes. 

Gale: Could I ask you to read something for me, Sir? 

Fielding: Of course. 

Gale: Could you please read line-item number one for me, on that page? 

Fielding: (reading) I hereby to declare to, above all else, protect and serve the welfare of each student in this district (slowing) to the best of my ability. (Dawson smiles) What is this? 

Gale: A contract for Capeside's Superintendent of Schools, the one which states what he's hired to do. In fact, that's your signature at the bottom of the page, Mr. Fielding, is it not? 

Fielding: Yes it is. 

Gale: So what you're holding is a contract which you've signed which states that your number one priority should be to these students and their welfare. In fact, it doesn't say anything about the community anywhere in that contract, Sir, correct? 

Fielding: (rises and storms off) This interview is at an end. 

(Dawson pats Gale on the back) 

[Principal Green's House] 

(Nikki tries to sneak by her father, who's reading in a chair) 

Principal Green: Nikki, can a concerned father ask where his daughter is going in such a hurry? 

Nikki: He can, but he's not going to like the answer. 

Principal Green: Joey's rally? 

Nikki: You could come with me, you know. 

Principal Green: You already know my position on that. 

Nikki: I'm not sure I know your position on anything anymore. You spent so much time trying to protect how you're seen for fear that they're going to paint you as some angry man. 

Principal Green: I am angry, and why shouldn't I be? Nikki, do you have any 
idea how much it hurts to know that I did the right thing and I'm doing the right thing and because of someone's deep-seeded fears. it's not working? Now I don't want to leave these kids and I don't want to leave this town and I certainly don't want to put you through this. So yes, I am angry. But if men like Robert Caulfield see one flash of this anger, they will use it against me. 

Nikki: The people tonight aren't like that. They're on your side, they support you, they're fighting for you, for us. And they need to know that, win or lose, you support them. 

(He turns back and sits down without answering her. She leaves) 

[Capeside High Auditorium] 

(Joey's Rally. Dawson walks with camcorder in hand through the auditorium and sees Nikki sitting in a seat. Jen and Joey talk by the podium on the stage.) 

Jen: I'd say that Pacey did a pretty impressive job of getting the word out to the people, don't you think? 

Joey: Yeah. Speaking of Pacey, I haven't seen or heard a word from him all day. 

Pacey: (at the podium) Testing, testing, one, two, testing, uno, dos, okay… As you can see we're not having any technical difficulties, so I'd like to turn it over to the lady who's responsible for gathering us all here tonight. Let's give her a nice, warm round of applause shall we? Miss Joey Potter. (Applause. Joey goes to the podium) 

Pacey: (whispers as he walks away) Think I warmed them up for you? 

Joey: Well, uh, everyone's been coming up to me in the last week asking me why I'm doing this, even people in my family. I've certainly asked myself plenty of times. And it's not because Matt Caulfield trashed my extracurricular art project and I've sworn eternal vengeance. It's because some people in our town seem to think that our principal doesn't know what's best for us, that he's an outsider. How can he be an outsider when he's been there walking the halls of our schools with us everyday since September. When he's taken the time to get to know us, to figure out our talents whether it be filmmaking or student government or painting, and supported and encouraged all of us who don't even know yet what our talents are. How can he be an outsider when he's been there with us everyday, trying to make our lives better. I thought that's what we could do tonight: talk about how Principal Green has made our lives a lot better. (There's silence in the crowd) Okay, no hands. Uh, I'm starting to feel like I'm back in Mr. Peterson's English class. (A few hands raise) That's better. Andie. 

Andie: Well, the two most important things that I learned from Principal Green were that mistakes and setbacks aren't necessarily irreversible and that if you can't learn from yourself, then you can't learn from anybody. 

Girl: And he doesn't treat us like children, even if we act like 'em. 

Boy: He treats us with respect and listens what we have to say. We've been trying to form this committee of students who-- 

Nikki: I don't know very many of you, I'm the new kid and all, but what I do know about you is what my father tells me at home over dinner, while we're watching TV, when we're doing the dishes. Because that's what he talks about, that's all he talks about. (Principal Green walks in from behind her) His students, his school. (She turns to see him and smiles. Joey smiles also. He comes up to the stage.) 

Principal Green: I had mixed feelings about coming here this evening, but after sitting at home and thinking about some of the things my daughter said earlier, it was clear that I needed to come. She said, "Dad, those people are on your side, they're fighting for you." And so I wanted to come and to say thank you for your support. Now, neither myself nor Dr. Fielding seem to be willing to budge on this particular issue, so it looks like I'll be leaving. (Members of the audience look around in confusion) But as I look around this evening, I'm motivated because I see a room full of people who have chosen to harness their inner power as individuals. But regardless of the outcome of this situation, know that I thank you, all of you. Thank you. 

(Everyone looks upset from their seats. Pacey looks at Joey, who looks distressed) 

[commercials] 

[Capeside High Auditorium] 

(After the Rally. Jen approaches Pacey at the podium) 

Jen: So you did it. You rallied to a certain someone's side in a very 

Duckie-like manner. 

Pacey: Yup, mission accomplished. 

Jen: How do you feel? 

Pacey: To be honest, I feel like dog meat. She didn't even thank me. 

Jen: She will. One day. 

Pacey: How can you be so sure? 

Jen: Because every dog has it's day, just ask Henry. 

(Pacey watches her walk away and smiles) 

(Joey and Bodie walk to the exit) 

Joey: Ready to go? 

Bodie: Whenever you are. 

Joey: Think she'll let us in the house? 

Bodie: Bessie? If she doesn't, well uh we'll sleep in the car. Wanna 
drive? (holds out the keys) 

Joey: Stick shift? No thanks, think I've had enough-- (She sees Bessie 
standing by the door holding Alexander) challenges this week. 

Bessie: Backing down from a challenge? That doesn't sound like the Joey 
Potter I know. Certainly wasn't the one in front of all those people 
tonight. 

Joey: You saw? 

Bessie: Yeah, well Alexander here, he just insisted on coming. See, he's 
extremely proud of his Aunt Joey. 

Joey: Really? 

Bessie: Oh yeah. When you're not there, he goes on and on about how 
talented you are and how smart and how brave. 

Joey: On second thought, maybe I will drive us home. 

[Principal Green's office] 

(Principal Green packs a certificate into a box. Joey knocks at the door.) 

Principal Green: Come in. (She enters) Ah, Miss Potter. You haven't been in 
my office in a long time. You haven't gotten yourself in trouble, I hope. 

Joey: You know, you have a few minutes. You could still change your mind. 

Principal Green: Is that what you want? 

Joey: No, I-well, maybe. I- I don't know. 

Principal Green: Why is that? 

Joey: I know that you're doing the right thing. It's just that I can't help 
but feel that maybe I failed you. We couldn't stop them. We weren't loud 
enough or strong enough. And I'm really sorry. 

Principal Green: Joey, look at me. Look at me. (She looks) In all my years 
in education, I have never felt more successful than I feel right now. You 
understand that? (She nods) Thank you for fighting for me. 

Joey: (shrugs) You're welcome. 

Principal Green: I guess it's time to go home. 

Joey: After you. 

(Principal Green looks around and goes out the door, carrying his briefcase) 

Joey: We'll see ya, Mr. Green. 

Principal Green: See ya, Joey. 

(Principal Green turns the corner to find the hall lined with students, 
applauding him as he leaves. He puts his arm around Nikki, who is with 
them, and they exit together) 

[Gale's yet-to-be-named Restaurant] 

(Gale is on the phone as Dawson enters) 

Gale: Well tell everyone that I can be down there in less than an hour, 
okay? Okay, I'll see you then. (She hangs up) 

Dawson: That sounds like distinctly good news. 

Gale: They're gonna run our story tonight, they want me to race down now and 
tape an intro at the station. 

Dawson: Mom, that's great! 

Gale: Oh, and that's not all. One of the executive producers asked me if I 
would be interested in doing a few other special reports in the upcoming 
months. 

Dawson: That's great! What'd you tell them? 

Gale: I told them I'd get back to them in about twenty years when I retire 
from the restaurant business. 

Dawson: You're kidding. I thought this was what you wanted. 

Gale: No, I think what I wanted was just my chance to say no, to leave on my 
own terms, start fresh with no regrets. And I can do that now because of 
you. 

Dawson: What did I do, Mom? 

Gale: What you always do, Honey. You inspired me the way you inspire 
everybody. You see, as much as you think you've changed, Dawson, you're 
still the quiet hero, stepping in at the right time, lending your efforts, 
never asking for a reward in return. You're smart and capable and sincere. 

Dawson: I think you're editorializing. 

(She laughs, hugs him, gives him a quick kiss and leaves) 

[Streets of Capeside at Night] 

(Pacey runs along, pulling Joey behind him) 

Pacey: Come on, just a little bit farther, right up here, a couple more 
steps. Right there, whoa, stop right there. Perfect. We're here. 

Joey: Pacey, I don't know where you think here is, but it seems to me we're 
nowhere. 

Pacey: Think back with me for just a second. Remember how this whole thing 
started? It started with a girl, a wall, and a paintbrush. (He holds up a 
brush) 

Joey: You bought me a paintbrush ? 

Pacey: No lame-o, I stole this from your permanent collection. (He points at 
the wall behind him with the brush.) 

Joey: You bought me a wall? 

Pacey: Not bought, rented. And this thing didn't come cheap either, it cost 
me a hundred bucks. 

Joey: You bought me a wall? 

Pacey: You said that already. Look, it's a limited time offer, so you 
should get cracking. 

Joey: Pacey, did you notice the size of this thing? 

Pacey: I just thought your next endeavor should be bigger and better than 
your last one. It's important that you keep on growing, both as a person 
and as an artist. I also got you this. (hands her a bucket of white paint) 
Now I know its not gonna cover the whole thing, but as the saying goes, the 
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. 

Joey: Well, I'm going to need your help on this one. 

Pacey: No, no, no, not this time. You're on your own, Sister. 

Joey: (laughs) Pacey, you're unbelievable. I mean, as soon as I think I've 
got you all figured out, you go and do something so outrageous that 
completely challenges me in a way that no one else would even think of that… 
(sighs) In case I don't say it enough, thank you. 

Pacey: (smiles) It's about time, Potter. (He walks off) It's about time. 

(Joey looks up at the wall, almost a little frightened. The camera pulls 
back and we see how very small she looks in comparison to it)