Episode #103

EPISODE #103 - "Carnal Knowledge"

original air date: 2/10/98 Dawson's Creek is ©1998 Columbia TriStar Television and Warner Brothers. This script was typed up by Joanna Cohen and should not, under any circumstances, be reposted on any other site besides "Kathy's Dawson's Creek Page" without permission. Thank you.

SCENE: Dawson's room. Dawson [DWSN] and Joey [JOEY] are watching the tape of Dawson's movie. It shows a close up of Jen's face. Dawson pauses it.

DWSN: [sighs] God, she's perfect.

JOEY: Perfect? Dawson, you disappoint me.

DWSN: C'mon, look at her, those eyes, that hair……

JOEY: Well I grant you that the girl has certain physical attributes, but nothing so original or mysterious to her perfection.

DWSN: Ok, easy.

JOEY: I mean, a face like that leaves nothing to the imagination. The well-maintained good looks of an upper middle class New Yorker, I mean, there's no mystery there. I can see her entire future in that face.

DWSN: Really.

JOEY: Yeah. In three years, her above average SAT scores will grant her admission into a small liberal arts college somewhere in New England where she'll major in, uh, art history before returning to Manhattan to marry a bond trader she meets some Saturday afternoon at an America's Cup-watching party. Within a year they move to suburban Connecticut, refurbish an old farmhouse, and raise three neurotically perfect children.

DWSN: You've put quite a bit of thought into this.

JOEY: Not really. It's just so obvious.

DWSN: Well, Nostredamus, I think I prefer to let Jen surprise me, okay?

JOEY: Suit yourself. [walks over to the table] Just trying to save you some time.

DWSN: Can you hand me that -- over there? By the way I'm taking suggestions on what to get my parents for a suitable anniversary gift. [plays the tape] I'm at a total loss. I mean, what do you get two people who've spent every day together for the past, like, 20 years?

JOEY: Hm, offhand, I'd say separate vacations. [looks at television] Uh, Dawson? [A shot of the television, which shows Pacey and Tamara sleeping together. You can see her face and the back of his head] I know your cinematic influences are still evolving, but I never anticipated a Russ Mayer phase.

DWSN: I didn't shoot this.

JOEY: I think we found the perfect anniversary gift, Dawson. What is this?

DWSN: I don't know, I swear, I didn't shoot it. I must have left the camera running while we were in the ruins.

JOEY: You know, it's not without a certain quality.

DWSN: Very watchable.

JOEY: Yeah.

DWSN: It's funny, that woman looks familiar.

JOEY: I know what you mean. If you brush her hair out of her eyes a little…

DWSN: And maybe sat her behind a big school desk...

JOEY: It could almost be…

JOEY and DAWSON: Miss Jacobs?!?

[Fade away into opening credits]

SCENE: Joey, Dawson, Jen [JEN], and Pacey [PACY] are sitting around a table eating lunch.

DWSN: So there she is, on tape, doing it with some guy.

JEN: Miss Jacobs, as in sixth-period-English Miss Jacobs?

DWSN: The very same.

PACY: Wait a minute, what are you talking about, you have a tape of Tamara?

JOEY: [sarcastic] Oh, I'm sorry Pacey, I know you thought she was saving herself for you.

DWSN: I was shooting some pickup at the ruins with Jen and we accidentally left the camera running when we ran out, and the rest is pornographic history.

[All laugh.]

PACY: That's, god, that's really strange. Um, you can't tell who that guy is or anything, can you?

DWSN: Standard over-the-shoulder shot. I can't see the guy's face.

JOEY: Yeah, so if you're thinking of tracking him down, just look for the guy with the brown hair and throbbing neck muscles.

PACY: Uh, Dawson, I….uh…..think I should get to look at that tape.

DWSN: Sure, we'll arrange a private screening for you.

JOEY: Yeah, so you can flog the bishop in privacy.

PACY: You know, that's really clever, how you turn all that sexual repression into humor.

JEN: [standing up]You know what, you guys, I'm late, I should get going before Grams puts down the APV.

DWSN: I'll walk with you. [standing up] [to Joey and Pacey] Later kids.

PACY: Hey Dawson, don't forget man, I want to see that tape.

JOEY: Pervert.

PACY: Prude.

SCENE: Jen and Dawson are walking together.

DWSN: Pacey talks a lot, like he's got all this experience, it's a lot of bluster.

JEN: You know, someone once said, the more a person a person talks about it, the worse they are at it.

DWSN: Well I hardly ever talk about it.

[They stop walking.]

JEN: I know. That's why I keep sticking around.

[They start to kiss; Jen pulls away. Her grandma is looking out the window]

JEN: You know what Dawson, now may not be the best time for this.

DWSN: I take it we're not alone?

JEN: Practically a (menage et twa??). Just look at it this way Dawson, repressing desire can only make it more powerful. So I figure the next time I see you, we are in for one titanic kiss.

DWSN: [laughing] If I could survive the wait.

JEN: It's not waiting Dawson, it's anticipation.

[She starts to walk away.]

JEN: Screw it.

[She comes back and kisses him; her grandma watches from the window.]

SCENE: Jen's kitchen. She enters; her grandma [JGMA] is there.

JGMA: Do you do these things to upset me, Jennifer?

JEN: It was only a kiss, Grams.

JGMA: Only a kiss. I seem to remember a lot of trouble back in New York starting after "only a kiss."

JEN: You know, your definition of trouble is broader than anyone's I know.

JGMA: Then why don't you tell me why you think your parents sent you here.

JEN: Well why don't you remind me again, Grams. I haven't heard a -- of my sins for what, like, 15 minutes now?

JGMA: I don't do this to torture you, Jennifer. I do this so you won't stray down the same path twice!

JEN: You know what? Grams, I'm bored of this. Of the way we talk to each other, of these conversations we have that go round and round in these incredibly pedestrian circles, and we say the same things over and over again, so let's just end this right now. What you saw outside with me and Dawson, Grams, was only a kiss. [She leaves.]

JGMA: [sighs] Only a kiss.

SCENE: Dawson's living room. His mom [MRSL] is sitting on the couch and his dad [DAD] is looking at his face in the mirror.

DAD: How could you have never seen that before?

MRSL: I've never seen it before. I swear to god.

DAD: You're kidding! Even after 20 years of marriage-

MRSL: Not 20 yet, not until Monday.

[Dawson walks in.]

DAD: Hey Dawson, Dawson, listen to this. Your mother just told me only moments ago that she has never before seen this scar underneath my chin. You believe that?

DWSN: You mean the one you got from that moped accident like 10 years ago up in the caves?

DAD: Yes! Thank you Dawson, thank you very much. Now, you see there, my son knows my face better than you do. Maybe you should start coming home early, to see my face in the daylight for a change. [leans over and kisses her]

DWSN: Don't bother, I'll show myself out. [leaves]

SCENE: Dawson's room. Pacey is there, rummaging through some tapes. Dawson walks in.

DWSN: [sees Pacey] Pacey. [Pacey ignores him.] Pacey, what are you doing?

PACY: The tape.

DWSN: What "the tape", the Miss Jacobs tape?

PACY: Yes, the Miss Jacobs tape.

DWSN: Stop, you're messing up my dailies. [Pacey stops looking through the tapes.] I told you I'd show you the tape, you couldn't wait?

PACY: No, guess not.

DWSN: Dude, I knew you had it bad for her, but calm down. It's not such a big deal. Here you go…….mad dog. [hands him the tape]

PACY: Dawson.

DWSN: Yeah?

PACY: You know, maybe I haven't been entirely honest with you lately. I mean, not that I've lied to you or anything, just withheld some details.

DWSN: Okay.

PACY: I'm not cursed with self-awareness like you are, Dawson. But, I know enough to know how people see me. I mean, I'm not the guy who gets the girl. The guy who talks about getting the girl, but not the guy who gets her. Enough people say that stuff about you, and you start to believe it yourself.

DWSN: I'm not quite following you here, Pacey.

PACY: I got the girl this time Dawson.

DWSN: What?

PACY: Yeah. Call it the law of averages, call it an act of God, call it whatever you want, but I got her.

DWSN: Who, Pacey, who did you get?

PACY: Oh man, you know what Dawson, I don't know how to tell you this, but…uh…the guy with the brown hair and throbbing neck muscles, the guy with Tamara Jacobs, that's…that's me, Dawson.

DWSN: No.

PACY: Yeah. And I'm not just talking this time, though, ohhhhhh, I wish I was 'cause off the top of my head I can think of about 40 reasons why this tape could ruin my life, not the least of which is the embarrassment factor. I mean, no guy's first time should be captured on video.

DWSN: Are you crazy? I don't think there currently exists a word to describe my reaction.

PACY: But I like her, Dawson, I really do. And it's not just the sex, man. I don't know, maybe this is too improbable and bizarre to ever work out.

DWSN: Bizarre might be a good word, yeah.

PACY: Yeah. Uh, this is going to sound a little strange, but on the tape…I mean…did I look alright? Performance-wise, did I cut it, man?

DWSN: Yeah, you did fine, man. I mean, from what I could tell, yeah. You did fine.

PACY: Cool, man. Thanks. And uh…don't tell anybody…

DWSN: Alright.

[Pacey leaves.]

[Dawson sighs in disbelief.]

SCENE: Dawson and Joey are walking down the street.

JOEY: You could get them some candlesticks, or a nice picture frame. Maybe a piece of folk art.

DWSN: Do you really think they'd like something like that?

JOEY: Dawson, your parents are middle-aged, white suburbanites. They live for folk art.

[They walk into a store.]

DWSN: You should see my parents lately. It's disgusting. It's like, half the time they're making out or dry humping in the living room. Y'know what's sad, I'm actually jealous of my parents sex life.

JOEY: What do you mean, Blondie isn't giving you any? I thought by now, you would've…uh…

DWSN: You're real romantic, aren't you Joey.

JOEY: Well personally I don' think you're gonna get anywhere until you off the wicked grandmother.

[Dawson looks across the store and sees his mom helping Bob [BOB] put on a jacket.]

DWSN: Mom?

[He and Joey walk over to his mom and Bob.]

DWSN: Mom?

MRSL: Dawson, hello. Joey. What are you doing- well, this is a surprise. What brings you out here?

DWSN: We were just doing some shopping.

MRSL: Oh. Oh, I'm sorry, Dawson, this is-

BOB: Bob Collinsworth.

DWSN: [shakes hands with Bob] 6 at 11, right?

BOB: Right.

MRSL: [to Bob] And Joey.

BOB: Hi.

JOEY: Real thrill.

BOB: [to Dawson] Uh, listen, your mom was just helping me out with a little wardrobe problem. Seems the station reasearch has indicated that while viewers like me, they hate my sportcoats. Anyway, it's wonderful to finally meet you, Dawson. Your mother has told me all about your film, being a bit of an Indy fan myself, I'd love to take a look at it when it's done.

DWSN: Sure. Okay, yeah.

MRSL: Bob, we really should get back to the prep session.

BOB: Oh, yeah, god, she's right. Um, take care. Pleasure to meet you both.

MRSL: [to Dawson] See you at home, honey. [kisses him on the cheek]

DWSN: Bye-bye, Mom.

MRSL: Bye, Joey.

[Mrs. Leery and Bob leave; Joey looks at them in disgust.]

DWSN: You know, it's funny, when I first saw Bob on television, I thought that he was a real tool, but I don't know, now that I met him in person, he doesn't seem all that bad. What do you think?

JOEY: I think you had it right the first time.

SCENE: Jen's kitchen. Jen's grandma is sitting at the table; Jen walks in.

JGMA: Dare I ask?

JEN: You're worst fears are founded, Grams. I'm going to see Dawson. And, y'know, maybe I'm just asking for it right now, but I would rather that you say whatever it is you're thinking than continue to look at me the way you are right now.

JGMA: You know that boy only wants one thing from you.

JEN: No, no, that's not Dawson at all. He's completely sweet, and honest, and romantic-

JGMA: And him and that Potter girl, the way she climbs in and out of his bedroom window. I don't even want to hazard a guess.

JEN: No, Dawson and Joey are just friends. Sure, I mean, maybe there's some of that sexual tension thing that happens when a guy and girl have been friends for so long, but that's as far as it goes. And as far as Dawson and me, Grams, well you saw the entire highlight reel yesterday afternoon.

JGMA: So I'd be correct in assuming you have certain feelings for him?

JEN: Yeah, you would.

JGMA: Well, nothing can be done about that. I only hope you can avoid making the mistakes that you and I both know girls your age often make.

JEN: You know, you always find a way to get that last dig in, don't you.

JGMA: Oh, Jennifer, you exasperate me. Everything I say isn't meant as criticism.

JEN: Oh, no, I know. Some of it is meant as judgement. [She leaves.]

SCENE: An outdoor café across the street from the video store. Tamara [TAMR] is sitting at a table reading; Pacey comes over from across the street and sits down next to her.

PACY: Hey, Tamara.

TAMR: Hi, well, this is a surprise.

PACY: Yeah, I saw you sitting here, and I thought I'd come over.

TAMR: Well, I'm glad you did.

PACY: So, whatcha reading?

TAMR: Oh, just the approved 10th grade reading curriculum, I'm trying to choose the next book for our class. [hands him the list] Any suggestions?

PACY: Yeah, how 'bout something with a little action in it this time?

TAMR: Action?

PACY: Yeah, sex. I mean, what is our school board so afraid of? We're practically adults now, we can handle this stuff. A few blue novels are not gonna kill us.

TAMR: [laughs] Pacey, every piece of literature that you'll read this year will have sex in it. Everything that you read last year probably as well.

PACY: Yeah, but it's not real sex. I mean, it's sex as a cautionary tale, sex as a warning. I'm not kidding about this. Every time somebody in one of those books has sex, something bad has to happen to them. Romeo and Juliet. They have sex, next thing you know, they're killing themselves. The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne has sex, next thing you know she's an outcast for life. The, uh…the Greek one…the…

TAMR: Oedipus?

PACY: Yes, that one. He sleeps with some chick, who, granted, is his mother, he's so freaked out by it, he pokes out his own eyes. Okay, that's not real life. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it has been known to happen that every once in a while, two people sleep together, they enjoy it, and afterward everything works out fine.

TAMR: Do you really think that is possible?

[He reaches over and takes her hand; she looks around, then pulls away.]

SCENE: Dawson's room; Dawson and Jen are watching Dawson's film.

[In the film, a monster comes out and Jen's character screams; Dawson stops the tape.]

DWSN: Alright, reaction. And I want complete honesty.

JEN: Well, if-

DWSN: Before you say anything, just know that your opinion means a lot to me, and if you hate it I can't even anticipate the downward spiral it might send me on.

JEN: Well, my pathetic shriek aside, I think it's really good, Dawson. Very promising and I'm sure it's gonna turn out great.

DWSN: Great?

JEN: Really great.

DWSN: I still have a lot of pre-dubbing to do tomorrow. I'm going to go down to my mom's station. They let me use the equipment down there without too much hassle, so, um, would you like to come along?

JEN: Yeah, it sounds cool.

DWSN: Yeah? Really?

JEN: Yeah. Why are you so surprised every time I jump at the chance to spend time with you?

DWSN: I don't know. Natural skepticism, perhaps?

JEN: Well, get over it. Not everything in life has to be so complicated.

[Dawson gets up, walks over and sits close to her.]

DWSN: Y'know, in the old movies, whenever two characters were in bed together, the censors always made one of them keep one foot on the floor. Which I never really understood, because I figured if the characters were clever enough, they could still do almost anything.

[They kiss.]

JEN: Dawson. Dawson, we've got plenty of time to prove our censors wrong. We don't have to make our case today. Okay?

DWSN: Okay.

SCENE: The recording studio. Jen is trying to fix her scream for Dawson's film. Dawson looks on with a guy who works there [GUY1].

[Jen screams.]

DWSN: Alright, that was great. Can we see that with picture?

GUY1: Sure, yeah. Seen your mom yet this morning, Dawson?

DWSN: No, I'll track her down later.

GUY1: Okay, here we go.

[The movie plays back with Jen's new scream.]

DWSN: [to Jen]We'll go again, this time more shock, less anger.

JEN: Alright, more shock, less anger. Okay.

[Jen tries to scream again.]

JEN: I'm-I'm sorry, Dawson, I-

DWSN: It's okay, we'll take a break.

[They go out into the hallway.]

DWSN: I'm sorry if I was being a perfectionist in there. I get like that sometimes.

JEN: No, I like a man who knows what he wants.

DWSN: Really. So do you like me?

JEN: Sorta. Oh, Dawson, look, there's your mom.

[Dawson's mom comes into the hallway. Bob follows and they kiss; Dawson watches in shock.]

SCENE: Dawson and Jen are sitting outside on a park bench; Dawson's face has a blank look.

JEN: Look, I know that your head must be spinning right now, and I don't know, maybe one of the things you're thinking is how unfair it is that right now, when you need to talk to someone most, you're kinda stuck here with little more than somewhat a stranger, but I mean we always seem to have something to say to each other, even if our conversations are more banter than real talk, you know, fun and sweet and everything but kind of on the surface. What I'm trying to say is that if you want to talk to somebody about this, I mean, really talk, even though I know we've never done that before, I'd really like to be that person.

[Dawson's expression doesn't change at all.]

SCENE: Outside Joey's house. Dawson knocks on her front door; she answers it.

DWSN: I need to talk to you.

JOEY: Okay.

[She joins him outside.]

[A few minutes later...]

DWSN: What I should really do is tell my dad. Dad, the woman you're about to celebrate 20 blissful years of marriage with, well she's sleeping with Bob now. Apparently the scent of his ice blue Aqua Velvet was too much to resist.

JOEY: I think we both know that's not the best idea, Dawson.

DWSN: God, I have joked about them having an affair but I was never serious. You ever wonder what the rate of adultery is in this town? I mean, your parents, my parents. We live in like this Norman Rockwell, picture postcard town, with whitewashed fences and beachfront houses. But underneath, it's- Do you think people know?

JOEY: People always know.

DWSN: Well, we didn't. Right? Joey? [She doesn't respond.] I'm sure I didn't know. Did you? [Still no response.] You knew. How could you not say anything?

JOEY: Why? So you could hate me for telling you? Because you know that's what would've happened. Besides, I thought you would have seen it by now.

DWSN: What?

JOEY: Well you're a pretty perceptive guy, usually. But I think we can agree that you've been a little preoccupied.

DWSN: What are you talking about?

JOEY: I'll give you a hint: blond hair, about the last stages of a B cup.

DWSN: Don't turn this into a discussion about Jen. Joey, you lied to me.

JOEY: I didn't know how to-

DWSN: What, were you threatened by Jen?

JOEY: Threatened, Dawson? No, I'm not threatened. I'm bored.

DWSN: You're bored, so you lied to me to curb your own boredom.

JOEY: I was trying to be your friend.

DWSN: No Joey, what you did was not the action of a friend. What you did-and let me make this perfectly clear-is disengage this friendship.

JOEY: No Dawson, I was trying, and-I didn't know how to-

DWSN: Struggling for something to say, Joey? At a loss for words? Don't worry, your actions are far more articulate.

[He turns and walks away.]

DWSN: Bye. See you later. Have a nice life.

[She watches him leave.]