Act 2

Act 2, Scene 1

Int. Rhodes Hall - Night, Day 2

FADE IN on a sunset over Boston, fade to a wide pan of a large crowd dancing in Rhodes Hall on Worthington campus. We pan in closer to a group of people dancing, Tobey included. As we pan around, we see Jack leaning against the wall watching Tobey and smiling to himself. Lewis walks by not noticing Jack.

Jack: Whoa, hey, Lewis!

Lewis: What? Oh! Jack!

They hug, though somewhat uncomfortably. The awkwardness of the last time they saw each other still hanging in the air.

Jack: I didn't know you were back yet.

Lewis: Got in yesterday morning. Was a bit of a hermit. Cleaning up my room. Sorry I didn't come by to say hi.

Jack: No problem. Well, it's great to have you back. (beat) Look, Lewis, about before. I'm sorry if I pushed you or if you felt I was laying on too strong... I just wanted to help.

Lewis: I know, Jack. And I'm sorry I kinda snapped on you. It's totally not about you.

Jack: (somewhat relieved, but still curious) I know. (beat) Then who is it about?

Lewis: (laughing) So much for not laying on too strong. (beat) It's... Well, I've had some time to think about it these past two weeks and I'm still not sure, but there's definitely some unresolved feelings there.

Jack: With Jacob?

Lewis: No. No, the unresolved feelings there have been... resolved. These feeling are the kind every gay man wishes he never has, but always seems to find himself with.

Jack: Straight guy, huh?

Lewis: The straightest.

Jack: Well. You have two options.

Lewis: I know the options, Jack. But let's hear them anyway.

Jack: You can tell him.

Lewis: No.

Jack: Or you can forget you ever felt them.

Lewis: And risk missing the wall the next time I throw my bag at you?

Jack: (laughing) Hey, whatever helps.

Lewis: Thanks, Jack. But before I go break a few of your ribs to save my sanity, I think I'll try the good old fashion way.

Jack: Good luck, man.

Lewis: (taking a deep breath) Thanks.

Lewis smiles nervously, then walks off as Tobey comes to stand beside Jack.

Tobey: So?

Jack: Not me.

Tobey: Then who?

Jack: Straight.

Tobey: No.

Jack: Yup.

Tobey: Poor guy.

Jack: Yup.

They both stare off after Lewis for a moment.

Tobey: So you wanna dance?

Jack: (smiling) Yup.

Tobey leads Jack off to the dance floor as we FADE TO

Act 2, Scene 2

Int. Rhodes Hall - Night, Day 2

FADE IN on Jen, standing in a line of women in the hallway. She taps her foot, glances at her watch, and then taps her foot again. We see Joey walk past, and Jen reaches out to grab her.

Jen: Joey!

Joey turns back around and stops.

Joey: Oh, hey Jen! (looks back and forth at the line) What are you doing here? It's almost midnight.

Jen: I know. Too much punch. But I can't wait. Have you seen Drue?

Joey: Last time I saw him, he was grinning like a Cheshire Cat next to the punch bowl. Is he up to his high school antics again?

Jen holds up her hands as if to say 'don't blame me'.

Jen: I have no idea. He's my boyfriend, not my responsibility. (laughs) He keeps my life interesting, no doubt about it. (beat) How about you? Met your Prince Charming tonight?

Joey: Nope, there doesn't seem to be anything but toads here tonight.

Jen looks over Joey's shoulder, sees Pacey in the distance, and smiles to herself.

Jen: Oh, I don't know. Keep looking, I think your Prince Charming might be here after all. (shooing Joey away with her hands) Go, have fun. Dance the night away.

Joey (laughs): Okay, Mom. I will. You have a great evening too.

Joey walks off down the hall, toward the room full of dancing couples, and we leave Jen, in the bathroom line, as we FADE TO

Act 2, Scene 3

Int. Rhodes Hall - Night, Day 2

FADE IN on Drue walking through the same hallway, obviously looking for Jen. The spot where she was in line is now filled by someone else. He glances up the staircase but doesn't see her. As he looks back up the hallway, we see Lewis approaching.

Lewis: Hey Drusilla. Looking for someone?

Drue (annoyed): Yeah, have you seen Jen? (beat) She disappeared a few minutes ago and it's almost midnight.

Lewis: And it wouldn't be the same without that kiss at midnight, right?

Drue (still annoyed): Right, now if you'll excuse me...

Lewis: Drue, wait.

In the background we hear people beginning to count down toward midnight.

Drue: What is it Louie? I'm busy if you didn't notice.

Crowd: 10...9...

Lewis: I just wanted to say...

Drue (interrupting): Where is she? It won't be the same without kissing her at midnight.

Crowd:...8...7...

Lewis: Drue, I just wanted to tell...

Drue: She's got to be around here somewhere. Are you sure you haven't seen her?

Lewis: No, but I...

Crowd:...6...5...4...

Drue (interrupting again): Damn it! Where could she be? Is it too much to ask for a kiss at midnight?

Crowd:...3...2...1...Happy New Year!

Lewis: Oh, what the hell!

Lewis grabs Drue, kisses him quickly, then releases him.

Lewis: There, you got a kiss at midnight? Happy now?

Drue just stands there, dumbfounded. Lewis has a slight smile, but is quickly embarrassed at what he has done, and he leaves quickly before Drue can say a word. Drue, still confused, watches Lewis leave as we see Jen come running up from behind.

Jen: There you are. I'm sorry. I got stuck in the line to the bathroom. Why is it women take so damn long?

Drue (not paying attention): Um... Okay.

Jen pauses at the weird response then quickly brushes it aside.

Jen (seductively): So how about that New Year's Eve kiss?

Drue (still taken aback): Um, I think I already got one.

Now Drue and Jen both stand there, dumbfounded, as we pull back to see people dancing and celebrating around them and FADE TO

Act 2, Scene 4

Int. Rhodes Hall - Night, Day 2

FADE IN on Dawson and Liz holding each other on the dance floor, in a romantic kiss. Dawson pulls back.

Dawson: Thank god it's 2002.

Liz: (smiling) Was 2001 really that bad?

Dawson: I'm sure I'll look back on it later in life and say, "I learned a lot about myself that year." But really, a lot of things have happened. A lot of change. And I don't deal with change very well.

Liz: So I should delay my dying my hair for a month or so? Give you time to adjust?

Dawson: I will not have you mock me.

Liz: Who's mocking? I'm merely taking advantage of this adorably cute vulnerability to get your opinion on the future of my cosmetic adventures.

Dawson: (playing) Okay, you just sucked the fun right out of that moment. (beat) I'm going for some punch.

Dawson begins to walk away, with Liz right in tow. They pass Jack and Tobey who are dancing, and we stay on them.

Tobey: 2001 ended well, didn't it?

Jack: Yeah. (beat) A little too well.

Tobey: Knock on wood right now, mister. You will not jinx this year only minutes into it.

Jack: Sorry.

Tobey: (after a pause) It did end very well.

Jack: (smiling, and pulling Tobey in closer) Yeah.

Tobey: Okay, do me a favour?

Jack: Anything.

Tobey: Don't let go for a while?

Jack: (laughing slightly) Sure thing.

Tobey: I mean, a really long while.

Jack: (another laugh) God, I love you.

They stay in their embrace for a while, and then Lewis goes rushing past in a nervous wreck. Tobey sees him, but Jack doesn't.

Tobey: Uh, can you hold that thought?

Jack: (a little thrown off) Uh, okay. Is everything okay?

Tobey: Yeah, everything's fine. (beat) I just know one person whose year didn't end so great.

Jack: You always think about other people first. You're amazing, you know that?

Tobey: I like the sound of that. I'll make sure I get you to repeat it later.

He smiles, kiss Jack quickly, and then goes after Lewis as we FADE OUT