NOTE: This chapter is largely based upon, and includes dialogue from s05e14 Guerilla Filmmaking, written by Jon Kasdan.

Oliver handed Dawson something, much to the confusion of the latter.

"What's this?" Dawson asked

"My script" Oliver said

"So, you want me to read it?" Dawson suggested

"I want you to direct it" Oliver said

"Let me read it and get back to you. But just so you know, I've never directed anything I haven't written before"

"Oh, don't worry about that. I'm sure you'll do great. Besides, we can credit toward our coursework for it"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. But let me ask you this, why don't you just direct it?"

"Because I want to star it it"

"Really?"

"Yeah, the main character, Gage. I want to play him"

"Well, I'm sure once I've read it, I'll know who that is, and I'll have some idea of how that might work out"

"And then you'll do it?"

"Maybe. Just let me read it first" Dawson insisted

"Alright. I'm sure you'll make the right decision" Oliver said, blinking, and then he walked away.

"So, you're making a movie. What do you want me to do about it?" Emma said dismissively

"I'd really like you to help out" Oliver explained

"In what capacity?"

"I want you to star in it"

"Alongside you? You've got to be joking"

"Not at all. I think you're perfect for the role. You have the exact right attitude, and look. You'd be great"

"Well, if I read the script, and if I like it, and if you do the laundry, and washing up for a month..."

"Not a problem. I'm sure you'll love it, and I'll do any chores you want, for the next year"

"Alright. Why not, should be a laugh. Let me see..." before Emma could finish, Oliver produced a copy of the script

"Now get out of here, so I can read it?"

"So, do you think I should do it?" Dawson asked Andie

"I'll answer your question if you answer mine" Andie replied

"Okay, so we're taking it in turns, sounds good. Go ahead…"

"How did you know I was here?"

"I called your Aunt, after Jack gave me her number. My turn. Why are you here, and not at Harvard?"

"Because its in Boston, and that's where Jack and all of our friends are, at the moment. Now, do any of them know where I am at the moment?"

"No, and until you say otherwise, it will stay that way. Why don't you want to see them?"

"Because I'm avoiding them"

"Why?"

"That's cheating. I get to ask next"

"Okay, what do you want to know?"

After a few seconds, Andie said "Is it true you kissed Daria, just before boarding your flight?"

"Yes"

"So, are you two, like, together now?"

"Sorry. I can't answer. Its my turn"

"Alright, go ahead"

"Should I direct Oliver's movie?"

"That depends on what you thought of the script"

"Its pretty good, but it has a few issues. He shows real potential though"

"So, tell him that, and see how he takes it, then decide based on that"

"Thanks. That's actually really good."

"I'm happy to help"

"And I like how you did it without asking any follow up questions"

"Well, I was just following the rules. Speaking of which, can we..."

"Stop now? Of course. This whole thing was getting tiring"

Dawson sat down with Oliver and gave his extensive notes to Oliver, starting with the ending. At first, Oliver was somewhat annoyed at having his work questioned, but eventually, came to accept the criticism, and the two of them managed to tweak the script together. However, the shooting process would prove to be entirely different.

At Andie's suggestion, they had decided to film on location at Cambridge, on campus, and Andie had given them access to the Cambridge film lab (realising it would probably be superior to the one at their own school). Unfortunately, the weather had worked against them. Added to this, random strangers passing through the background of their shots, some of whom caught sight of the filming and asked what was going on, putting them behind schedule. There was also the fact that they were nearly moved on by campus security. It was only Andie's quick talking, and student ID that saved them.

However, the biggest problem was undoubtedly the casting. Oliver and Emma had no onscreen chemistry. To make matters worse, Emma had a lot of trouble taking the dialogue seriously, and would frequently giggle, and then burst into uncontrolled laughter.

One scene in particular, went like this:-

Girl (played by Emma): I know you're a snake and a con artist. I know you've slept your way through the entire female student body and half the faculty. The kind of boy who'll break your heart and then start in on your sister

Gage (played by Oliver): Ahh. You must be confused. Understandable. It's a common affliction among blondes.

When Emma composed herself after her laughing fit she said "how am I supposed to take this seriously? I'm not even blonde"

It was at this point Andie realised what she had to do.

"I'll do it" she said

"Do what?" Dawson asked

"I'll play the role myself"

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Dawson asked

"Absolutely. Besides, there's no other way. No offence Emma, but I think you'll agree, you're not working out"

"Yeah, you're right. Why don't I hold that thing..." Emma said, pointing to the large object in Andie's hand

"Its called a boom mic" Oliver said, and Emma took it off Andie

"And you can kiss my cousin, and we'll all be a lot happier"

Oliver and Dawson simply shrugged and accepted this development. It turned out to be the right call, as Andie proved much better for the role, and she and Oliver had great screen chemistry. Although it took a little while for Emma to get used to holding the boom mic, and it occasionally drifted into the camera frame, making some takes unusable.

On the whole, the entire production went much more smoothly after that. They got back on schedule, and before they knew it, they were shooting the final scene. Before filming the scene, Dawson pulled Andie aside, and whispered some instructions to her, that neither Oliver, nor Emma were able to hear.

The scene then went as follows:-

Dawson announced with the clapper board "Scene 32, take 1, and...action!"

Gage: You ruined my life. You wrecked me!

Girl: I know... and I'm sorry. I did a bad thing. I've done a lot of bad things in my life. I didn't have a choice. I had to do it, because it was all part of the trip. The journey... to this place, this moment, with you. The thing about life? You can't lose and you can't win... but you've got to try.

Gage: How do you...

Girl: Don't speak

Gage: But...

Girl: Don't speak. [The Girl takes Gage's hand and looks up as it starts to snow, and walks off into the dark together.]

"...and cut. That was perfect" Dawson said

"So, we're done now?" Emma asked

"We're done. That's a wrap everyone" Dawson announced.

After that, they started picking up, and Dawson and Oliver began thinking about, and talking about, how they were going to edit the whole thing together.

Dear Dawson,

You ask a lot of questions for someone who barely knows me. The latest news from the gang is that everyone's mad at Jack, for some frat party thing (that I don't even think is that big a deal), and Joey and Jen found out they're sharing a boyfriend, but instead of fighting about it, they decided to gang up on the guy.

As far as my acting and singing aspirations go, I'm sure whenever you're back on this side of the world, we can arrange a private performance, of some kind.

Sincerely

Audrey Liddell