CHAPTER 7

DAWSON'S BEDROOM

Dawson was sitting on his bed, still staring at the check in his hands, when someone knocked on his open door.

He raised his eyes and saw Joey, standing by his door.

"Hey", she greeted him.

"Hey", he repeated, surprised.

"Didn't mean to interrupt your session of ascetic meditation...", she continued while walking closer to him.

Dawson smiled.

"No, no, interrupt it, please. I'm going nuts."

Joey sat down next to him.

"What's going on?"

Dawson handed her the check.

"Pacey gave me this."

Joey looked at it both confused and surprised.

"That's a lot of money, Dawson."

"Way too much. He sold his car to give me this."

"Well, that's very generous..."

"You know how Pacey is. Either he does nothing at all, acting like he doesn't have a care in the world, or he comes out with these big outstanding gestures, feeling compelled to be the savior of the situation. He has no in-betweenes."

"I know well his big gestures, but if he does that, it's just because he's very protective of the people he loves and he would do anything to help them."

"I don't know...but every cell of my body is telling me that is wrong to take this money, especially from him."

"Then why haven't you ripped the check already instead of struggling so much?"

"Because there is still a small part of me that believes that, if I'm able to do this movie and it's a success, I can give it all back and this will only be a nightmare. Ripping it, instead, right now, would just mean giving up my dream and I'm not ready to do it."

"Then don't do it. Dawson, if Pacey gave you this money is because he wants you to have it. You know, when you gave me Mr. Brooks' money since I couldn't afford the college tuition requirement, I struggled so much thinking if that was the right thing to do or if I should have just given up my dream of going to Worthington and it turned out it was the right thing and you know why? Because our friendship was stronger than that."

"Yeah, but that was different because the friendship between me and Pacey is not so strong anymore. It hasn't been in a very long time."

"Then maybe this could be the chance to start making it strong again."

Dawson shook his head, skeptical about it.

"Joey...come on. I know that it's been three years that you can't wait for us to be friends again like we used to be, but I don't see how that could happen, especially after something like this."

"You know what I'm thinking, Dawson? I think that the real reason why you're not willing to accept his money is not because you believe it's wrong or because you're afraid of not giving it back or because of other ethical issues. It's only because, if you accept this money from him, it will mean that you forgive him, and not only for this last issue, but also for the one that has kept you so distant these past three years. But you know what, Dawson? It's time. It's time for the three of us to finally turn that page for good. Especially now that Pacey is in a very dark place and needs us."

Dawson stayed in silence.

"I'll leave you thinking...- Joey stated while getting up - See you."

Then, she glanced at him one more time and left the room.

SECURITY AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OFFICE

Pacey and Doug arrived at Mr. Campbell's office.

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Witter", Officer Campbell greeted him.

"Good afternoon", Pacey shook his hand.

Doug shook Mr. Campbell's hand too.

"Sheriff's deputy Doug Witter, nice to meet you."

"Please sit."

They both sat in front of him. Officer Campbell began to speak.

"So, the reason why I called you here is because there are some developments. Yesterday evening Mr. Rinaldi was arrested in the back of a brothel in Atlanta. He was transferred to a security facility here in Boston and he's been questioned all morning. He confessed that he bribed two members of the FDA commission and he then shared the acquired information with you, Mr. Witter."

Pacey exhaled more concerned.

"Also, we're investigating a couple more episodes in the past when he seemed to have acquired private information to get personal gain in similar circumstances. We'll continue his interrogation in the afternoon, but his position is very critical. The case will be sent to court and, with these multiple accusations, he could face up to 15-20 years of prison..."

Hearing so, Pacey frowned. As angry as he was at Rich for getting him involved in that story, there was still a part of him that felt sorry for him getting such a hard punishment.

"Anyway - Officer Campbell continued - We're here to talk about you, Mr. Witter. The information you provided and Capeside PD's contribution played a large part in the capture of Mr. Rinaldi. I told you that we would take into account any help on your side, so considering all this and considering that you were following your boss' orders and that all profits from that operation were confiscated, I'd like to give you the chance to settle this matter by paying a fine instead of going to court."

"This is great news, Officer Campbell - Doug exclaimed relieved - How much are we talking about?"

"Considering the charges Pacey's facing, we can settle this with a 20k$ fee. It may seem a huge fee, but the value of the capital Pacey moved was a few million dollars, so it's really the best we can do. Plus, he can get out with a clean criminal record, which is always a great thing."

Doug glanced at Pacey who was listening quietly with a preoccupied expression.

"Okay, thanks for the opportunity, Officer. We'll seriously consider it", Doug stated, speaking for both of them.

"And what if I don't pay?", Pacey interrupted with a faint voice.

"If you don't pay the fee by the end of next week, we'll have to issue a pre-trial detention order and then you will have to wait for the court ruling. I think that you could get away with a one-year sentence."

Pacey returned quiet and very thoughtful.

"All right - Doug resumed speaking - We'll get back to you, Officer. Thanks again."

"Thanks to you and the Capeside Police's contribution."

Then, they shook hands again and Pacey and Doug left the office.

While walking through the corridor to get out of the building, Doug noticed that Pacey was still very silent.

"That went well, Pace, you can get away with a clean criminal record, it's more than I was hoping for."

Pacey stopped walking and turned at him, both angry and baffled.

"Well? They asked for a 20 grand fee to be paid by the end of next week! How could it have gone well?"

"You committed a serious crime, Pace! What the hell did you expect? That they were gonna let you go with a scolding and a pat on the back? Come on, you're not 16 anymore! Plus, you told me you sold your BMW so you should be covered, right?"

"Yeah, I sold it - Pacey replied more calmly - but I don't have the money anymore."

"What do you mean you don't have it? You sold it three days ago, how can you possibly have spent all that money already?"

Pacey sighed.

"I gave it to Dawson. You know, I lost all of his savings so..."

Doug stared at him speechless.

"I...I really don't know what to do with you, Pace. You are broke with a criminal charge on your head and you can't foresee that, maybe, just maybe, you might need some cash to defend yourself..."

"I didn't know that they were going to ask me 20 grand, okay?"

Doug shook his head in disbelief.

"Whatever...I don't wanna get mad at you more than I already am. Maybe you can still talk to Dawson and explain the situation to him."

"What? - Pacey looked at him, annoyed - I'm not gonna go back on my word. I'm not that kind of person."

"Then, what are you gonna do? Even if I wanted, I don't have that amount to lend you."

"I'm not asking you that. I would never ask you that much. "

"Maybe you can ask Dad."

Pacey laughed.

"Sure..."

"Come on. I'm serious."

"And go through the humiliation of being considered not only a worthless idiot who gets nowhere in life, but also a wuss who has to ask for daddy's help to fix his own mess? I'd rather go to jail, thanks."

"Pacey, going to jail is not like spending the night in a cell under my supervision like you might have done a couple of times when you were a teenager. It's a terrible experience that changes your life forever."

"Thanks for scaring me. It's just what I need right now."

"I'm not trying to scare you. I just want to be sure that you'll consider every option carefully, leaving prison as the very last one. I don't want you to ruin your life, okay? So just...think about it, and if you want my advice, call Dawson and fix this before it's too late."

Pacey lowered his eyes, still conflicted.

"Come on", Doug said before they both resumed walking.