CHAPTER 10

DAWSON'S HOUSE

Joey and Dawson were sat at the kitchen table which appeared full of papers, pictures, and CVs of aspiring actresses. Joey seemed distracted while Dawson was very focused.

"I think the final choice for Sam could be restricted at these two - Dawson selected two CVs - This seems very natural, she's the prototype of the girl next door, very sweet, sometimes seems a little naive. On the other side we have this girl, stunning, but also very witty and sophisticated, maybe a little too self-assured...What do you think?"

Joey was staring at some point somewhere in the living room, absorbed in her thoughts.

"Joey?", Dawson insisted.

"Yeah! I completely agree with you, Dawson."

"Okay, so which one should we choose?"

"Which what?"

Dawson looked at her more confused.

"Which actress...Joey, have you been listening to what I was saying? You seemed distracted. "

"Yeah, I know, it's just that...I have a lot on my mind right now."

"Okay...do you wanna take a break?"

"Mhm...maybe. Dawson, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Ethically speaking, to what extent is it right to keep a promise about not revealing something very important that could have a huge impact on someone's life?"

"Well, are we talking about professional confidentiality? Is it a lawbreaking situation? Is someone's life at risk? Is there a murderer or a kidnapper at large?"

Joey glared at him.

"No, nothing so tragic. But still, let's imagine a situation where you can spare a lot of pain for someone, but at the same time break their trust forever or hurt somebody on the way."

"Mhm...It's hard to answer without having more details on the situation. What I could say is that sometimes, to achieve a greater good, you're forced to do things you never wanted to do or that could hurt somebody. I guess the only advice I can give you is to do what you think is right and what can allow you to sleep at night. Plus, from my personal experience, secrets can't stay secret forever. Sooner or later they'll be revealed anyway. "

Joey stayed in silence with a thoughtful expression. Dawson gazed at her, trying to read her mind.

"Is there a particular situation you wanna talk about? Is this moral dilemma really just a hypothetical disquisition or is it somehow connected to our lives?"

Joey sighed.

"As much as I enjoy philosophizing with you, Dawson, I'm afraid this is a real issue we need to address."

"Okay...What's going on? Is a mutual acquaintance of ours now in prison involved by any chance in this?"

"You know I went to visit him the other day."

"How is he?"

Joey's face darkened.

"Not so good. I'm worried about him and he doesn't want any help from us. But I can't stay here and do nothing even if he made me promise I wouldn't tell you about this."

Dawson exhaled deeply.

"What is it?"

"He told me that they had given him the chance to avoid prison if he could pay a 20k$ fine. Since you've taken his money I think you should know about it."

Dawson started to get angrier.

"I went to talk to him before cashing the check and I asked him if he was sure he wouldn't need that money and he said he was. I also told him that, if we wanted to be friends again, he shouldn't hide things from me anymore, but he still lied straight to my face once again...- Dawson paused, more demoralized - I really don't know what to think of him anymore."

"Maybe you could think that the reason he didn't tell you about this is because he thought you wouldn't accept his money if you knew it. And he really wanted you to have it, even if it meant going to prison. How many people would do that for a friend?"

"Okay, but why can't he just be honest with me for once and let me decide? I'm just so tired of this, Joey. I know that he still cares somehow, but it's just so damn hard to get past all this layer of constant secrets, lies and deception. All I wanted was the good old friend I had when I was a teenager, the one that used to cheer me up when I was down and I could talk to with an open heart because I knew he was loyal to the bone. Now, I can't no longer trust him."

Joey's expression got sadder.

"I know it's harder than how it used to be, but I think it's still worth trying. Worst case scenario...you'll have at least plenty of material for your next autobiographical film."

Both Joey and Dawson chuckled, releasing the tension.

"If there will ever be a next one – Dawson pointed out - ...or this one. You know, I'm starting to think that my career in film-making is doomed. Maybe it's the universe that keeps sending me signs that I should just give up."

"Dawson, until the universe sends ET here on a video camera-shaped spaceship to tell you that if you don't give up being a director his species will become extinct forever, I think you can continue."

"It wouldn't surprise me if that was the next thing to happen. I'll check my backyard just in case."

Joey laughed and then returned suddenly serious.

"So, what are you gonna do now?"

Dawson sighed.

PRISON YARD

Pacey was sitting beside the basketball court, watching some inmates playing. The young man he had fought with in the cafeteria a few days before, suddenly approached him and stopped right in front of him, blocking his view.

"I'm trying to watch the game. You're not really transparent", Pacey told him a little annoyed.

"Let's go for a walk", the other guy ordered in an intimidating way.

"Mhmm...no thanks."

Pacey stood up to move away. Before he could make a few steps, four more guys appeared from behind the court, blocking his way out.

Pacey grinned, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Come on", the boy insisted, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

Pacey began walking, more worried, followed by the other members of the crew.

Once arrived in a more private part of the yard, the men made him stop before one of the walls while positioning all around him.

"Five against one – Pacey mocked them – Don't you think it's a little too easy?"

The young man came closer to him.

"I told you were a dead man. You should've stayed in your place and minded your own business."

Pacey looked around, checking one last time where was everybody.

"At least I can still do this."

He threw a punch at the bully, hitting him hard in the face. Then, the other men got closer and started to beat him up.

After a while, Pacey was lying breathless on the ground, face full of blood, while one of the men was kicking him in the belly. Another member of the crew who was on lookout duty suddenly yelled.

"C.O.!"

Immediately, the others stopped beating him and started to run away.

Before going away, the crew leader knelt down in front of Pacey and whispered to him.

"Hope you enjoy the party. We haven't finished yet. See you soon."

Then, he ran away too.

Pacey spat some blood, unable to get up, while the correctional officer noticed him from the distance.

"Damn – the guard said under his breath before picking up his radio – We got a 10-53 in the west corner. I request immediate assistance."

PRISON INFIRMARY

Later, in the infirmary, Pacey was sat on a stretcher, holding an ice bag on his forehead. His face was now cleaned up from blood, but it was still very livid. A band-aid was placed on his nose while a nurse was placing another on his eyebrow.

A correctional officer entered the room.

"Witter?"

Pacey nodded with an aching expression.

"Maybe it's not your worst day after all. Someone bailed you out."

Pacey removed the ice bag from his head.

"What?"

"Yeah, you got it right. You can pick up your stuff and leave this shitty place. You're free."

PRISON ENTRANCE

A guard handed Pacey his belongings at the moment of the arrest in a paper bag, and then he passed him a module.

"Sign here."

Pacey took the pen tied to the wall and signed. Then he gave back the module.

"Okay", the guard said after glancing at it.

"That's it?"

"Yeah. You can go. Unless you wanna stay", he chuckled.

Pacey sneered at him, while his head was still killing him.

He slowly walked to the entrance where a guard opened the door. Stepping outside, he felt the light almost blinding him.

Right in front of the door, Doug was waiting for him, standing with his arm crossed before the passenger's door of a police car. His expression grew more worried with every step Pacey took in his direction.

"My God, Pace", he exclaimed when Pacey was finally at the car and he could see his face up close.

"Does it look that bad?"

Doug raised his eyebrows. Pacey opened the door and got in. Doug walked across the car and got in too.

Before starting the engine, he glanced again at his brother who was keeping a hand on his forehead, covering his eyes for his migraine.

"Don't stare at me like that – Pacey said feeling Doug's worried look– it's creeping me out."

"You're creeping me out."

Pacey sighed and resumed talking.

"So, do you mind to explain to me what's going on?"

"Dawson came to me with the money you gave him and told me to pay for your fine. He was very pissed off that you didn't tell him all the truth."

Pacey shrugged and looked away. Doug felt the need to add something more.

"I'm not the one who told him, if that's what you're thinking."

"I'm not. I perfectly know who did it", he added with disappointment.

Doug nodded and then started the car.

"Look, Pace, even if I didn't tell him, I'm really glad someone did."

Pacey lowered his eyes with a more pensive expression.

Then, Doug drove away.