TEXT: [Dawson's Room - Gretchen and Dawson are playing 'Life', the board game.] Gretchen: Whatcha thinking? Dawson: Uh, nothing. Just... Joey. Uh, she and Jen got on a train for New York a couple hours ago. Gretchen: Don't they have school in the morning? Dawson: No. No, they don't. It's ditch day. Gretchen: You know, the night before our ditch day, me, Alice, Carol, Ted, and Bobby were sitting at my house, and we didn't have anything to do. So we got in our car and we just started to drive south. We drove all night, all day, all the way to the Virginia state line, got out of our car, looked around, turned back, and drove home. Dawson: I've never done anything remotely like that in my entire life with anyone. Gretchen: Why not? (Dawson grabs her hand and pulls her off the bed and down the stairs.) Wait, what are we doing? What about Life? I was about to retire in style. Dawson: We're gonna abandon Life for a little while. We're gonna get in the car and drive. Gretchen: Whoa, Tex. I wasn't making a suggestion, just basking in a nostalgic impulse. Dawson: Doesn't matter. It's exactly what we need. Gretchen: Why does this sound like a Bruce Springsteen song? Dawson: It is, exactly like that. It's epic and--and romantic and crazy and perfect. Plus, I don't think we have a choice 'cause it's not enough just to recognize your fears. Gretchen: Well, it may be enough for right now. Dawson: No, it's--I can't wait. Time is running out. I mean, don't you feel it, at least a little bit, the absolute urgency of this moment? (he kisses her) Come on. [Therapist Office - Jen sits on the couch talking to Frost.] Frost: You're very quiet today. Jen: I know. I'm sorry. Frost: Don't be. Tell
SUMMARY:
As senior ditch day arrives, Joey is excited to find herself accompanying Jen on an excursion to New York under the guise of attending a college meeting. It isn't long before Joey sees that they are there for an entirely different reason. Jen finally talks to her father, for the first time since she left for Capeside. She witnessed her father in bed with another woman before she moved to Capeside, and that her attitude towards men and herself has been harmed by what she saw. Meanwhile, Gretchen and Dawson take off on a road trip. Back in Capeside, Pacey and Drue find themselves the only seniors in school. Out of frustration, they head for a bar. The night ends in disaster, however, when Pacey is arrested for public drunkenness.