Neither Dawson nor Pacey can believe their eyes when Jack
unveils his latest contribution to Creek Times: a miniature
replica of the fictional town of Creekside. Before Pacey leaves to
take care of homework, he reminds Jack of their poetry assignment for
Mr. Peterson's class. Turning to the resident scribe for help, Jack
asks Dawson for a few pointers on writing a poem. Dawson advises him to
listen to himself and write from the heart.
The next morning, Ty tries to talk Jen into giving him a
second chance. She believes their religious differences will eventually
present a major obstacle. Ty, however, insists that there's more to him
than bible parties. Inside the hallways of Capeside High, Pacey shares
with Andie the good news of the latest progress report he just received
from his guidance counselor, Mr. Milo. Later, Mr. Peterson criticizes
Pacey's penmanship and gives him two choices of action, both of which will
result in a low grade. When Jack offers a few words to cheer up Pacey,
Mr. Peterson hears this exchange and instructs Jack to read his poetry
assignment out loud for the entire class to hear. Jack resists until
Mr. Peterson makes it clear that there is no alternative. Reluctantly,
Jack begins to read his poem, titled "Today". As the class listens,
Jack speaks of an inner fear and a male figure. Before he can finish the
poem, Jack breaks into tears and leaves the room. Not long afterwards,
Dawson and Joey overhear a group of guys talking about what happened in
the classroom and how Jack must be gay.
After school at the Ice House, Dawson and Joey discuss the
spreading rumor of Jack's apparent homosexuality. Joey dismisses the idea
without a second thought. Dawson, on the other hand, advises her to ask
Jack about it directly. Offended by Dawson's insinuations regarding Jack,
Joey abruptly ends their conversation. Over at the McPhee residence,
Jack leaves for work without hearing a word from his sister. Andie tells
Pacey that she would be disappointed if the rumors concerning Jack turn
out to be true, because she believes their family has enough problems
already. Pacey is disappointed himself with Andie's honesty. Back at the
Ice House, Joey confronts Jack and asks him to explain the poem. Jack
insists that there are no homosexual undertones in the poem and that
he himself is not gay. Meanwhile, Ty persuades Jen into accepting his
offer for another date. She sets the pick-up time for ten o'clock that
night. Ty takes Jen to a blues club and shows her a whole new side to
himself. They drink martinis and dance -- no bibles included.
Jack's poem has been posted all over the walls of Capeside High
by the next morning, and Pacey and Andie immediately begin to tear down
as many as they can find. In class, Mr. Peterson orders Jack to finish
his poem, picking up from where he left off the previous day. Trying
to save Jack from any further humiliation, Pacey stands up and begins
to read the poem himself. Mr. Peterson stops Pacey and writes him
a pass to report to the Principal's office. After Pacey angers him
further, Mr. Peterson informs Pacey that will receive an "F" for the
quarter. Their argument ends, for the moment, with Pacey spitting in
Mr. Peterson's face. At Principal Markey's office, Pacey refuses to
apologize to Mr. Peterson. Principal Markey warns Pacey that he'll
get a one-week suspension if he can't apologize to Mr. Peterson by the
next day. Pacey finds Jack sitting outside of the office. Jack has been
called to meet with Mr. Milo. Expecting gratitude, Pacey instead learns
that Jack wanted him to stay out of the matter. Outside, Ty discusses
the previous night with Jen. When asked about his apparent hypocrisy,
Ty explains that his religion expects him to be imperfect, so his form
of lifestyle motivates Ty to go to church each week. Back inside, Andie
and Dawson argue Pacey's choice to accept the suspension instead of
apologizing to Mr. Peterson. Pacey insists that he knows Mr. Peterson's
conduct was wrong. Before Andie can respond, they pass by Jack's locker
and stopped in their tracks by what they see. Shortly, Jack and Joey
arrive to see a crowd gathered around the locker. Spray-painted on Jack's
locker is the word "fag". Instead of leaving the scene, Jack walks up
to his locker and opens it as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Joey
walks up to the locker and deeply kisses Jack while the confused students
of Capeside High look on. Later, Andie finally breaks her silence with
Jack and does her best to comfort him. She tells Jack how impressed she
was when she read his poem, and that she can understand the fear that he
must be experiencing. In Dawson's bedroom, Joey admits that the rumors
may not entirely be out of the question. Dawson advises her to ask Jack
if he's gay, because their relationship won't last if they're not honest
with each other.
The next day, Pacey reports to the Principal's office and
admits his shame over the spitting incident. However, Pacey refuses to
apologize to Mr. Peterson, declaring that he will never respect the man
after what he did. Later that night, Andie finds Pacey sitting alone at
the docks. He tells her that he's been suspended for one week. Pacey
then expresses his disappointment in Andie for not supporting him
throughout his ordeal. Andie is equally upset with Pacey's reaction
to her difference in opinion. Pacey explains to Andie that he feels
responsible for instigating the whole mess. He leaves Andie on the dock,
refusing her offer to walk him home. Meanwhile, Joey finds Jack cleaning
up at the Ice House and asks him if he's gay. Jack assures her that he's
not gay. As they hug, Jack tries to say something else to Joey... but
the words never escape his mouth.
Written by Greg Berlanti
Directed by Sammy Smolen
Originally Aired Wednesday, February 10, 1999 8pm/7pm C
The WB Television Network
Synopsis Written By Alan Hufana