Sanctum Dawsonorum. Dawson raving about Cliff and wondering what Jen sees in him. Joey referring to Cliff's "chest measurements," whatever that means. Dawson pacing, calling Cliff a bonehead, insulting Cliff's movie; Joey suspecting that his movie has nothing to do with why Jen went on a date with him. Dawson, of all people, accusing Jen of thoughtlessness for breezily mentioning her date with Cliff. Joey pretending to agree but secretly exulting. Dawson obsessing over the exact details of the slow dance he imagines Jen and Cliff sharing at that moment. Joey arching a worried eyebrow. Dawson's hair imitating a Sabrett-hot-dog-cart umbrella. Dawson wondering what Cliff did that he didn't do. Joey pointing out that Cliff asked Jen out. Dawson deciding to go to the dance. Joey discouraging him, since Jen is "in the arms of another man," after all, and "why torture yourself?" Dawson maintaining, "I'm an artist. Torture is a prerequisite." Sars plunging a freshly-sharpened pencil into her eye. Dawson asking Joey if she's coming with him or not; Joey still attempting to talk him out of it. Dawson saying he should kiss Jen, "not some J.Crew ad." Um -- oh, forget it. Joey describing Dawson's histrionics as "so pathetic," but agreeing to accompany him, if only to watch him embarrass himself. Dawson saying he has to check his hair. No, he actually said that, I swear to God.

While Dawson wrestles with his Muppet mane, Joey goes downstairs. She sort of spies on Mitch and Gail canoodling by the butcher block; Gail says she "might be late." They kiss nauseatingly. Joey goes to sit on the stairs, and as Gail bustles past in a suit with a skirt shorter than Ally McBeal's, she says, "Goodnight, Mrs. Leery," and scares the bejesus out of Gail for the second time. Gail, whose hair actually looks pretty sleek in this scene, says, "Joey, you scared me," then checks her watch and says, "Look, we need to talk." Joey asks Gail if she remembers Joey's mom, and Gail interrupts, "I just want to clear up this morning," but Joey cuts her off in a steely tone: "My mom was the best. She was an incredible woman. My dad, however, didn't always see that. He cheated on her for as long as I can remember and it tore her apart, crippling their relationship and nearly destroying the entire family." Gail asks why Joey is telling her this, and Joey says, "Because your actions affect others. They bleed into the lives of those around you, and --" Gail interrupts to say Joey doesn't understand, but Joey won't hear it: "No, you don't understand. My mom got cancer and died, so you do the math. You know your, your reasons for you doing what you're doing, they can't possibly outweigh the everlasting damage that you're creating." Gail starts to tell Joey to mind her own business, but something in Joey's face stops her, and instead she says brightly, "Does Dawson know?" From upstairs Dawson says, "Know what?" The women exchange a look as Dawson appears next to Joey, and Joey says quickly to Dawson, "How to dance. I told her we were going." Dawson says he knows how to dance and Joey murmurs in an attempt at her customary sarcasm, "Yeah, right." Dawson kisses his mom goodbye and Joey follows him out the door, saying, "Have fun tonight, Mrs. Leery," with a reproachful look over her shoulder.