NYC- Motel 6

Jess sat up on the edge of the bed next to a beautiful 19 year old girl, who was watching tv with the sound turned down while he talked on the phone with his mom.

Jess: Okay mom I'll try

Girl: (Wispering) Tell your mom I said hi.

Jess: Laura says hi.

Liz: Tell her hi back.

Jess: (to Laura) She says hi back.

Liz: I gotta go Jess bye

Jess: Bye Mom

Liz: I love you

Jess: I love you too bye.

He hung up the phone and immediately got his coat off of the bed and prepared to leave when he realized he didn't have his room key. searched around .

Jess: I gotta go!

Laura: Why?

Jess: I gotta get my car from luke.

Laura: (gets off the bed and moves toward him)the one you bought with Walmart Money.

Jess: That's the one!

Laura: Ah, so your going to Stars Hollow. A place that you hated, left, haven't seen in a year for a car you didn't really like in the first place.

Jess: As long as we've recapped can I go, now. Oh and do you know were my room key is?

Laura: NO!

Jess: No, I can't go or No, you don't know where my room key is?

Laura: No, You cant go…

Jess: (interupting) Why not?

Laura: Let me finish… You cant go with out me. And your room key is on the table.

Jess: (got the room key off of the table) Why do you want to come?

Laura: Because I love you and because that's what fiancés do.

Jess: (With a smile) So Its not jealousy I hear in your voice.

Laura: Yeah, but only a little. I'm not an idiot you told me everything about Stars Hollow you acted like it was this weird place you were forced to move to. But out of the blue Rory Gilmore was like a miracle. She was obviously the love of your life and your first love.

Jess: (puts his hands around her waist and kisses her) Shut Up…

Laura: Wha…

Jess: (Puts his finger on her lips) All I want to do is get my car and split.

Laura: Why didn't you just tell me that?

Jess: It fun to make you jealous

Laura: So do want to go to my parents place to get my car

Jess: No we can just take the bus their and the car back it be easier than taking 2 cars back.

Laura: Fine but how are we going to do this

Jess: This is the plan…

Chapter 2

Luke's Diner

Police officer Cooper enters and approaches the counter where Luke is standing

COOPER: Luke.

LUKE: Oh, Hey Coop.

COOPER: Good news, found the car.

LUKE: Oh good. Who would steal that thing. It's just a hunk of junk.

COOPER: It broke down on the expressway a couple of hours ago, the guy was in it.

LUKE: You got the guy?

COOPER: Yeah, but there's not a lot we can do, the guy's the owner.

LUKE: What do you mean? I'm the owner.

COOPER: Well, not according to the registration. It's registered to a --

LUKE: Jess Mariano. watches the tow truck drive by

COOPER: Yep. Says you're his uncle. Registration's long expired, too. It needs seeing to. But I just figured that since these seems like a family matter, I'd bring the car and the kid back to you. Luke watches Jess step out of the police cruiser.

LUKE: Yeah, a family matter.

CUT TO A VERY COLD STARS HOLLOW NIGHT - OUTSIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF LUKE'S DINER

Voices are heard off camera while tow truck attendant is lowering Jess' car to the pavement.

COOPER: Where do you want it?

LUKE: Right there's fine.

JESS: This isn't wasn't my idea.

Laura: I'll second that.

COOPER: You'll take care of the registration?

Officer Cooper is getting in his squad car.

LUKE: Yeah, thanks Coop.

JESS: (sarcastic) Yeah, thanks Coop.

COOPER: to his partner Lets go, Frank.

Laura: You must be Luke, (looks at Jess and Luke) well you two probably need to talk. Luke where's the bathroom?

Luke: Upstairs Can't miss it.

Laura leaves the room

LUKE: Well, look who's back.

JESS: I'm only here to retrieve my property.

LUKE: You've got a lot of nerve.

JESS: You've got a lot of nerve.

LUKE: How so?

JESS: You stole my car. Coop should have arrested you, why didn't he arrest you?

LUKE: Free donuts.

JESS: Beautiful.

LUKE: So you got anything you wanna say?

JESS: You could have washed it once in a while?

LUKE: Okay fine, the car is yours, our business here is done, hasta la vista, have a nice life. (starts to leave)

JESS: Our business here is not done. My car is wrecked because of you.

LUKE: Oh yeah?

JESS: Three of the tires are leaking, its got no oil, the floats in the carburetor are probably cracked so it's back-firing like mad, I mean, people were ducking when I was driving by. Then it stalled and wouldn't start.

LUKE: Well, you can find Mr. Goodwrench in the Yellow Pages, I think it's under M or is it G? I can never tell with those kinds of things.

JESS: You're paying for the repairs.

LUKE: Oh, don't make me laugh.

JESS: It's broken because of you.

LUKE: That thing was a piece of junk to begin with, the paint is the only thing holding it together.

JESS: And the expired registration? I'm gonna have to pay a fine.

LUKE: So, I guess it didn't work out with your dad, huh?

JESS: It worked out fine.

LUKE: So, what are you doing back East, buddy? Still searching?

JESS: Been traveling.

LUKE: That how you met that girl.

Jess: Laura

Luke Well, thanks for all the swell cards and letters you sent while you were away.

JESS: You kicked me out, what were you expecting - a candygram?

LUKE: I didn't kick you out, you got yourself kicked out.

JESS: Nice spin, you should work for Bush.

LUKE: So what did you get out of this Kerouac trip of yours? You write the great American novel or something? You learn how to play the harmonica?

JESS: What do you care, you're not my guardian anymore.

LUKE: And I bless every day that I'm not.

JESS: Well, when you're not good at something, it's best to cut and run.

LUKE: Aww, I'm sorry I tried to give you a decent life, Jess. I'm sorry I didn't think driving a fork-lift for the rest of your life was good enough for you.

JESS: Oh that is condescending, isn't it? I thought you were a friend of the working man.

LUKE: Oh, that sister of mine, what a prize. What a prize.

JESS: What does she have to do with any of this?

LUKE: I tell her about the car, she runs and tells you. That's what happened, right? Her claiming she had no contact.

JESS: Again, the car is mine. Liz was doing the right thing, that's what family does.

LUKE: Family? What a joke coming from you.

JESS: Go clean your counters, I'm tired.

LUKE: So, you staying in town?

JESS: I don't know of any twenty-four hour auto shops around here, do you?

LUKE: Well, you're not staying with me.

JESS: It didn't cross my mind.

LUKE: Get it fixed quick.

JESS: Believe me, no one wants it fixed faster than me.

LUKE: You stay away from her while you're here.

JESS: Stay away from who?

LUKE: You know who I mean.

JESS: Gee, you're so cryptic.

LUKE: You've done all the damage there you're gonna, okay?

JESS: I'm here to get my car, then I'm gone. walks away from Luke toward his stranded car

LUKE: Where are you staying?

JESS: Backseat's as comfy as anywhere. Tell Laura I'm in the car.

LUKE: Fine. As Jess gets in his chilly car, Luke returns to his diner

CUT TO ANOTHER PART OF THE STARS HOLLOW STREET
Rory and Lorelai exit Taylor's Soda Shoppe and walk together

RORY: Please do not say that word again.

LORELAI: It's a free country.

RORY: Just say hot chocolate or say nothing at all.

LORELAI: Mmm, terrific "Ho-Cho".

RORY: Oooh, I hate that. It's so cutsey-wootsey.

LORELAI: Do you hate it as much as my favorite summer treat?

RORY: Don't!

LORELAI: An ice-cold Fro-Yo! takes out her cell phone

RORY: Stop! Just stop - who are you calling?

LORELAI: I'm calling Jason, I promised I would check in. cell phone rings Hello.

CUT TO JASON'S APARTMENT AND BACK TO STARS HOLLOW.

JASON: I'm dying here, how'd it go?

LORELAI: Weeeell, it didn't.

JASON: disappointed sigh Oh.

LORELAI: Sorry.

JASON's VOICE: You chicken out?

LORELAI: Na - it's a long story - the timing was very bad. Rory stands shivering

JASON'S VOICE: You chickened out.

LORELAI: No, no. I - ah, yeah - kind of. Rory and Lorelai continue to walk down the sidewalk

JASON: Lorelai, we've got to do it.

LORELAI: Well, the timing has to be right

JASON: It's going to be awkward no matter when you do it.

LORELAI: Not if they're both unconscious.

JASON: Yeah, but then you're going to be dealing with why both your parents are unconscious, and doctors consultations, and phoning friends and relatives - the timing is bad there too.

LORELAI: Listen, it's ah - trust me, this was not good timing, and I swear to you there'll be much better timing in the near future. their stroll takes them to the front of Luke's diner where they stop. Rory notices a familiar car parked across the street. She slowly walks toward it. Well, near is near - I can't define it more than that. Uh, it's closer than far, how's that?

RORY: She stands close enough to see Jess asleep in the backseat. I don't believe this.

LORELAI: concerned Uh, honey - I gotta call you back, okay? Bye. Um, is that - ?

RORY: Yes.

LORELAI: Oh.

RORY: I don't believe this.

LORELAI: What is he doing here?

RORY: What is he doing - there? indicating the car

LORELAI: Asleep in his car - is he living in it?

RORY: I don't see stuff.

LORELAI: Does Luke know he's here?

RORY: Well, I know what you know.

LORELAI: disbelief He - may not know.

RORY: Well, it's right in front of his place. How could he not know?

LORELAI: Well, it's freezing out here. He could die, he must not know.

RORY: Or doesn't care.

LORELAI: Do you think David Blain put him up to this?

RORY: Why is he here? I mean, why did he come back?

LORELAI: Light's still on in there, Luke's in there somewhere - should we go talk to him?

RORY: uncomfortable No. It's too weird. shivers And it's - weird.

LORELAI: Definitely weird.

RORY: Well, I'll just see you at home. I'm - cause I don't want to deal with this. I'll see you at home. She quickly walks off, while Lorelai pauses a moment before walking to Luke's diner door.

CUT TO LUKE'S DINER INTERIOR - CLOSED
Lorelai taps on the door's glass window and Luke approaches and opens it.

LUKE: Hey, come on in.

LORELAI: Are you aware of whose out there?

LUKE: Yeah, I'm aware continues to stack chairs on tables

LORELAI: That he's sleeping in his car?

LUKE: Yeah.

LORELAI: It's about thirty-five degrees.

LUKE: He's a tough guy, he can take it.

LORELAI: Luke, why is he back here?

LUKE: Because I'm stupid.

LORELAI: Meaning?

LUKE: Well his mom showed up -- for what reason I don't know -- I'm still waiting for that shoe to drop. I mention Jess' car and then - boom - there's Jess.

LORELAI: So the mystery woman from this morning? That's Liz?

LUKE: In all her glory

LORELAI: Quite a day you've had.

LUKE: Oh, it's been delightful. I think Bobby McFerrin's gonna write one of those happy boop-boopdy-doo songs of his about this. I mean, she lied to me about having contact with Jess, so she's lied about everything else.

LORELAI: But why is he sleeping in his car?

LUKE: Because he's going to wait to have it fixed, it's a point of pride with the little punk. But please, don't tell Rory, he'll be gone tomorrow, no reason to upset her.

LORELAI: Well, she's already seen him.

LUKE: grimacing Oh man!

LORELAI: She's fine Luke. She's over it.

LUKE: Well, he won't go near her, I'll make sure of that.

LORELAI: Again, I don't think it's necessary. She can fend for herself.

LUKE: exasperated What a lie it all is!

LORELAI: All what is?

LUKE: Families. I mean, they're just messes. It's like this - spilled drink that just keeps spilling, and ya gotta keep cleaning it up, and you scrub and you scrub and you just can't get the stain up! Show me a happy family - just one. Didn't that Tolstoy-guy say something about families?

LORELAI: Probably

LUKE: It's a famous thing he said. It's like: "all families are unhappy" …or, or, or "happy on the surface"… or "unhappy in the same way"…

LORELAI: Sounds a little incomplete.

LUKE: Well, y'know, maybe he couldn't complete the thought because he was dealing with his stinkin' family.

LORELAI: Do the Hallmark people know about you? 'Cause you're a natural.

LUKE: (throws his hands up helplessly) I'm tired of cleaning up messes. I'm tired of helping people who do nothing to help themselves!

LORELAI: I'm sorry you're so upset. I just don't want you to have to deal with the frozen carcass in the morning

LUKE: He'll be fine.

LORELAI: Okay. Try to get some rest, okay? Relax. Watch a little TV - no family shows…

LUKE: (chuckles) Yeah, yeah… I'm going up now.

LORELAI: Bye.

she leaves and Luke, obviously upset, watches after her

Laura immediately comes down the steps

Laura: Wow Jess really did a number on you didn't he?

Luke: (startled) How much of that did you hear?

Laura: All of it. So who were you talking to.

Luke: Lorelai Gilmore

Laura: (sit down on the counter) Ah, Rory's mother.

Luke: How did you know that?
Laura: Jess told me everything about this town. And everyone from taylor to kirk.

Luke: Really? Jess really isn't all that chatty

Laura: Yeah well I know Jess. I might not know anything else in this world but Jess is easy.

Luke: (Laughs) I wish I had that knowledge.

Laura: It can all be yours for the low, low price of $19.95

Luke: (Remembering) Jess wants you to go to the car.

Laura: I do not want to sleep in that car.

Luke: I don't blame you

Laura: I'll make you a deal you trick him into stay here I'll give you a crash course in Jess.

Luke: Deal