Title: Gotta love that Stars Hollow
Author: Alysinomo (alysinomo@hotmail.com)
Rating: PG
Archived: 6/15/2003
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Takes place sometime in happier GG times when Rory and Jess are still together and happy, Lorelai still has an impossible relationship with Emily, and Luke is still as skeptical as ever. In this darling little fic, Luke wins the lottery, Emily takes a cooking class, Rory receives a proposal and Lorelai meets her match.
* * *
Voiceover: Previously on Gilmore Girls…
Cut to LUKE and LORELAI in the DINER.
LORELAI: You need to start taking more risks!
LUKE (deadpans): Why.
LORELAI: Because it's healthy and fun.
LUKE: I take risks. I try out new recipes, I try out new menus – and hey, I tried Kirk's lemonade from his ten-cent lemonade stand last summer. It was the most god-awful lemonade…
Cut to EMILY and a MAID standing in the font hall of the GILMORE MANSION.
EMILY: I'm sorry Louisa, but you do know why I'm letting you go, don't you? You are continuously baking the asparagus at 375º, when I specifically asked for it to be cooked at 300º.
LOUISA: Ma'am, I steamed the asparagus. I believe that's how you cook it.
Cut to RORY and JESS walking along the road.
RORY: Do you believe in love at first sight?
JESS: No.
RORY: Why not?
JESS: I just don't. Though technically I wouldn't know, because I've never been in love before.
(Rory looks extremely hurt.)
Cut to LORELAI and MICHEL, working behind the desk at the INDEPENDENCE INN.
LORELAI: Michel, what do you think of me?
MICHEL: I prefer not to think of you.
LORELAI: I think I'm original.
MICHEL: Although apparently you like to think of yourself.
* * *
Open to STARS HOLLOW streets. LORELAI and RORY are walking to LUKE'S DINER before work and school, respectively.
LORELAI: So I convinced Luke to buy a ticket for the Stars Hollow jackpot, $6000!
RORY: No way! (pauses) Why?
LORELAI: I thought his skin was looking a little sallow, I'm owning it up to the lack of risk-taking.
RORY: Nothing like a lottery ticket to bring health back into your life.
LORELAI: Or kill you, depending on your age. Or heart.
RORY: Luke's old. Does he have a heart condition?
LORELAI: He might! I never asked. What have we done!?
RORY: We?
LORELAI: (thinks) Forget it. He could use a good heart attack to re-evaluate his life.
(OPENING CREDITS) * * *
LORELAI and RORY enter LUKE'S DINER, a non-descript yet cozy establishment. LUKE, the disgruntled yet oddly attractive owner saunters over to a table, where LORELAI and RORY have seated themselves.
LUKE: Alright. What'll it be?
RORY: Pancakes, bacon and….ohh! Hashbrowns!
LUKE (looking at Lorelai): You?
LORELAI: Did you win yet?
LUKE (huffs impatiently): What?
LORELAI: The lottery!
LUKE: I have no idea, I haven't turned on the radio.
LORELAI: What? (leaps up from the table and snatches the radio, flicking it on)
KIRK (on radio): Folks, this is Kirk. That was Madonna singing the 80s classic "Material Girl"-
LUKE: What kind of garbage do they put on the radio-
LORELAI: Shh!
KIRK: I now have an announcement regarding this month's Stars Hollow lottery. As you all know, we've taken the normal winnings about $3000 and doubled them! That's right folks, you could win a $6000 jackpot! And since this is such a great pot, we've kept tickets on sale for an extra day. You can still purchase your lucky ticket from a number of responsible Stars Hollow merchants, such as Doose's Market or Drusilla's lingerie shop.
RORY: Yay! And I thought we missed it. But I still wanted to find out who won…it could be you Luke!
LUKE: (looks at Rory): What? It's just a stupid lottery. Lorelai, get out from behind my counter.
LORELAI: (pointing at radio): You better keep that on, Mr!
LUKE: Why? They're not announcing the winners until tomorrow. What do you want?
LORELAI: Because I like 80s pop thank you. Waffles and a side of everything on your sides list. And two cauldrons of coffee. Please. (Smiles prettily)
LUKE: You're going to die eating all this crap. And 80s pop is garbage. It assails the ears.
LORELAI: Well at least I'll die happy. Better than Gwynnie and her macrobiotic diet.
LUKE looks at LORELAI, torn between disgust, amusement and a hint of affection. A hint.
* * *
Cut to LORELAI and MICHEL at the INDEPENDENCE INN.
LORELAI: Michel, did you call Larry and tell him he owes me a favour?
MICHEL: You mean, did I call Larry and tell him he has to re-shingle our roofs just because you performed the Heimlich on him while he choked on a Krispy Kreme donut at the "Staff Appreciation Party?"
LORELAI: Rory's Chilton first-aid training paid off, that school teaches you more than how to weasel your way into the Ivy League. And that was a great party by the way, I don't like your tone of voice.
MICHEL (sarcastically): I'm sorry. I'll call the poor man.
* * *
Cut to RORY walking up to CHILTON PREP from the bus stop. We see JESS leaning against the hood of his car, attempting his usual casual and aloof stance. He smiles faintly when he sees RORY heading in his direction.
RORY: Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?
JESS: I dunno. Maybe.
RORY (trying to be firm): Go to school, Jess. Drive back to Stars Hollow, go to your classes, pass highschool.
JESS: So that's the order they go in? I always got confused about what I was supposed to do after I went to class. Something about taking tests? The school concept boggles my mind.
RORY (smiling): Stop. What are you doing here?
JESS: I came to say hi.
RORY: You could say hi at, I don't know, 4 o'clock?
JESS: I like you better in the morning.
RORY: Is that what you say to all the other girls?
JESS (fakes astonishment): Is it that obvious?
RORY: Sorry. (smiling) So what are you really doing here?
JESS (starts playing with her hands absentmindedly): Well…you know how I'm going to New York this weekend? You know, to just check back in on the Great Big Apple?
RORY: Are you ever going to let me live that down?
JESS (kisses her): nope.
RORY: You're mean.
JESS: I know.
RORY: So what about New York?
JESS: I want you to come with me.
RORY: I don't know…
JESS: I know that I'm not your mom's most favourite person, but I really want you to come with me. We're not even going to my mom's, we can each get our own hotel rooms, we can check out CD stores, weird street acts, rip off designer watches…
RORY: I don't know. I mean, I want to go, but I don't know. My mom might need me.
JESS: I think she can survive a weekend without you.
RORY: Are you sure?? Did you even see her last summer?
JESS (grinning): She was pathetic.
RORY: I know. She called me at like 4 in the morning the day before I was supposed to come. To tell me about a dream.
JESS: Must have been some dream.
RORY: You have no idea.
(comfortable silence)
RORY: I have to think about it. Come up with a plan to stabilize the co-dependent mother forces.
JESS: Good luck, noble leader. (they kiss)
RORY: I'll see you tonight?
JESS: You know where to find me. Stars Hollow isn't that big.
RORY: Cute. School! Now!
JESS smiles at RORY before getting into his car. Starting the engine, RORY gets off the hood and begins to walk towards the main school building, glancing back around once.
* * *
Cut to LORELAI doing paperwork and answering phones at the INDEPENDENCE INN.
(phone rings)
LORELAI: Independence Inn, Lorelai speaking. (pause) Larry! How are you? (pause) Uh huh. That's right. A very rude French man did ask you fix our roof. (pause) Yes, we're still working on his social graces. He's still learning not to bark at other dogs. (pause) No, Larry. I didn't mean you were a dog, I meant it as a joke. I mean, I did imply that you were a dog, but it's all fun and games right? Remember the Staff Appreciation Party? You know, the one Mia held when she was still living in Hartford? (pause) Larry, are you feeling alright? (pause) Yes, sorry Larry. Yes, that was another one of my tasteless jokes. (pause) Ok look, forget the jokes. How much is it going to cost for you to get you and your sexy construction men down here and fix my roof? (pause) What? That's a lot. (pause) That's not actually the going rate, is it? (pause) Yes, yes Larry I value your profession…it just seems a tad expensive. (pause) Yes, I need my roof fixed! (pause) Ok, I'll make you a deal. I'll give you a complimentary breakfast if you knock $150 off your rate (pause) Larry, it's a fair deal! I'm going to feeding you and like 10 other construction guys! (pause) Only 5 other? Ok well, how about $100? (pause) Larry… (pause) Excellent! Glad to be doing business with you, we have a deal! I'll see you tomorrow at 9:30? (pause) Ok, buh bye now.
* * *
Cut to LORELAI and SOOKIE in the KITCHEN of the INDEPENDENCE INN. LORELAI is perched nonchalantly on a bare counter, sipping a large, purple, bowl-like mug of coffee. SOOKIE is bustling around the kitchen, anxiously stirring, tasting, and scolding her concoctions to perfection.
LORELAI: So I got a nasty call back from Larry, the roof man.
SOOKIE: Oh?
LORELAI: Apparently Michel's people skills suck.
SOOKIE: I thought we already knew this.
LORELAI: Yes, but apparently they really suck.
SOOKIE: Surprise, surprise. So did you do damage control?
LORELAI: On Larry?
SOOKIE: Yeah.
LORELAI: Yeah! I calmed him down and negotiated $100 bucks off the roof price…but at a cost. You're going to have to whip together a damn good breakfast for 6 tomorrow, wonder woman.
SOOKIE: You want me to feed him and his crew?
LORELAI: (singsong voice) We're saving a hundred bucks…
SOOKIE: If I didn't love to cook I'd be annoyed by you and your sloughing off of responsibilities.
LORELAI: I'm not sloughing!
SOOKIE: You're leaving it up to me to please little Larry.
LORELAI: That's only 'cause you're the one I trust, Sook. (phone rings) Hang on. (picks up phone) Hello, Independence Inn, Lorelai speaking.
EMILY (on phone): Lorelai!
LORELAI: Mom!
EMILY: How are you today?
LORELAI: Umm…I'm not bad…why are you calling?
EMILY: To say hello.
LORELAI: You never call just to say hello.
EMILY: Well, I'm starting now.
LORELAI: Right. (pause) So what's really going on?
EMILY: Don't laugh.
LORELAI: I won't.
EMILY: I'm serious, Lorelai.
LORELAI: I promise mom, I won't laugh…unless it's on parallel with that time on vacation…in Maine, when I was 10? (starts laughing) Ok. So maybe that wasn't funny.
EMILY: If you're going to mock me Lorelai, I won't tell you.
LORELAI: I'm sorry. Tell me. Quick. I have work to do.
EMILY (sighs): I'm taking a cooking class.
LORELAI: (feigns shock and dismay): Dear god, why woman?!
EMILY: I'm hanging up now…
LORELAI: No seriously mom, what gave you the desire to learn how to cook? I mean, you're already got a maid…
EMILY: Well, see, I don't. I had to fire her. She wasn't cooking the asparagus properly.
LORELAI: She wasn't cooking the asparagus properly? Mom, that's not something you fire someone for! That's something you change, behaviour modification? Just tell her how you want it cooked.
EMILY: Well I tried to, but she had the audacity to tell me that I was wrong and she was right.
LORELAI (gasps): The horror!
EMILY: Lorelai. So anyway, your father has been making fun of me and I have decided to take a cooking class and prove him wrong…as well as you.
LORELAI (smirks): Ok, mom. Good luck with that.
EMILY: Thank you Lorelai. I'll see you Friday for dinner, with Rory?
LORELAI: Yup. We'll be there. Think you can make us a roast dinner by then?
EMILY: Goodbye Lorelai. (she hangs up)
SOOKIE: So how's Emily?
LORELAI: Insane. Deranged. Standard elder Gilmore behaviour.
* * *
Cut to GILMORE HOUSE. LORELAI and RORY are relaxing on the couch, painting their toenails and watching a made-for-TV movie.
RORY: So she's actually going to take a cooking class?
LORELAI: Yup. Emily Gilmore's pride must remain in tact, always. And a maid has questioned her and her knowledge of the household …so (yells) UNLEASH THE MAYHEM!
RORY: Dear god woman, what vocal chords you have.
LORELAI: I've been practicing.
RORY: For what?
LORELAI: I dunno.
RORY (smirks): Oh good. (phone rings) I'll get it. (answering) Hello?
VOICE: Hello, Rory. It's Mia calling.
RORY: Mia!!
LORELAI: Mia??
RORY: How are you?
MIA (phone): I'm not too bad…how are things at home?
RORY: Good good. I'm guessing you called to talk to mom, should I put her on?
MIA (phone): That'd be great hon.
LORELAI (receives phone from RORY): Mia! How are you?
MIA (phone): Good. I have a surprise. Well, it won't be a surprise after this. But it's a surprise now. I'm coming to Stars Hollow, tomorrow, to visit the Inn.
LORELAI: Oh wow! That's great. I guess I better call Michel and get him in early.
MIA (grinning into phone): Oh don't do that, he'd kill you. It's not a big deal. I'm just dropping in for a visit, and bringing a friend.
LORELAI: Great! Well, we're having Larry the roof man in tomorrow, so they'll be a bit of a mess on the outside…
MIA (phone): Not too worry. So I'll see at 11ish tomorrow?
LORELAI: Sounds like a plan. See you then.
MIA: Bye doll.
* * *
A/N: So?? How'd you like it? It's been FOREVER since I've written any GG fic, I haven't been inspired. This fic is going to be a max, 5 part series. It's just an extended short story that will deal with happier and goofier times in Stars Hollow, good, amusing fluff. Anyway, let me know what you think. I hope I haven't lost my touch!