Who shot Taylor Doose?
I own an Antique shop in Stars' Hollow, and because it provides me the only income I have, my pet hate, if I may use that word is people breaking things and not paying for the damage. The imbeciles don't appear to realize, that the items I sell are antiques and very RARE in this day and age. Therefore I have a "You break you buy"policy, which has so far never failed.
Then HE walked in, or should I say barge in as that man tends to do, with no regard for my stock. He stormed in demanding a refund on an item, a chair from late 1700's Rome, which he claimed was a fake. I was insulted that I, a good Christian woman, was being accused of selling fake antique furniture and I told Taylor so. I had hoped he would realize his error and apologise, possibly buy the desk which I had just acquired which would match perfectly. Ten percent off, I would have given him, for the inconvenience.
Instead he went into a tirade, threatening legal action, flinging his arms around like a large ape. I tried to calm him down, but it was no use. Then the unthinkable happened. His flailing arms, well the right one, had knocked a vase. This was no ordinary vase, it was one I had acquired from an auction, believed to have originated from the ancient Egyptians and as it teetered on the edge of the desk, I watched Lane's first year college tuition hang in the balance, so I knelt, on the spot and prayed, the vase would settle upright and not break.
I suppose God had a lot of work already that day, because the vase tipped, landing before my knees and shattered. Shock turned to anger as I stood before the foolish man. "YOU BREAK YOU BUY!" I screamed in broken English, but the man shrugged his shoulders.
"It was an accident Mrs Kim and I refuse to be bullied into paying for a broken item, which I'm sure you can buy again." He followed this with a chuckle, which further infuriated me.
"Not like that one. It is antique, very rare. A man like you should know policy is made for reason. You break, you buy." I spoke trying to calm down. It was no use. The man was a fool.
"No, I will not!" Taylor exclaimed.
"You break, you buy," I said again.
"No!"
"You break, you buy!" I repeated with more urgency.
This continued for a few more minutes, before Lane entered to find out what the commotion was about.
"What's going in, Mama?" she asked, eying Taylor, as she spoke.
"This man break Egyptian vase. He refuse to buy."
When Lane stepped towards Taylor, reached up and put a hand on his shoulder, it was like watching David and Goliath. "Taylor, did you break that?" she asked as if trying to reason with a five year old.
"It was an accident!" I answered. I could tell he was nervous. Whatever Lane was trying to do, it was working. She pointed to one of my boldly written signs, which read, "YOU BREAK YOU BUY!"
"It's shop policy, Taylor. Cough it up."
"Oh, alright" he whined and fished into the pocket of his trousers for his wallet. "How about I leave my grocery store open and you can rob that blind, too."
"No need, Taylor. We just want what you owe." She held her hand out to Taylor and he grunted as he handed over ten crisp $100 bills. I rang it up on the register, and Taylor turned to leave.
"Wait!" I cried. "Lane get dustpan and broom. Sweep it up, we put it in box for Mr. Doose." The man rolled his eyes, but fearing what Lane might have done, he waited.
Moments later, the broken pieces of the vase were swept up, boxed and handed to Taylor. "You'll be hearing from me again, I promise you that."
"We'll be waiting," Lane retorted.
As soon as Taylor left, I turned to my daughter. "You did good, Lane. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure, Mama."
"You finished all homework?" I asked, with a smile. It was time to reward my daughter.
"Yes, Mama."
"Good. You go visit Rory." I instructed, watching as her face lit up.
"Thank you, Mama," she said and left without another word.