Scene opens on Rory's computer screen as she frowns at yet another comment. Just as she sighs, Nate walks by and looks over at her as he removes his scarf wrapped around his neck.
NATE: (Abruptly stops by, occupied with his scarf. He randomly exclaims) It's snowing out there.
RORY: (Turns in her seat) Again?
NATE: (Nods) Crazy weather.
RORY: (Nods as well) Seems like it.
NATE: (Remembers) I was meaning to tell you, nice work on that blog… (smirks a bit as he looks down at the scarf) read a few comments this morning.
RORY: (Sighs) Oh no.
NATE: (Looks at her, with a reassuring face) Hey, I commend you on trying to deal with a hot topic… especially on your first try.
RORY: (Acknowledges the compliment) Thank you, but… (shakes her head and points at her monitor) … some of these comments aren't very encouraging.
NATE: (Rests his forearms on the higher countertop of Rory's cubicle) Got any new ones?
RORY: Yes… (Begins a mini-rant) I mean, some of these don't even make sense. (Points at one of the comments) And I think this is a quote from a movie… (reads) Jon555 writes, "There is no court in this country for men like Prothero." (Turns to Nate – as he hides a smile) Isn't that from...
NATE: (Finishes) … V for Vendetta? (Nods) I believe so.
RORY: (Turns to her computer again) And he goes on to say, "Your powers of observation continue to serve you well." (Annoyed, she shrugs as Nate finds her reactions amusing) What the hell's that supposed to mean?
NATE: (Sighs, then continues facetiously) I have a feeling Jon555 really likes that movie.
RORY: (Exasperated, she responds sarcastically) You think?
NATE: (A subtle smile wipes his face, then he nods) Aren't you glad you blogged?
RORY: (Settles down, and can't help but smile as she deciphers Nate's reasoning) Seems like it was on your agenda for a while.
NATE: Look Gilmore… you can't expect everyone to like your way of thinking, your way of writing, or even you as a whole… (adds) although, I don't see why not, because you seem pretty harmless.
RORY: (Rolls her eyes) Gee, thanks. I'll take that as a compliment.
NATE: (Continues as his mind wanders – not entirely focused on Rory) But, what matters through all the criticisms and all the compliments, is that you believe in yourself and in your ability to bring truth through what you write. (Adds as Rory listens to him intensely) The truth, as you know it. (Gestures at her monitor) And this blog… it's just a forum to share your opinion on matters that matter to you, and just maybe it matters to someone else too. (Focuses on Rory again) Be yourself Rory, you'll get far that way. (Sees through her expression that she's listening intensely, he breaks the ice)… And don't take any of those comments personally… they don't know you. (He begins to step away, going towards his office) And give Mary and her lamb a chance; she was far more critical of me when I first started. (Nods at her and turns to go into his office)
Scene fades on Rory as she smiles to herself and she looks down at her hands.
INT. WESTON'S BAKERY – MONDAY EVENING
Scene opens on Rory and Lane sitting at a table in the semi-full bakery – drinking coffee.
RORY: (Sips her coffee, then speaks) It's so nice of Zach to baby-sit on such short notice while you're out with me.
LANE: (Nods) Yes, but he would only do it because I told him I'd try my best to get us out of dinner at mother's on Valentine's day.
RORY: (Curiously) On Valentine's Day?
LANE: (Explains) Yeah, my oh-so-wonderful mother… though she has come along way from her uber-crazy days – now believes that Valentine's Day is a devil's holiday.
RORY: (Almost does a spit-take, but holds in) What?
LANE: (Trying not to burst out laughing either) Can you believe that?
RORY: Why would she think it's a devil's holiday?
LANE: Apparently there was a poll, and they found that people, married or otherwise, gay or straight, have more sex during the month of February than any other month. And they concluded that it may have something to do with V-day.
RORY: Seriously?
LANE: Yup, so mom has decided to have a grand dinner celebration, and late night prayers that she has some how talked me and Zach into attending.
RORY: (Intrigued) Crazy.
LANE: (Nods) Very.
RORY: More sex during the month of February, huh?
LANE: Imagine that.
RORY: (Sighs) Not happening in my neck-of-the-woods.
LANE: Start dating! Get yourself out there, Rory.
RORY: (Frowns at her best friend) You make it sound like I should be wearing tramp shoes.
LANE: (Kids) If it helps. (Adds) Sex or not, it's always nice to have someone around – (chuckles) especially during "the devil's holiday."
RORY: (Smiles, then shakes her head) It's the last thing on my mind right now. I still have so much to unpack, and work's been crazy… (looks up at Lane tentatively) so I may be a loner this Valentine's.
LANE: Well… there's always next year.
RORY: (Sighs, then nods and repeats) There's always next year.
Scene fades.
INT. CRAPSHACK – KITCHEN – MONDAY EVENING – SAME DAY
Scene opens on Lorelai and Luke in the kitchen. They are both near the stove and seem to be arguing about something…
LORELAI: (Reaches for something in Luke's hand) Give me the ladle, I promise I will stir it clockwise.
LUKE: (Makes it impossible for Lorelai to take the ladle, he complains) You've been stirring it 'counter'-clockwise after I told you five times it was CLOCKWISE!
LORELAI: Well, maybe you should've told me six times. (Continues to be silly) Everyone knows the sixth time's a charm.
LUKE: (Looks directly down at her face) It's "third" time's a charm.
LORELAI: (Continues on her ridiculous bit) Three times two is six.
LUKE: (Exasperated) What the hell does that mean?
LORELAI: I don't know… (whines) give me the ladle…
LUKE: (Grunts, then gives in) Clockwise!
LORELAI: (Giddy) Got it!
Luke goes over to the refrigerator to get something.
LORELAI: (Grins as she continues to stir it clockwise) See, I told you sixth time's a charm. (Luke rolls his eyes).
They hear someone opening the front door. It's Rory…
RORY: (Invisible to the viewer) Hey, it's me!
LORELAI: (As she continues to stir) Hey! We're in here…
RORY: (As she enters the kitchen, she takes her mittens off) It's so cold out there.
LORELAI: Isn't it? (Smiles at her daughter)
LUKE: (Smiles as well) Hey Rory.
LORELAI: This is a surprise.
RORY: (Takes off her coat and places it on one of the chairs, then looks at Lorelai near the stove) I'd say.
LORELAI: (Grins) Luke's teaching me how to cook.
LUKE: (To Rory) And I'm failing miserably as a teacher. (Sees Lorelai stirring) Hey!
LORELAI: What?
LUKE: Clockwise!
LORELAI: (Gasps as she realizes what she's doing) It's Rory's fault! She made me lose focus.
RORY: Gee, thanks. (Lorelai grins again)
LUKE: (At the refrigerator again, he asks) We're out of milk? There was a gallon in here this morning.
LORELAI: (Remembers) Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you… we're out.
LUKE: How did a whole gallon disappear? (Rory is amused as she sits down at the table and opens the cookie jar)
LORELAI: (Shakes her head) I didn't say it disappeared, I drank it all.
LUKE: (Astonished) A whole gallon of milk… in one day?
LORELAI: (Like a child) I was thirsty?
LUKE: (Sighs, then walks over to her – kisses her on her forehead, then turns off the stove) Enough stirring. I will run over to the diner and get some milk. (Turns to his step-daughter) Rory, do you want anything?
RORY: Nope, I'm good.
LUKE: (Grabs his green army jacket and leaves the room) I'm taking your jeep, so I'll be back before you know it.
LORELAI: (Adds as she joins Rory at the table) Oh, and don't forget to bring the leftover apple pie!
RORY: (Chews on a bite of her cookie) So why the sudden interest in learning to cook?
LORELAI: (Joins her and takes a cookie as well) Let's see if I actually "learn" – because so far I'm not doing a good job at anything kitchen-related. (Points at the salt/peppers shakers and the sugar bowl on the counter) I just put salt in the pepper shaker, and then got distracted and added sugar in the salt shaker.
RORY: (Curiously gestures at the sugar bowl) What's in the sugar bowl?
LORELAI: (As if it's a natural occurrence) Laundry detergent.
RORY: (Quizzically looks at her mother) I'm just going to let that one go. (Adds) So, you didn't tell me… why the sudden interest in cooking?
LORELAI: (Explains) I wanted to surprise Luke on Thursday… make him something nice. But seeing as I get confused with clockwise and counter-clockwise… I don't know how it's going to turn out.
RORY: (Confused) What's Thursday? (Then remembers) Ah, V-day. (Adds) Everyone's talking about it.
LORELAI: Aw, I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else. How was work?
RORY: It was good. Busy, but good.
LORELAI: Yeah? Do anything exciting?
RORY: (Tries to come up with something) Umm, I e-mailed Paris?
LORELAI: (Jokes) Oh, very exciting. How is Ms. Gellar doing?
RORY: I don't know, she hasn't responded yet.
LORELAI: So… nothing else happened?
RORY: (Shakes her head) Not really… Ken showed me some new pictures of his kids.
LORELAI: Well, that's nice.
RORY: (Suddenly perks up as she remembers) Oh and Nate gave me a little speech… it was very uplifting… and at the same time he was being mysterious… There's something about that man… I can never figure out. But he was unusually laid back today. It seems I discover a new layer every day…
LORELAI: (Curiously) A new layer. That's always good. (Continues) How is good old Nate doing?
RORY: Good… or at least I think he's doing good. He's been going to New York a lot more… (unknowingly, she sighs) so I don't get to see him as often. (Lorelai notices the sigh).
LORELAI: Ah, the "mystery" part. (A curious expression wipes her face again)
Pause as Rory examines the small piece of cookie in her hand.
LORELAI: Hey Rory?
RORY: (Looks up at her mother) Yeah?
LORELAI: (Cautiously) Is there… umm… (takes her time, and then she smiles) Is there something you want to talk to me about?
RORY: (Obliviously) Like what?
LORELAI: (Takes a deep breath) Like… umm… about Nate?
RORY: (Still oblivious) What about him?
LORELAI: (Subtly shakes her head) I don't know… do you… have… feelings… you know, for him?
RORY: (Taken back, she tries to decipher what her mother just said) What?
LORELAI: (Chuckles a bit) I don't know… it just seems like you're … you know… like, maybe you like him. Or something.
RORY: (A serious expression falls on her face) Like him? (Looks for words) Of course… I don't hate him. And we're co-workers. What are you getting at, mom?
LORELAI: I-I don't know… (smiles) it just seems from what you've said about him… from how you talked about him, it seems you maybe like him more than you think? (Sees Rory's uncomfortable/serious face) I could be wrong.
RORY: (Defensive) Of course you're wrong. I work with him… if you think I fall for every guy that I work with or seem to be in close vicinity, you're wrong.
LORELAI: (Surprised at her sudden negative reaction) I didn't say that. Rory… honey…
RORY: (Shakes her head, and gets up from her seat) He's a professional… I am a professional. Two people can just have mutual respect for each other as professionals.
LORELAI: (Looks up at her still amazed at the reaction) You're right. Absolutely right… Rory… I didn't…
RORY: (Shakes her head again) I can't believe you thought that.
They hear someone at the door, it's Luke.
LUKE: (From the foyer) I'm back. The weather's crazy out there.
RORY: (Picks up her coat and scarf) I have to go.
LORELAI: (Stretches her arm out) Rory… (but she knows better than to force the issue)
Rory leaves the room. We see Luke in the hallway observing Rory's change of mood – and her abrupt exit. She leaves without a word. We hear her close the front door.
LUKE: (Concerned, comes up to Lorelai who is still seated at the table) What happened?
LORELAI: (Still confused) I don't really know.
Scene fades.
INT. HARTFORD COURANT – TUESDAY MORNING – (February 12th)
Rory is at her desk trying hard to concentrate on her work. She is rubbing her forehead as she tries to edit a hardcopy of an article. Her work phone starts to ring…
RORY: (Thankful for the break, she picks up) This is Rory Gilmore.
It's Luke.
Scene cuts between the Diner and the Courant.
LUKE: Hey Rory. It's Luke.
RORY: (Sighs) Hey Luke.
LUKE: (Nervously) Sorry to call you at work. I-I just… your mom called you a couple of times at the apartment and on your cell phone to make sure you got home safe. (Rory shakes her head to explain, but Luke continues) But I realize the two of you had an argument, and you may not have wanted to pick up. But I wanted to make sure you got home safe… (Nods) Seems like you did… so I will let you get back to work. I'll let Lorelai know.
RORY: (Sighs again) Thanks Luke.
LUKE: Bye Rory.
As Rory hangs up, she remembers the reason for the argument and a confused expression falls on her face – so she looks behind her into Nate's office. He's not in. As she begins to look away, Ken shows up at her cubicle, and invites himself to sit at the chair across her desk.
KEN: (With a half eaten bagel in hand) Hey…
RORY: Hey Ken.
KEN: (Softly continues) Nate's in Rob's office.
RORY: (Shakes herself a bit to make sure Ken doesn't catch on) Oh yeah?
KEN: Yeah, he has to be in New York this afternoon… again. (Shakes his head as he picks up a newspaper on Rory's desk and starts to scan it) I wish he'd tell one of us what's going on. (Rory subtly nods)
The phone rings again. It's Amelia, from the front desk.
AMELIA: Hey Rory… it's Amelia.
RORY: Oh hey, Amelia… what's up?
AMELIA: There's someone here to see you, I didn't catch his name… he's in the visitor's lounge.
RORY: (Curiously) Oh, I'll be right there. (Raises an eye at Ken as she gets up from her seat.
CUT to the visitor's lounge.
Scene opens on Rory as she enters the space. Her walk gradually slows down at she sees the visitor. Through Rory's eye movement, we see that the visitor gets up from his seat.
RORY: (Softly) It's you.
Scene fades.
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Thanks for all the reviews. Will update with Segment Three soon.
No, MaryHadALittleLamp is not Tristan. It's no one significant.