SEGMENT THREEINT. GILMORE MANSION – AT THE DINING TABLE – THURSDAY MORNING – MAY 8th
Scene opens on Rory at the table checking off more lists and Emily, who has just had a phone conversation with a vendor, walks back to the table.
EMILY: That's it, everything is confirmed for tomorrow. The caterers will arrive at the inn at four o'clock and start setting up.
RORY: Great! Thanks, grandma.
EMILY: (Takes a seat, and clasps her hands on the table) It was my pleasure. (Rory goes back to her lists, and Emily looks over) Would you like me to help you with anything else?
RORY: Actually, yes… (takes a piece of paper and hands it to Emily) Can you go through this list and see what we're missing?
EMILY: Oh, I'd be happy to.
RORY: (Smiles and acknowledges something in Emily) Thanks. (After a pause, she adds) And thank you, grandma, for everything.
EMILY: (Looks up from the list) I told you I'd help, Rory, and you know I don't go back on my word.
Rory smiles again, and the two Gilmore ladies go back to their work.
RORY: (As she writes stuff down) God, I have so much to do this week. Have to fill out some more paperwork by tomorrow.
EMILY: (Looks up) For your trip?
RORY: Yup.
EMILY: What else is there to fill out?
RORY: Well, it's for the travel insurance. (Adds) And then, on Monday, I have to go pick up the immunization record for all the shots I got last week.
EMILY: Shots?
RORY: (Sighs) My arm was a pincushion.
EMILY: (Curiously) Did everyone traveling have to do all of that?
RORY: (Nods) Well, except Nate… (Emily is intrigued) he had his shots last year… he only needed to get the Malaria tablets.
EMILY: Hmm, I see.
Rory goes back to her work, and Emily watches her for a few moments.
EMILY: Rory?
RORY: (Still looking down at her pad of paper) Yes, grandma?
EMILY: I'm going to be forthright (this makes Rory look up at her), and ask a question, that I hope won't offend you.
RORY: (Curiously) What is it?
EMILY: (With caution, she proceeds) Is there anything going on between you and Nate?
Rory takes a second to process the question, and to Emily's surprise, her granddaughter starts to chuckle besides herself.
RORY: Sorry grandma, I know it's silly for me to laugh about it… but no, there's nothing going on between us.
EMILY: Oh. Well then…
RORY: (Adds) Even if I wanted there to be something, there will never be…
EMILY: (Surprised) What do you mean?
RORY: He doesn't feel the same way.
EMILY: How do you know?
RORY: Well… (smoothes her hair behind an ear) we've talked about it.
EMILY: (Not comprehending) "Talked about it?"
RORY: (Sighs) Since I'm being this frank with you…
EMILY: Oh sorry, Rory…. I didn't mean to pry.
RORY: No, no… I've come to terms with it. (Sighs again) After a few drinks, I mentioned I liked him… and let's just say the feeling wasn't mutual.
Rory smiles, and goes back to work.
EMILY: I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm surprised the two of you are still…
RORY: Still? (Asks) Friends?
EMILY: Friendly.
RORY: (Thinks) I guess I never thought about it… we are friendly. I guess we're friends.
A moment later…
RORY: Anyway, that's the story with Nate and me.
EMILY: (Appreciatively nods) Thank you for sharing that with me, Rory. And I promise, I won't talk about this again.
RORY: (Smiles, and changes the subject as she lifts up a piece of paper) Grandma, can you also call the florist and confirm as well?
EMILY: (Takes the piece of paper, and stands up) Certainly.
RORY: Thanks.
Emily walks a few steps to the wall table, but pauses and turns to Rory.
EMILY: It's his loss, Rory.
Rory, looks up at her grandmother, and sweetly smiles.
Scene fades.
INT. LUKE'S DINER – THURSDAY LATE AFTERNOON
Scene opens on a not-so-busy diner. As the camera pans, we see a few townies scattered throughout the establishment… and at the counter, we see Rory Gilmore. Behind the counter is Luke wiping washed mugs.
Luke looks over and sees how intensely Rory is filling out the paperwork. He sets the rag and mug aside, takes a pot of coffee and steps forward.
LUKE: Refill?
RORY: (Barely looking up) Yes please.
LUKE: (Refills the mug) That looks like a lot of work.
RORY: (Looks up at him) Oh, it's not really… I think I'm making it a lot of work. (Points to a packet and some brochures) I have a bunch of travel insurance companies right here, but no idea which one I should go with. I mean, the Times is paying for it, why not just give us one option?
LUKE: What are the others choosing?
RORY: (Her eyes light up) Ah ha! I like the way you think, Luke. I should just ask one of the other guys… thank you.
LUKE: (Shrugs) Sure. (Looks at the pile of paper and books on the counter) So, everything set for tomorrow?
RORY: Yeah, except I can't seem to find balloons. Went to three different party stores, and no balloons.
LUKE: (Raises his brows) There's a balloon shortage?
RORY: Seems like it.
KIRK: (Walks to the counter) Rory.
RORY: Hey, Kirk.
KIRK: I couldn't help overhearing… You're in a crisis, and I'd like to help.
LUKE: (Frowns) Crisis?
KIRK: (With hand gestures) Did I not just hear that there was a balloon shortage?
RORY: I guess.
KIRK: I'd like to play a role in this surprise shower, and help out. Lorelai has helped me a lot through the years, I'd like to show her my gratitude.
Rory and Luke look at each other in amusement.
KIRK: Please let me take care of the balloons.
RORY: (Takes a deep breath) Sure, Kirk. I'll put you down for balloons.
Just then, the front door of the diner opens, and Luke sees who it is.
LUKE: (Clears his throat louder than usual) Ahem! Ahem… (Looks up and smiles at his wife) Lorelai.
LORELAI: (Surprised to see Rory there) Hey… Rory? Thought you were spending the day with Emily and Richard?
RORY: (Quickly slides the pad of paper under her paperwork) Yeah, I spent the morning with them. Grandma had a meeting… besides, I have three and a half more weeks until I leave.
LORELAI: (Sees Kirk at the side of the counter) Hey Kirk. What's up?
KIRK: (Stammers a bit) N… noth..nothing. Nothing at all… I should get going. (Looks at Rory, and in a robotic tone, he adds) See. You. Later. Rory. (And winks to everyone's shock)
LORELAI: (With a disgusted expression) Uh, did he just wink at you?
RORY: (Shakes it off) I think so… he has been acting weird lately.
LUKE: (To Lorelai) What would you like to drink?
LORELAI: (With a little effort, manages to sit on the bar stool. Then takes a deep breath) Anything you've got. Ooh, hey… how about coffee?
LUKE: How about 'no'? (He walks to the back)
RORY: (Chuckles as she gets off her seat) Okay, I have to go take a shower… then head over to the shelter.
LORELAI: Bye hun. (As Rory opens the door to exit) Say hello to Nate for me. (Luke appears again)
RORY: Will do… bye Luke.
LUKE: (With a nod) Bye Rory. (He places a glass filled with some sort of juice in front of Lorelai).
LORELAI: (Turns to Luke, and sees the drink. Her disgusted expression reappears) What on earth is that?
LUKE: Pomegranate and Grape juice with a hint of lime.
LORELAI: (Slowly looks up at her husband) Why do you hate me?
Scene fades.
INT. BROAD STREET SHELTER – LATER THAT EVENING
Scene opens on Rory as she walks through the usual guests and volunteers… walking directly to Nate's office. In her hand we see a folder.
RORY: (Greets people as she passes them) Hey there, Bernie.
Rory turns a corner and sees two familiar but infrequent gentlemen in the back, when the scene cuts to them, we see that it's Tony and Jonathan DiLuca. Her curiosity makes it difficult for her to turn her face away, but seeing Nate, in his office, gets her attention. The door's open, and she waltzes in…
RORY: (Sees the younger DiLuca behind his desk) Hey.
NATE: (Looks up from his work) Hey.
RORY: (Gestures) Was that your father and brother I saw back there?
NATE: Yeah, (looks out the glass wall to see the two other male members of his family) they're on the phone with a couple of lawyers… old buddies of my father. (Looks at Rory) What are you doing here tonight? Thought you had that shower to prep for?
RORY: Yes, but I think I have a handle on that… (points at the folder in her hand). This one needs to be postmarked tomorrow… but I don't know which travel insurance to choose.
NATE: And?
RORY: Which one did you choose?
NATE: (Gets up from his seat and walks around the table) Let me see.
RORY: (Hands Nate the paperwork as she joins him near the desk) I tend to compare and contrast… and over-analyze stuff…
NATE: (With a hint of sarcasm, as he looks through the paperwork) Really?
RORY: (Nudges him) Hey! Watch it, mister. (Then joins him at the desk by leaning on the edge) So?
NATE: (Holds his hand out to Rory) Pen?
Rory takes out a pen from her jacket pocket and hands it to him.
NATE: (Checks something on the form, closes the folder, and hands it to her) There.
RORY: (Opens the folder and raises an eye) That was easy.
Nate folds his arms across his chest, and looks out the glass wall again – at Tony and Jon – but his thoughts seem to be far away. Rory follows his gaze.
NATE: Do you realize that in less than three and a half weeks, we'll be on a plane to Africa?
RORY: No way!
NATE: (With a nudge he turns his head to the side and looks at her) Smartass.
RORY: (Sets the folder on his desk, and looks at him) You're not having second thoughts, are you?
NATE: (Subtly shakes his head) I'm worried about this place.
RORY: I'm sure it'll work out. Your dad and Jon are pulling all the strings… it seems.
NATE: It's not that at all… I'm sure they'll come up with something. (Sighs) What happens to this place when I leave? (Looks back out again)
RORY: There are so many people that would be glad to run things for you. You're going to have a new job and a new life in New York.
NATE: I feel like I'm abandoning the place, Gilmore.
RORY: (Turns to face him, and shakes her head) Don't feel like that… cause you're not. You're doing everything you can to save this place. (Adds with a smile) Besides, who am I kidding; the Times won't offer me a position beyond my contract. So I'll volunteer at least four times a week after I return and make sure that everything runs smoothly.
NATE: (With a subtle smile) Well, let's not jump to any conclusions… The Times will see what a dedicated and hard worker you are...
RORY: (Sighs and looks away) I used to love the thought of that life, you know? For a short period. But it was definitely appealing.
NATE: What life?
RORY: New York Times, the heart of the city, sitting in a bench in Central Park, writing the next big article…
NATE: What if your laptop ran out of juice?
RORY: (Confused by the question, she lowers her brows) I guess… I'd head to the closest coffee shop.
NATE: (Looks away and nods) Uh huh.
RORY: (Curiously she looks up at him) What?
NATE: You said it was the thought of that life you used to love.
RORY: I've learned a few things since then… people change.
NATE: You know, loving the thought of being someone or loving the thought of living a particular life and actually living, are two completely different things, Gilmore.
RORY: Oh, I know. (Adds) When I got the job to follow Obama's campaign trail, I was ecstatic… I mean, I knew the pay was going to be crappy and there was going to be a lot of stale coffee… but I had this incredibly naïve thought in my head that it was going to be the most amazing journey. The first major step into my journalistic career. (Shakes her head and looks down) All we did was get on a bus and follow the camp to all these different towns and listen to the same speech over and over again. (Nate smiles to himself, and Rory adds) Don't get me wrong, the speech was amazing… and the public reaction was that of a rock concert… but after the fifth run, it just got old. And to be completely honest, I started rethinking my career goal. (Adds with a comical face) We had a lot of time to think on that bus.
NATE: At least it got you to the Courant.
RORY: True. And now I'm going to Africa…
NATE: (Smiles) And now you're going to Africa.
Pause.
RORY: Did I ever thank you?
NATE: For what?
RORY: For everything.
NATE: I think you did.
RORY: (Smiles up at her colleague) Well, thanks again.
They are interrupted by the footsteps of Tony and Jonathan DiLuca.
TONY: (Walks in, oblivious to Rory) Okay, Henry's going to call us any second now… he's got all the details on the purchase.
NATE: (Pushes himself off the edge of the desk, and walks around it) Great.
TONY: (Does a double-take as he sees a familiar face) Oh, Rory! I'm so sorry I didn't see you there. How are you?
RORY: I'm fine, thank you. (Looks at Jonathan) Hello Jon.
JONATHAN: (Thinks) We've met, haven't we?
RORY: Yeah… in New York… you got us the Avenue Q tickets.
JONATHAN: Oh yeah… great to see you again, Rory.
The phone in the office starts to ring.
TONY: Oh, that must be Henry…
RORY: (Looks at the three gentlemen) Well, I should get going.
TONY: You can stay, Rory… we're among friends. (Picks up the phone) Hello?
RORY: (Looks at Nate) I should go… (Nate nods).
Scene fades as Rory leaves the shelter.
INT. CRAP SHACK – KITCHEN – FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Scene opens on Lorelai sitting at the table, flipping through a magazine and snacking on a cookie. Luke pours some milk into a glass and places it near Lorelai. And then he takes a seat, clasps his hands on the table, and stares into space.
A few moments pass by without a word as Lorelai continues to flip through her magazine. She looks at Luke a few times from the corner of her eye. A quizzical expression can be seen on her face, but then she goes back to her magazine. Luke continues to stare into space.
Another moment passes, and Lorelai gives in…
LORELAI: (Sighs and looks up) Okay… what's going on?
LUKE: What? Nothing's going on.
LORELAI: (Gestures) You're sitting there, staring at that chair.
LUKE: (Makes a face) I wasn't staring at that chair.
LORELAI: Why aren't you at work?
LUKE: I took the day off.
LORELAI: (Sighs) Are you babysitting me? I swear, I did not drink any of that coffee… it was Rory.
LUKE: (Not sure what she's talking about) Oh. (Stands up) No, I'm not babysitting you… I just wanted to stay home and spend some time with my wife.
LORELAI: (Expression softens, she looks up and tilts her head) Aw, that's nice. (Gets up and walks to him and smiles) Hey, let's go for a walk. It's a nice afternoon…
LUKE: Walk? No… we can't do that.
LORELAI: (Confused) Why not?
LUKE: Because… uh… because, I ordered pizza.
LORELAI: Pizza?
LUKE: Yeah, it should be here any minute now.
LORELAI: But I had a salad for lunch an hour ago.
LUKE: (Nods, and nervously smiles) Yes, and I know how you l-like to have a mid-afternoon (makes a face) uh… snack. Besides that was such a small salad…
LORELAI: Oh… (smiles again) okay… (leans in and gives him a peck on the right cheek) Thanks, babe. I'm going to go rest on the couch.
Just as Lorelai takes her magazine and walks out of the kitchen, Luke begins to look like he's about to breathe for the first time.
As he peeks to make sure his wife is comfortably on the couch, Luke discreetly grabs the phone from the kitchen counter, and walks out through the backdoor.
LUKE: (As he closes the door slowly, behind him) Hello… I'd like to order a pizza… yeah… (adds) and I'll pay you extra if you rush it…
Scene fades into the next.
INT. DRAGONFLY INN – GREAT ROOM – FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Scene opens on Rory as she oversees the preparation for that night's surprise shower.
RORY: Yeah, let's leave that chair and ottoman right there… (Throws her hands in the air) Where are the balloons?
LULU: (Shows up from the back) Rory…
RORY: Yeah? (To a helper) Actually let's move the chair closer to the fireplace… bring the ottoman too.
LULU: The caterers are here.
RORY: Oh, great! Thanks, Lulu.
LULU: But they're driving Sookie crazy.
RORY: (Sighs) Can you ask Sookie to pause on the crazy for just a few minutes till I get this room sorted out?
SOOKIE: (Walks in with her meat knife) That's it, I quit!
RORY: (Whines) No Sookie! No! (Takes a step forward) Please don't say that now…
SOOKIE: (Moves the knife around as she gestures) I can NOT work with those people in my kitchen.
RORY: But Sookie, I already told you you'd have to share the kitchen with them.
SOOKIE: (With a high pitched voice) You didn't tell me there'd be fourteen of them!
RORY: (Confused) Fourteen?
SOOKIE: (Starts to shake the knife around again) Yeah, there are twelve servers in my kitchen …
RORY: Sookie, pleeeeease calm down… (As she takes the knife out of Sookie's hand) I'll take care of it (hands the knife to Lulu) Lulu… can you please try and get them out of the kitchen?
LULU: (Cuts in) No problem.
RORY: (Sighs) Thank you.
Rory goes back to moving the furniture around in the great room, when she sees Kirk enter the inn. He's carrying a semi-large bag…
RORY: (Walks over to him) There you are! Did you get the balloons?
KIRK: (Opens the bag wide) Yes. I ran into a lot of trouble but I told you I'd take care of it.
RORY: (Looks into the bag, and winces) Kirk.
KIRK: Yes?
RORY: Why are they all light blue?
KIRK: (Explains) They didn't have any other color. I went to three different stores, and all they had was light blue and…
RORY: (Cuts in) For your sake, I hope the baby is a boy. (Turns to return to her work) The helium's outside… in the back.
KIRK: … there's one more thing. (Rory turns) They all say, "Happy Hanukkah" on them.
RORY: (Places her hands on her hips as she closes her eyes and shakes her head) I'm sorry… what did you say.
KIRK: (Repeats) They all say, "Happy Hanukkah" on them.
RORY: It was a rhetorical question.
KIRK: Oh, I'm sorry… I thought you were asking…
Emily enters the inn, and spots Rory to her right.
EMILY: There you are!
RORY: (Gets distracted by her grandmother) Grandma! Glad you're here… the caterers are here, and can you please make sure they're not in Sookie's way?
EMILY: (Surprised at the tone of urgency in Rory's voice) Oh. Of course.
RORY: Thanks grandma!
KIRK: (Still standing in front of Rory, sees her expression and looks down at the bag of balloons) Should I take them back?
Rory's cell phone starts to ring.
RORY: (With a deep sigh, she reaches into her pocket) I will deal with this later, Kirk. (As she flips the phone open, and walks away) You were saved by the ring! (Into the phone) Hello? (Steps onto the porch)
It's Nate on the other end.
NATE: You sound irritated.
RORY: Hey… sorry. Nothing's going as planned at the moment.
Scene CUTS between Nate's office at the shelter, and the EXT. DRAGONFLY INN.
NATE: (Holds a folder in his hand) I guess it's a bad time to let you know you left your paperwork at the shelter last night. Just saw it on my desk.
RORY: (Slaps her forehead with her palm) No! I can't believe I forgot it! (Her shoulders slouch more than usual). Can this day get any worse?
NATE: Don't worry, I'll mail it for you.
RORY: (Closes her eyes) I forgot to sign it.
NATE: (Looks through the paperwork) Yup, you forgot to sign it.
RORY: (Leans agains the railing) It needs to go out today. What am I going to do?
NATE: Hey… the post office is open for at least two more hours. I can bring this over to you right now.
RORY: Are you sure?
NATE: Yeah, it's no problem.
RORY: Thank you so much.
Jackson, carrying what seems like a giant pacifier, walks up to Rory.
JACKSON: Rory, where do you want the pacifier?
RORY: (Looks at the godawful-looking thing) That looks weird. (To Nate) Hold on just a second.
JACKSON: Patty made me carry this all the way over here, I'm not carrying it back to the studio.
RORY: (To Jackson) Okay, just put it inside, we'll figure out what to do with it later.
Jackson leaves.
RORY: Sorry about that.
NATE: No problem. (Starts to walk towards the exit)
RORY: Oh, and Nate? Can you please do me another favor?
NATE: Sure, what is it?
RORY: (Takes a deep breath) Can you stop by the party store around the corner from the shelter and buy some balloons?
NATE: (Raises an eye, but obliges) Sure. Any preferences?
RORY: Any color, anything at all… it can't be worse than what we have right now.
NATE: Sure thing… see you in a bit.
RORY: Thank you!
Rory closes the phone, and takes a deep breath before she enters the inn.
Scene fades into the next.
INT. CRAP SHACK – LIVING ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER
Scene opens as the camera's zoomed in on the cover of a book titled, "Baby Nutrition" – as the camera zooms out, we see that Luke's reading this book on the couch. Lorelai, with a book of her own (a baby catalog to be specific), is lying down on the couch with her feet rested on Luke's lap. Luke's book, however, has pink post-its throughout its pages, suggesting that Lorelai has already read it.
LORELAI: I wish I was an infant again.
LUKE: (Too focused on the contents of the book) Huh?
LORELAI: Babies get to wear really cool clothes now. Aww… (Turns the book to show Luke) Look at this cute plaid skirt! For a baby!
LUKE: (Barely turns his head) Uh huh. (Points at a page) This here, is really interesting stuff.
LORELAI: (Nods) Yup… make sure you read the notes I've made. (Randomly, Lorelai makes a sound) Oh!
LUKE: (Looks at her) What is it?
LORELAI: (With a bit of effort, and Luke's help, she sits up… next to him) I felt another kick. (Touches the left side of her stomach) Right here.
LUKE: (Smiles, and places his hand on the side of her stomach) Here? (Lorelai nods) I don't feel anything.
LORELAI: Shh… (guides his hand a bit) hold on.
LUKE: (Feels it) Whoa… really kicking today.
LORELAI: (Chuckles) I think it's all that pizza.
LUKE: (Sighs, and shakes his head) I can hardly wait till next week. The sixteenth of May.
LORELAI: (Looks at her man and smiles) I think the baby's really anxious about it too.
LUKE: (Sweetly smiles at his wife) I get to be a father… again. But this time, I get to experience it all. (Adds) From the beginning.
LORELAI: (Repeats as she looks at him as well) From the beginning.
Camera zooms out as they feel another small kick.
Scene fades into the next.
EXT. DRAGONFLY INN – A FEW MINUTES LATER
Rory walks out to the porch as a black Touareg pulls up to the driveway. Nate gets out of his car, grabs a folder in one hand and a bag before he walks up to the porch.
RORY: Hey there.
NATE: (Hands Rory the folder) Paperwork…
RORY: Thanks. (Takes the folder, takes a pen from her pocket, flips a few pages and signs it using the railing as support) I'll get one of the guys to run this over to the post office.
Rory places the paperwork in the big envelope (which was also in the folder) and places it under her arm.
NATE: (Holds up the paper bag) And…
RORY: Balloons? (Tries to take it but Nate pulls it back)
NATE: Before you look inside, I have to warn you… there weren't a lot of choices left in the store. And in my defence, you did say you didn't care what color it was. And don't hold me accountable if there are words on these.
RORY: (Frowns) Let me guess, "Happy Hanukkah?"
NATE: (Hands her the bag) It was either this or black balloons with the word "Hell" in red.
RORY: (Hangs her head as she takes the bag from him) Do people not party anymore?
NATE: (Sympathizes) It's a conspiracy. Maybe Rove had something to do with it.
RORY: (Subtly chuckles) Well, thank you Nate.
NATE: (Looks around) Anything else you want me to do?
RORY: Actually…
NATE: (Amused) You're seriously going to use me up today, huh?
RORY: (With a guilty grin) Are you any good at hanging lights? (Points to the wooden frames on the porch)
NATE: (Sighs) Show me the ladder.
Scene CUTS to the INT. DRAGONFLY INN
Camera is focused on the huge plastic pacifier on the ground. Camera pans up and we see Emily's expression. An expression that can only be described as a mixture of disgust and confusion.
Camera cuts to Rory and Nate as they walk through the interior of the inn. Emily, from the living room, calls out to Rory.
EMILY: (Staring at the object on the floor) Rory?
RORY: (Steps towards her as Nate stays behind) Yea, grandma?
EMILY: (Looks up and sees Nate in the back) Oh, hello there. (Looks at Rory and continues) What on earth is this? (She points at the object)
RORY: A giant pacifier?
Nate stays silent in the back, but an expression of amusement is obvious on his face.
EMILY: What on earth is a giant pacifier doing here?
RORY: Umm, it's a baby shower?
EMILY: It's hideous, Rory. That's what it is.
RORY: (Sighs) I know… I know… I know for a fact that mom will get a kick out of that. I just don't know where to put it…
EMILY: May I suggest the dumpster? (Rory pouts at her grandmother) Fine, I will find a proper place to put this…
RORY: Thank you, grandma. (Gestures to the back) I have to go find a ladder.
Emily nods, and then sighs as she turns to the huge object on the floor.
Scene CUTS TO AN HOUR OR SO LATER.
EXT. DRAGONFLY INN – PORCH – THE DAYLIGHT OUTSIDE IS STARTING TO FADE
Scene opens as Nate hands Rory a hammer from atop the ladder, and climbs down.
In the background we hear very soft music. The intro to "One Day Like This" by Elbow starts to play.
RORY: (Finds the power extension at the far end of the porch and plugs it in to expose the little white lights framing the porch) It looks great!
NATE: (Walks over to her and nods) Yeah it does. (Takes his corduroy jacket off the railing and puts it on)
RORY: Thank you so much, Nate.
NATE: (Leans against the railing and looks around) Was happy to help.
As Nate continues to observe their surroundings, Rory can't help but stare up at him. Nate turns around and catches her. Though Rory suddenly looks away, it's not quick enough to escape. She tries to segue…
RORY: (With a sympathetic look) I-I'm sorry Kirk almost knocked you off the ladder earlier.
NATE: (Looks at her and wears a smirk) It's okay… besides, you owe me big now.
RORY: (Surprised at his tone) Do I?
NATE: I'll have you know that I'm really good at collecting.
RORY: (Now completely surprised by his subtle yet flirtatious tone) Is that so?
As Nate continues to look down at her, Rory suddenly becomes aware of his eyes staring down at her face. She also becomes aware of the short distance between them. Unsure of how to react, she looks down at the collar of his shirt. The atmosphere changes as the volume of the music slightly increases and as the moment passes slowly. The world stops around them as they continue in silence... to just stand there and let the moment take over.
NATE: (With a firm yet gentle voice, lowers his head to catch her eyes) I realized something recently.
RORY: (As if his eyes alone pulled hers up to his face, she looks at him and softly asks) What?
NATE: I realized… that…
RORY: (Hanging on, she looks up at him wanting him to go on) Realized?
NATE: (Slowly takes a step towards her) … I like spending time with you. (pause) I like talking to you.
RORY: (Still unsure of how to react, she blinks a few times) Nate?
(song plays in the background – and the volume increases)
Drinking in the morning sun
Blinking in the morning sun
Shaking off the heavy one
Heavy like a loaded gun
Unbeknownst to both of them, they continue to look at each other trying to decipher the moment. However, like a sharp and deafening bell, someone's voice literally breaks them apart faster than Moses could lift his staff.
EMILY: Rory? (Carrying a medium sized box wrapped in green wrapping paper) Rory, where do we put all the gifts?
Rory and Nate, now a good five feet away from each other, look at the older lady walking up to them. Nate subtly shakes his head as if he had just come out of a trance.
RORY: (Stammers a bit) W-what… grandma?
EMILY: (Obliviously) The gifts. Where will all the gifts go?
RORY: (Recovering from the "moment") Oh… umm…
NATE: (Barely looks at the two ladies, but he steps up and excuses himself) I should get going. (Looks at Rory briefly) Hope everything goes well tonight.
Emily nods at him, and then looks over at Rory. Nate grabs his keys from the back pocket and starts to walk along the lit frame. Camera cuts to Nate's flushed face as he walks to the edge of the stairs.
What made me behave that way?
Using words I never say…
(The volume of the music and dialog is now evenly split)
Camera cuts back to Emily and Rory.
EMILY: Well? Do we have a big round table … to maybe place in the foyer?
RORY: (Nods) Y-yes, we… I think there's one in the storage…
I can only think it must be love
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day
Emily walks back in as Rory, with her eyes on the man walking away, slowly follows her grandmother.
Camera switches back to Nate as he makes his way down the stairs and over to his vehicle. In the back, blurry view, we see Rory still at the door, looking his way.
Someone tell me how I feel
It's silly wrong but vivid right
As he opens the door to his Touareg, Nate pauses to look down at his keys… but in one swift motion, he gets in and starts the engine.
Camera cuts back to Rory as she sees Nate drive away.
Oh, kiss me like the final meal
Yeah, kiss me like we die tonight
As the music continues to play, in the background we hear Emily…
EMILY: Rory? Are you coming?
As Rory turns to go inside, the music fades along with the scene.
…………END OF SEGMENT THREE
Please take a moment to check the song "One Day Like This" by Elbow on LiveJournal (link provided on author profile) to get an idea of the scene.
Will update soon. Reviews appreciated.
Any thoughts on Rory and Nate's fate?