A/N: Thanks for your reviews. And thanks to MissGoalie75 for pointing out my Hartford error. I wasn't sure about that when I typed it but then completely forgot to check it. Giant cookie for you. Moving on from the Paul Anka episode now, and into the next episode; Different Sidekicks. (As much as I wanted to, I couldn't really justify calling it 58 Seats, 62 Koreans. Sigh.) Drumroll please!
DIFFERENT SIDEKICKS
1. INT. BUS - DAY
Luke is sitting at the front of the bus with the other parents. April is in the background. Freddy and his friend Jim are sitting behind her. There seems to be a debate going on. Luke is looking at his phone, like he's psyching himself up to use it. April gets out of her seat and walks up to him.
APRIL
Hey.
Luke jumps, surprised, but then smiles at April.
LUKE
Oh, hey, April. Everything okay?
APRIL
Yeah, we're just wondering if you could settle a debate for us? See Jim says Greg Maddox was the wins champion in '92 for the Atlanta Braves, but Freddy says he played for the Chicago Cubs. Thought maybe you'd know.
LUKE
Oh, well, sure. 1992. That would be...that was actually the same year I opened the diner and, well, I guess the year before you were born so yeah. I think Freddy is right. He was with the Cubs. But I'm pretty sure he went to the Braves the year after.
April smiles and nods happily.
APRIL
Great! Thanks Dad!
Luke watches as she goes back to her seat and is smiling when he turns back to the front. He picks up his phone again and dials.
LUKE
Hey, Lorelai, it's me. And don't start talking about Paradise, I know you like your bits but-
2. INT. LUKE'S DINER — DAY
Lorelai is at the counter, phone to her ear.
LORELAI
Oh, Luke, dirty! I don't like my bits. You like my bits. I like your bits!
3. INT. BUS — DAY
We cut between the two scenes.
LUKE
Aw, geez. I just wanted to call, say hi. Make sure everything was okay.
In the diner, Caesar walks out from the kitchen and sees Lorelai on the phone. She looks at him guiltily, but he just shrugs and goes back to his work.
LORELAI
Um, yeah, everything is okay. Isn't it?
LUKE
Yeah great. I just...yesterday was weird, I know. I didn't mean to make you breakdown over the phone but...
LORELAI
I know. I didn't mean to breakdown on the phone but I think it was good. If I hadn't then, I would have some other time and you know, that could have been messy. I mean, supposing I'd been water skiing at the time, or hang-gliding, or geez, I could have been with my Mother! That would have definitely been more awkward.
Luke chuckles.
LUKE
You planning on going hang-gliding in the near future?
LORELAI
God no!
LUKE
Well, I'm glad we talked.
Lorelai smiles. Caesar is walking around with the coffee pot. Lorelai waves to him.
LORELAI
Me too. (to Caesar) Hey, Caesar, can I get a refill?
Luke frowns.
LUKE
Are you in the diner?
LORELAI
Yeah. It's eight in the morning, where else would I get my coffee? Oh and you should see what Caesar is doing with the place! Did you know you now sell frozen bananas and chicken fingers. Ha, silly name, chickens do not have fingers my friend, but maybe-
LUKE
Lorelai! Are you on your cell phone in my diner?!
Lorelai jumps guiltily and Caesar starts pouring her coffee.
LORELAI
No! I'm hanging up now. Bye!
She's smiling as she puts down her phone. She peers at her cup as Caesar is about to walk away.
LORELAI
Uh, no! Caesar my man, that just isn't enough.
She grins at him as he sighs and keeps filling her mug.
LORELAI
You know, you are way better trained than Luke!
4. INT. PARIS'S HALLWAY — DAY
Rory knocks on Paris's door. She has her phone in her hand. Paris opens the door and peers suspiciously past the chain.
PARIS
Rory. You better get inside, quickly.
She unbolts the chain and pulls Rory roughly into the apartment.
5. INT. PARIS'S APARTMENT — DAY
Rory stumbles inside.
RORY
Ow! Paris! What is with you?
Paris is quickly locking the door again.
PARIS
Playing it safe. I don't know if you noticed, but two members of the doo-wop group are missing and the rest of them look like they're on the war path. We're thinking foul play. There's no telling who might be about.
Rory looks concerned.
RORY
Missing? Like, Jimmy Hoffa kind of missing.
Paris shrugs.
PARIS
It's possible, though I doubt it'd be as high profile a case.
Rory nods and moves to the couch.
RORY
Of course, well, it's good that you're playing it safe.
Paris joins Rory and they both sit.
PARIS
So, what brings you to this part of town?
RORY
Well, actually, I was wondering if my room is still available?
Paris looks angry.
PARIS
Logan meet some more bridesmaids?
Rory looks awkward.
RORY
No, Logan is out of town. I just don't feel right staying in his apartment when I plan on breaking up with him.
PARIS
Oh...Oh! Well if it's not bridesmaids, what is it?
RORY
Everything. It's...it's just Logan. It's his life. His life style. It's not mine. I'm not the girl who steals yachts and leaves school and goes out drinking every night.
Paris is sceptical.
PARIS
Well, you've been doing a pretty good impression of that girl.
RORY
I know. And I need to stop. I want to be normal again. I want to be Rory. I've been trying to call so I can talk to him, but I guess his cell is off, or out of range.
Rory is agitated, playing with her phone. Paris puts on her comforting face.
PARIS
When does he get back?
RORY
About a week I think. He's on another stupid Life and Death Brigade thing.
She stands up irritated, waving her phone about.
RORY
I just hate that I can't get hold of him. I really want to get this over with, but now I have to wait. It's so irresponsible. What if something huge had happened? What if, what if his sister got hurt, or his dog died or what if, what if we were invaded by Switzerland?
Paris looks surprised. Rory doesn't notice.
RORY
I mean, sure Switzerland has always been on the fence before, they've always just been Switzerland, but now, supposing they're sick of it and want to fight back?
PARIS
Logan has a dog?
RORY
Not the point. It's irresponsible!
She flops back down on the couch.
PARIS
Well, you can stay here as long as you want, or forever if that's what you need.
RORY (quietly)
Thanks Paris.
She's calmer now, and just idly playing with her phone.
PARIS
So? What brought this on.
Rory pulls her feet under her on the couch and turns to face Paris.
RORY
Well...Jess.
6. EXT. PARK — DAY
April's school group has stopped for lunch. The students are gathered at picnic tables. Luke sits with April as they pick at their salads.
LUKE
So, how come you're not eating lunch with your friends today?
APRIL
Ugh! Well their conversation has gone from baseball to baseball and back to baseball. Even Marcia is getting into it. I could use a break.
LUKE
So I guess we're not going to discuss the Red Sox here.
APRIL
I'd rather not.
Luke nods for a moment.
LUKE
Well then, I was wondering how you liked Rory yesterday?
April smiles.
APRIL
She was nice. She seemed to know a lot about you.
She looks at him with an eyebrow raised, clearly expecting more information.
LUKE
Yeah, I guess she does. I mean I'm dating her mom...engaged to her mom actually. But even before that, her and Lorelai were always coffee addicts and neither of them can cook, so they spent most of their lives in the diner. Her Dad wass never around much so I guess I kind of, watched out for her.
He's talking as if he's trying to defend something.
APRIL
Well lucky for her then.
April seems to be studying her salad for a moment, then abruptly looks up.
APRIL
Dad?
LUKE
Yeah?
APRIL
I'm glad I have you now as well.
Luke doesn't smile, but his posture changes and he seems very happy.
LUKE
That's...I'm really glad as well. So, you know, when Lorelai and I get married, Rory will be your stepsister.
APRIL
I figured. That's going to be great. I've always wanted a sister. Of course, I did want a younger sister that I could dress up and experiment on, but Rory seems really nice, so I'm cool with her.
April smirks a little, head down as she eats her salad, but with one eye on Luke.
APRIL
And I guess, once you're married, you could always arrange a younger sister for me...
Luke is slightly shocked as he digests this idea.
LUKE
Ha, uh, yeah, well...
Now he looks happy. Then suddenly nervous as he peers at her closely.
LUKE
What kind of experiments did you mean?
7. EXT. GILMORE HOUSE — DAY
Rory's car is parked out front. Rory is walking towards the steps, struggling with bags when her phone rings. She accidentally drops a bag and then answers the phone hurriedly.
RORY
Hello?
8. EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE WILDERNESS — DAY
Logan is sitting on a tree trunk as he talks on his phone. He doesn't look hugely thrilled and his voice is curt.
LOGAN
Hey Ace, what's up?
9. EXT. GILMORE HOUSE — DAY
We cut between these scenes.
Rory is a bit shocked at hearing Logan. She wasn't prepared.
RORY
Oh, Logan. Hi
LOGAN
I just got your messages, is something wrong?
RORY
Where are you?
LOGAN
Approximately in the middle of No and Where. We're about to head to Place Not On Map.
RORY
Oh. Well...can we talk?
LOGAN (impatiently)
We are talking Ace. What do you want?
Rory looks annoyed now.
RORY
I want to break up.
Now Logan looks surprised then stressed.
LOGAN
Rory, no! I thought we fixed this. I mean, I know you still haven't forgiven me but I thought we were working on it.
Rory sits down on the step.
RORY
This isn't about the bridesmaids Logan. This is just...everything. I can't do us anymore. I shouldn't have come back to you in the first place.
Logan is leaning over and has his head in his hand.
LOGAN
But Rory I thought things were good. Until the wedding anyway. And you know I told you, I thought we were broken up, so-
RORY
Logan, please, listen to me. This isn't about the bridesmaids. This is about me.
LOGAN (quietly)
But I love you Ace.
Rory sighs.
RORY
You think you do, Logan. But the girl you love isn't really me. I'm different when I'm with you. And I don't want to be that girl anymore. I want to be boring Rory that stays home and reads at night and watches TV.
Logan is really upset, but trying to hold it in.
RORY (cont'd)
Logan, part of me did love you. You were kind and generous and you showed me an amazing, crazy world...
LOGAN
But?
RORY
But if I'm being honest with myself, that's not the world I want to live in. And I know you can't fit in mine.
Rory's eyes are filled with tears.
Logan's voice is cracking, but he nods. He knows she's right.
LOGAN
I wish I could. You were the best first girlfriend a guy could wish for.
Rory smiles sadly.
RORY
You did really well at being a boyfriend. You should try it again sometime.
He nods, mutely.
RORY (quietly)
Well, I've moved my stuff out of your apartment so I guess...Goodbye Logan.
Logan releases a shaky breath.
LOGAN
Bye Ace. Take care.
Rory closes her phone and just stays on the step, arms wrapped around her as she cries silently. Lorelai pulls up in her jeep, looks surprised, but then comes to sit by her. She wraps her arm around her and hugs her close, kissing the top of her head.
