A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

After a full day of window shopping, visiting the historical center, more antiques shops, and a visit to a Chinese restaurant where they did take out and had lunch on the grass by a pond. Paris had a surprisingly good time. Lorelai was funny and informative. Rory was tolerable and even Louise was happy. She managed to flirt with and swap phone numbers with a fellow visitor at the historical center; a football player from the University of Connecticut. After a short conversation with Louise, Paris convinced her to stay another day in Stars Hollow. Both of them had classes the next day they could afford to miss. Lorelai made a quick phone call and secured their room for one more night.

It was late afternoon, and the four women were walking, when Paris spotted a stately old house with work vehicles parked in the driveway. "Lorelai, what is that house across the street?"

Lorelai, ceased her banter with her daughter and stopped. "Paris that is the Twickenham house." At one time Taylor tried to put some sort of historical tourist attraction in there. It failed and the place has sat empty for a few years."

"I see Lorelai, but how come they are working on a Sunday?"

"Some family from Boston bought it. They want to use it as a summer home and I think there is some sort of deadline."

Paris thought quickly. Dean said Twi; this must be the place he is working today. Loreali would they mind if we had a look around? This looks like such an interesting place."

"Oh come on Paris, my feet hurt." Louise said with a groan.

I'm hungry." Rory moaned.

"I am really curious about this house. I think it would be good for a special interest piece I am planning on writing for the Yale paper. Come on."

Lorelai looked between the two complaining girls and Paris. "You two go ahead and go to the inn. I'll go with Paris.

Louise and Rory breathed a sigh of relief and continued on. "Paris I will introduce you to Tom the contractor who is doing the remodel."

"Thanks Lorelai, but I don't want to keep you from what you have planned."

Lorelai looked at Paris with a wry smile. Don't worry Paris I will make the introduction and then catch up with the other two. I have to get back to the inn. Also all of you are having dinner at the inn. So make sure your back by six thirty. Come on I'll make the intro."

Paris and Lorelai picked their way through piles of neatly stacked material and headed toward sound of hammering, interspaced with some choice curse words. Paris spotted Dean working on what appeared to be an electrical panel and continued following Lorelai who stopped in front of a stocky man reading blueprints on a makeshift table "Tom, this is Paris Gellar. She wants to write an article on the Twickenham house and the renovation. She and Rory are on the staff of the Yale Daily."

Tom looked up and standing with Lorelai was a short girl with dirty blonde hair and intelligent looking brown eyes. Tom was not adverse to publicity; in fact he liked it. Tom extended his hand. "Welcome Paris. I will do what I can to help with your article."

Paris shook Tom's hand. Well Paris thought to herself. I guess I am really going to have to write an article now "Thank you Tom I appreciate your taking the time for me."

Lorelai rested her hand on Paris's shoulder. "Well I have no interest in writing an article on the Twickenham house. So I will see you back at the inn. Remember dinner is at six thirty" Lorelai thanked Tom and left.

"Where would you like to start Paris?"

"How about if I interview the various workers about what they are doing and how they feel about working on this historic property? Paris's mind was racing." Then next week I will come back and interview you for the overall scope of the project. That will also give me some time to do some research and I will be better prepared to ask you more scintillating questions."

"Listen up" Tom bellowed. The hammering and sound of a saw stopped. This is Paris and answer her questions. She is writing an article on what we are doing." One at a time Tom pointed to the three men working. That is Lance, and over there is Dean. The guy on the scaffold is Don.

Paris realized that she did not have a single piece of paper to take notes on. She would do a general line of questioning and then when she came back next week she could fill in the blanks. Paris decided to interview Don first.

Don told her that he was proud to be working on the house and that he was a trim carpenter. He knew that this was a high profile project and hopefully it would lead to more higher end work.

Paris then walked over to Dean, with her heart in her throat, who was wiring an electrical panel. "Hi Dean"

Dean looked at Paris warily. "What do you want Paris?" He said in a resigned tone of voice.

Paris looked at Dean's long muscular arms "Dean I just want to ask you questions about what you are doing and how you feel about working on this project and are you aware of the historical ramifications of what you are doing?"

Dean sat down the pair of wire cutters he was using. "Look Paris I don't have time for this. I am being paid by the job not by the hour. So just leave me alone and let me work."

Dean was very surprised on the effect his words had on Paris. She looked like he just killed her dog. Her shoulders slumped and she wordlessly started to turn away. Dean felt like crap. Just because he felt like crap; he did not need to snap at her. "Paris wait."

At the sound of her name Paris turned to face Dean. "Yes." She said softly.

"Look Paris I'm sorry. I did not mean to snap at you. How about you meet me here at five thirty? I'll buy you a beer and you can ask me all the questions you want."

Dean would have sworn the sun had just risen. Paris's whole face broke out in a smile. "Yes, yes. I'll be out front."