"My dear, would you like to have a white gown like this?" Miss Celine gestured to the white gown on the page open in the book on her lap. She pulled Rory down to sit next to her on the sofa. Jess leaned over to look and she snapped the heavy book shut. "Call me old fashioned, my dears, but the groom is not allowed to see the gown, now is he?" When no one replied, she asked, "This is the groom, is it not?" Loralei smiled. "Yes, um, yes he is the groom. Miss Celine, Jess Mariano. Jess, Miss Celine."
"He looks just like Marlon Brando! All he is missing is the leather jacket!" Miss Celine cried while shooing Richard and Jess out the door. "Take him somewhere for about an hour, maybe two." Miss Celine ordered. "But not to any tuxedo shops--I'm doing his, you must remember!"
Richard laughed when Miss Celine had shut the door. "That woman is insane!" Jess gasped from laughing. "She's a real kick, isn't she?" Richard agreed. "What say you and I confer with your uncle on some plans? We can go to Stars Hollow, spend some time, and then be back for Miss Celine to find you the 'perfect suit.' How does that sound?"
"Good. What kind of plans will we make at Luke's?"
"For your bachelor party, of course!"
"Well, Mr. Gilmore--"
"Please, call me Richard."
"Richard, I don't think I want to have the standard bachelor party."
"Why not? It is a little raucous, I know, but it'll be under control."
"Well, I don't think we'll have enough time with all of the wedding preparations--well, to have one." Jess was desparate for excuses. "I mean, we only have a week and a half!"
"Rory told me about the two of you becoming Christians, Jess." Richard said. "Has this anything to do with your faith?"
Jess looked relieved. "Well, yes. I don't want to have a raucous party, and my friends will not be satisfied with anything but a raucous party. I'd rather not have one at all."
"I take it you didn't go to Luke's?"
"I put in an appearance. I was busy that night working on my novel."
"Well, we can have some light drinks here, and go bowling or something. There's a nice clean bowling alley in Woodbridge--I believe that is near Stars Hollow--that doesn't serve alcohol. How does that sound?"
"It sounds good."
"Well, we can go to Woodbridge, make the arrangements, and you can call all of the guests today. It is customary to give two weeks notice, but this will be fine."
"Sounds good." Jess agreed.
"You are a man of few words." Richard observed.
"Less is more, I'm told."
"A sound principle." Richard said, and the two men got into Richard's car and set off for Woodbridge.