INT. GILMORE RESIDENCE – DAY
We round the corner towards the kitchen as we hear the sound of a MICROWAVE.

Jess sits on one of the kitchen chairs and watches Rory carefully.

Rory knows Jess is watching her. She clears her throat and pretends not to notice. She turns around casually.

Jess just keeps staring at her.

RORY
Do I have something on my face?

JESS
No, nothing on your face.

RORY
Then why do you keep looking at me like that?

JESS
No reason. Just contemplating.

RORY
Contemplating.

JESS
Yup.

RORY
Contemplating what?

JESS
Well, actually, I was wondering.

RORY
What? What were you wondering?

JESS
Why you asked me to come in.

The microwave BEEPS.

Rory jumps and takes the Danishes out. She puts them on a plate and hands it to Jess.

Jess nods and takes it.

RORY
I asked you to come inside because I felt like giving you a Danish, which I have just handed to you now.

JESS
Uh huh. I was that special to get a Danish? What about Luke? He's out buying paint, but when he comes back, does he get one, too? I bet Dean gets a strawberry one, eh? With pink napkins under it to show just how manly he is…

RORY
You really should stop this.

JESS
Stop what?

Jess smirks again.

RORY
That. Baiting me with the stuff that you say. And making fun of Dean.

JESS
So Luke and Dean don't get Danishes? Only I do?

RORY
(sighs)
Jess…

JESS
This is a really good Danish, and you're only sharing it with me? My, I am indeed the specialest little boy.

Jess finishes the Danish and wipes his mouth. He walks over to the sink, purposefully walking very close to Rory.

Rory defiantly stands her ground, which caused Jess to brush against her shoulder.

Jess smiles and leaves.

JESS
Bye, Rory.

Rory watches Jess exit. She sighs and sits on a chair.


EXT. CHILTON – DAY
We follow a few students come out of the gate. Then we ZOOM to Rory, carrying her backpack and a stack of books. PARIS GELLAR walks beside her.

Paris holds a smaller stack of papers. She flips one up and folds it over.

PARIS
The chess team wants new chess pieces?

RORY
That's what they said.

PARIS
Screw the chess team. The teachers lounge needs a new sofa.

RORY
Are you kidding? Those chess pieces have been gnawed on and carved on and God knows what else, while the teachers, who have three already, get another sofa?

PARIS
Yes, but we need to suck up to the right people. A new couch will mean gratitude from the faculty. We'll have them eating out of our hand by Winter break.

Paris gives out quite an evil snicker.

Rory looks at Paris sideways worriedly.

VOICE (O. C.)
Rory!

Both of them look up.

Rory smiles.

Paris rolls her eyes.

PARIS
Oh, yippee. Prince Charming awaits.

DEAN FORESTER jogs up to them.

DEAN
Hey!

Dean and Rory kiss.

Paris makes a face and coughs loudly.

PARIS
So Rory, I'll see you tomorrow, and maybe we could figure out a way to get rid of all the unwanted stuff.

Paris glares at Dean and exits.

DEAN
She needs a boyfriend.

RORY
I think a pet cat would do.

DEAN
Cats can sense evil. It'll probably keel over and die one day.

RORY
Anyway, what are you doing here?

DEAN
I came to pick you up and surprise you.

RORY
Colour me surprised.

Dean laughs and takes her books. His smile fades when he sees what they're about.

CLOSE ON. Harvard Calendar of Admissions.

DEAN
Harvard.

RORY
Yeah.

DEAN
That's pretty far.

RORY
I know.

DEAN
Do you really think things will work out between us?

RORY
Yes.

DEAN
I don't know…

RORY
Dean, not this again. Let's just forget about this for a moment.

Rory takes the Harvard book away and takes Dean's arm.

Dean doesn't follow.

DEAN
Rory—

RORY
What's wrong?

DEAN
I don't think I can do this.

RORY
Do what?

DEAN
This. I can't keep up with you anymore. First Jess, now this.

RORY
Dean?

DEAN
I love you, Rory, but I kind of know that you don't feel the way that I do anymore.

RORY
I do!

DEAN
It's better if we kind of… stopped… this.

RORY
Like a break?

DEAN
No. Like a break up.

RORY
Oh.

DEAN
I'm not stupid, Rory. I know I tie you down.

RORY
Dean…

DEAN
I'm serious, Rory.

RORY
Well, so am I.

DEAN
Don't make this harder than it already is.

Rory looks up at him, slightly sad.

Dean takes a deep breath and grins for her.

Then she slowly smiles and cautiously gives Dean a hug.

DEAN
Uh, thanks.

RORY
We'll still be friends, right? None of that awkward, scary, distanced thing going on?

DEAN
Of course.

Rory smiles and they pull apart.

RORY
I love you, Dean.

DEAN
(smiles)
I know.
(beat)
He just better be half as good a boyfriend as I was or I'll kick his ass.

RORY
(surprised)
What?

Dean exits, looking at Rory knowingly.

Rory stands there for a while, her mouth agape.


INT. HARDWARE STORE – DAY
Luke stands in front of a huge shelf that holds the paint. He looks at each one carefully.

Then suddenly, CHANCE rounds the corner and bumps into him. He drops a roll of contact paper on the floor.

CHANCE
Oh, I'm really sorry!

LUKE
Hey, I remember you.

CHANCE
Oh, yeah! You're the guy from the Diner!

LUKE
And you're the one with the legs.

CHANCE
Yeah! Glad you remembered me.

LUKE
I didn't want to.

Luke sees the roll of contact paper on the floor and picks it up.

CHANCE
But you did…

LUKE
Here, you dropped this.

Luke hands Chance the roll.

CHANCE
Oh, thanks, Buddy!

Luke raises an eyebrow.

LUKE
What did you just call me?

CHANCE
Buddy. That's what you are— my buddy!

LUKE
No, I'm not your stupid "Buddy," Chance!

CHANCE
See?! You even remember my name!

Luke glares at Chance and grabs a can of paint.

CHANCE
Hey! I was going to get the same color!

LUKE
Leave me alone, you psycho!

Luke walks away, annoyed.

Chance smiles and waves after Luke.

CHANCE
Maybe we'll bump into each other again next time!

LUKE
I'll make sure to bring a can of pepper spray.

CHANCE
Bye!

Luke grunts and exits.


INT. LUKE'S DINER – NIGHT
Lorelai walks in, looking very tired. She plops on a chair and rests her head in her hands.

LORELAI
What a day.

Luke comes up from behind her and gives her a slice of pie.

LUKE
(flat)
Here.

LORELAI
Thanks.
(starts eating)
So how was your day? Is my door finished yet?

LUKE
I still need some more nails. We had to build a whole new one. I ordered some glass. Probably come in two days.

LORELAI
Ugh. Two days. Just for glass?

LUKE
I know. Savages.

The door to the Diner JINGLES and Luke faces to it O. C.

LOREALI
Hey, Chance!

LUKE
Oh, Jesus.

LORELAI
What's your problem?

LUKE
That guy's a tool. He's been following me around the whole freaking day. It's the fifth time I've seen him today.

Chance walks up to them.

CHANCE
Hey, guys!

LORELAI
Hey!

LUKE
What do you want now?

CHANCE
Actually, I'd like some pie.

LUKE
There's no more. Lorelai's eating the last piece.

CHANCE
Well, what do you recommend?

LUKE
A tub of lard.

LORELAI
Luke makes the best coffee.

CHANCE
Oh, I love coffee!

LUKE
It's bad for you. It'll probably kill you.
(beat)
Hold on, I'll get you an extra large mug.

Luke leaves.

LORELAI
I'm sorry about him.

CHANCE
Oh, that's fine! I think he's great!

LORELAI
(slightly taken aback)
Oh. Huh. Yeah, he's my number one man.

CHANCE
So, how long have you guys been dating?

LORELAI
Wow. That felt like a whack in the face: sudden and surprising.

CHANCE
Oh, haha, I apologise. It's just that Luke seems like a really great guy.

LORELAI
(suspicious)
You've said that already.

CHANCE
I did? Well, that's the truth.

Luke comes back with a slightly bigger mug. He serves Chance his coffee. We see that the mug is completely full, almost overflowing, with coffee.

LUKE
Here.

Chance looks up at Luke in an almost freakishly adoring way.

Lorelai sees this and cocks an eyebrow.

LUKE
(to Chance)
Well, I'm closing up. Finish your damned coffee and scram, will you?

Chance nods and finishes his coffee. He stands and claps Luke in the shoulder.

Luke raises an eyebrow and glares at Chance's hand.

LUKE
Don't touch me.

Chance withdraws his hand and slowly exits.

LORELAI
Someone's got a "Secret Admirer." But not really secret. More like, "Blatant Admirer."

LUKE
Stop that.

LORELAI
Ooh, maybe tomorrow you'll get a big bouquet of flowers and a small pink box on your door!

LUKE
Lorelai…

LORELAI
(voice turns menacing)
But when you open the box— AAAUGH! IT'S AN EAR!

LUKE
He's the biggest weirdo I've ever met. Next to you.

LORELAI
Oh, I just adore compliments.

LUKE
What do I do, Lorelai?

LORELAI
He's harmless, Luke. I'm sure you won't get any Hanibal-esque replays. Just ride it out.

LUKE
Okay, ride it out.

Luke stares OC with a scowl.