HARD DAY'S WORK
By Oregano
INT. LUKE'S APARTMENT – DAY
Jess is sitting on his chair, reading a book. We hear the door open OC and Jess looks up.
JESS
Did your secret admirer give you another body part? Because I think it's rather flattering that he- or she- took the time to prepare all that just for you.
Luke enters gruffly. He is carrying a box wrapped in red paper with a blue ribbon around it.
LUKE
This time, someone was hacked to death for you, not me.
Jess raises an eyebrow.
JESS
Excuse me?
LUKE
It's for you.
Jess puts his book down and gets up. He walks carefully towards the kitchen table, where Luke is standing with the box. With a confused look at Luke, Jess tears the wrapping off.
LUKE
You're not going to read the card?
JESS
What card?
LUKE
The one you just ripped off, Val Kilmer.
Jess lifts the wrapping and picks up the card.
JESS
(off card)
"To Jess. Happy Birthday. Sorry I couldn't be there. I hope Luke's treating you good. From…"
Jess stops.
Luke does a, "Well, what are you waiting for?" gesture.
LUKE
From who?
JESS
Mom.
LUKE
Liz?
EXT. SIDEWALK – DAY
Rory is walking alone. Out of nowhere, LANE KIM comes crashing through. She takes Rory by the shoulders and shakes her.
LANE
Rory, this is the best idea yet!
RORY
Let go of me, and maybe I can comment on it.
Lane lets go of Rory like a hot tamale.
RORY
Thank you. Now, what's wrong?
LANE
DAVE!
RORY
Yes, we like Dave? Well, actually, you love Dave—
LANE
Rory! Stop talking!
Rory jumps at Lane's harsh interruption.
RORY
What?
LANE
He's over at my house! Talking to my mom!
RORY
WOW! That's a big step.
(beat)
Then why are you out here?!
LANE
I told my mom I was going to the bathroom. I only have forty-five more seconds.
RORY
You're recreating the history of Lane Kim as we speak!
LANE
I am Roman Polanski!
RORY
Roman Polanski? How about someone less troubled?
LANE
William Friedkin?
RORY
Hey, Roman Polansky in a field of flowers isn't such an unimaginable picture now.
Lane hugs Rory tightly and springs off as fast as she sprang in.
INT. LUKE'S APARTMENT - DAY
Jess and Luke are sitting on the dining table, staring at each other with the box sitting in between them.
LUKE
So, it's your birthday.
JESS
Same day for eighteen years.
LUKE
And Liz sent you a gift.
JESS
Yep.
LUKE
Which we have yet to open.
JESS
Uh-huh.
LUKE
So…
JESS
I'm not opening it, Luke.
LUKE
What? Why?
JESS
I… I just don't want to right now.
Luke takes off his cap, ruffles his hair and puts it back on.
LUKE
You're sure?
JESS
Pretty much.
The door bursts open to reveal Rory.
RORY
Hey.
Luke gets up quickly.
LUKE
Rory, hey.
RORY
Hi.
JESS AND LUKE
Hey.
LUKE
Why are you here? Where's Lorelai?
We see that Jess stands behind Luke, looking at Rory.
JESS
Yeah, what he said.
Luke turns and cocks an eyebrow at Jess.
RORY
Mom's still at the Inn. Some important people are over there, inspecting the place. You guys were the only ones I could think of to hang out with.
JESS
Hang out.
RORY
Yes?
LUKE
Okay, let's "hang out."
Luke sits back on the chair comfortably.
Rory is puzzled.
JESS
Hey, Luke, don't you have customers waiting downstairs?
LUKE
Caesar can take it.
Rory walks over to the table.
RORY
(off gift)
What's this?
INT. KIM RESIDENCE – DAY
DAVE sits on an oak chair, directly in front of MRS. KIM, who has her stern face on.
Dave shifts uncomfortably.
MRS. KIM
So, what are you planning to major in?
DAVE
Oh, I've actually been thinking of Music...
(off Mrs. Kim's disapproving glare)
Or actually, uh, Medical School is my, uh, true passion.
Lane comes from the stairs quickly. She tosses an apologetic glance at Dave and sits next to him.
Dave smiles gratefully and clasps her hand.
Mrs. Kim gives them a disapproving grunt and Lane quickly darts to the other side of the table, and Dave quickly lets go of Lane's hand- then he puts his own hand behind his neck nervously.
INT. INDEPENDENCE INN – DAY
LORELAI and MICHEL are touring THREE PEOPLE around the Inn.
Lorelai opens a door.
LORELAI
And here is one of our best rooms…
Michel sighs. Lorelai makes an, "Ugh, God." face.