HARD DAY'S WORK
By Oregano
+ Hey, people. I'm happy that nobody (according to the reviews) wanted to scratch my eyes out after the last chapter. I'm sorry about not telling you what the gift was. I wanted to put it down, but the file was too big and it changes the format. But here's the chapter where you guys find out! Exciting! The song later on is by Something Corporate, "Spin."
+ I may write a continuation, just like the ones before, but it's up to you guys if you want one. I don't know with you guys.
+To:
tigerlily: I know the Go-Go's aren't 50s! I do! I swear! Heh. Hope you update soon. And tell me.
Karin: I really have no idea how to incorporate your suggestion to give more info on the thoughts because that would mean an insane amount of Voice Over's and I don't think Gilmore girls does that. You know?
Phoenix: Augh! I missed you! Hahah!
EXT. BRIDGE – DAY
We see Jess as he sits down and dangles his legs over the bridge.
A few moments later, Rory arrives.
RORY
We really have to find another place to hang
out.
JESS
What are you doing here, Rory?
RORY
I just wanted to see if you're okay.
JESS
I am.
Rory sits beside him.
Jess turns his head and gives her a half smile.
She smiles in return and pulls him to her, kisses his forehead gently, cradling him in her arms.
JESS
It was my dad's. I've always wanted it.
RORY
Where is he now?
JESS
Split when I was two.
Rory hugs him tighter.
RORY
Um. Jess?
JESS
What?
RORY
Uh, what is it?
Jess sighs, amused.
JESS
His old leather jacket. He was kind of the
rebel guy. Always wanted to be like him. My
mom would tell me stories about him 'till I
was ten.
RORY
Following his footsteps, are we?
JESS
I stopped asking for it when she stopped telling
me about him.
A moments passes between them as Jess raises his head to meet Rory's eyes.
Rory kisses him on the lips.
RORY
(whisper)
Happy birthday, Jess.
Jess smiles.
JESS
Thanks, Rory.
He lays down and rests his head on Rory's lap.
We ZOOM OUT as Rory puts a hand over his head, playing with his hair.
EXT. SIDEWALK – DAY (LATER)
Lorelai is walking to the Diner a little hurriedly.
LORELAI
(stupid voice)
"Oooh, these almonds seem a little brown…"
(goes back to normal)
They're supposed to be brown, Dumbo. Have
you ever heard of purple almonds? Uh, no.
She opens the door and enters.
INT. LUKE'S DINER – DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Lorelai hurries to the counter. Luke nods at her.
LORELAI
Coffee. Now.
LUKE
What's wrong?
LORELAI
Coffee. Now.
Luke gives her a confused look and reaches for the coffee pot.
LUKE
Are you okay?
He serves her coffee.
Lorelai drinks a big gulp then quickly puts the mug down. She winces and sticks her tongue out.
LUKE
Now, that's not very mannerly.
LORELAI
Burnth mah thong.
Jess enters.
JESS
Burn your thong? No thank you. I think that's
a job you can do all on your own. Is it a new
revolution for women's rights again? Because
I honestly thought that burning your bras were
enough. But…
LUKE
Jess, shut up.
JESS
What about human rights, and the right to be
heard, Uncle Luke?
LUKE
That only applies if you only have something
useful to say.
(beat)
None the less, I'm glad you're back to your
annoying self.
He exits with a smirk.
Lorelai glares at Jess, her tongue still sticking out.
Luke snickers.
LUKE
He got a package today.
Lorelai raises her eyebrows.
LUKE
Oh, God, you have no idea how good it feels that
you can't talk.
LORELAI
Hey, I can talk.
LUKE
(sighs)
A very short-lived dream I dream.
LORELAI
Something else is going to be shortened if you
don't stop being annoying.
(beat)
Lorelai snickers to herself.
(cont'd)
Ooooh, dirty, Lorelai!
LUKE
Oh, my God.
LORELAI
So, you were saying something about a package?
LUKE
Yeah. Did you know that it was Jess' birthday?
LORELAI
Jess had a birthday? I thought that he was
conceived through the darkness and shadow and
was mixed with a little Chemical F.
LUKE
Lorelai…
LORELAI
Okay, sorry. Go on. Jess was born today, a
package arrived, I need you to glue the info,
Elmer.
LUKE
Well, he got a package for his birthday.
LORELAI
Oh, well, not a lot of glue involved there.
LUKE
It's from Liz.
LORELAI
Who?
LUKE
My sister? His mom.
LORELAI
Well, that's sweet of her.
Luke snorts.
INT. KIM RESIDENCE – LANE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Lane is on her bed, crying.
In the background, we hear THE DESCENDETS playing.
INT. KIM RESIDENCE – DOOR TO LANE'S ROOM – NIGHT
Mrs. Kim walks by and hears the music. She is about to open the door, but hesitates.
She finally looks away and keeps walking.
INT. KIM RESIDENCE – LANE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT
We hear a small PATTER by the window.
Lane doesn't seem to notice.
Suddenly, a big SMACK is heard, and Lane gets up. She lowers the volume to her stereo and looks out the window.
EXT. KIM RESIDENCE – FRONT YARD – NIGHT
Dave is down there, carrying his guitar.
He looks up at Lane and smiles.
Lane, from the window, gives out a small laugh despite her tears.
Dave strums his guitar and starts singing:
DAVE
So you've been knocked and you've been thrown
And you've run all the way back home
Saying you were searching for a reason
And you cried years so much before
You won't cry much anymore
Roll with the punches
Gonna leave it all behind
These highway signs are
A sign of the time
If you wanna spin
Get yourself back in the game again
Throw down your money
Maybe you could win
But this world won't stop
So never stop, just spin
I've been there once or twice before
Destiny knocking at my door
But destiny only seemed to erase
The happiness once where the ruins replaced
And you said this world treated you cruel
Played with your head, then played you the fool
Leave it all behind, don't let it get you down
If anything, you can be a clown
If you wanna spin
Get yourself back in the game again
Throw down your money
Maybe you could win
But this world won't stop
So never stop, just spin
And this place is cold
And you're feeling older now
And your body hangs
And you fear you won't get out
Suck it up, breathe it deep
Wake up from this creeping sleep
Turn around and around and around and around
Yeah, just spin
If you wanna spin
Get yourself back in the game again
Throw down your money
Maybe you could win
But this world won't stop
So never stop, just spin
Lane starts to cry again, but she's smiling.
Dave looks on, and smiles.
A window on the other side of the house opens, and Mrs. Kim pops her head out, frowning at Dave.
Dave's smile grows wider as he sees Mrs. Kim.
He tips his head in greeting and lazily walks away with his guitar.
INT. LUKE'S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Jess is on his bed, still wide awake.
He turns his head over to the closet door and silently gets up.
He opens the closet and brings the box out.
Jess opens it and pulls an old brown leather jacket out in front of him.
He carefully slips it on and closes his eyes.
He smells the jacket and lays back down on his bed, still clutching the jacket to himself.
END.