The Boy in the Band

Chapter 1: The Set Up

Gilmore Girls

Fan Fiction by Hack

(This is a 3 chapter story)

Subject: Luke and Lorelai

Inspired during season three. We find out that Luke use to be in a garage band with his friends when he was in High School.  The band left Stars Hollow for Boston to ' hit it big', but Luke was the only member who didn't go. The band had moderate regional success as a rock and roll cover band. Now that they are older they all have real jobs and play regularly around the Boston area. The band asks Luke to join them for a reunion 'gig' at The Palace (fictional) for New Years Eve in Boston. I originally wrote this last fall but discovered a similar 'band' story already posted (that I thought was cool). I apologize for the similar plot but we need more L/L don't we? 

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I only contribute the sappiness.

***Luke's Diner***am breakfast

Scene opens with Luke topping off L and R coffee cups then walking around the counter.

An extremely sexy woman, Candy, in tight but tasteful clothing enters the Diner.

Lorelai and Rory are at their usual table eating breakfast. Lorelai recognizes the woman as a guest of the Inn.

L: (whispering to Rory. Looking at Candy) Boy, I'd be afraid to breathe wearing that outfit. Might bust a seam.

R: (whispers back) The only thing tighter would have to be painted on.

Candy: Well, as I live and breath, Luke Danes, the Axe man, still lives.

Luke; Candy! (Smiling) How have you been?

L & R instantly sit up in there seats, ears perked, mouths opened in astonishment.

L&R: (quietly) Axe man?

L: (silently to Rory) The flannel is a dead give away.

R: (nods in agreement)

Candy: Fine. Just Fine.

Luke: What brings you to Stars Hollow?

Candy: You do actually. (Quietly not overheard by L and R)  I was wondering if you would have some time today to get together and catch up on things?

L: (to Rory) Who is that?

R: (whispering) Who calls their kid Candy?

L: Beats Mercedes. I've got to get closer. Drink your coffee faster. (Both start trying to drink their coffee, which is full and hot, lots of comedy here with the blowing and sipping, etc.)

Luke: (Luke lowers his voice so no one else can hear him.) Well, this afternoon around 2:30 pm is usually slow.

Candy: That'd be perfect.

(Suddenly Lorelai jumps up to the counter next to Candy with an almost empty coffee cup.)

L: (since she burnt her tongue she mumbles) What does it take to get a refill around here?

Luke: (looks at L puzzled, knowing even L can't drink coffee that fast. He smiles to himself, fancy that she might be jealous.)  (To L)  Wait, let me see it. (L sticks out her tongue) Man, you might have three-degree burns there. Let me get you some ice.

(L and Candy size each other up and look uncomfortable)
Luke returns with ice in a cup.

Candy: OK, Well, I'll see you then.

Luke: See ya, Candy.

(Candy exits)
Lorelai holding a piece of ice on her tongue manages to say to Luke: (mumbling) who is that?

Luke: Candy? Oh, she's a friend from High School. (For fun, Luke emphasizes 'friend' implying that maybe he was more than friends. Then Luke smiles.)

L: (mumbling) What is she doing in Stars Hollow?
Luke: (playing along) She said she came to see me. (Luke's smile gets even bigger as he watches L getting more upset.

L (Because it's to hard to talk loud with her tongue hurting so bad she turns and goes back to Rory.  Rory grabs a piece of ice out of the cup and holds it on her tongue. )

R: (mumbling) That was a really bad idea. What did you find out?
L: (mumbling)                Nothing.  Let's go.

***Luke's Diner*** 2:30 pm

Cut in mid-conversion.

Candy: So you see, we did all right on the regional back alley bar 'gig' deal for about 5 years. Then, Mike proposed to me, and Scotty to Fran, and Jeremy to Kris, and Dave to Sharon and Laura got married to Shaun, and Mark to Cheryl. That's when they got real jobs. Now they play out regularly in the Boston area. It is a pretty sweet deal.

Luke: Congratulations. I can't believe Mike waited 5 years to propose to you. (Ponders) Man, they were so sure they were going to make it to the big time.

Candy: We probably would have with you in the band.

Luke: Nahh. You guys had all the talent.

Candy: So, have you been practicing at all?
Luke: I still get it out and play every so often.

Candy: Look, I'll cut to the chase here. Mike and the other guys have had a change of heart. I mean, it's been almost twenty years and that's long enough to hold any kind of grudge if you ask me.  They asked me to come out here and feel you out about playing with them again.

Luke: You're kidding. (Doubtfully)

Candy: No, you remember 'The Palace'.

Luke: The Palace?! Man, that place rocks. I remember how we always talked about how great it would be to play there. Success would only be final when we could get a gig at "The Palace'.

Candy: Oh, it's still around all right. And guess what? (Pause)  We finally got a gig there. The Paperboy is going to play The Palace on New Years Eve.

Luke: Wow. (Luke stands up and walks around) That's Great! That is really great news. I bet they are so excited. That is a great gig no matter where you come from. (Returns to sit at table.) That is really great.

Candy: Well, I'm glad you think so.  See when we got the gig, the band starting talking and well, we all agreed that it wouldn't be right without you. After all, you were the one that came up with the dream in the first place.

Luke: Me, it's been twenty years. You never cared before, why now?

Candy: Luke, we have always cared. Just Mike. He can hold a grudge. You see. He had an accident.

Luke: Oh my God. What happened? Is he OK?
Candy: Relax. The klutz, He slipped on some ice and broke his wrist.

Luke: Oh, I see.

Candy: No you don't see. It is like fate. We wanted to have a reason to ask you to play and now we really need you to come and play.

Luke: You can get someone else. I am not the only guitar player in the world. I am sure there are some in Boston.

Candy: Don't you see? It's perfect. The original band. All the guys want it. At The Palace.  Here, (hands Luke a couple of CD's and a play list of songs) we aren't playing that many newer songs. And Mike can still sing so you wouldn't have to do vocals unless you wanted.  I'm telling you, you're crazy if you don't do it. It was your dream. Mike thought the best way to say he is sorry is to invite you to play. The guys have been begging him for years to call you.

Luke: (staring at the CDs and stuff on the table) I don't know, Candy…I…

Candy: (cuts him off) Look, I am visiting friends and family in the area for a couple of days. Please don't answer me now. Just sleep on it.  I'll stop in tomorrow. I'm staying at the Inn.

Luke: Can you come by in the morning; I'll be running some errands in the afternoon. (Hopefully).

Candy: Sure.

Luke: (smiles a scheming smile)

(Luke returns to his apartment and sets the play list and cds on the table. He goes to the closet and returns with his guitar. He looks at the list and nods his head and starts strumming and old REM song: This one goes out to the one a love.