TALE UNTOLD
A/N: Alright, there has been a new development with this story. I've now decided to change it all into script format. So, tell me what you think. I think this works better for the story. I modified the other chapters starting with the premier into script format as well. The first three chapters remain the same because they help define the Rory/Jess friendship. I'd also like to thank my beta reader PKNight for all her help. Enjoy!
Ch 6 Kill Me Now
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(Scene: Lorelai, Rory and Jess enter the elder Gilmore residence. A maid leads them into the living room. Jess and Rory sit on the couch while Lorelai remains standing.)
Jess: (Under his breath) Big place.
Rory: What did you expect?
(Jess shrugs and looks up to see Emily Gilmore entering the room but he remains seated. Rory elbows Jess in the ribs as she stands up. Jess gets the picture and rises from his seat sending Rory a dirty look.)
Emily: Hello Rory, Lorelai. (Emily now looks curiously over to Jess.) And you are?
Jess: Jess (beat) A friend of Rory's
Emily: (nods) Right. (Pause) Lorelai told me you were coming. For what reason I don't know but welcome anyway Jess.
(Lorelai and Rory are both watching Jess intensely. Jess notices this and stifles a laugh. There is silence for a few seconds.)
Rory: Jess and I have been friends since we were four.
Lorelai: (Laughing) Yes, give those two a book and you were free for hours. Along with Lane, another friend of Rory's they were the town's Three Musketeers.
Emily: That's nice. (There's a pause as Emily moves over to pour herself a drink.) Who're your parents Jess?
Jess: Well, I'm not quite sure. My father, Mike Mariano, he left my mother when I was young and then Liz, my mother, left me with my uncle Luke.
Emily: (Nodding and sipping her drink) Oh, alright.
(Silence follows the comment made by Emily. A maid enters and informs them that their dinner is ready.)
Jess: (Whispering to Rory, amused.) So, this is hell.
(Rory smiles at this comment and smacks Jess in the chest to shut him up.)
Richard: (Joining them at the table.) Sorry I'm late girls. Hello Rory, Lorelai and stranger.
Rory: Grandpa, this is a friend of mine, Jess.
(Richard nods in acknowledgements and shakes Jess' hand before sitting down. Dinner is served and the five begin to eat. Dinner is mostly silence filled in between by Lorelai and her jokes. When dinner is finished they all set down their forks and knives.)
Richard: Dinner was lovely Emily.
Jess: (Wittily) Yes, it was lovely Mrs. Gilmore.
(Lorelai and Rory begin to laugh at Jess' tone, eventually the laughter dies to quieter giggles.)
Emily: (Ignoring the girls' rudeness.) Well, Mira does make a perfect casserole.
Lorelai: (In between giggles.) Who's Mira?
Emily: Our new cook.
Rory: What happened to Heidi?
Emily: Well, Heidi was causing problems. She kept forgetting to close things the cupboard, the fridge, the-
Richard: (interrupting) The liquor bottle.
(Jess coughs, he is trying to stop himself from laughing.)
Emily: (Continuing) Then there was Trina and then Sophia.
Richard: I liked Sophia.
Emily: No you didn't. She was the one who sang.
Richard: (Nodding Firmly) Right. She was a terrible woman.
Emily: And then Anton.
Richard: (Remembering) Yes, it was Anton was the one I liked.
Lorelai: (Confused) How do you mix up Anton and Sophia? One is a man and one is a woman.
Richard: So?
Lorelai: (Exasperated) One is a man and one is a woman!
(Jess snorts and Rory hides her smile. Mira now enters to collect the plates.)
Emily: Thank you Mira.
Sarah: (Meekly) It's Sarah.
(Sarah returns to the kitchen. Minutes later Emily shouts out for her to return, still calling her Mira. Sarah returns with desert and exits once again. Emily turns back to her guests once Sarah is gone.)
Emily: Rory, how's Chilton.
Lorelai: She has to pick a team sport.
Rory: It's a requirement.
Richard: Physical fitness is as important as intellectual fitness.
Jess: Plato said that.
Richard: (Smiling slightly) And so says I.
Emily: What sport around you going to pick?
Rory: (Shrugs) I don't know yet. I'm not quite the athletic type.
Jess: (Murmuring) Tell me about it. (Richard and Emily give him inquisitive looks. Jess continues.) She hit me in the head with numerous objects during physical education while we were growing up. I have the scars to prove it.
(Rory glares at Jess.)
Emily: (Ignoring Jess' comment.) Well, what are your choices?
Rory: There are thousands. Basketball, Lacrosse, swimming, track, golf-
Emily: (interrupting) Golf?
Rory: (Nods) Yeah.
Emily: Your grandfather plays golf.
Lorelai: (whispering to Jess) Oops.
Emily: (Continuing) He plays every Sunday. He could teach you to play like a pro. (Emily ignores Richard's who is scowling at her.) He could even take you this Sunday.
Lorelai: (Firmly) Mom, can I talk to you in the kitchen for just a second?
(Lorelai and Emily exit to the kitchen leaving Rory, Richard and Jess waiting for them to come back and fill up the gap of silence that is left. Jess, is apparently getting bored and slips his arm around Rory's chair and reaches towards her purse. Rory notices this and gives him a penetrating glare. Richard watched this curiously. Jess puts his hands up defensively but had a sly grin on his face. Rory rolls her eyes and gives him the purse before he can go through with his evil plan. Jess, opens the purse and pulls out a book that the two have been reading, leans back in his chair and opens it.)
Rory: (Hissing) Hey!
(Rory slides her chair closer to Jess' and is leaning over to read as well. Jess sighs and tilts the book so they can both see the writing on the page. Richard watches her granddaughter and her "friend" slightly disgruntled.)
Richard: (Curiously) What book are you reading?
Rory: Howl. Jess insisted. It was either this or Hemmingway and I actually enjoy reading this.
Jess: (Defensively) Hemmingway is brilliant.
Rory: And Ayn Rand isn't?
Jess: Ayn Rand is anything but brilliant. (beat) She's a nut.
(Richard watches this exchange, amused. Lorelai and Emily return seconds later with an agreement on the gold issue. Turns out Rory and Richard will after all go golfing. Richard brightens a bit as an idea comes to him.)
Richard: Jess, why don't you join us?
Rory: (Quickly) Jess isn't much of a golfer.
Lorelai: Or a socialist.
(Scene: Jess, Rory and Lorelai are in the jeep on their way home from dinner. Lorelai is driving, Rory is next to her in the passenger's seat and Jess sits in the back.)
Lorelai: (Curiously) Are you crazy? (She pauses a second) You just volunteered to spend an entire morning at a club golfing with my father.
Rory: You are becoming more puppy-like Jess.
Jess: (Sighing) Just think of it this way. If I'm going technically Rory won't be alone with her grandfather.
Lorelai: (Shrugs) Whatever, I still think you're setting yourself up as a stalker.
Jess: (Mimics Lorelai's shrug) Whatever.
(Scene: Rory and Jess stand outside the elder Gilmore mansion. They have just arrived and Rory is checking her watch for the time. She looks worried.)
Rory: (Groaning) Jess it's eight-thirty. We're late. He's going to be upset.
Jess: Don't worry.
(Jess reaches over to ring the door bell. The door immediately opens revealing Emily and Richard Gilmore on the other side.)
Emily: Rory hello. (She turns to Jess and her smile seems to stiffen.) And Jess.
Rory: Sorry we're late.
Emily: Nonsense. (She waves off the apology) You're right on time.
Rory: Hi grandpa.
Richard: Hello Rory.
Rory: Am I dressed okay? I didn't have any short pant things.
Emily: Actually, there's just one thing missing. (Pulls out a hat and places it on Rory's head.) There. (Emily steps back for a better look) Now you look just like Tiger Woods.
Jess: (Laughing) That's some hat.
(Scene: Rory, Jess and Richard are walking through the golf course. Rory and Richard are talking between them as Jess walks silently beside them gazing around the golf course in amazement. Jess attention goes back to Rory who is now trying to put a ball. She misses.)
Rory: (Worried) Oh, was that wrong?
Richard: There are no rights and wrongs in the learning process. Try that again.
(Rory tries again and misses.)
Jess: (Shaking his head.) I bet that was wrong.
(Rory glares at Jess and turns back to the ball. After a few more tries she finally hits it.)
Rory: I actually hit it!
Richard: And quite a hit it was.
Rory: It landed in the water.
Richard: And it was quite a splash.
(Jess looks around the course one again)
Jess: (Almost inaudible) This is quite a place.
Richard: (Nods) Yes, there is something serene about walking around here.
Rory: Do you come here often?
(Jess seems to zone out once again as Rory and Richard go on talking. He seems to be listening partially as they walk on.)
(Scene: Richard and Jess enter the men's steam room. Jess doesn't look all to pleased about this. There are other men present and Jess listens to their conversation.)
Man #1: Richard, who was that lovely girl you were with on the course.
Richard: That's my granddaughter. I'm spending the day with her and her friend here Jess.
Man #2: You're lucky my granddaughter looks as if she fell off a potato truck.
Man #3: Mine wouldn't be caught dead in this place. She would rather spend her time at a tattoo parlour or getting something pierced.
Richard: (Proudly) Well, Rory just started at Chilton and asked me to teach her golf.
Man #1: A fine school. (Beat) What about you? (Nods towards Jess) Jess was it?
Jess: (Nods) Yes.
Man #1: Are you two dating?
Jess: (Smirks, but shakes his head) No, we're friends.
Richard: How long have you two known each other again?
Jess: Since the age of four.
Man #3: What school do you attend?
Jess: Stars Hollow High.
Man#2: I've never heard of it. Where is this school?
Jess: (Scoffs) In Stars Hollow.
Man #2: (Insulted) Yes, but where is this Stars Hollow?
Jess: It's a small town a half hour drive outside Hartford. You turn right after the hay stack. They have a population of less than 1000.
Man #2: (Extremely disgruntled) Well, thank you.
Richard: Lorelai and Rory moved there not long after Rory was born.
Man #1: Yes, that's right. Young Lorelai got pregnant at sixteen.
Man #3: It's a wonder that Rory turned out alright with her mother and all.
Richard: (Appalled) What is that supposed to mean.
Jess: That, Mr. Gilmore, is supposed to mean that your daughter is a tramp and that they think Rory is going to turn out the same. (Turns to the other gentlemen) Just so you know Rory and Lorelai have a wonderful relationship and Rory is the smartest girl I know. You cannot judge either of them because of a mistake that was made sixteen years ago.
Richard: (Looks a bit oddly at Jess) Well now excuse us gentlemen but we have lunch to attend to.
(The two leave the three gentlemen staring shocked after them. Richard stops Jess once they have left the steam room.)
Richard: I like you Jess. You did a brave thing back there. I agree that those three were out of line. You are very close to my granddaughter aren't you?
Jess: (Nods) She's my best friend. We protect each other from whatever we can. I would appreciate if you would not tell Rory about this. It isn't something I usually do.
Richard: I understand. Thank you for what you did.
(Scene: Rory and Jess enter the diner late that afternoon. Rory is still wearing the hat her grandmother gave her and is laughing.)
Luke: Interesting hat.
Rory: (Smiles) Thank you. (beat) I went golfing with my grandfather today.
Luke: So I heard.
Lorelai: (Entering.) My god- this day! The swans, the tulle, my head...Luke! I need the largest cheeseburger in the world. Let's break a record here buddy. (Turns to Rory) So, this wedding is a nightmare. We got ten boxes of creepy larvae that are supposed to swarm into butterflies the day of the wedding. They swarmed early. (Pause) What's with the hat?
Rory: Grandma gave it to me.
Lorelai: Oh, now that's just cruel. (Shakes her head.) Jess, you let her walk around in that all day?
Rory: It's not that bad.
Lorelai: Do you want a mirror? So, golfing adventure, how'd I go?
Rory: It was fine.
Lorelai: You are the sweetest kid in the world. (Lorelai looks around the diner) Jess! Luke! Am I mistaken or does the sign on the diner say open? (Turns back to Rory) So, where were we?
Rory: Me, golfing.
Lorelai: Right-go
Rory: Well, by the end of the day I could actually hit a ball.
Jess: (Passing by the table) Sometimes it wasn't even her ball.
Rory: Well, the intentions were good.
(Luke approaches their table)
Lorelai: (To Rory) Did you order?
Rory: No, I had a big lunch.
Jess: (Returning to the Gilmore's table.) Very big.
Lorelai: Oh.
Rory: Yeah, surprisingly enough Grandpa and I had a lot to talk about.
Lorelai: (Raises an eyebrow) Really?
Jess: Not an awkward moment between them.
Rory: Grandpa seemed to like Jess too.
Lorelai: Well, it tends to be like that.
Rory: Does this hat look really bad on me?
Jess: No, actually it looks kind of cute.
(Scene: Rory and Jess are at the Inn. Rory is working on something and Jess stands nearby. Lorelai is outside watching the brides and their grooms learn to dance.)
Jess: (Leans over a little) These people are crazy.
Rory: (Mumbles) Yup.
Jess: What are you doing anyways?
Rory: Work.
Jess: (Smirks) Going monosyllabic on me now?
Rory: (Not looking up) Yup.
(The phone begins to ring. Jess looks around. Michel is no where in sight.)
Jess: You going to answer that?
Rory: Nope.
Jess: We've switched places haven't we? Now your being vague and I'm inquisitive. We can almost say you're acting like Luke.
Rory: (Shrugs) Whatever. (Pause) Wait a second! I'm not acting like Luke! That's your job and Luke's job. Mom! Where's my mom?
Jess: Outside. (Jess points to where Lorelai is standing.)
Rory: HAH! We're back! (Grins) You used one word in that sentence.
Jess: Wow. (Picks up the phone that has been ringing without end) Hello? (pause) Yeah hold on a second. For you.
Rory: (Takes phone from Jess) Hello? (Pause) Grandpa, hi. (Pause) Alright thank you. Bye. (Hangs up the phone)
Lorelai: (Approaches them) Who was that?
Rory: Grandpa.
Lorelai: What did he want?
Rory: Just to tell me he found a book we were talking about.
Lorelai: (Shrugs) Alright, it's just he doesn't usually call here. (Beat) You know your excursion should count as a dinner. I think I could get us out of it this Friday.
Rory: No, it's alright. I need to get the book anyway.
(Lorelai and Jess share a look)
Lorelai: (Dramatically) They've turned my baby!
(Rory and Jess shake their heads, laughing.)
(Scene: Rory and Jess sit alone together on the bridge. A book lays closed beside Rory. They are silent for now just looking out on the water.)
Jess: So, how was the wedding?
Rory: (Sighs) Crazy. (Beat) I haven't seen you lately. What's up with that?
Jess: (Shrugs nonchalantly) Been busy.
Rory: Too busy to talk to your best friends since Monday, must've been real busy.
Jess: As a matter of fact I was.
Rory: Mom and I had this stupid fight, but we made up. Then she told me that Ms. Patty told her that you've been attached to Lara Guy lately.
Jess: Stupid small town.
Rory: So, it's true? (She gets no reply) So, how long has that been going on and how long is this one going to last?
Jess: I haven't had that many 'girlfriends'.
Rory: (Begins to list them off) There was Kathy Baker, Miranda Farnsworth, Tamara something or other and now Lara Guy among others. When did you and Kathy break up anyway?
Jess: It wasn't Lara!
Rory: So, it was Kathy? (Jess nods) Wow, the longest lasting Jess conquest. (Beat) One Week.
Jess: They were not conquests. I never actually 'dated' Miranda and Tamara and whoever else.
Rory: Right. They were just make-out buddies at parties. You're corrupting the girls of Stars Hollow!
Jess: (Smirks) Hey, I can't help it. They just can't resist my charm.
Rory: (Disbelieving) Right.
Jess: (Raises an eyebrow suggestively) Want me to prove it?
Rory: I'm guessing you and Kathy are over?
Jess: Yup.
Rory: (Sighs) One day Jess you'll find a girl who you will fall deeply in love with and she'll totally change you. Trust me on this one, when you find her it'll be hard to get her and when you do you will never want to let her go.
Jess: (Disbelieving) Sure thing Ror.
Rory: Some week huh?
Jess: Tell me about it.
(Rory reaches over to where her book lays on the bridge and opens it. Jess leans in closer and the two begin to read.)
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A/N: Well, what do you think? Good, bad, should I leave the country and change my name? Okay, as you know some of these lines belong to the show. Also, I hope you liked that last little scene between Rory and Jess. Well, tell me what you think. Thanks for reading.
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