TALE UNTOLD
A/N: Alright, sorry I couldn't get
this done sooner. There was just so much I needed to do that I didn't get on
the computer much last week. Also, I'd like to thank all those who reviewed;
you don't know how much it means to me that you like this story. Well, without
further ado here's the next chapter.
Ch 7 Qualifications of a Bad Day
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(Rory, Jess, and Lorelai are walking through a store looking for Rory's school supplies.)
Rory: (Checks her list) I need legal note pads.
Lorelai: Got it.
Rory: Tons of pens.
Jess: Check.
Rory: (Continues to read off the list) Number two pencils, three highlighters, and eraser, stapler and folder.
Lorelai: Three highlighters?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: That's a random number.
Rory: Three is not random.
Jess: Then how'd you get three?
Rory: (Ticks off each with her finger.) One dries up, one gets lost, I have one left.
Jess: What if the one that's left also gets lost?
Rory: That doesn't happen.
Jess: It could though. What if someone steals the remaining highlighter?
Rory: You're going to steal it just to prove your point, aren't you?
Jess: (Appalled.) I wouldn't dream of such a thing.
Lorelai: (Excited.) OH! Legal pads!
Rory: They're purple; I can't have purple legal pads.
Lorelai: When they're on sale you can.
Rory: I'm going to a serious school. I need serious paper.
Jess: (Sarcastically.) What kind of a world is it when coloured objects are not accepted in high society? What will happen to the crazy-wacky coloured post-its now that they're out of a job? Look at what Chilton and all Prep schools are doing to the world. Next thing we know there is going to be a supply rebellion.
Rory: Remind me why you're here again.
Lorelai: He's only a puppy Rory. We can't leave him alone so he can rip apart the house and destroy furniture all because he was lonely.
Rory: (Exasperated.) Children! I am surrounded by children!
Jess: The puppy thing is getting kind of old.
Lorelai: As are you.
(Rory shakes her head and rolls the cart into the next aisle of the store.)
(Scene: Rory enters the diner and lets her school bag fall to the floor in front of the counter. Jess is leaning over the counter, reading.)
Rory: (Glumly.) Hey, can I get coffee?
Jess: (Not looking up from book.) Just put more on. It's not ready yet.
Rory: (Groans.) Will this day ever end?
Jess: (Looking at his watch.) Yeah, in approximately ten hours.
Rory: That was a rhetorical question by the way.
Jess: (Puts book down.) It couldn't have been that bad.
Rory: Yes it was.
(The bells above the door of the diner chime as Lane rushes in.)
Lane: (Catching her breath.) Ok, what were you talking about?
Rory: My bad day.
Lane: Alright. Go.
Rory: It sucked.
Lane: How bad could it have been? Was it worse than the time that my mom walked in on the three of us when we were "exploring ourselves".
Jess: You make it sound so dirty we were only kissing.
Rory: Mama Kim made it sound dirty as well and blamed it on my mother exploiting us to such treachery.
Lane: Hey, it's not like any of us really got to kiss. She walked in on us. I told you one of us had to make some sort of noise as a decoy.
Jess: Let's just get back to Rory's story.
Rory: Right, so I got really badly on an English paper and now Paris knows. Tristan won't stop harassing me and calling me 'Mary'. The worst part is I'm going to have to do this for another three years.
Lane: (Sympathetically.) You've still got us and your mom.
Rory: (Groans.) Oh, god! I was supposed to stop off at the inn and say hi.
Jess: She'll be here soon.
Luke: (Entering from upstairs.) Aren't you supposed to be working?
Jess: Aren't you?
Luke: I have the right to take a break now and then. (Notices Rory and Lane.) Hi.
Rory/Lane: (Wave.) Hey Luke!
Jess: Coffee's ready Rory. Lane you want any?
(Lane shakes her head.)
Rory: I got to go. I've got some studying to do this weekend. See tomorrow.
(Rory exits the diner.)
Lane: You coming over to study tonight? My parents are going to be out.
Luke: He'll be there.
Jess: I believe I can answer for myself. (To Lane.) I'll be there.
Lane: Great, but this time we're actually studying and not filing through my CDs all night. Okay?
Jess: (Sighs.) Fine, but what are we studying again?
Lane: (Rolls her eyes.) Just bring your books Jess.
(Lane exits the diner leaving Jess and Luke to return to serving the customers.)
(Scene: Lane and Jess are sitting in Lane's bedroom closet. Jess is turning towards the CD player changing CDs while Lane sits holding a notebook in her hands.)
Lane: Jess, come on already.
Jess: I think I've got it this time.
Lane: You better not be putting Metallica in. We're supposed to be studying.
Jess: (Shakes his head.) It's not Metallica. It's a finer choice than that.
(The telephone begins to ring while loud music stars blasting.)
Lane: (Shouting over the music.) Turn that off and keep quiet!
(Jess does as he is told.)
Lane: (To the phone.) Hello?
(Cut to Rory sitting in her room.)
Rory: I'm supposed to be studying for this huge test on Monday right?
Lane: Rory?
Rory: Please, save me from the craziness of my mother and ice cream.
Lane: (Confused.) Ice Cream?
Jess: (Smirks.) What flavour?
Lane: (Shushing Jess.) Then why don't you come here and study.
Jess: (Mumbling.) Please do.
Rory: (Shifting phone to opposite ear.) No. I'm already distracted enough.
Jess: (Grabbing phone from Lane who protests.) Come on. You know you want to.
Rory: I can't. Tell Lane I'll stop by tomorrow. Bye.
(Both hang up the phone. Back in Lane's closet Jess reaches to turn the volume up on the radio but Lane stops him. Groaning Jess cooperates and the two begin quizzing each other.)
(Scene: Rory, Jess and Lane are all crowded inside Lane's funky closet. Lane is quizzing Rory while Jess is reading a book.)
Lane: (Nods affirmatively.) Correct. Alright now 'Comedy of Errors'- written?
Rory: (Takes in a deep breath.) 1590.
Lane: Published?
Rory: 1698.
(Lane shakes her head. Rory looks thoughtful.)
Jess: (Without looking up from his book.) 1623.
Lane: (Looks down at the notes and looks over at Rory.) He's right.
Rory: That's just sad. He hasn't even been studying Shakespeare and he knows the answer like that (snaps finger) I have to think and still get the wrong answer.
Jess: We've been through this during the past ten questions I've answered. I've been through the whole Shakespeare and his boring rants a while ago and read up a bit on the nut and his life.
Rory: I'm really starting to wonder about you taste in books.
Lane: And music.
(Jess shakes his head and turns back to his book.)
Rory: I need a break!
Lane: (Nods in agreement.) I also need chocolate of some sort.
Jess: (Shuts book.) Alright where are we off to then?
Rory: (Looks over to Lane.) Well now we know how to get his attention.
Lane: Other than a pretty, desperate blonde crossing his path.
Jess: I'm hurt. You make me sound like such a player.
Rory: You're as close to one as Stars Hollow will get. Unless that vile Tristan shows up and moves in. Then, he'll have you beat.
Jess: (Stands up.) Good to know. So, are we going to go or not?
Lane: (Rolls her eyes.) Yeah, whatever let's go.
Rory: (Groans.) I'm going to flunk this test.
Jess: Think positive. You won't fail we're all here to make sure of that.
(The three of them exit Lane's room and the antique shop going unnoticed by Mrs. Kim who seems unaware that they were even in the house. She is busy with customers.)
(Scene: Rory in the jeep frantically looking through some papers while trying to keep her eyes on the road. She grabs her cell phone of the bench next to her and quickly presses the speed dial.)
Lane: Hello?
Rory: (Worriedly.) Did I leave some papers over the other day?
Lane: On Shakespeare?
Rory: Yeah.
Lane: I'm looking.
Rory: In the meantime can you get Jess on three-way? Just in case it's at the diner.
Lane: Sure. (Presses some buttons and ringing can be heard.)
Jess: (Groggily.) Hello?
Rory: Notes on Shakespeare did I leave any there?
Lane: They're not here. Maybe they're downstairs.
Rory: Maybe. Jess did you find anything?
Jess: (Confused.) What am I supposed to be looking for?
Rory: (Stops the car at a stop sign.) Maybe they're- (There's a loud bang heard.) Oh my God!
Lane/Jess: Are you alright?
Rory: (Panicking.) I just got hit by a deer.
Lane: (Worried.) You hit a deer.
Rory: No, I stopped the car at a sign and a deer came out and hit me.
Jess: (Amused.) A deer hit you.
Rory: YES! (Gets out of the car.)
Jess: I think you're coffee deprived.
Rory: I have the marks on the side of my car to prove it. I'm looking for it.
Lane: Rory, your test.
Rory: What time is it?
Jess: 7:40.
Rory: No! (Hangs up the phone and runs back to the car.)
Lane: Jess, are you still there?
(Muffled laughter is heard on the other end.)
Lane: (Cont.) It's not funny. She's going to be late.
Jess: She got hit by a deer.
Lane: Just get ready for school Jess. (Hangs up the phone.)
(Jess is left on the line alone. He looks at the phone before hanging up, shaking his head with laughter.)
(Scene: Lorelai and Rory enter Luke's. Rory has changed out of her Chilton uniform. Jess doesn't seem to be working at the moment. Lorelai and Rory sit down at the counter. Luke appears to serve them.)
Lorelai: Luke, I think all that I have gone through today deserves a coffee without argument. So pour away mister.
Luke: (Grunts.) I'm not going to argue. All I'm going to say is that this is going to kill you one day.
Lorelai: Whatever, whatever come on and just give me the coffee already!
Rory: Me too please.
(Luke pours two cups of coffee for Lorelai and Rory. Lane and Jess enter the diner seconds later.)
Lane: (Approaches them.) Hey, how was the test?
Rory: (Shrugs.) I was late and they didn't let me take it. They also called my mom.
Lorelai: Did any of you know that Rory had a confrontational side?
Lane: (Curiously.) What happened?
Lorelai: She pulled a fit about not being able to take the test.
Jess: (Raises an eyebrow.) Did she yell at the teacher?
Rory: (Bashfully.) Yes, I did.
Lorelai: She yelled at Paris and Tristan as well.
Rory: He needs to learn my name!
Lane: What are you going to do about the test? It counts for 20% doesn't it?
Rory: Well, Mr. Medina pulled some string and I'm going to be doing some extracurricular work to make up for it.
Jess: It's not like you don't have enough work to do already.
Lorelai: Aww...is Jess feeling neglected?
Rory: If it's any condolence I miss Stars Hollow High.
Lane: That reminds me. This guy has been asking about you.
Lorelai: (Coos.) Ooh. Rory has a secret admirer.
Rory: What guy?
Lane: The new kid- Tall, perfect.
Jess: Floppy haired guy you directed to Ms. Patty if he wanted to find a job.
Lorelai: As what a man-whore?
Rory: (Ignores her mother's comment.) What'd he want to know?
Lane: Where you were.
Lorelai: So, what did you say?
Lane: That she was just to smart for us all.
Lorelai: Which normally would be true but I'm wondering with this whole deer incident this morning.
Luke: (Who has been serving customers.) Deer incident?
Rory: A deer hit me.
Lorelai: We've got nice bit antler prints on the side of our jeep.
Jess: You drive it here? I'm still having a hard time believing it.
Lorelai: I wanted to but little missy here said why drive when you can walk.
Lane: Hey, I agree.
Lorelai: On our way home she made me stop and look for the animal.
Rory: (Changes the subject.) Where've you two been?
Jess: I had detention.
Lane: I waited around for him. It was either that or going home to Mama.
Luke: Wait, you had a detention?
Lorelai/Rory: Uh-oh.
Jess: Hey, it's nothing new. I just happen to disagree with my homeroom teacher that being on time is important.
Luke: Jess, how late were you?
Lane: A half hour.
Rory: You were a half hour late? What is there to do at eight in the morning?
Luke: (Looks questionably at Jess.) Yes, what is there to do at eight in the morning? In Stars Hollow none the less.
Jess: (Shrugs.) Walk around.
Luke: (Throws hands in the air.) Where'd I go wrong?
Lorelai: I ask myself the same question sometimes.
Rory: Hey!
Lorelai: Just joking babes.
(Rory shakes her head and sips her coffee. Jess puts on his apron and begins to serve the customers as Luke takes Lane's order. The three girls are talking amongst each other.)
(Scene: Rory sits on the couch reading. Lorelai comes in from the front door while Jess and Lane enter from the back.)
Rory: (Jumps up. Sadly.) Cinnamon's dead.
Jess: Babette's cat?
Rory: (Nods.) Yes.
Lorelai: Oh. I'm going over to see if Babette's alright. Cinnamon was old though.
(Lorelai leaves the three teens alone in the house.)
Lane: Wow. Cinnamon was like a child to them. Think they're going to have a funeral and everything?
Jess: I am NOT going to a wake for a cat.
Rory: (Glares at Jess.) Don't be bitter. We all know how beloved Cinnamon was.
Lane: Poor Babette.
Rory: That guy, Dean, followed me onto the bus this morning.
Lane: Really?
Rory: Yeah, he saw me get on and followed me. He sat down next to me and talked about the book I was reading and then got off.
Jess: Are we sure he isn't a stalker?
Lane: Yes.
Jess: Just making sure.
Rory: I'm going next door. You guys coming?
(Lane and Jess nod following Rory out the door.)
(Scene: Rory stands outside on Babette's lawn surrounded by gnomes. She doesn't' notice Dean approaching her. Jess reaches her first though.)
Jess: Hey. Babette and Morey are going on about things Cinnamon did.
Rory: It's kind of sad though. I mean I remember Cinnamon getting stuck because he was to fat and my mom and I used to run over to help.
Jess: (Nods.) That cat sure was fat.
(Dean has been watching the two curiously.)
Rory: That cat and these gnomes are so important to them.
Jess: By the way, your mom's looking for you. She seems to have something she needs to tell you.
Rory: Thanks. I'll go see about that. Are you going to come inside?
(Jess is about to nod but notices Dean standing off in the distance.)
Jess: (Shakes his head.) No, I'm going to stay out her for a while.
(Rory nods and turns to enter the house. Half way there she turns and gives Jess a huge hug.)
Jess: (Raises and eyebrow.) What was that for?
Rory: (Shrugs her shoulders.) Just because.
(Jess smiles at Rory as she goes to find her mom. Once Rory is inside Jess approaches Dean.)
Jess: You need something?
Dean: I was going to talk to Rory.
Jess: Well, she's kind of busy right now.
Dean: I know I asked before but are you her boyfriend?
Jess: No, but I've known Rory since we were four. I can tell that you like her but you better not do anything to hurt her. She's my best friend and I will do anything to protect her.
Dean: Do you want to fight now and get this over with?
Jess: I'm not going to fight you. I'm just warning you.
(Jess turns and goes back into the house. Dean stands outside a few seconds before he himself goes on his way.)
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A/N: I've been really too tired to work lately so I'm sorry it took me so long. I guess I'm over-working my self with school. In this chapter I tried to put more of the whole Rory/Jess/Lane friendship in. Most of this is original lines mixed in with the original events of the show. I'm trying to stick more and more originality in. I also stuck in a bit from 'Cinnamon's Wake' as well as 'The Deer-Hunters' because it made more sense to do that. Tell me what you think.
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