Fool for Love

By

Javakamp
Chapter 2: Gorilla my Dreams

Forty-five minutes later as Lorelai was walking into the front door of The Independence Inn, she was preoccupied with arrangements for the events scheduled at the Inn over the next week. The last thing she expected when she walked through the door, was a large furry gorilla with its arms raised jumping out and saying "GRRRAARRRRRGG!"

Surprised, Lorelai dropped her briefcase, and jumped away from the ape with a startled, "Yaaaahhhhhh." As she stared at the gorilla just standing there with its' arms raised, she realized that she wasn't staring at some rabid animal that had escaped from the zoo, she was looking at someone in a gorilla costume.

Getting her heart rate back under control Lorelai looked at the gorilla person and in a slightly annoyed tone asked, "Jeez, who's in there?"

The gorilla replied but the mask muffled the response enough that it was undecipherable.

Lorelai shook her head and said, "I didn't hear a word you said."

The gorilla reached up and removed the costume's head, revealing a young man who said, "I'm sorry, Lorelai. It's me Tommy."

Lorelai recognized the young college student that had been working part time at the Inn as a bellman. The boy looked slightly scared as he said, "I'm sorry, Lorelai. I guess the costume is a bit much huh?"

Lorelai smiled at Tommy to put him at ease and said, "No, Tommy, the costume is fine. I just think it might be a good idea if you didn't go around scaring the guests, or me."

Tommy nodded eagerly and said, "Right. Good idea." Noticing Lorelai's outfit, Tommy said, "I like your costume."

"Thank you."

Lorelai started to bend down and get her briefcase, but Tommy stopped her and said, "Oh, let me get it." The boy bent down to get the case, but the bulk of his costume prevented any easy retrieval. Eventually Tommy managed to recover the case but the comedy created in doing so made Lorelai forget any residual anger over his actions. Tommy gave the case to Lorelai and said, "Here you go."

"Thanks, Tommy."

Lorelai walked to the registration desk where Michel, wearing one of his normal Italian suites, was standing deeply involved in sorting papers, "Morning, Michel," Lorelai said as she reached into her mail slot and got her messages.

Michel's only response was to give a slight grunt without looking up from his work.

Lorelai looked at Michel and said, "I see that we are in our typical outgoing mood this morning."

Michel looked up from the papers and in a caustic tone said, "Leave me alone."

Before Lorelai could respond, the phone next to Michel began to ring. Michel glanced at the phone then back at Lorelai, with an expression that asked, 'Do I have to?'

Lorelai's only response was to stare back at Michel and raise her eyebrows once. Michel rolled his eyes, in protest, but picked up the phone and said, "Independence Inn, Michel speaking."

Lorelai left Michel to handle the phone, and returned to her review of her messages, while she removed her coat and sat it on a nearby chair. After she finished reading, she looked up to see Michel staring at her with a grin like the very snobby cat that ate the canary.

Lorelai looked back at him and asked, "What?"

Still smiling, Michel replied, "I had no idea that you wanted to be the Tooth Fairy when you grew up."

"I'm not the Tooth Fairy," Lorelai said. "I'm a ballerina."

"You, a ballerina. I don't think zo," taunted the Frenchman.

"Well, I see that you dressed up as annoying French guy," Lorelai retorted. "Oh wait, that's not a costume, that's just regular you."

Michel ignored her and replied, "A Ballerina's every motion should say I'm full of grace and beauty. While your every movement says, follow me to the hoedown boys."

"Ha!" Retorted Lorelai. "I happen to be very graceful and beautiful."

"You are, are you?"

"Yes I am. And to prove it I just may have to do a little ballerina performance for you later."

"You," Michel said disbelievingly, "Are going to dance ballet for us. Oh dis ez something I must zee."

"And you know what ballerina thingy I'm going to dance to?"

"No, what?"

Lorelai smiled sardonically and taunted, "I'm going to dance to," she paused for dramatic effect before concluding, "Swan Lake."

Michel paled slightly as the smirk fell from his face, "Dat ez not funny. You know I am terrified those loathsome creatures."

"Swans, oh really," Lorelai replied innocently, "Did you know that I was thinking about getting a couple and let them roam around the lobby. I think the guests would like that. Don't you?"

Michel grabbed the papers he had been sorting. Then he snarled at Lorelai, and said, "I hate you." He turned and stalked off."

Lorelai almost didn't but she couldn't resist calling after him, "Or maybe two won't be enough. Maybe I'll get five or six."