By: Stew Pid
Rating: Should be okay for everyone.
Disclaimer: I only own the Stew Pid stuff.
A/N: Hey. This chapter I can tell you right now is not a very good one. I have to get on somewhat of the same page as season 3, and this chapter was sort of about doing that. A lot of it is too familiar to be anything other than boring. Basically, the chapter sucks, but it had to be done. I ask for your patience with it. I tried my best. THANKS always to Avid for everything. And THANKS to all my WONDERFUL reviewers!!
(Rory and Lane are walking around the square.)
Rory: So how's it going with the band?
Lane: Oh, it's amazing. We're not really that good yet, but it hasn't even been two weeks.
Rory: You have to give it time.
Lane: Yeah. Dave is great, though. He said the funniest thing the other day. We were practicing David Bowie's Dead Man Walking, and he stops and says, "Are we going for David Bowie's Dead Man Walking or Sean Penn's?" (Lane cracks up laughing.) I was cracking up.
Rory: (smiling) And still are, apparently.
Lane: Well, it was funny. You don't think so.
Rory: It was funny the first time you told me about it, but then I realized I actually liked Sean Penn in that movie.
Lane: So I told you that one already.
Rory: But it entertains me to watch you so entertained. You really like Dave, huh?
Lane: Well, I think he's pretty cool. He's a great musician. And very sweet. And we have the same sort of work ethic. He's very meticulous. But also easy-going. And…
Rory: Funny?
Lane: That too.
Rory: (smiling, teasingly) You're smitten.
Lane: No, I'm not. I respect him as a musician, as a person. We're compatible…I mean, as band mates.
Rory: (still smiling) Right.
Lane: What do I have to do to get you to stop smiling goofily at me like that?
Rory: Admit you like Dave…I mean, in more than just a platonic sense.
Lane: Maybe just a little.
Rory: Huh.
Lane: Oh all right. I like him a lot. I mean, he's sweet, and nice, and he knows almost more about music than I do.
Rory: That is impressive.
Lane: Yeah. And I mean, he's hot. And his smile, ugh. Fine. I'm smitten. I admit it. But it's not going to do any good, because…well, we're just band mates, and I know he doesn't look at me that way, and even if he did, there's still one thing missing.
Rory: What's that? Sounds to me like you guys would be perfect for each other.
Lane: For each other, sure, maybe, why not? But for my mom…
Rory: Ah. That's right.
Lane: He could be Joe Strummer meets Mother Teresa, but…
Rory and Lane: he's not Korean.
Rory: Who knows, though? Next month you might be talking about your Big Fat Korean Thanksgiving dinner.
Lane: And Dave will be a dead man walking no one's ever played before.
(Later. Gilmore Residence. Rory is in her room. Lorelai comes in.)
Lorelai: Ugh.
Rory: What's wrong?
Lorelai: I ate too much pizza.
Rory: I'd hate to say I told you so.
Lorelai: So, how was your day?
Rory: Pretty good. I got an A on that test I took last week.
Lorelai: I'd alert the media, but they're getting pretty tired of that story.
Rory: I chilled with Lane. We were trying to come up with an image for her in the band.
Lorelai: Oh, cool. What did you come up with?
Rory: We still haven't decided. It can't be anything too outrageous.
Lorelai: Nothing close to Christina Aguilera. Got it.
Rory: Just something cool and rocker-type that she could still return to church with.
Lorelai: How about the boxing nun?
Rory: She can't play the drums in boxing gloves.
Lorelai: True.
Rory: See, it's not so easy.
Lorelai: Well, she could try an Avril LaVigne type of thing. Not Britney Spears, but not hard core either.
Rory: She still hasn't gotten over the fact that she mispronounced David Bowie's name. She's quite frankly lost any respect she might have been able to have for her.
Lorelai: Can't say that I blame her.
Rory: Me either. So, how was your day?
Lorelai: Well, your grandmother canceled the DAR meeting so it was great.
Rory: I'm happy for you.
Lorelai: Oh, and Mr. Seymour proposed to his girlfriend in our very own dining room.
Rory: That's so nice. Who's Mr. Seymour?
Lorelai: A guest from Vermont I think.
Rory: That's great. Congratulations to the Seymours.
Lorelai: Oh, that's not it. Guess what the girl's name is.
Rory: What?
Lorelai: Ivanna.
Rory: Trump?
Lorelai: Ivanna Seymour.
Rory: Oh. That's not good. She said yes?
Lorelai: She did. My bet is, though, that she'll change her mind when she has to sign the marriage papers.
Rory: Well, who knows. Love is blind.
Lorelai: But it's not deaf.
(the phone rings)
Lorelai: And it's calling now. (leaves)
Rory: (picks up) Hello.
Jess: Hey.
Rory: Hey. How are you?
Jess: Not bad. How was your day?
Rory: Good. Yours?
Jess: Can't complain.
Rory: So what'd you do?
Jess: Not much. How about you?
Rory: I hung out with Lane. She needs an image.
Jess: Why?
Rory: I don't know. It's just fun.
Jess: Okay. So how'd it go?
(they continue talking)
(Next day. Independence. Lorelai and Michel are both reading something, thoroughly engrossed. Sookie comes over and tries to get a look at it.)
Lorelai: (closing the newspaper and looking at Michel.) Oh my God.
Michel: (dabbing at his eyes.) I know.
Sookie: What?
Lorelai: And I thought things like that only happened in the movies.
Sookie: Things like what?
Michel: Back to my dull, meaningless life without love.
Lorelai: Ugh. (to Sookie) Have you read this?
Sookie: Read what?
Lorelai: (handing Sookie the newspaper) This.
(Sookie starts to read. Almost immediately her eyes well up. She starts to cry.)
Sookie: This is so beautiful.
Lorelai: (handing her a box of tissues) I know.
Sookie: A love story like that in the Stars Hollow Gazette?
Lorelai: Yep.
Sookie: Wow. It could be someone we see every day.
Lorelai: Or it wasn't really anyone from Stars Hollow and the most beautiful Stars Hollow love story was actually imported.
Sookie: (sighs.) I'm going to go find Jackson.
(Chilton.)
Teacher: I would ask you to think about the social context of The Communist Manifesto. It is published in a very important year in European history. What year is that, Miss Gellar?
Paris: (startled at hearing her name called) Um…I'm not sure Mrs. Pierce?
Teacher: Miss Gellar, I'm surprised at you. Miss Gilmore, would you care to enlighten Miss Gellar here.
Rory: It was published in 1848.
Teacher: Now, Miss Gellar, do you know why 1848 is an important year?
Paris: (humbly) The year of revolution throughout Europe.
Teacher: That's right. Now class, what effect can we infer that this would have…
(Later. Rory is at her locker. Paris comes over. Rory sighs.)
Rory: Paris. That was not my fault. What was I supposed to do? She asked me a question. You know that in the same position, you would have done the same, and enjoyed it. It's been a rough day, so please, if it is at all possible, let's save the ridiculous fight for later.
Paris: Huh? I'm sorry, what fight?
Rory: The fight you were going to start because I answered your question in class.
Paris: I had already forgotten about that. But I'm pleased to know that you're aware that I have every right to be angry with you.
Rory: I'm going to let that go by because it's just not worth it.
Paris: Hmm?
Rory: What is up with you?
Paris: What?
Rory: You're acting mighty strange.
Paris: Look, I have a lot on my mind. Anyway, I just came over to tell you that I'm canceling the Franklin meeting today. I have an art history test and I really didn't get time to study this weekend.
Rory: Oh, that's right. How was the Princeton lecture?
Paris: (repressing a smile). Um, it was okay. But when I got back, it turns out my mother had decided to remodel upstairs and the construction had just begun. My room is upstairs.
Rory: Ah.
Paris: Not that you needed to know any of that.
Rory: But it's still good to know.
Paris: Yeah. So, okay.
Rory: Bye. (they part ways)
(Luke's. Luke is cleaning the counter when Taylor and a young woman come in. Luke goes over to take their order.)
Luke: What are you having Taylor?
Taylor: A coffee for the young lady, and water for me. You wouldn't, by any chance, have some aspirin, would you?
Luke: This is a diner, Taylor, not a pharmacy.
Taylor: I have a splitting headache. This stuff is driving me crazy.
Luke: Now you know how it feels.
Taylor: Excuse me, where are my manners? Nicole, this is Luke Danes. He's a fellow entrepreneur in the neighborhood. Luke, this is my lawyer, Nicole Leahy.
Luke: (extends hand) Hey.
Nicole: (shaking hands) Nice to meet you.
Luke: So what's all this about? (to Nicole)
Taylor: (heatedly) Well I'll tell you what this is about…
Luke: (to Nicole) I walked right into this, didn't I? (she smiles sympathetically)
Taylor: I never thought I'd come to see the day, but one of my tenants is suing me. Can you believe that? If I haven't provided the best housing you can receive in this part of the country, I don't know what more I can do short of building the Trump Towers here in Stars Hollow. You know how meticulous I am about my real estate. I make sure the lawn is mowed, I use safe pesticides, I offer an annual repainting, I respond promptly to any need for repair. I know every rule in the Landlords of Stars Hollow Rule-book.
Luke: Is that the newest book you've written?
Taylor: I'm sure this is all funny to you.
Luke: Yeah, well, what are they suing you for?
Taylor: Apparently there was a weak stair that I "neglected" to fix that gave in.
Luke: Anybody got hurt?
Taylor: She might have sprained her ankle or something, if even that.
Nicole: She broke her leg, and sustained some injury to her back.
Luke: Ouch.
Taylor: Yes, and that's horrible, but it is not my fault. I was never told about any weak stair. I have my tenants fill out a monthly survey on the apartments and the service they have received. Those that respond have always submitted glowing evaluations.
Nicole: And that will all work to your favor, which is why I wouldn't worry so much about this if I were you. We can probably settle this without even stepping into the courtroom.
Taylor: I certainly hope so.
Luke: Well, I'm gonna get your order.
Nicole: (smiling) It was nice to meet you.
Luke: Yeah. Same here.
(Rory enters and goes to the counter.)
Rory: Hey, Luke.
Luke: Hey, Rory. How's it going?
Rory: Okay. How are things here?
Luke: Not bad. Would you do me a favor, though, and bring over this coffee to Taylor's. I have to go get some aspirin upstairs.
Rory: Ah. Understood.
Luke: It's actually not for me. It's for Taylor. What can I say? The world must have titled on its axis.
Rory: You know, I've felt the same way today.
Luke: Yeah. Well, I'll be right back.
Rory: I'll bring this over.
Luke: Thanks.
(Rory brings the coffee to Taylor's table.)
Rory: (to Taylor) Luke sent this over. He's getting you some aspirin.
Taylor: He's not such a bad man underneath that surly exterior.
Rory: No, he isn't.
Taylor: Rory, this is Nicole Leahy. Nicole, this is Stars Hollow's finest, right here. She's going to Harvard, you know.
Rory: Well, I've only applied.
Nicole: That's great, Rory. Best of luck.
Rory: Thank you.
Taylor: Rory, I'm being sued by one of my tenants.
Rory: Really?
Taylor: Shocking, isn't it? (to Nicole) See. No one can believe it. I'm famous in this town for my upstanding service to the community.
Rory: Even notorious. Well, don't worry, Taylor. I'm sure it will settle itself out.
(Luke comes over with water and aspirin.)
Luke: Here you go, Taylor.
Taylor: Thank you. (Luke leaves.)
Rory: Well, I'll let you two get back to business. It was nice meeting you, Miss Leahy, and good luck to both of you.
Nicole: Same here, Rory.
(Rory returns to the counter where Luke is refilling the donut display.)
Rory: Mm. I'll have the cream one.
Luke: (handing her the donut) Here you go. So you're here early.
Rory: Yeah. The Franklin meeting was canceled. Is Jess around, by any chance?
Luke: Nope. He really doesn't get here until a few minutes before you come, works for those few minutes, maybe gets a chance to refill a few cups of coffee and take one order, doesn't even deliver the order before he's out the door with you. And I tell you, I could really have used the help around here.
Rory: Where does he go?
Luke: Geez, in the time he's been here, I've never known what he does when he's out there. So long as I don't here he's up to any trouble, what can I do? I figured he tells you, though, doesn't he?
Rory: He tells me he's working. But if he's not here…
Luke: He's doing something that eventually I'm going to here about and have to pay for. (some people come into the diner) Let me get this order. Help yourself to some coffee. (leaves.)
Rory: Wow. The world really has tilted on its axis.
(Miss Patty's dance studio. Lane and the band waiting outside.)
Zach: Is he almost finished in there?
Lane: I don't know. With Kirk, this could take a while.
Brian: No offense, Lane, but I think we're going to need a new place to practice. When it's not Kirk, it's that dance teacher, and quite frankly, she scares me.
Dave: Me too.
Zach: We end up sitting around waiting for longer than we actually practice.
Lane: I know, I know. And believe me, I'm working on it.
Brian: My friend said we could use his garage.
Zach: Where is it?
Brian: Hartford.
Lane: I can't do Hartford.
Dave: We could give you a ride.
Lane: Back from hell?
Zach: Is that why they were calling your practice that lady's play or something?
Lane: Yeah.
Brian: My parents aren't very strict with me. Then again, I'm the middle child.
Zach: Well, looks like we're not going to practice today. I have to get to work.
Brian: And I have homework to do.
Zach: We'll see you tomorrow, Lane.
Dave: Yeah, guys. I really want to get inside this place, though, and see what we can do about the sound. Last time it was pretty week, so I brought some new stuff to see if it would help.
Brian: All right. We'll see you tomorrow, then.
Dave: Cool.
(Brian and Zach leave.)
Lane: I'm really sorry about this.
Dave: Hey, it's no problem. Um, you wanna get something to eat?
Lane: Yeah, sure. I'm starving.
Dave: Me too.
(they leave.)
(Walking into Luke's)
Lane: I'm not saying it wouldn't have been awesome if they could have worked things out. I just think that we wouldn't have had Vintage Violence and Guts if John Cale stood with Velvet Underground. A lot of music was made by Velvet Underground that Lou Reed and the gang never did.
Dave: Nico and Cale.
Lane: Exactly.
Dave: It's just the "what if."
Lane: Yeah, but you can't live life on what if.
Rory: (from the counter) Sounds like an interesting philosophical discussion you guys are having.
Lane: Hey, Rory. I didn't see you. Let's get a table. (the three move to a table)
Rory: Hi, Dave.
Dave: Hey, Rory. How's it going?
Rory: All right. You guys saved me from calculus homework.
Dave: And I thought it wouldn't work when I left my cape at home.
Lane: You're here early, aren't you?
Rory: Yeah. The Franklin meeting was canceled. (to Dave) School newspaper.
Dave: Right.
Rory: So how was practice?
Lane: It never happened. Kirk's still there.
Rory: Oh, I'm sorry.
Lane: By the way, Miss Patty posted an official announcement that she did not submit the anonymous story to the newspaper. It wasn't her.
Rory: Oh, did you read it?
Lane: Yeah. You know, my mom sold her the box.
Rory: Come again?
Lane: You remember when she's talking about the little gifts he used to give her, all of which she keeps in a letterbox she bought from a woman who said it belonged to Mrs. Patrick Campbell, and even though she didn't believe the story she bought it…
Rory: (quoting) 'Determined that the box would hold the relics of a great love affair just yet.' I remember now.
Lane: Well, my mom said she had a letterbox that supposedly belonged to Mrs. Patrick Campbell that she sold a long time ago.
Rory: Wow. So it's true.
Lane: I wonder who it is.
Rory: I don't know, but it's a really cool mystery.
Lane: Oh no. My mom. I was supposed to be at Bible study two minutes ago. (They all look as Mrs. Kim comes into the diner.)
Mrs. Kim: Lane!
Lane: Mama.
Mrs. Kim: What are you doing? Who is this boy?
Dave: Hello. You must be Mrs. Kim. I'm Dave Rygalski.
Mrs. Kim: What are you doing with Lane?
Dave: Actually, Mrs. Kim, I just met Lane today. Rory here is my calculus tutor, and we were studying and she introduced me to Lane. Lane was saying that she had to go to Bible study today, and it was such a coincidence because I was having a discussion with my family about…(looks to Lane for help. She shrugs)…Jesus…and…his miracles and I asked Lane to explain it to me. I'm sorry I held her up.
Mrs. Kim: What don't you understand?
Dave: Well…um…just…how did he do all those things?
Mrs. Kim: He's God.
Dave: Oh. (to Lane) So that's what you were saying. It makes sense now. Thanks, Mrs. Kim. So, I learned some calculus and some theology. This was a very productive day. So I'm going to go now, and yeah. Bye Rory. Nice meeting you, Lane. (extends his hand. Lane takes it.) And it was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Kim. Thanks again.
(leaves)
Mrs. Kim: You should have told him to come to the Bible study with you.
Lane: Really?
Mrs. Kim: It looks like he could really use it.
Lane: Oh, yeah, that's right. Well, I'll see you later, Rory.
Rory: Bye, Lane. Bye, Mrs. Kim.
(Just as they leave, Lorelai enters the diner.)
Rory: Hey, finally. Where were you?
Lorelai: Uh, working.
Rory: Seems to be everyone's alibi.
Lorelai: What?
Rory: Forget it.
Lorelai: It's forgotten. Have you been here long?
Rory: Yeah. The Franklin meeting was canceled today.
Lorelai: What miracle was that?
Rory: Luke and I have decided the world has titled on its axis, and thus Paris was uncharacteristically very unfocused, and Luke had to give Taylor aspirin.
Lorelai: Huh?
Rory: Taylor's being sued.
Lorelai: Wow. Who's suing him?
Rory: A tenant. There was an accident on the property.
Lorelai: What's the world coming to when even Taylor's apartments aren't safe?
Rory: I just don't know.
Lorelai: Speaking of miracles, why aren't you with Jess?
Rory: I don't know. He's not here.
Lorelai: Well, where is he?
Rory: (curtly) I don't know.
Lorelai: Okay then.
(Luke comes over.)
Luke: So what will it be?
Rory: I'll have a refill of coffee.
Lorelai: And I'll have my first fill of coffee. With a burger on the side, please. (to Rory) How about you?
Rory: I already ate.
(her cell phone rings.)
Rory: (picks up) Hello.
Jess: Hey.
Rory: Where are you?
Jess: Listen, I'm running late. I'll call you later tonight. Gotta go.
Rory: Wait. (hears the click on the other end.) (to Luke) That was Jess. He's running late.
Luke: I'm sorry.
Rory: It's all right.
Luke: I'll get your order. (leaves)
Lorelai: So what's going on with you two?
Rory: I don't know.
Lorelai: You seemed fine the other night.
Rory: We were fine. At least, I thought we were fine. And then today, I didn't have the Franklin and so I come here, expecting to find Jess and he's not here. Every other week when I've come from the Franklin, I find him here, and when I ask him about his day, he basically just says school and work. Now I find out from Luke that he's not here until a few minutes before I come. And I'm sitting here realizing I don't know what Jess does when he's not with me. I don't know anything about his life. I mean, I walked all over Stars Hollow, checked the bridge, everywhere to see if I'd see him around. No where. And it's not fair because he knows everything about my day, what days I have the Franklin, what days I have student council, when I hang out with Lane, when I'm helping at the Inn. He knows everything, with details. And I don't know anything.
Lorelai: Well, have you asked?
Rory: I ask about his day. He's not very forthcoming.
Lorelai: No. I didn't think so. Well, for what it's worth, I'm sure he's not doing anything you need to worry about. Something Luke needs to worry about, that's a different story.
(the diner phone rings.)
Lorelai: And here it is.
Luke: (picks up) Hello. Oh, Ms. Leahy…all right, Nicole. What can I do for you?…He wants what?…No, see, you don't understand, we're not friends. If it were up to me, we wouldn't even be acquaintances…Is this really necessary?…Yeah, well, that sounds like Taylor…I understand. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that…All right. Thanks for calling. Bye.
(returns to the table with their order)
Lorelai: What was that all about?
Luke: That was Taylor's lawyers. Taylor wants to have a strategy already for the trial and they want me to be a character witness.
Lorelai: Have they heard what you grumble about Taylor behind his back?
Luke: Yeah, but I'm just not supposed to say those things until I leave the witness stand. Then I can grumble all I want. It might not even come to that. Nicole thinks they'll be able to arrange a settlement.
Lorelai: Nicole?
Luke: Taylor's lawyer.
Lorelai: You're on a first-name basis with Taylor's lawyer.
Luke: Well, I figured it'd be a good thing to be friendly with her for when my chance to sue Taylor comes.
Lorelai: Ah. Good thinking.
(Later. Lorelai and Rory are walking back home.)
Rory: So it seems there's a lot of love in the air in Stars Hollow.
Lorelai: Lane and Dave?
Rory: Yeah. Luke and Nicole.
Lorelai: Yeah? You think so.
Rory: I met her. She's very pretty. And she was definitely into Luke.
Lorelai: You think he likes her?
Rory: He might.
Lorelai: Hm. Well, that's good.
Lane: (running up to them) Rory!
Lorelai: Hey, Lane.
Rory: Hey. How did everything go?
Lane: Wasn't Dave just incredible today?
Rory: That he was.
Lane: How could I not love this guy?
Rory: It would be very hard, I imagine.
Lane: What am I going to do?
Rory: This might be one of those rare occasions where honesty is the best way to go.
Lane: But what if he doesn't like me?
Rory: I don't think you have to worry about that.
Lorelai: It's not every day you find a guy willing to suck up to your mom in order to bail you out and manage to make a complete idiot of himself in the process.
Lane: So true. Well, I just have to work up the courage to do it.
Rory: You can do it, Lane.
Lorelai: We'll be rooting for you.
Lane: Thanks. Well, I better go. Good night.
Rory and Lorelai: Good night.
Rory: And good luck.
Lane: Thanks. (leaves.)
(Lorelai and Rory enter their house. Lorelai checks the answering machine. There is one message, just the sound of a click on the other end.)
Lorelai: Well, that's Jess.
Rory: Huh.
Lorelai: So what are you going to do?
Rory: I'm going to get ready for bed, get a little reading in, and go to sleep.
Lorelai: Sounds good. But you know, this might be one of those rare occasions where honesty is the best way to go.
(the phone rings. Rory sighs and takes the phone to her room.)
Rory: (picks up) Hello.
Paris: I need to talk to you.
Rory: Hey, Paris. What's up?
Paris: I can't do this anymore.
Rory: Do what?
Paris: This weekend, at the Princeton lecture, Jamie wasn't supposed to be there, but he showed up and I had a really good time. I think I like him. I can't stop thinking about him. I have to focus on this art history test tomorrow, but I just can't. I can't be like this. How do I get it to stop?
Rory: Well, have you told Jamie how you feel?
Paris: No. Why would I do that?
Rory: Well, maybe if he knew how you felt and you knew how he felt, you'd feel better and you'd be able to focus more on your work.
Paris: Or I'd be heartbroken, and unfocused and depressed.
Rory: Paris, he likes you. He asked for your number, he lured you to a lecture, and then showed up to be with you. He likes you.
Paris: You really think so.
Rory: Yes.
Paris: But he's in Princeton.
Rory: Well, you'll just have to attend some more of those lectures.
Paris: (smiling) Well, I have studying to do. I have to go.
Rory: Good luck with everything.
Paris: Yeah. Um, thanks.
Rory: No problem.
(In the Gellar residence, Paris stares nervously at the phone. Over at the Gilmore residence, Rory looks at it worriedly. At the Kim residence, Lane actually picks it up.)
Dave: Hello. This is Dave speaking.
Lane: Hi, Dave. This is Lane.
Dave: Oh, hey Lane. What's up?
Lane: Nothing much. I just wanted to thank you for today. You really saved me.
Dave: I do better without my cape than with it, I guess.
Lane: Yeah. So…
Dave: Listen, Lane. I was just hung up on another 'what if' just now.
Lane: Yeah? What?
Dave: I was wondering, what if I asked you out.
Lane: I'd say yes.
Dave: And I'd be really happy.
Lane: So would I.
Dave: So, it's good to know how that would work out.
Lane: Yeah.
Dave: Lane?
Lane: Yes?
Dave: Would you like to go out some time?
Lane: Yes. (smiles spread on both faces)
(Luke's. Upstairs. Jess is rummaging through things. Luke comes up.)
Luke: Hey. Where were you today?
Jess: Out. Where are the matches?
Luke: I've got some downstairs. But you're not smoking in this house.
Jess: I know.
Luke: Now, I asked you a question.
Jess: And I gave you an answer.
Luke: 'Out' is not an answer.
Jess: Look, what do you need to know for? I didn't get into any trouble.
Luke: Rory got here early from school today. She thought you worked the diner before you met with her. You don't even tell her anything?
Jess: What can I say? I'm not used to having people hounding down my back all the time.
Luke: You're not cheating on her, are you?
Jess: What?! No.
Luke: Let me ask you something, Jess. Except for today you always come to the diner a few minutes before Rory does. Is that just coincidence?
Jess: No.
Luke: And how do you know she'll be there then.
Jess: Because she told me she would.
Luke: You mean, you kind of know her schedule?
Jess: What's your point?
Luke: My point is that Rory is open with you about the facts of her life. You owe her the same. You want to be a jerk with me about that stuff, fine. But don't do that to Rory.
Jess: I told her I was working.
Luke: Do you forget that I'm actually at the diner even when you're not?
Jess: So I'm not working at the diner all the time. I'm still working.
Luke: Where?
Jess: None of your business.
Luke: If you're working a corner somewhere, it is my business.
Jess: Jesus. This is ridiculous.
Luke: Where are you working?
Jess: At Wal-mart.
Luke: Wal-mart?
Jess: I go in after school and work a few hours, and I catch a few hours on the weekend.
Luke: Wal-mart?
Jess: Get over it.
Luke: Wal-mart.
Jess: (finds some matches) I gotta go.
Luke: You? At Wal-mart?
Jess: I'm out. (leaves)
(Outside. Jess is about to light his cigarette. Rory approaches.)
Rory: Hey.
Jess: Hey. I called, but…
Rory: I know. Where were you?
Jess: Working. (sees Rory frown) At Wal-mart.
Rory: Wal-mart?
Jess: Please don't start. I got a part time job so that I could make some extra cash.
Rory: That's like Jack London doing grape-juice commercials.
Jess: Well, now you know why I like him.
Rory: Why couldn't you tell me this before?
Jess: I didn't want Luke to find out. But he knows now, so it doesn't matter.
Rory: You missed a lot today.
Jess: Yeah?
Rory: Yeah.
(Jess puts his arm behind Rory's waist, and slips the cigarette and matches in his back pocket as they walk away together, talking.)
(Next day. Lorelai and Rory and Lane are entering Luke's.)
Lane: So we're dating.
Rory: That's great, Lane.
Lorelai: Yeah. It's like Sonny and Cher, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham…
Lane: Well, let's hope it goes better than those relationships did.
Rory: Of course.
(Kirk comes in and over to their table.)
Kirk: Lane, I'm sorry I took so long yesterday. I'm working on my next film. It just came to me yesterday, and I had a lot to do to start it off.
Lane: It's okay, Kirk.
Lorelai: What's the movie about?
Kirk: A Stars Hollow Love Story. Since that story I submitted in the paper was such a hit, I decided to turn it into a full-scale cinematic production.
Rory: What?
Lorelai: You're the girl?
Kirk: She's actually a fictional character I made up. I decided to make it from a female perspective since women are statistically more into that kind of thing. See, I'm taking a class in writing romance. It was actually one of the assignments and my teacher said I should submit it to a magazine. By the way, Lorelai, you know someone at The New Yorker, don't you?
Lorelai: Uh…
Kirk: I'll call you later. I might have parts for you all in my movie.
Rory: You mean the story wasn't true?
Kirk: It was veritable. I compiled different aspects of the town romances, would-be romances, could-be romances, should-be romances…
Lane: What about the box?
Kirk: Well, my mom bought a box like that a while ago. And the Honeymooners episode the other night was the one where Ralph and Trixie get Alice the same box handmade of 2000 matchsticks, one of a kind.
Lorelai: So the greatest Stars Hollow romance never happened?
Kirk: I'm afraid not.
Lorelai: Huh.
Rory: Well, I have to go to school. I think the world has officially realigned.
Lorelai: Bye, sweetie. Bye, Lane.
(Rory waves to Jess whose hands are full with dishes. He winks at her, and she leaves with Lane. Lorelai goes to the register to pay for the meal. Luke is on the phone.)
Luke: A statement? About what?…Fine. Listen, I'm going to have to call you back…Bye.
Lorelai: Nicole, I'm assuming?
Luke: Yeah. She wants me to sign a statement.
Lorelai: About what?
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: You're really enjoying this, aren't you?
Luke: Are you kidding me? This is Taylor we're talking about here.
Lorelai: Which all the more proves you're enjoying it. If this was about Taylor you would have said no and just hung up on her. You like her.
Luke: That'll be $7.95.
Lorelai: Here you go. Keep the change. You might need it for your date. (leaves. Luke follows her out.)
Luke: Lorelai, I need to talk to you.
Lorelai: Didn't seem like you wanted to in there?
Luke: You know, I'd hate to bring it up again, but one thing's been bugging me.
Lorelai: Is this about the…?
Luke: Yeah.
Lorelai: I thought we were going to move on.
Luke: I know. And I'm fine with that. It's just that I remembered, I wasn't the one who kissed you first.
Lorelai: I know.
Luke: So what was that about?
Lorelai: I don't know. I broke it off with Bill and had spent the rest of that evening having to talk to my mother about it, and I guess a part of me wanted still to be in a relationship like that, I wasn't even thinking about the person. And then I did, and I'm sorry, Luke. I shouldn't have done that to you.
Luke: No, hey, I understand. And like I said, I'm fine with it. It's not even that serious. I just figured…well, anyway. No big deal. It's settled now. Forgotten. Moving on.
Lorelai: Okay. Me too.
Luke: Yeah. Well, I'll see you.
Lorelai: Yeah. Take care.
Luke: Yep.
(Lorelai leaves and Luke goes back in the diner. He picks up the phone.)
Luke: Hey, Nicole…
The End.