"Requiem for a Dream"
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not my property. The situations are.
Author's Note: Written this summer as well.
VOICEOVER: Previously on Gilmore Girls…
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI at the Hartford airport]
RORY: Was he mad?
LORELAI: No, he understands.
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI driving into the center of town in their Jeep]
LORELAI: Here we are.
RORY: You could have just told me.
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI at the party. RORY is looking over LORELAI'S shoulder]
RORY: Dad?
LORELAI: He's coming today.
[Cut to RORY and CHRISTOPHER]
CHRISTOPHER: I'm sorry, Rory. I'm sorry about everything that's happened.
RORY: I'm sorry I yelled at you. I was just upset.
CHRISTOPHER: I know. I understand. [Sighs] I feel like scum. [RORY doesn't say anything] I really wanted this to work out. I was going to give it a try.
[Cut to LUKE and LORELAI]
LUKE: My keeping Jess here was not directly responsible for the accident. I had an obligation to keep him. And despite what you think, he's not the devil incarnate. He genuinely cares about Rory, and he felt bad about what happened.
LORELAI: I know.
LUKE: He's back.
LORELAI: I know.
LUKE: So, if we're gonna be friends again, you have to promise not to blow up about Jess again.
LORELAI: I won't.
[Cut to LORELAI and CHRISTOPHER at the Gilmore house]
LORELAI: Don't "Lor" me. You come here and tell me that this is our time together and like an idiot I believe you! I listened to you, I trusted you, I gave you everything, and then you just up and leave, like you always do! You didn't even have the decency to tell your daughter to her face.
CHRISTOPHER: I'm sorry, Lorelai.
[Cut to RORY and JESS at the bridge. The la-la's start]
RORY: I'm sorry I kissed you at the wedding. I don't know what happened to me. I mean, I have never done anything like that before. I had some sort of seizure or something, and it wasn't your fault. You were just standing there and I had my seizure, and I…I'm sorry. I don't know what it meant, and I don't know if it will develop into something more, but it was a kind of catalyst for something I probably should have seen a long time ago. So, I mean, don't think that I'm ignoring you or avoiding you or anything, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Washington. [RORY takes a deep breath and realizes that JESS is staring over her shoulder. RORY turns and looks. A girl is standing there] Hi.
JESS: Rory, this is Nina.
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI]
LORELAI: [Sighs] I'm sorry.
[RORY just keeps crying and puts her head on LORELAI'S shoulder. LORELAI looks out the window and frowns]
[Open to RORY and LORELAI walking through the center of town]
LORELAI: They still haven't cleaned up.
RORY: I think they're saving it for the next festival.
LORELAI: The next festival is Labor Day, though. They don't usually use "Welcome Home, Rory" banners for Labor Day.
RORY: Stars Hollow is a unique place.
LORELAI: Are you saying that you're going to conquer Labor Day?
RORY: I don't know. If I can fit it in between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day.
LORELAI: You have learned well, young one.
RORY: [Suddenly] Where are we going?
LORELAI: You should have asked that question a long time ago.
RORY: I was following my mother, who I trust.
LORELAI: Good. Then keep following.
RORY: You are not dragging me to Luke's.
LORELAI: I thought you said the avoidance phase was over.
RORY: It was. But it's coming back now.
LORELAI: Like Bowie?
RORY: Exactly. It doesn't want to go into Luke's.
LORELAI: Rory, we eat there everyday.
RORY: You could go in. Bring me some food out.
LORELAI: Honey, come on. You went in with Lane.
RORY: I was being irrational. I hadn't spent extended periods of time with you in weeks, I didn't know what I was agreeing to.
LORELAI: I'll protect you.
RORY: Mom…
LORELAI: Resorting to all-out whining.
RORY: I'll make you extra coffee at home.
LORELAI: Tempting, but you'll have to steal Luke's recipe.
RORY: [Stops] Mom.
LORELAI: Look, I know you're embarrassed about whatever happened.
RORY: Seismically embarrassed.
LORELAI: But, you need to start somewhere.
RORY: Please, don't make me go in.
LORELAI: [Starts walking again] No can do. You got to run to Washington for a few weeks, but now…you're all mine.
RORY: God save me.
LORELAI: She's a relative. You have a good chance. [She enters the diner, and RORY reluctantly follows. They sit at a table and RORY looks around nervously] Not so bad, eh?
RORY: Considering we've been in here for a grand total of ten seconds, I'd say that, so far, it could be worse.
LORELAI: Ha! Listen to your wise mother.
RORY: The last time I listened to you, you had me convinced that the joys of alcohol were worth the pains of adulthood.
LORELAI: And I am absolutely right. You just have yet to—
JESS: What do you want?
LORELAI: Oh. Wow. Hi. I didn't see you come. [JESS says nothing, just stares at his order pad] Well, then, we'd like two burgers, two orders of fries, and lots of coffee.
JESS: Okay. [He leaves]
RORY: [Groans] And twenty seconds in, it goes downhill.
LORELAI: That wasn't so bad.
RORY: Not for you.
LORELAI: Granted, he wasn't too talkative, but he never is. Maybe he's just as embarrassed as you are.
RORY: He's got nothing to—
JESS: [Sets the coffee down] Here you go.
LORELAI: Thanks. [JESS leaves] Continue.
RORY: This is no place to have a conversation. He's lurking.
LORELAI: Not lurking, working. Notice the rhyme.
RORY: Which makes them sound too similar for my taste. That's it. We're only talking about the weather and our health.
LORELAI: That's very Henry Higgins of you.
RORY: Desperate times call for desperate measures.
LORELAI: I had a headache earlier this morning.
RORY: What?
LORELAI: Yeah, but I took some Advil, so I'm okay now.
RORY: What are you talking about?
LORELAI: My health.
RORY: Right.
LORELAI: Your turn.
RORY: Uh, well, I had a cramp in my leg when I woke up this morning.
LORELAI: That's tough.
RORY: Yeah, it was. I think I slept with my leg all crooked.
LORELAI: I hate it when I do that.
RORY: I'm just glad it wasn't a neck cramp.
LORELAI: Are you seeing how boring this is?
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Now you're just being stubborn.
RORY: Where on earth would I have gotten that from?
LORELAI: No clue.
RORY: So…does your head still hurt?
LORELAI: Rory, new topic.
RORY: Okay. Dinner tonight.
LORELAI: Actually, the head is fine. That Advil stuff really works, those commercials aren't kidding. I used to be a big Tylenol person, but that was before I tapped into the power of the Advil. I'm inclined to believe that it hurts my stomach less than Tylenol.
RORY: Are you seeing how boring this is?
LORELAI: No.
RORY: Now you're just being stubborn.
[Opening Credits]
[First commercial break]
[Open to LANE and RORY walking down the street, both carrying bags]
LANE: I can't believe that we have to go back to school on Monday.
RORY: We should protest.
LANE: I think our little group would have a tough time picketing at both schools.
RORY: Still an idea.
LANE: And school shopping has gotten so complicated.
RORY: I know. I can't believe I actually debated for an hour between gel pens and ballpoint.
LANE: Only to get both.
RORY: Good to be prepared.
LANE: All you got were writing utensils.
RORY: I'm pretty much safe with those. The teachers are really picky about paper and stuff. One teacher claims that the white hurts his eyes, so I have to go to this special store in Hartford that sells yellow notebooks, because he hates the legal pad format.
LANE: You're raiding your grandfather tonight.
RORY: Yes I am.
LANE: I wish I had a grandfather to raid.
RORY: You do have a grandfather to raid.
LANE: Not unless I want to write on Korean Bibles. Which, in addition to being sacrilege, would also be hard to read.
RORY: Tough dilemma.
LANE: And I already have enough sins to worry about.
RORY: I thought Clyde was the only one.
LANE: He produces multiple sins. First, the whole boyfriend thing. Second, I'm lying to my mom.
RORY: Which you could easily amend.
LANE: And die for it.
RORY: At least you'd go to heaven.
LANE: Third, I'm disobeying my mother.
RORY: Clyde isn't directly responsible for that. You disobey your mother everyday.
LANE: But this is a big disobey.
RORY: The CD's aren't?
LANE: I could probably get parole.
RORY: Clyde is a life sentence?
LANE: Clyde is capitol punishment.
RORY: You must really like him.
LANE: [Shrugs and giggles] Yeah.
RORY: That is so great, Lane.
LANE: I know. Finally, a sharer of the Nico obsession.
[RORY and LANE walk by the market. TAYLOR comes out and corners them]
TAYLOR: Just the girls I was looking for.
RORY: Us?
TAYLOR: Yes, sir. I have a proposition for you girls.
LANE: [Whispering to RORY] Uh-oh.
TAYLOR: I want you two to ride on the town float!
RORY: What?
TAYLOR: For the Labor Day festival.
RORY: We don't have a town float, Taylor.
TAYLOR: Well, not yet, but I plan to hand in my designs at the town meeting tomorrow night.
RORY: What if it doesn't go through?
TAYLOR: Doesn't go through? My dear girl, it will go through.
RORY: Did you tap the votes?
TAYLOR: I wouldn't say tap.
RORY: You want us to ride on a parade float?
TAYLOR: I sure do.
LANE: I don't know if my mom will let me.
TAYLOR: I'll talk her into it.
LANE: I don't know if that's as easy as you make it sound.
TAYLOR: I have my ways.
RORY: Will there be other floats?
TAYLOR: If I can get some of these lazy bums roused up.
RORY: So, it's gonna be an actual parade?
TAYLOR: Complete with the Stars Hollow High marching band.
LANE: I'm in the band. I don't know if they'll let me out.
TAYLOR: I'm sure they can spare you.
LANE: There are only thirty members. It'll throw the sets off.
TAYLOR: Just run along. I'll take care of everything.
LANE: [Whispering to RORY] I don't like the sound of that.
RORY: Um, Taylor?
TAYLOR: Yes?
RORY: Are there any sort of special…costumes one might have to wear?
TAYLOR: Oh, they're going to be beauties. Red, white, and blue leotards with these wonderful red hoop skirts…you two will love them!
RORY: Great. See you around.
TAYLOR: Bye, now. Practice waving!
[RORY and LANE walk down the street]
LANE: Oh. My. God.
RORY: We have to get out of this.
[They turn the corner. JESS and NINA are walking toward them]
LANE: Is that…?
RORY: Shh!
[JESS and NINA walk by them. JESS tries to meet RORY'S eyes, but she keeps avoiding him]
LANE: So, that's why you were avoiding Luke's.
RORY: I wasn't avoiding it. I went in with my mom for lunch.
LANE: But I assume you're back to avoiding it.
RORY: Why?
LANE: You haven't gotten coffee, and we've been out for hours.
RORY: Not thirsty.
LANE: Rory…
RORY: Lane.
LANE: Dropping it.
[RORY and LANE walk on. RORY looks back over her shoulder, but JESS and NINA are gone]
[Cut to the elder Gilmore residence. RORY and LORELAI are standing on the steps]
LORELAI: Last drink. [She tips her head back to get the last of the coffee out of her cup]
RORY: There's no need to be so dramatic about it.
LORELAI: Not if you're you, the perfect child.
RORY: You could try my tack.
LORELAI: That strategy burned out about seventeen years ago.
RORY: I'll think about it and get back to you.
LORELAI: Okay, here I go. Ringing the bell.
RORY: You're getting brave.
LORELAI: I still refuse to do it without gloves.
RORY: You're not wearing gloves.
LORELAI: I have a Kleenex in my hand.
RORY: Sneaky.
[The maid opens the door and lets them in. EMILY is sitting in the living room]
EMILY: Hello, hello, hello! Rory, welcome home! [EMILY gets up and hugs RORY]
RORY: Hi, Grandma.
EMILY: You must tell me everything.
RICHARD: [Entering] Not so fast. I do believe I want to hear this too.
RORY: Everything was amazing. The sites were great.
RICHARD: Washington is a lovely city.
RORY: The speakers were very informative. Paris insisted on taking notes about everything.
RICHARD: Very detail-oriented, that girl.
RORY: She was writing down the fabrics the speakers were wearing.
RICHARD: My, that's observant.
RORY: Did you guys get my postcards?
RICHARD: We certainly did. They were lovely.
EMILY: I'm having Barbara frame some of them.
RICHARD: I'm going to hang them in my study.
EMILY: Right next to his pictures of Prague.
RORY: Wow.
RICHARD: Now, how was your lodging?
RORY: Well, we were in dorm rooms. Nothing lavish, but…
RICHARD: Ah, you will need to develop a taste for them. [RICHRAD and EMILY look at each other. LORELAI frowns]
LORELAI: What was that about?
EMILY: What was what about?
LORELAI: That evil look.
EMILY: Richard nor I had an evil look on our faces.
LORELAI: You traded an evil glance. Like on Rocky and Bullwinkle.
EMILY: Pardon me?
LORELAI: Never mind.
EMILY: Dinner's ready.
RICHARD: Let's eat.
LORELAI: I concur.
RICHARD: After the world traveler.
RORY: Thank you very much.
[They go into the dining room]
EMILY: I had Gina prepare pizza.
LORELAI: What?
EMILY: Gina has prepared pizza for dinner.
LORELAI: You're joking.
EMILY: Do I look like I'm joking?
LORELAI: No, but then again, I never can tell.
EMILY: I am not joking.
LORELAI: Why?
EMILY: Well, I knew that Rory enjoyed pizza, and I thought it would be nice for her to have something special tonight.
RICHARD: Yes, very special.
LORELAI: Okay, you two know something we don't. I demand to be informed.
RICHARD: In a bit, Lorelai. After supper.
RORY: Is it good?
RICHARD: Oh, it's very, very good.
RORY: I can't wait.
EMILY: Ah, here it is. It has seven different cheeses on it, all from different countries.
RORY: Cool!
LORELAI: A worldly pizza. Does it talk?
EMILY: Excuse me?
LORELAI: Nothing. How many languages does it know?
EMILY: Rory, I choose to talk to you now. Tell us everything!
RORY: Well, there isn't that much to tell. We got there, and they directed us to our room, and then it was all lectures and workshops from there on out. Well, except for a couple of days where we got to sightsee and take pictures.
RICHARD: Did you have a suitable camera?
RORY: I just bought disposable ones when I needed them.
RICHARD: Disposable?
RORY: They're convenient. Mom was afraid I'd lose the real thing.
RICHARD: Are you sure they take acceptable pictures?
LORELAI: I had one at my graduation. Remember, Dad?
RICHARD: Washington is a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
LORELAI: Uh, it's just a couple hundred miles away. We could go this weekend if we wanted to.
RICHARD: You should have better prepared Rory for her trip.
RORY: I was fine, Grandpa. The pictures will be fine.
LORELAI: Yeah, now the only thing we have to worry about is the fact that Kirk is developing them.
RORY: Right.
RICHARD: You sent the film to a poor developer?
EMILY: Who would like seconds?
RORY and LORELAI: Me!
EMILY: Pizza seems to be a big hit.
LORELAI: We love pizza.
EMILY: Rory told me.
LORELAI: Leaking secrets?
RORY: They finally got it out of me.
LORELAI: After I told you to protect it with your life?
RORY: Sorry. They have techniques you can't begin to imagine.
LORELAI: Oh, no, I think I have a pretty good idea.
EMILY: Eat your pizza, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Okay.
[Cut to later that night. The whole family is in the living room]
RICHARD: Now, as I've said, your grandmother and I have some interesting news to tell you.
LORELAI: Goody.
RICHARD: This concerns Rory.
LORELAI: So, you never did find those Prada boots?
RICHARD: Rory.
RORY: Yes.
RICHARD: You have been excited about college for some time now.
RORY: Oh, yeah. Mom and I have been planning this for a long time.
RICHARD: Post-secondary education is the most important education a person can receive. It prepares them for the real world and exposes them to a plethora of other cultures and people they may never find otherwise. My own college experience was the finest time of my life.
RORY: I know.
RICHARD: My college experiences were at Yale.
RORY: I know.
RICHARD: I enjoyed it immensely. And I think you will as well.
LORELAI: Will?
RICHARD: Rory, I have arranged for you to attend Yale next fall, after you graduate.
[Silence]
RORY: Wow.
LORELAI: You did what?
RICHARD: I sent her recommendations to Dean Whitley and he pulled a couple of strings. She's in.
LORELAI: I don't believe this.
EMILY: Wonderful, isn't it? It's so nice to keep families at the same school.
LORELAI: Wonderful? This isn't wonderful.
RICHARD: Lorelai.
LORELAI: No. I told you months ago that Rory had her heart set on Harvard.
RICHARD: She's too young to be deciding such things!
LORELAI: No, she's not, Dad. She wants to go to Harvard. That's it. No where else. And then you come in here and do something completely unnecessary that I asked you not to do in the first place, and now she's going to feel obligated to go to Yale.
RORY: Mom.
LORELAI: She's going to feel like she has to go to Yale because you pushed her into it, because she would never want to let you down, ever, because Rory's just like that. So she's going to abandon her dream and go to the school you want her to go to, just because you felt the need to use your influence.
RICHARD: I will not listen to this tirade.
LORELAI: You won't have to. Come on, Rory.
[LORELAI storms out of the room. RORY stands there uncertainly]
RORY: Thank you, Grandpa.
RICHARD: Goodnight, Rory.
[He leaves]
RORY: Goodnight, Grandma.
EMILY: Goodnight, dear.
[RORY leaves]
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI in the Jeep. LORELAI has her lips pursed, obviously angry]
LORELAI: I cannot believe he would do something like this.
RORY: He was just trying to help.
LORELAI: No he wasn't. He was trying to undermine me.
RORY: Mom, come on. Grandpa thought he was doing the right thing.
LORELAI: Rory, your grandfather and I had this discussion months ago. I told him you were going to Harvard and that was that.
RORY: I don't have to go to Yale. It's something to fall back on now.
LORELAI: You'll go to Yale.
RORY: How do you know?
LORELAI: I know because you're you, and you would never want to disappoint your grandfather like that. Which is why I'm totally hating him right now. He cornered you.
RORY: It could be worse.
LORELAI: How?
RORY: I don't know. At least he didn't wrangle me into…the University of South Dakota or something.
LORELAI: I should have known he'd never listen to me. He was so hell bent on getting you into his alma mater.
RORY: You can't be mad at him.
LORELAI: I can't be mad at him? Because he disregarded my word concerning my child? Because he deliberately did something I specifically asked him not to? Why can I not be mad at him?
RORY: He's trying to help.
LORELAI: No, he's not, Rory.
RORY: Mom, he's just trying to make sure that I go to a good school.
LORELAI: You will go to a good school—Harvard! You're a dead lock; we know you'll get in. Why are you sticking up for him so much anyway?
RORY: Because I think you're being a wee bit harsh.
LORELAI: A wee bit harsh?
RORY: Yes. I think you're completely misunderstanding his motives.
LORELAI: And what are his motives?
RORY: Maybe…maybe he's just making sure that if this Harvard thing doesn't pan out that I don't get stuck going to a lesser school because I had such tunnel vision.
LORELAI: I doubt it.
RORY: I still say that's what he's doing.
LORELAI: Do you ever fail to see the good?
RORY: Nope. That's why I can live with you.
LORELAI: Whew.
[LORELAI pulls up to Luke's. RORY gets a nervous look on her face]
RORY: Do we have to?
LORELAI: I'll strike you a deal.
RORY: Okay.
LORELAI: You stop avoiding Luke's, and I'll try to grit my teeth and not kill Grandpa.
RORY: Fine. [Mumbles] Guerilla tactics.
[They go into Luke's. RORY looks around, but JESS isn't there. She and LORELAI pick a table, and LUKE comes over]
LUKE: Pie?
LORELAI: How did you know?
LUKE: You've got the pie look on your face.
LORELAI: What look is that?
LUKE: Desperate, vaguely angry.
LORELAI: I have a pie look.
RORY: I heard.
LUKE: What kind?
LORELAI: Apple.
RORY: Me too.
LORELAI: With ice cream.
RORY: And whipped cream.
LORELAI: And cheese.
RORY: Gross. Hold the cheese on mine.
LUKE: Let me get this straight. You want apple pie a la mode with ice cream and whipped cream?
LORELAI: Yup.
LUKE: That is disgusting.
RORY: I'm not having it.
LUKE: Thank God for you. [He walks away]
[JESS comes down from upstairs, but neither LORELAI nor RORY notices]
RORY: Did I tell you that Taylor wants Lane and I to ride on Labor Day float?
LORELAI: Since when is there a Labor Day float?
RORY: Since now.
LORELAI: Seriously?
RORY: Do I look serious?
LORELAI: Frighteningly, yes. When did this happen?
RORY: Today. Lane and I were shopping for school supplies, and Taylor asked us. He said there's going to be a vote at the town meeting tomorrow.
LORELAI: So there's a chance it might not go through?
RORY: He tapped the votes.
LORELAI: Ruthless.
RORY: And we have to wear red, white, and blue leotards with red hoop skirts.
LORELAI: You're joking!
RORY: I wish.
LORELAI: I am so taking the camera.
RORY: Not disposable, I hope.
LORELAI: No, I've learned my lesson.
[She and RORY giggle. JESS has been listening from behind the counter. Zoom in on JESS with a thoughtful look on his face]
[Second commercial break]
[Open to Luke's the next day. LORELAI walks in, dressed for work. She walks up to the counter where JESS is working]
LORELAI: Hey.
JESS: Hello.
LORELAI: I need a super-duper-caffeine-loaded cup of coffee.
JESS: Will regular work?
LORELAI: I suppose.
JESS: I need to brew a new pot.
LORELAI: I'll wait. [She sits on a barstool. There are no other customers, so JESS is forced to wait with her] So, Jess, how was your summer?
JESS: Fine.
LORELAI: I hear you took summer school.
JESS: Yup.
LORELAI: Good idea.
JESS: Luke thought so.
LORELAI: Why did you move back?
JESS: [Shrugs] Just wanted to.
LORELAI: I don't buy it.
JESS: Free country.
LORELAI: You came back here for Rory.
JESS: Believe what you want to.
LORELAI: You came back here for Rory, and she broke up with Dean because of you.
JESS: Huh.
LORELAI: Don't give me any crap. Rory broke up with someone who loved and respected her because of you. Tell me you don't know that. [JESS says nothing] And now you're breaking her heart. [JESS still says nothing] Why? [JESS shrugs and fills her coffee]
JESS: Here.
LORELAI: [Sets the cup on the counter] Rory is a great girl. Whatever little hussy you're dating now has nothing on her. So if you want to keep splitting her heart into a million little pieces, that's fine. But you should know that even with Rory, there is such a thing as too late. [LORELAI grabs her coffee, slams some money on the counter, and marches out of the diner. LUKE passes her at the door]
LUKE: What the hell is wrong with her?
JESS: Search me.
LUKE: You say something to her?
JESS: Nope.
LUKE: Well, you must have, because you're the only person in the diner.
JESS: You're in here now.
LUKE: Jess, what did you say?
JESS: I didn't say anything, okay?
LUKE: I don't buy it.
JESS: Geez, people are really abusing their rights today.
LUKE: What?
JESS: Never mind. I'm taking my break.
LUKE: Not now.
JESS: No?
LUKE: No. You need to tell me what you said to Lorelai.
JESS: Why does it matter?
LUKE: Because she and I just made up again.
JESS: Lovers' quarrel?
LUKE: And I don't need her mad at me again, especially because of you.
JESS: I didn't say anything.
LUKE: And you expect me to believe that?
JESS: I don't care. I'm going on break. [He leaves. LUKE sighs]
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI walking through the supply store]
LORELAI: I thought you said that you and Lane bought everything.
RORY: I forgot some things.
LORELAI: You already have Wite-Out.
RORY: But not in the convenient pen shape.
LORELAI: Right. Why do you need paper clips? We have them at home.
RORY: I need some for my backpack.
LORELAI: So put some in a baggie.
RORY: No guarantee they won't spill.
LORELAI: How about a safe?
RORY: Too heavy to carry around.
LORELAI: You do not need tape.
RORY: I do so. It's always crowded around the tape dispenser and it detracts from my working time.
LORELAI: I'm assuming that you're using the same principle when buying that stapler?
RORY: Correct.
LORELAI: You are a mystery to me. I'm going to the pen aisle. [She takes the basket]
RORY: Fine. I have to pick out the right size and color. [LORELAI leaves, shaking her head]
[LUKE and JESS enter. RORY doesn't notice. JESS walks up behind her]
JESS: Tough decision?
RORY: [Jumps and gasps] You surprised me!
JESS: I have a tendency to do that.
RORY: [Shortly] Yup.
JESS: So, school shopping?
RORY: Yup.
JESS: I'm surprised you aren't done by now.
RORY: Nope.
JESS: Somebody's feeling friendly today.
RORY: Who?
JESS: You.
RORY: I guess.
JESS: Where's your mom?
RORY: Picking out pens.
JESS: You're trusting her?
RORY: Not for me. [She selects a stapler] I have to go.
JESS: Rory, wait. [RORY stops and waits] Are you ever going to be nice again?
RORY: Maybe. [She leaves and goes up to the counter, pays for the stapler, and goes out the door. JESS follows her]
JESS: I think you'd be pleased to know that—
RORY: Look, can we do this later? I have to meet Lane.
JESS: It'll be quick.
RORY: Just…tell me later or something.
JESS: How can I?
RORY: Open mouth, speak words.
JESS: I mean, you're avoiding me.
RORY: Where'd you get that idea?
JESS: Look, just listen.
RORY: I have to go. [She turns and runs down the sidewalk. LORELAI come out of the store with a bag]
LORELAI: What did you say to her?
JESS: Nothing.
LORELAI: Then why is she running down the street?
JESS: In a hurry.
LORELAI: She wasn't in a hurry before.
JESS: Look, don't think I'm going to interpret her every move. I was trying to tell her something and she ran away.
LORELAI: Something like what?
JESS: Something between Rory and I.
[LUKE comes out]
LUKE: What the hell happened to you? I'm not picking out your notebooks.
JESS: Fine. [He brushed past LUKE and goes inside. LORELAI shakes her head and goes in the direction RORY ran]
LUKE: [Calling after her] Lorelai!
LORELAI: What?
LUKE: What happened?
LORELAI: [Turns around and shrugs] Guess I'll find out. [She starts walking away again]
[Cut to Gilmore residence. LORELAI comes through the front door. RORY is in the kitchen, packing her backpack]
LORELAI: Here's your stuff.
RORY: Thanks.
LORELAI: What happened?
RORY: Nothing.
LORELAI: Really? Because running down the street is a pretty good indication that something happened. [She spots the stapler on the table] You bought that?
RORY: I wasn't thinking straight. [She picks the clunky black thing up and puts it in her backpack]
LORELAI: Did you remember staples?
RORY: We have some here.
LORELAI: When is the last time we used a stapler?
RORY: I don't know, but I'll find some.
LORELAI: Good luck with that. If we have staples, they're buried under a pile of something-or-other, decaying.
RORY: Metal doesn't tend to decay quickly. [She starts walking around the kitchen, trying to find staples]
LORELAI: My point exactly.
RORY: Whatever.
LORELAI: Please tell me what happened.
RORY: Why?
LORELAI: So I know whether or not to beat the crap out of him.
RORY: You don't have to beat the crap out of him.
LORELAI: Sure? Because I might have a different opinion.
RORY: Take it from the horse's mouth. You don't need to.
LORELAI: I'd like to judge for myself.
RORY: He just…he said "hi," in the stapler aisle. He followed me outside. He was trying to tell me something, but I ran away.
LORELAI: Rory, sit down. [RORY stops rummaging around and sits at the table with her mom] Do you like him?
RORY: [Nervous] I don't know.
LORELAI: Don't worry about me being mad. Just answer.
RORY: Yes.
LORELAI: Then maybe you shouldn't run away.
RORY: He was just going to tell me that nothing's going to happen.
LORELAI: How do you know?
RORY: I just do.
LORELAI: Maybe he was trying to tell you that he thinks you're the most wonderful person on the face of the earth and he wants to marry you.
RORY: First of all, Jess wouldn't say that. Second of all, I'm seventeen, and this is Connecticut, not Colorado.
LORELAI: Ignore the wording. If you really like him, give him a chance to say something.
RORY: He probably hates me.
LORELAI: He doesn't hate you.
RORY: How do you know?
LORELAI: Because you don't move back to a town you hate for someone you don't like.
RORY: If he likes me so much, why is he going out with Nina?
LORELAI: You're sure they're going out?
RORY: Sure enough.
LORELAI: Honey, he was hurt. You kissed him, ran away, broke up with Dean, and left for six weeks without telling him.
RORY: Why do you suddenly not care if I like him?
LORELAI: Because I'd rather have you tell me about him than not. I hate that you keep secrets about him. If you tell me, I won't be as mad. I just want to know what's going on.
RORY: Okay.
LORELAI: Okay? You'll give him a chance?
RORY: The next time he approaches me.
LORELAI: Atta girl.
RORY: I need to find those staples.
LORELAI: Just go back to the store.
RORY: Okay.
[RORY gets up and leaves. LORELAI sits at the table and smiles]
[Cut to RORY walking home, swinging a bag. She walks across the bridge and almost doesn't notice JESS, sitting on the edge. She pauses a moment, then sits next to him]
JESS: [Surprised] Hey.
RORY: Hey.
JESS: Third trip today?
RORY: I had to get staples for my stapler.
JESS: Ah.
RORY: Why are you out here?
JESS: I told you. I like it out here.
RORY: Sorry. Just can't get it through my brain that you like a place in Stars Hollow.
JESS: It's got some good memories.
RORY: Luke pushing you in the lake.
JESS: Our picnic.
RORY: [Giggles] I can't believe you ate that stuff. What did it taste like?
JESS: I'll spare you.
RORY: Thanks.
JESS: Why aren't you running home?
RORY: [Shrugs] Don't know. Just wanted someone to talk to, I guess.
JESS: 'Bout what?
RORY: [Pauses, considering] My mom and grandparents are in a fight.
JESS: And you feel…
RORY: Guilty.
JESS: Why?
RORY: I kind of brought it on.
JESS: Oh.
RORY: My grandpa got me into Yale.
JESS: You want to go to Harvard.
RORY: Mom was so mad.
JESS: You aren't?
RORY: [Shrugs] I've been…never mind.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: I've been thinking that maybe I should try a different school. [She looks to JESS briefly; he just stares back] I've been so determined to go to Harvard since…before I can remember. I just…never mind. [She stands up] I better get going. Mom will think I bought the whole store.
JESS: Which you are liable to do.
RORY: [Starts to go, but turns around] Wait, what were you going to tell me earlier?
JESS: [Thinks] Nothing.
RORY: Oh. Okay. See you later.
JESS: [Softly] Bye.
[Cut to RORY and LANE in the center of town. RORY is wearing her Chilton uniform]
RORY: I can't believe Taylor got that vote to go through.
LANE: He had to glare at an awful lot of people.
RORY: So I guess this means we're stuck with the parade gig.
LANE: The paper will get it all. We'll never live it down.
RORY: This sucks.
LANE: How was school?
RORY: School. Paris is already hounding me about the Washington article. Sometimes I hate being the top writer.
LANE: I wouldn't mind.
RORY: She keeps going on and on about how I'll never get it finished in time. I mean, I'm practically done, and there's still another two weeks until the first issue.
LANE: How're the new people?
RORY: They're nice.
LANE: Good.
RORY: How was Stars Hollow?
LANE: Same. Same boring teachers and boring people.
RORY: You have cheer practice tonight, right?
LANE: Oh, yeah. Three straight hours of Cindy Smite going on and on about her new hair stylist.
RORY: Maybe you should try them. Gives you something to aspire to.
LANE: Funny.
RORY: Meet me after for coffee?
LANE: Sure. Where?
RORY: Um, I'll meet you at the school.
LANE: You just want to see the freak show.
RORY: Yup.
LANE: You're pathetic.
RORY: I sure am.
LANE: See you tonight?
RORY: Later.
[RORY walks the opposite way LANE does, past a bunch of signs advertising the Labor Day festival. RORY throws her cup in the trash can, by a sign asking for help on the float. She makes a face and walks away]
[LORELAI is standing at the desk at the inn. The phone rings. She looks for MICHEL, but he isn't there, so she picks it up]
LORELAI: Independence Inn.
RICHARD: Ah, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Hello, Dad.
RICHARD: I am calling to…apologize about our little spat.
LORELAI: Okay.
RICHARD: I would like to say that I am sorry.
LORELAI: Okay.
RICHARD: And I hope you accept my apology.
LORELAI: Okay.
RICHARD: Why are you being so obstinate?
LORELAI: I'm not.
RICHARD: The only thing you've said this entire conversation has been, "Okay."
LORELAI: I also said, "Independence Inn," and, "Hello, Dad."
RICHARD: Hardly conversational.
LORELAI: I thought this was your apology.
RICHARD: It is.
LORELAI: Because it's sounding like a criticism to me.
RICHARD: It's not.
LORELAI: Roger Ebert? Are you still there?
RICHARD: What?
LORELAI: Never mind.
RICHARD: Do you accept?
LORELAI: You know, I made a deal with Rory. I told her that I would be civil to you. But I'm finding that a little hard now, Dad.
RICHARD: And why so?
LORELAI: You took my kid's dreams and in thirty seconds, tore them to shreds.
RICHARD: I hardly did that, Lorelai.
LORELAI: I beg to differ.
RICHARD: I—
LORELAI: I specifically told you that Rory wanted to go to Harvard. I told you that your help was unwanted. I told you that Rory knows what she's doing.
RICHARD: She's seventeen, Lorelai.
LORELAI: She has every bit the right to choose her college as you do. You said it yourself, post-secondary education is the most important.
RICHARD: It is.
LORELAI: Then you should let Rory choose for herself.
RICHARD: She doesn't know what she wants.
LORELAI: She knows exactly what she wants.
RICHARD: Because you told her what she wants.
LORELAI: Excuse me?
RICHARD: You drilled Harvard into her brain until she didn't realize that it hadn't been her own idea.
LORELAI: The obsession is all hers.
RICHARD: But who planted the seed?
LORELAI: What's so bad about planting the seed?
RICHARD: Rory will do whatever you tell her to.
LORELAI: You're saying that I pushed my daughter to this?
RICHARD: I'm saying that you're accusing me of being so awful, when I am merely doing the same thing you have done.
LORELAI: I have to go, Dad. [She hangs up and sighs]
[Third commercial break]
[Open to LORELAI walking into the kitchen at the inn. SOOKIE is puttering around]
LORELAI: Ugh.
SOOKIE: Something wrong?
LORELAI: Yale.
SOOKIE: Yale?
LORELAI: Dad wrangled Rory into Yale.
SOOKIE: That's good! That's…not good.
LORELAI: Rory doesn't want to go to Yale! She wants to go to Harvard. But try telling my dad that.
SOOKIE: Not good?
LORELAI: Not good. God, this makes me so mad. I told him, I told him when he came here not to tamper with it. But no, Mr. Power and Influence here just needed to test out the old juices again.
SOOKIE: Do you really think he was being so selfish? He could have been trying to help.
LORELAI: No, no. My parents do not try and help. They sabotage.
SOOKIE: Maybe you're being a little dramatic.
LORELAI: Or maybe I'm not being dramatic enough. I mean, I don't want Rory to have to go to a college through obligation. That was me; that's not her. I want her to choose her future.
SOOKIE: What if she chooses Yale?
LORELAI: She wants Harvard.
SOOKIE: But what if she changes her mind?
LORELAI: She won't. [Looks at what SOOKIE'S making] Those are some nice-looking pears.
SOOKIE: He won.
LORELAI: They're really in the house?
SOOKIE: Oh, yes. He gets up twice a night to sing to them.
LORELAI: What does he sing?
SOOKIE: Some show tunes. A few originals.
LORELAI: Originals?
SOOKIE: Oh, yes.
LORELAI: You have a tape recorder, right?
SOOKIE: Even better: a camcorder.
LORELAI: Our contribution to the Labor Day Festival, ladies and gentlemen.
SOOKIE: It'll be better than Kirk's movie.
LORELAI: Now let's not get ahead of ourselves. We can't live up to that stellar directing.
SOOKIE: What are you gonna do?
LORELAI: [Sighs, the Jackson movie forgotten] I don't know.
[Cut to RORY at the inn. She walks up to the front desk, where MICHEL is sitting in his chair]
RORY: Hey, Michel.
MICHEL: What are you doing here? You will scare the guests away.
RORY: No, I wouldn't take your job. Is my mom here?
MICHEL: She and Sookie are in the kitchen.
RORY: Thanks.
MICHEL: I do it all for you. [He sits back and closes his eyes. RORY goes into the kitchen]
RORY: Hey.
LORELAI: Hey, kid! So, first day.
RORY: Paris has reverted to her evil ways.
LORELAI: Didn't brainwash her well enough?
RORY: It would take cult desensitization to make Paris a truly nice person.
LORELAI: Well, at least you tried.
RORY: Hey, Lane and I were going to meet for coffee after her cheer practice, okay?
LORELAI: Sure. You're going into Luke's?
RORY: I said I would if you would be nice to Grandpa.
LORELAI: Oh. Yeah.
RORY: Is there some reason I shouldn't uphold my end?
LORELAI: No.
RORY: Sure?
LORELAI: Yeah.
RORY: Because I haven't seen you be mean.
LORELAI: Good, 'cause I haven't.
RORY: Good.
LORELAI: Yes, good.
RORY: So, I'll probably be home about six-ish.
LORELAI: That's fine. Think you'll eat at Luke's?
RORY: Why?
LORELAI: I need to know how much Chinese to order.
RORY: I'll eat leftovers.
LORELAI: I'm thinking…most of the chicken column and a ton of eggrolls.
RORY: Sounds good to me.
LORELAI: Good.
RORY: So, I'll see you later.
LORELAI: Yeah. Later.
[RORY leaves]
SOOKIE: You made a deal with her?
LORELAI: You know Rory. She wouldn't want me to alienate my parents.
SOOKIE: Well, good, 'cause you haven't done that on your own. [SOOKIE stirs a pot for a minute] Why would she avoid Luke's?
LORELAI: Let's just say that your wedding was the surprise party of the year.
SOOKIE: Okay.
[Cut to RORY walking up to the school. She waits outside, by a couple of girls]
GIRL #1: God, these practices are so stupid.
GIRL #2: I know. They just make my hair frizzy.
GIRL #1: Cindy Smite said that her hairstylist gave her some special, like, hairspray or something.
GIRL #2: She is such a liar. Her hair was just as frizzy as ours.
GIRL #1: Just because she's the squad captain, she thinks she can trick us.
GIRL #2: Who's that? [She points to RORY]
GIRL #1: Never seen her before.
GIRL #2: I wonder if she goes here.
GIRL #1: Why is she just sitting there?
GIRL #2: What a freak.
GIRL #1: Oh my God, did you hear?
GIRL #2: Hear about what?
GIRL #1: You know Nina? Nina Fink?
GIRL #2: Gothic herself?
GIRL #1: And her boyfriend? That weird guy?
GIRL #2: Oh yeah. Works at that diner.
GIRL #1: They totally broke up.
[RORY looks shocked]
GIRL #2: Oh my God. When?
GIRL #1: Saturday.
GIRL #2: How do you know?
GIRL #1: Nina told Kara, who told Marcie, who told Jen, who's my sister's best friend's cousin.
GIRL #2: God, you get all the good stuff.
GIRL #1: I heard it was totally messy.
GIRL #2: Do tell.
GIRL #1: Someone else.
GIRL #2: How would either of them find someone else?
GIRL #1: God, who knows. Oh, there's my sister. Let's go.
[The two girls leave, passing RORY on the steps. RORY stands up and looks ready to bail when LANE comes out]
LANE: Sorry about that. I was trying to convince Cindy that anything Toni Basil sings is out of style for cheers…are you okay?
RORY: I'm fine.
LANE: You don't look fine.
RORY: Appearances can be deceiving.
LANE: Whatever you say.
RORY: Um, so. Should we go?
LANE: Yeah.
[RORY and LANE start walking toward Luke's]
RORY: How was it?
LANE: Well, I have a new squad, because now I'm a football cheerleader.
RORY: As opposed to…
LANE: A basketball cheerleader.
RORY: Sorry.
LANE: Well, it is difficult to explain to others.
RORY: So, now instead of "Shoot!" you yell…
LANE: That's what we were trying to figure out, but everyone was on and on about some hairstyle or something.
RORY: Less frizz.
LANE: What?
RORY: The miracle hairstyle supposed yields less frizz than the regular hairstyle.
LANE: Where did you get that?
RORY: I have my ways.
LANE: I bow down to you. [RORY and LANE enter Luke's and sit at a table] So, the avoidance phase is over again? More of a Gerri Halliwell?
RORY: I made a deal with my mom.
LANE: What kind of deal?
RORY: Well, I promised to come into Luke's if she didn't bite my grandfather's head off.
LANE: About Yale?
RORY: Yeah.
LANE: You still don't want to talk about it?
RORY: [She glances behind the counter, where JESS is wiping] Um, not yet.
LANE: I'm here.
RORY: I know.
[JESS comes over]
LANE: Two coffees. [She looks to RORY] Right?
RORY: Fine. What are you going to have?
LANE: Two coffees.
JESS: Okay. [He leaves]
LANE: You two still in the Cold War?
RORY: It's a mildly warm war now.
LANE: Good.
RORY: Yeah. Good.
LANE: [In background] So, this whole music thing. Cindy was like, "We have to cheer to 'Mickey' this year," and I was trying to tell her that…[RORY looks over to JESS, but he doesn't see her. Finally, he looks up and meets her eyes; RORY looks down after a second and starts listening to LANE]
[Cut to Gilmore house. RORY comes in through the front door. LORELAI is in the kitchen, on the phone]
LORELAI:…No, I don't want long-distance, I want…Look, I called you people for my bank statement. No, for the seventh time, I haven't received it yet. I know I didn't close the account—what? No. No, I don't need a home equity loan. Well, you wouldn't give it to me a few months ago. That's not the point. The point is that I need my bank statement. No, I don't want to access it online. I want it in the mail. Are you a telemarketer? Because I don't want anything having to do with anything other than my bank statement. It's your problem to ship it out to me quarterly. What? No, you know what? This is it. I can't handle this. Cancel my account. No, really, cancel it. I know I said that I didn't want t cancel it, but now I do. Well, what can I say? I love switching banks. Well, how does one go about closing an account? A different number? You know, you people are truly deceiving. I thought you were just a nice little local bank. [Pause] Okay, here's the deal. I am not calling another number. Nope, I'm not. You cancel my account, right now. [Pause] Thank you! [LORELAI hangs up] Hey, babe.
RORY: Hey, Mom.
LORELAI: Damn banks.
RORY: What happened?
LORELAI: They're late with my statement, and I've been trying to tell them that for the past twenty minutes, ten of which I was put on hold for, and eight more of which, the lady was trying to sell me everything but a moon rock and rabbit's foot.
RORY: So, are they shipping it out?
LORELAI: Nope.
RORY: What? Why not?
LORELAI: Because I cancelled my account. We're going to a different bank.
RORY: But what about Margie?
LORELAI: We'll have to find a different Margie.
RORY: There is no guarantee we will find a Margie.
LORELAI: We just gotta let it go, babe. How was coffee?
RORY: Fine.
LORELAI: Fine? Just fine?
RORY: Just fine.
LORELAI: Did you see any freaky cheers?
RORY: Nope.
LORELAI: Really?
RORY: I tried. That's why I met Lane at the school, but practice was already over.
LORELAI: Bummer. Well, next time.
RORY: I think I can go into Luke's though.
LORELAI: Even without our deal?
RORY: I think so.
LORELAI: Good.
RORY: Good?
LORELAI: Yeah.
RORY: Why is that good?
LORELAI: Because I don't want you to become dependent on me to make you stop avoiding things.
RORY: You yelled at him.
LORELAI: I didn't raise my voice.
RORY: Mom!
LORELAI: Aren't you the least bit angry about this? [RORY says nothing] Rory?
RORY: I don't know.
LORELAI: Harvard is your dream!
RORY: Mom?
LORELAI: What?
RORY: I think…I think Harvard might be your dream.
[LORELAI looks stunned]
LORELAI: What?
RORY: I think that…I don't know. I've been considering other colleges for a while now.
LORELAI: Why didn't you tell me?
RORY: I knew you'd be mad.
LORELAI: I would not have been mad.
RORY: You've wanted me to go to Harvard for so long.
LORELAI: I thought you wanted to.
RORY: I did…do. But…
LORELAI: But?
RORY: It's so far away from home. [She looks to LORELAI to gauge her reaction. LORELAI says nothing] Yale is a lot closer.
LORELAI: Wow.
RORY: I'm so sorry, Mom.
LORELAI: No, I'm sorry. I can't believe…I need to go.
RORY: What? Where?
LORELAI: I just need to take a walk for a minute, okay? [She walks over and kisses Rory on the head] I love you.
RORY: I love you, too.
LORELAI: I'll be back soon, okay?
RORY: Okay.
[LORELAI leaves through the back door. RORY sits on a kitchen chair. Camera zooms in on her face, looking forlorn. Fade to commercial]
[Fourth commercial break]
[Open to LORELAI banging on Luke's door at the diner]
LUKE: What are you doing here? What did Jess do?
LORELAI: Nothing. He didn't do anything.
LUKE: What's wrong?
LORELAI: I just…[She puts her hand on her forehead] I'm turning into my parents.
LUKE: What?
LORELAI: You know Rory.
LUKE: About your height, brown hair, blue eyes? I might have seen her before.
LORELAI: My dad got her into Yale.
LUKE: But…
LORELAI: That's what I thought. I yelled at him, I screamed at him, I went on and on, waylaid him.
LUKE: Not smart.
LORELAI: Not smart. Now, Rory's rethinking things.
LUKE: But, she wants to go to Harvard.
LORELAI: That's what I thought! But now, she's telling me that she wants to go to Yale, that she's been thinking about it for a while. She's been thinking about it!
LUKE: So…
LORELAI: So, she didn't tell me!
LUKE: Well.
LORELAI: And all this time, I'd been going on and on about Harvard…Harvard this, Harvard that, and I was just pressuring her into something she didn't want to do!
LUKE: Lorelai, come on.
LORELAI: I thought that's what my dad was doing. I thought he was unfairly making her do something out of obligation. But really, that's what I was doing, all these years. She felt forced to go to Harvard.
LUKE: I'm sure that's not true. Did she say that?
LORELAI: No.
LUKE: Well, then, she didn't feel forced.
LORELAI: I mean, what if she had gone, and then she hated it, but she thought she had to stay there for my sake?
LUKE: She wouldn't do that.
LORELAI: She would! I mean, you know Rory. She's so great and sweet, and she doesn't ever want to disappoint anyone, ever.
LUKE: Rory has a mind of her own.
LORELAI: But…
LUKE: Just calm down. So she wants to go to a different school. At least she told you before it was too late.
LORELAI: She didn't, though. I mean, now I've chewed out my dad, and there's a very real possibility that she will go to Yale, and he'll be all gloaty.
LUKE: So?
LORELAI: What do you mean, "So?"
LUKE: At least she'll be happy.
LORELAI: [Considers] You're right. I don't know what I was thinking.
LUKE: Good.
LORELAI: Sorry.
LUKE: Well, what are friends for?
LORELAI: Coffee?
LUKE: [Sighs] I'll brew a new pot.
LORELAI: [Seriously] Thank you.
LUKE: [Seriously] You're welcome.
[LORELAI sits on the barstool]
LORELAI: So, where's Jess?
LUKE: He went for a walk.
LORELAI: It's been suspiciously quiet in this town.
LUKE: Well, I told him that if he wanted to stay, he'd have to tone it down.
LORELAI: So, he really wants to stay?
LUKE: He's toned it down.
LORELAI: I guess he does.
LUKE: You need to thank Rory for me if you get the chance.
LORELAI: Why?
LUKE: Well, Jess has started doing a lot better in school, and I can't help but think she's responsible.
LORELAI: Wow.
LUKE: Elbow patch guy loses again.
LORELAI: Hard for him to get a leg up.
LUKE: [Pours her a cup] Here you go. Sure you don't want a syringe and a mirror to go with that?
LORELAI: If you've got it, sure.
LUKE: Hopeless.
[TAYLOR bangs on the door. LUKE groans and goes to open it]
TAYLOR: [Stepping inside] Luke, this is it!
LUKE: What are you talking about, Taylor?
TAYLOR: That nephew of yours has gone too far!
LUKE: What'd he do?
TAYLOR: He destroyed the town float!
LUKE: How do you figure?
TAYLOR: Who else would have the audacity to destroy what is sure to become a city landmark!
LUKE: Landmark? What are you going to do, dip it in bronze and set it outside your store?
TAYLOR: That float means a lot to the people to Stars Hollow!
LUKE: Well, build another one.
TAYLOR: There's only a few days until the festival!
LUKE: Well, then, guess you're out of luck.
TAYLOR: Lucas, I am ashamed of you.
LUKE: Shucks.
TAYLOR: This will be heard about at the next town meeting! [TAYLOR leaves. LUKE shakes his head and shuts the door after him]
LORELAI: At least he's using his powers for the greater good.
[Cut to the Gilmore house. RORY is sitting on the front porch, staring out into nowhere. JESS walks up]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: [Listlessly] Hey.
JESS: No book?
RORY: Too dark.
JESS: [Coming up the steps] Mind if I join you?
RORY: Go ahead.
JESS: [Sits down] Something wrong?
RORY: Just…thinking.
JESS: Yeah?
RORY: I don't think I'm going to Harvard.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: My mom's really upset.
JESS: At least you're going to college.
RORY: You could change that.
JESS: If I wanted to.
RORY: See?
JESS: But I don't.
RORY: You took summer school.
JESS: To graduate.
RORY: No other reason?
JESS: No other reason.
RORY: Are you going to take the SAT?
JESS: Nope.
RORY: Not even going to try? You don't have to apply. It's just a test.
JESS: Why take a test I don't have to?
RORY: I wish I could say that.
JESS: You could.
RORY: I want to go to college. Just…not Harvard.
JESS: Why not?
RORY: What?
JESS: Why not?
RORY: Oh. Well. Yale is closer to home. That means a lot to me. And I've done a little research. It just seems better suited to me.
JESS: Aren't all the Ivy Leagues pretty much the same?
RORY: No. They all have their own personality.
JESS: [Skeptically] Right.
RORY: They do!
JESS: Sure.
RORY: [Pause] Why did you come over here?
JESS: [Shrugs] Bored.
RORY: That's all?
JESS: I just…wanted to.
RORY: [Smiles] Good logic.
JESS: [Smiles back] It's worked so far.
[RORY'S smile fades as she realizes what he's saying. Slowly, JESS leans in and kisses her. RORY puts her hands on his arms and kisses him back. When they break apart, RORY smiles at him, and he smiles back]
RORY: Maybe it's not such bad reasoning.
[JESS grins, and they kiss again. LORELAI comes around the corner of the drive and sees them on the loveseat, kissing. She backs up just a little, frowns; her expression fades into a thoughtful look and she tilts her head]
[End of episode]