"Circle Games"
by columbiachica (kat2005)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the situations.
Author's Notes: Sixth in a series. If you're confused, read the five previous chapters.
Featured Music:
"Landslide," by Fleetwood Mac
"Sweetness," by Jimmy Eat World
"Circle Games," by Joni Mitchell
"Needle in the Hay," by Elliot Smith
"Hannah Hold On," by the Get Up Kids
"The Long Day is Over," by Norah Jones
ANNOUNCER: Previously on Gilmore Girls…
[Cut to RORY and RICHARD at the elder Gilmores' dining room table]
RICHARD: How is Jess, Rory?
RORY: [Cautiously] He's fine.
RICHARD: And you two are…still together?
RORY: Yes.
RICHARD: Hmm. [Long pause] I should like to meet this boy.
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI in the Jeep]
LORELAI: I just don't want you and him to end up having a thing over this.
RORY: Yeah, right.
LORELAI: What?
RORY: You just don't want Grandpa to like him.
LORELAI: What?
RORY: You don't want Grandpa to like Jess.
LORELAI: And why wouldn't I?
RORY: Because…that'll be one thing that we have between us that Grandpa and I don't have.
[Cut to LORELAI at the Inn]
EMILY: Well, I was talking with Jorina Kent at my DAR meeting last night, and we got onto the topic of our children.
LORELAI: Out of a wealth of topics to talk about…this.
EMILY: And Jorina said that her son Grayer was single, and I said that was very convenient, since you were single now that Christopher is out of the picture.
[Cut to LORELAI and GRAYER in a restaurant]
GRAYER: Ah, well, I should probably come clean now. I wasn't really listening when my mother was telling me all of your numerous merits. To tell you the truth, I was expecting a boring socialite.
LORELAI: [Stunned] Me too.
GRAYER: Thank God.
LORELAI: I thought this would be the biggest waste of two hours ever, actually.
GRAYER: [Laughs] Me too. One too many set-ups?
LORELAI: More like a lack of trust in my mother's judgment.
[Cut to LANE and MRS. KIM in Kim's Antiques]
MRS. KIM: You are not joining a band, Lane Kim!
LANE: [Starts to cry] I want a life, Mama!
MRS. KIM: You want a life? I dedicated my whole life to raising you, and what do I get in return? This…this ungratefulness.
LANE: I'm sorry, Mama, but I can't keep pretending anymore!
[Cut to RICHARD and JESS in the bookstore]
RICHARD: And while I still feel that her choice leaves something to be desired, I no longer feel that there is any real danger in her spending time with you. [Pause. JESS just looks him in the eye] However, there are some things I feel that I need to tell you. [Pause] Rory is…special. I have never felt that any boy was worthy of her time, but she sees something in you, and I cannot change that. Therefore, you, young man, are very fortunate.
JESS: I know.
[Cut to LUKE in the diner]
[LUKE stands behind the counter and watches as LORELAI and GRAYER get into his car, laughing and joking.]
[Int. RORY and LORELAI on the couch, watching TV]
LORELAI: I can't believe this show got cancelled.
RORY: I know! What could be more brilliant than Magic Johnson advising people on their problems?
LORELAI: Why, it's almost as good as Robert Blake giving advice.
RORY: Hey, we should pitch that to some network heads.
LORELAI: We'll bat our eyelashes and they'll take it.
RORY: Short skirts. Don't forget the short skirts.
LORELAI: We'll be rich and famous!
RORY: Or at least semi-rich.
LORELAI: Hey there, Schmidt, work with me.
RORY: And we'll get a private jet!
LORELAI: We'll name it Mr. Bubbles.
RORY: Why would we name it Mr. Bubbles?
LORELAI: Because "Shamoo" is so cliché.
RORY: But Mr. Bubbles?
LORELAI: There's still time to work out the kinks.
[LANE comes in through the front door]
LANE: Hey.
RORY: Hey! I thought you were under house arrest.
LANE: I am.
LORELAI: Uh-oh.
RORY: You snuck out again! Do you remember what happened last time?
LORELAI: It's still burned onto my brain.
LANE: I can't stand it anymore.
RORY: But sneaking out? You could have called.
LANE: This is my rebellious phase.
LORELAI: I can give you some advice on that. Hey! Me giving advice!
RORY: Robert Blake is better.
LORELAI: No way. I can do makeovers better.
RORY: But do you have a murdered wife?
LORELAI: Ew. No.
LANE: What are you guys talking about?
LORELAI: Robert Blake is going to have a talk show.
RORY: We're going to be rich and famous.
LORELAI: We're going to name our private jet Mr. Bubbles.
LANE: Mr. Bubbles?
RORY: That's what I said.
LORELAI: Okay, there's still time.
LANE: Can I have in on it?
LORELAI: That depends. Do you have a murdered wife?
LANE: I have a militant Korean mother.
RORY: Close enough. You're in.
LANE: Can I bring Clyde?
LORELAI: Can he do makeup?
LANE: I could teach him.
RORY: Still no word, huh?
LANE: My mother has officially scared him off.
RORY: What did she do?
LANE: She threatened him in two languages.
RORY: I'm surprised he was so easily scared off.
LANE: Rory, you've heard my mother swear in Korean.
RORY: Point taken.
LANE: Poor guy.
RORY: So you haven't talked to him at all?
LANE: I sent him a letter.
RORY: Your mother didn't notice the missing stamp?
LANE: Oh, see, I gave it to Kirk, who gave it to Mark, who stuck it in Clyde's mailbox.
RORY: That's inventive.
LANE: Desperate times call for desperate measures.
LORELAI: He had a makeover section?
[All three look at the TV]
LANE: She looks like Dennis Rodman.
LORELAI: They must just rotate makeup in the NBA.
RORY: That is exceptionally gross.
LANE: Who bets the next person looks like RuPaul?
RORY and LORELAI: Me!
LANE: I can't believe this show got cancelled.
[All three of them giggle]
[Opening credits]
[First commercial break]
[Int. Luke's Diner. RORY and LORELAI are sitting at a table by the window]
LORELAI: And then Sookie goes, "Hey, Michel?" and Michel goes, "Yes?" in that annoying French accent—it's probably fake.
RORY: Who would pretend to be French?
LORELAI: Michel.
RORY: No one would pretend to be French. Only the true French take pride in their nationality.
LORELAI: I bet he does it just to be annoying.
RORY: Why don't you just ask him?
LORELAI: He would be miffed that I doubted his true French-ness.
RORY: So you would say he's proud to be French.
LORELAI: I guess.
RORY: Which brings me back to only the true French take pride in their nationality.
LORELAI: Hush.
[LUKE comes up to the table]
LUKE: Order.
LORELAI: Not much for foreplay?
RORY: Mom.
LUKE: You gonna order?
LORELAI: Burger.
RORY: Two.
LORELAI: And coffee.
RORY: Pie.
LORELAI: Apple.
LUKE: We're out of apple.
LORELAI: You always save us the last pieces.
LUKE: Wasn't sure if you'd be in.
LORELAI: We're here every day.
LUKE: I had hungry people. I have to feed the hungry people.
LORELAI: We're hungry people.
LUKE: Hungry people that can eat cherry pie.
LORELAI: Hungry people who prefer apple pie.
LUKE: And the diner owner who doesn't care.
LORELAI: Ouch.
LUKE: Cherry pie or bust.
RORY: Cherry pie.
LORELAI: Bust.
LUKE: Fine.
[LUKE walks away behind the counter]
LORELAI: Can you believe it? What a grouch. My high is now low.
RORY: It's not that big of a deal.
LORELAI: Huh? What? "Not that big of a deal?"
RORY: It's just pie, Mom.
LORELAI: It is not just pie.
RORY: What is it then?
LORELAI: It's apple pie.
RORY: Okay, then it's just apple pie.
LORELAI: The apple pie is not just apple pie. It's something deeper.
RORY: Mom, I think you read way too many deep books lately.
LORELAI: He always saves us the last pieces.
RORY: Well, he said he had hungry people.
LORELAI: We're hungry people. Who could be hungrier than us?
RORY: Mr. Houghlin can be intimidating when he's hungry.
LORELAI: Why didn't Luke just tell him that he was out of apple pie?
RORY: You know Mr. Houghlin claims to be psychic.
LORELAI: Luke doesn't believe in psychics.
RORY: Whatever.
LORELAI: I want my pie.
RORY: You could have had cherry.
LORELAI: I wanted apple.
RORY: Let's just find a different topic.
LORELAI: But I'm not done analyzing.
RORY: Analyze later when I'm not hungry.
LORELAI: [Pouting] Fine.
[JESS comes out of the kitchen and hands them their food]
RORY: Hey that's apple pie.
JESS: Have you thought of applying to MENSA?
RORY: Luke said he was out.
JESS: He's not.
LORELAI: He lied!
RORY: Wow, I've never heard Luke lie. He was pretty convincing.
JESS: Anything else?
RORY: I'm good.
LORELAI: Ask Luke why he lied.
JESS: You're on your own. [He leans down and kisses RORY, then walks back to the kitchen]
LORELAI: Unbelievable. He didn't want us to have the pie.
RORY: Maybe he wanted Jess to surprise us with it.
LORELAI: No.
RORY: Not this again.
LORELAI: This is definitely symbolic.
RORY: Eating and ignoring you.
LORELAI: You can't ignore me!
RORY: Sure I can. What do you think I've been doing for seventeen years?
LORELAI: Hits from all sides!
RORY: Mom, just eat.
LORELAI: Hmph. [They eat for a while] I can't believe he lied.
[Int. RICHARD and EMILY'S. The family is gathered around the dining room table]
EMILY: Rory, how's school?
RORY: It's good. I took my SAT's.
RICHARD: Did you do well?
RORY: The scores aren't back yet.
EMILY: I'm sure you did well.
LORELAI: So, Dad, how's work?
RICHARD: Oh, it's fine, it's fine.
EMILY: Your father's being modest. His company is one of the fastest growing in Connecticut!
RORY: That's great, Grandpa.
RICHARD: Well, yes, it is, isn't it?
EMILY: The girls at club are jealous.
LORELAI: That must be an unflattering shade of green.
EMILY: Well, I'm not one to gloat, Lorelai.
RORY: [Quickly] So, Grandpa, how's your new secretary?
RICHARD: She's remarkable! Margie can't hold a candle to her.
LORELAI: Glad to hear it, Dad.
EMILY: [Smugly] And how's that boyfriend of yours, Lorelai?
LORELAI: Me?
EMILY: Yes, you silly. Who else do I call Lorelai?
LORELAI: Well, Rory is technically a Lorelai. [Pause] He's fine.
EMILY: Things are still going well, then.
LORELAI: Yes, Mom.
EMILY: Well, I guess my judgment isn't so bad all the time.
LORELAI: I thought you weren't one to gloat, Mom.
EMILY: I'm not gloating, dear. I'm merely making a point.
LORELAI: While gloating!
EMILY: Lorelai, I am not gloating.
LORELAI: Ha!
RICHARD: And how's Jess, Rory?
RORY: Oh, he's fine.
RICHARD: He took his SAT's as well?
RORY: Yep.
RICHARD: Ah.
RORY: We're just glad all the extra studying is done.
RICHARD: I'm sure. I recall studying for the ACT's. Dreadful.
RORY: I think I dreamt in sample tests.
RICHARD: [Chuckles] Ah, yes, yes.
LORELAI: Oh, I remember those days.
[Silence]
RICHARD: Ah, Rory.
RORY: Yes?
RICHARD: I was thinking about something over my lunch hours this past week.
LORELAI: Oh no.
RICHARD: No input from you please, Lorelai.
RORY: Go on.
RICHARD: Well, since you will be starting at Yale next fall, I thought that since you had Thanksgiving break coming up in a couple weeks, it would be a perfect time for a campus tour.
RORY: But won't everyone from Yale be on break too?
RICHARD: I can finagle something.
RORY: Can Mom come?
LORELAI: No.
RORY: Mom.
RICHARD: If she would like to, yes.
LORELAI: That's okay.
RORY: Don't you want to see where I'll be going to college?
EMILY: It would be a nice trip.
LORELAI: I'll think about it.
RICHARD: Wonderful! I'll set it up.
RORY: Great. Thanks, Grandpa.
RICHARD: Certainly.
RORY: This is so exciting.
RICHARD: Isn't it?
LORELAI: [Dryly] I'm just about to perish.
RORY: [Throws LORELAI a dirty look] This dinner is delicious, Grandma.
EMILY: New cook.
LORELAI: Again?
EMILY: Sandra—or Sarah—
LORELAI: Sally?
EMILY: She lasted a month.
LORELAI: This is a long time?
EMILY: Then I found out that she'd been heating the food in containers without non-stick!
LORELAI: But you didn't have to clean them.
EMILY: It's unsanitary.
LORELAI: People in the seventies seemed to survive.
EMILY: People in the seventies were stoned.
LORELAI: Mom, that's no reason to fire someone.
EMILY: I think it is.
RICHARD: This new cook is exceptional.
EMILY: See?
[LORELAI looks from her mother to her father in disbelief. RORY grins]
[Int. the Independence. LORELAI is manning the desk. The phone rings]
LORELAI: Independence Inn, how may I help you?
[Cut between LORELAI and GRAYER]
GRAYER: Damn, I keep missing Maria.
LORELAI: [Smiles] Can I give her a message?
GRAYER: Hmm, yes. Tell her that I think she's absolutely stunning and that she should have dinner with me at Minerva's tomorrow night at eight.
LORELAI: If she can't come, how about Lorelai?
GRAYER: Well, I suppose. Maria is awfully busy.
LORELAI: And if Lorelai went, do you suppose you'd mind picking her up early for some pre-dinner coffee?
GRAYER: I'll see what I can do.
LORELAI: Excellent.
GRAYER: So, how have you been?
LORELAI: Good, good. Yourself?
GRAYER: Not so hot.
LORELAI: No?
GRAYER: Food poisoning.
LORELAI: Yuck. Glad I missed that.
GRAYER: Don't think those clients like me.
LORELAI: So, other than the food poisoning…good?
GRAYER: Good.
LORELAI: Good.
[SOOKIE comes running out of the kitchen]
SOOKIE: Lorelai!
LORELAI: Hang on. [She puts her hand over the mouthpiece] What's wrong?
SOOKIE: Dinner. Ruined.
LORELAI: Don't hyperventilate. We'll order pizza.
SOOKIE: Pizza?! Lorelai, we can't—
LORELAI: I know, I was kidding. Calm down. Now what happened?
SOOKIE: I just went to the bathroom and then I came back and Phil had spilled cayenne pepper in the fettuccini.
LORELAI: Well, make something else.
SOOKIE: I only have an hour!
LORELAI: How long can it take to boil some pasta?
SOOKIE: We don't boil pasta! We make our own!
LORELAI: Okay, okay. Well…hold on. [She gets back on the phone] I might be a while. We're having a dinner crisis.
GRAYER: What happened?
LORELAI: Sookie's homemade fettuccini was ruined.
GRAYER: With what?
LORELAI: Cayenne pepper.
GRAYER: Ooh. Ouch. Can she make some sort of spicy casserole out of it?
LORELAI: I'll ask. [To SOOKIE] Can you make a spicy casserole out of it?
SOOKIE: [Thinks] Hey! That's not a bad idea. [Runs to the kitchen]
LORELAI: [On phone] Hey, you totally saved our dinner!
GRAYER: All comes with the Superman outfit.
LORELAI: Ooh, Spandex.
GRAYER: With matching underwear.
LORELAI: [Giggles] That I'd like to see.
GRAYER: Next time we're in a phone booth.
[LUKE enters and walks up to the desk]
LORELAI: Phone booths are awfully tiny…how could be fit two people in one?
GRAYER: We'd have to be mighty close.
LORELAI: [Sees LUKE] Hold on a sec. [To LUKE] Oh thank God you're here.
LUKE: Doorframe?
LORELAI: Come on, I'll show you. [To GRAYER] I gotta go.
GRAYER: Tomorrow at six-thirty?
LORELAI: You betcha. [Hangs up. To LUKE] Come on.
[LUKE follows her up the stairs to a room with a broken doorframe]
LUKE: What happened?
LORELAI: Domestic dispute.
LUKE: Sheesh.
LORELAI: I'll paint it when you're done.
LUKE: Sure. [LORELAI starts to walk away] Who was that on the phone?
LORELAI: Why?
LUKE: Didn't sound too business-like.
LORELAI: It was Grayer.
LUKE: Still goin' out with him? [He starts digging tools out]
LORELAI: [Uncomfortable] Yeah.
LUKE: Thought you said your mother had crappy taste.
LORELAI: Usually she does. Must have been a rare occasion of normalcy—or, you know, those mushrooms I sent her. They looked a little shifty.
LUKE: Ah. [They stand there awkwardly] I oughta get to work.
LORELAI: Oh, yes. Okay. Um, come get me if you need anything.
LUKE: [Doesn't look at her] Sure.
[LORELAI walks downstairs, back to the desk. MICHEL approaches]
MICHEL: The annoying man with the threadbare coat beckons.
LORELAI: Rune?
MICHEL: Ah, yes. [Distastefully] Rune.
LORELAI: [Sighs] Where?
MICHEL: By the back porch.
[Cut to LORELAI on the back porch]
LORELAI: Yes, Rune?
RUNE: You know, I don't know why you call me the handyman.
LORELAI: Come to think of it, neither do I.
RUNE: If there's something broken, I should get to fix it.
LORELAI: What are you talking about?
RUNE: The doorframe!
LORELAI: Do you remember what happened with the porch rail?
RUNE: That was a mistake.
LORELAI: The woman broke her leg. We were lucky she didn't sue.
RUNE: I can't believe I went out with you.
LORELAI: I need some Valium.
[Int. Kim's Antiques. RORY walking behind Kim's Antiques. She climbs the tree and knocks on LANE'S window]
LANE: Hey!
RORY: Hey.
LANE: A visitor.
RORY: Did you get in trouble for the other night?
LANE: I snuck in undetected.
RORY: Wow. How did you do that?
LANE: Camouflage and several military secrets ordered off e-bay.
RORY: Impressive.
LANE: So what's up? I'm dying for news.
RORY: Well, my grandpa invited me on a campus tour.
LANE: Are you going?
RORY: Of course. I'm going to be going there next year.
LANE: Is your mom okay with it?
RORY: I'm making her come.
LANE: Oh.
RORY: "Oh"?
LANE: Well, seeing as she isn't happy with it…
RORY: She's just going to have to get over it.
LANE: I wish I could say that about my mom.
RORY: Maybe you'll wear her down.
LANE: Rory, wearing my mother down is like wearing down steel-encased tire treads.
RORY: Then you'll need a heavy truck.
LANE: He wrote back.
RORY: No! What did he say?
LANE: Hang on. [She goes over to her book case and removes a book. She flips through the pages and removes a letter] Okay, "Dear Lane—"
RORY: Aw, "dear."
LANE: Rory, that's how everyone starts letters.
RORY: He could have said, "To Whom it May Concern."
LANE: Rory.
RORY: Continue.
LANE: "I got your letter. Sorry about your mom. The band is going to Boston next week—"
RORY: Boston? Wow! For what?
LANE: I'm getting to it.
RORY: Sorry.
LANE: "—going to Boston to open for Student Rick."
RORY: That's so cool!
LANE: I know!
RORY: Wow, they're getting a lot of publicity.
LANE: It's so exciting.
RORY: It's so cool that you're going out with a rock star.
LANE: You mean, that I have association with a rock star.
RORY: You're going out with a rock star.
LANE: Potato, potato. "When we get back, our school is having prom. I know that your mother hates me and everything, but I was hoping you'd be able to convince her to let you come."
RORY: Oh, Lane!
LANE: I'll never convince her.
RORY: I'll help.
LANE: How?
RORY: You could say that you're doing something with my mom and I.
LANE: She won't let me out of the house for anything. She doesn't even trust me to run to the grocery store anymore.
RORY: I could try talking to her.
LANE: I don't think that'd work.
RORY: Anything's worth a shot.
LANE: [Hesitantly] Just don't mention prom, okay?
RORY: Sure. [Checks her watch] I better get home. Mom will be back from work soon.
LANE: Okay. Climb soon.
RORY: I will. [RORY slides back down the tree. La-la's start. LANE sits on the floor and reads her letter again. MRS. KIM calls in the background. Reluctantly, LANE puts her letter away and goes slowly down the stairs]
[Second commercial break]
[Int. Gilmore house. It's about six the next night. RORY is studying on the couch. LORELAI can be heard rummaging upstairs]
LORELAI: Rory!
RORY: Yes?
LORELAI: Did you borrow my spangly sweater?
RORY: Why would I borrow your spangly sweater?
LORELAI: 'Cause you wanted to spice up your uniform?
RORY: I didn't borrow your spangly sweater.
LORELAI: Then where is it?
RORY: Probably in the back of the closet.
LORELAI: Why the back?
RORY: Because that's where I hung it the last time I hung it up three months ago.
[Rustling from upstairs]
LORELAI: Ahh! I love you!
RORY: Good.
LORELAI: You'll be my favorite daughter forever and ever and ever!
RORY: What an honor.
LORELAI: So…any thoughts on my spangly sweater shoes?
RORY: You're on your own.
LORELAI: Come help me look?
RORY: [Sighs, gets up off the couch and walks to LORELAI'S room] I hope you get over the "I-have-to-look-pretty-for-him" phase soon.
LORELAI: I am not going through that phase.
RORY: I beg to differ.
LORELAI: I'm not!
RORY: Sure.
LORELAI: We're going out to a fancy dinner.
RORY: Okay, okay.
LORELAI: What are you and Jess doing tonight?
RORY: Just hanging around here.
LORELAI: Nothing that would appear in Unfaithful, got it?
RORY: Mom, we're just going to read. Well, he'll read, I'll do homework.
LORELAI: Promise me.
RORY: I promise.
LORELAI: Good.
RORY: So, is this a wait up date or not?
LORELAI: [Grins wickedly] Definitely not.
RORY: I have got to learn to stop asking that.
LORELAI: It'll come with practice. [LORELAI steps over to her makeup table. RORY sits on the bed]
RORY: Mom?
LORELAI: Yeah?
RORY: How did you know you were ready for sex?
LORELAI: [Chokes] What?
RORY: How did you know?
LORELAI: Are you thinking about having sex with Jess?
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Why are you asking?
RORY: I'm conducting a poll.
LORELAI: Rory.
RORY: I just want to know.
LORELAI: [Sighs] I don't think I was.
RORY: Oh.
LORELAI: Look, I'm not going to tell you to save it for marriage. But honey, you have to make sure that the relationship is one that's going to last. There's nothing worse than having sex with someone and then breaking up the next day. You'll feel cheap and used.
RORY: You and Dad didn't last.
LORELAI: In a way, we did. We raised you kind of together.
RORY: So a lasting relationship? That's the criteria?
LORELAI: Well, obviously you have to love the person, and they have to love you back.
RORY: How do you decide whether or not to have sex with someone?
LORELAI: Rory, can we talk about this later? This is a really important discussion, and I don't want to have it while applying makeup.
RORY: Okay.
LORELAI: Tell me the truth, though. Are you thinking about having sex with Jess?
RORY: No.
LORELAI: Okay.
[The doorbell rings]
RORY: I'll get it.
[She runs downstairs and opens the door. GRAYER is standing there]
GRAYER: Heya, Rory.
RORY: Hi. Come on in.
GRAYER: Not ready yet?
RORY: Are you kidding?
GRAYER: I have a reputation for it.
RORY: You want something to drink?
GRAYER: I'm fine, thanks. [Pause] Hey, I had something to run by you.
RORY: Okay.
GRAYER: We don't really know each other all that well. I'm not really good at the parental thing. But I thought we could do something together. There's a Spanish art exhibit at the art museum…your mom told me you were in Spanish…I thought you might enjoy it.
RORY: Okay.
GRAYER: Yeah? We can do something else if you want.
RORY: Oh, that's okay. I like art.
GRAYER: Good, good. Is Saturday okay?
RORY: Sure.
GRAYER: Great. Then I'll swing by about eleven. We can get something to eat, maybe sneak some snacks in.
RORY: [Giggles] That's what Mom and I do at the movies.
GRAYER: [Smiles] Then it's a plan.
RORY: It's a plan.
GRAYER: Good.
[LORELAI comes thumping down the stairs]
LORELAI: Okay, I got it together.
GRAYER: That'd be a first.
LORELAI: Ah, hush, you. [To RORY] There's pizza money, or you can make Jess bring some diner stuff. Remember what we talked about.
RORY: Got it.
LORELAI: Okay. Bye, sweetie.
RORY: Bye, Mom.
[LORELAI and GRAYER leave. RORY goes to the kitchen and lays her study materials out]
[Time lapse. About twenty minutes later. There's a knock at the back door. RORY gets up and answers it. JESS is standing there with food]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hey. Come on in.
[JESS slides past her and sets the food on the counter]
JESS: We got burgers, we got fries, we got apple pie, we got coffee…missing anything?
RORY: My kiss.
JESS: I knew I forgot something. [He leans down and kisses her. They wrap their arms around each other and the kiss quickly deepens. JESS turns RORY around so she's against the counter and leans against her. RORY breaks away]
RORY: There we go. [She slides away from him and starts digging in the box. He wraps his arms around her from behind and kisses her ear and neck] Jess.
JESS: Hmm?
RORY: You're distracting me.
JESS: From the harrowing task of food selection? [He kisses her neck again]
RORY: Jess. [She turns around. JESS straightens up]
JESS: Something wrong?
RORY: I think we need to…slow down.
JESS: Slow down? From what?
RORY: I just…I don't want our whole relationship to be making out.
JESS: Our relationship is hardly all making out.
RORY: I just think we should try and tone it down a little.
JESS: Rory, that's insane. So we kiss a little. We're teenagers. It's not exactly Cruel Intentions here.
RORY: Jess, please.
JESS: Hey, okay. [He takes his coat off and starts getting food]
RORY: Don't be mad.
JESS: I'm not mad.
RORY: Yes you are.
JESS: I'm confused, not mad.
RORY: It's not that I don't…enjoy it, but…
JESS: But what? If you enjoy it, why stop?
RORY: I just don't want it to go too far.
JESS: Oh.
RORY: What?
JESS: That's what this is about.
RORY: I repeat, what?
JESS: Sex. I should have known.
RORY: That is not what this is about.
JESS: No?
RORY: No.
JESS: This is exactly what this is about. In your mind, you've equated making out with having sex.
RORY: That's not true!
JESS: Rory, they're two completely separate things. One requires a lack of clothing. [He gestures to both of them] See? Fully clothed. I even had my jacket on a while ago.
RORY: Jess, this isn't about…that.
JESS: Please. [He sits down. RORY stands by his chair]
RORY: Can we just slow it down?
JESS: You had no problem kissing Dean.
RORY: Dean and I went out for two years.
JESS: That makes no difference.
RORY: Yes it did. [Unknowingly quoting LORELAI] That was a lasting relationship.
JESS: And this isn't?
RORY: That's not what I said—can we just drop this?
JESS: You're the one who brought it up.
RORY: Which gives me the right to drop it.
JESS: Whatever.
RORY: Thank you.
[She sits down and starts eating. JESS looks at her, then down at his food. RORY looks at him, then back at her food]
[Int. Minerva's. LORELAI and GRAYER are eating]
LORELAI: This is good.
GRAYER: So that's their justification for charging thirty dollars a plate.
LORELAI: Not including extra fries.
GRAYER: Not including fries at all.
LORELAI: Oh yeah.
GRAYER: Oh, uh, hey.
LORELAI: With a vocabulary like that, you could be president.
GRAYER: I have something to ask you.
LORELAI: Okay…
GRAYER: Well, we've been going out for—what?—a month now?
LORELAI: That sounds accurate.
GRAYER: And you have a daughter.
LORELAI: Still accurate.
GRAYER: A daughter whom I hardly know.
LORELAI: Rory's always been one to be shrouded in mystery.
GRAYER: I was wondering if we could spend a little time together…try to get to know each other.
LORELAI: Oh. [She looks at her food]
GRAYER: No?
LORELAI: Just "oh."
GRAYER: We don't have to.
LORELAI: Well, Rory doesn't usually socialize with the men in my life…you know, one on one.
GRAYER: I'm not a rapist.
LORELAI: I know. It's just…
GRAYER: What?
LORELAI: Well, um, I don't like Rory getting too attached.
GRAYER: Why not?
LORELAI: Well, you know, if I break up with someone, I don't want her to feel like she's breaking up with someone.
GRAYER: Lorelai, it's just an afternoon together.
LORELAI: I know. I just don't want her to get all attached and then someday—for some reason or another—we break up and she's the one who's bereft.
GRAYER: Tell you what. If we break up, I'll still be Rory's friend, if she wants me to be.
LORELAI: That's an awfully big promise to make.
GRAYER: I always keep my promises.
LORELAI: Well…I guess.
GRAYER: I was going to take her to the Spanish art exhibit.
LORELAI: She'll love that.
GRAYER: You told me she was in Spanish.
LORELAI: Best student in her class.
GRAYER: Told me that too.
LORELAI: I never miss a chance to brag.
GRAYER: I've noticed.
LORELAI: Although, like my mother, I'm not one to gloat.
GRAYER: My mother thinks your mother is terribly conceited.
LORELAI: My mother thinks your mother's fat.
GRAYER: [Laughs] Oh, no, I'd hate to see what you're going to do with a fat mama joke.
LORELAI: Oh, I'm too good for those. I just like the set-up.
GRAYER: Tricky.
LORELAI: I prefer bewitching.
GRAYER: I prefer Derwood.
LORELAI: Fair enough.
[They start eating again. LORELAI looks in her food with a pensive face]
[Int. Gilmore house. JESS is reading Fraud; RORY is doing homework]
RORY: Hey, is there any more pie?
JESS: [Hands her a container] One more piece.
RORY: Thank God. Calculus takes it out of you.
JESS: Huh.
RORY: [Starts eating] Mmm. Good pie.
JESS: You probably wouldn't eat it if it weren't.
RORY: Good point. [Pause] Um, hey, I noticed that Luke's been in a bad mood lately.
JESS: Oh?
RORY: Yeah. You know anything about it?
JESS: Nope.
RORY: Jess, you live with the man.
JESS: I don't inspect every facet of his life.
RORY: I didn't say you did.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: It's just…did anything…happen?
JESS: You mean, did I do anything?
RORY: No. I mean, um…does Luke know about my mom?
JESS: That mental rehabilitation thing? Shame.
RORY: Jess.
JESS: Yes, he knows.
RORY: That's why he lied about the pie.
JESS: Such deductive skills.
RORY: [Puts down her fork] Okay, you're mad.
JESS: I'm not mad.
RORY: Jess, come on, you're mad.
JESS: I just get a little concerned when my girlfriend doesn't want to kiss me.
RORY: I never said that.
JESS: Oh, sure. Deny it.
RORY: Hey! I never said that. I just said that I thought we should take it down a notch or two.
JESS: A notch or two from what?
RORY: From…from…
JESS: Right.
RORY: Okay, you got me.
JESS: I knew it.
RORY: I don't want to make my mother's mistake.
JESS: I guarantee you that pregnancy does not occur through the ear.
RORY: Oh, ha, ha, ha.
JESS: You think I'm going to pressure you into having sex?
RORY: No.
JESS: That's what it sounds like to me.
RORY: Get your ears checked.
JESS: I did last week.
RORY: Then get a Q-tip.
JESS: Is that what you think?
RORY: No.
JESS: Is that what Lorelai told you?
RORY: No!
JESS: Are you sure?
RORY: Mom didn't say anything.
JESS: Sure.
RORY: Jess…
JESS: Lorelai probably told you that all I'm interested in is sex and that I'll get you pregnant in a week.
RORY: She didn't say anything.
JESS: Look, sure. [He stands] I should go.
RORY: Jess, that's not what happened.
JESS: I told Luke I'd help close.
RORY: Jess, don't go.
JESS: See you tomorrow. [He leaves. "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac plays]
[RORY sits at the table. There are tears in her eyes]
[Third commercial break]
[Int. Gilmore house. GRAYER gets out of his car. He walks up to the door and knocks. RORY opens it]
RORY: Hi.
GRAYER: Hey. You ready?
RORY: Yup.
[They go back to his car]
[Cut to RORY and GRAYER driving]
GRAYER: So I hear you're an excellent student.
RORY: That's the rumor.
GRAYER: Your mom never misses a chance to brag.
RORY: That's Mom for you. There was this one time when I was in second grade…I started learning cursive, and when I wrote my first words in it, she showed it to the entire town.
GRAYER: That sounds like Lorelai.
RORY: Or there was the time I made this…thing…out of clay. It was so ugly, but Mom still made them put it on display in the school showcase.
GRAYER: [Laughs] I have a feeling these stories could go on for a while.
RORY: All day.
GRAYER: So you like school, then.
RORY: Yeah. It's kind of stressful sometimes—and the people aren't the nicest—but yeah, I like it.
GRAYER: Chilton, right?
RORY: Yep, Chilton.
GRAYER: I went to Andover. I'm pretty sure my parents just wanted to send me away. [Chuckles]
RORY: That sounds like Mom and her parents.
GRAYER: I have a theory that all families in Hartford are exactly alike.
RORY: [Giggles] Have you told Mom?
GRAYER: What, and get her to be quiet for five whole minutes?
RORY: You have to distract her from whatever she's talking about and get her interested.
GRAYER: Hmm. I'll try that.
[Pause]
RORY: Mom told me you're a coffee drinker.
GRAYER: I thought I was the biggest addict in Connecticut…until I met your mom.
RORY: It's a big part of her life. She says that's why she could never be with Luke. He's a tea drinker.
GRAYER: Luke, huh? The diner owner?
RORY: Yeah. Have you met him?
GRAYER: Well, our first encounter didn't go so well.
RORY: That's Luke. He doesn't like new people. Well, he doesn't like old people too sometimes.
GRAYER: You're pretty close to him?
RORY: I guess he's been kind of a dad to me.
GRAYER: Ah—you're dating his nephew.
RORY: [Blushes] Yeah, Jess.
GRAYER: I remember this story.
RORY: Not all of my mom's stories are accurate.
GRAYER: No?
RORY: She likes to embellish.
GRAYER: She told me that Jess had eighty-seven tattoos, nipple rings, a drug habit and three convictions.
RORY: [Stunned, then getting it] Oh no, that's all true. But he doesn't cry at chick flicks, no matter what she told you.
GRAYER: I knew there was too much twinkle in her eye when she said that.
RORY: Tell-tale sign.
GRAYER: Now, she also told me that you were at the top of your class. Embellishment or fact?
RORY: Top three percent.
GRAYER: Fact, then.
RORY: Well, I'm not number one or anything.
GRAYER: She told me that you wanted to go to Harvard.
RORY: I used to. I'm going to Yale, though.
GRAYER: I went to Yale. It's a great school.
RORY: [Excited] You went to Yale?
GRAYER: Four years plus graduate school.
RORY: Wow. My grandpa would love you.
GRAYER: Yale man?
RORY: If he could, he'd start a fan club.
GRAYER: We'll have a lot to talk about.
RORY: Do you like to read?
GRAYER: Well, sure.
RORY: My grandpa loves reading.
GRAYER: Your mother never mentioned that.
RORY: I thought so.
GRAYER: So…Chinese okay?
RORY: Wow, a multi-cultural day.
GRAYER: A tour of the nations, right here in Hartford, Connecticut.
RORY: Sounds good.
GRAYER: Good.
[Int. Independence Inn. LORELAI is at the desk. SOOKIE enters]
SOOKIE: Lorelai, I need to talk to you.
LORELAI: Okay.
SOOKIE: Not here.
LORELAI: Time to bust out that underground lair.
SOOKIE: Can we just…go in the kitchen—no, your office.
LORELAI: Is something wrong?
SOOKIE: No! No. Just…come. [Giggles] Come on.
LORELAI: [Suspiciously] Okay…hey Michel, cover the desk for me.
MICHEL: Oh certainly. Would you like me to shine your shoes as well?
LORELAI: Actually, if you wouldn't mind, I stepped in some mud this morning and—
MICHEL: Stop the drivel, please.
LORELAI: [To SOOKIE] Let's go.
[Cut to LORELAI and SOOKIE in LORELAI'S office]
LORELAI: So what's up?
SOOKIE: [Excitedly] Did I ever tell you that Jackson's mother is a real estate buff?
LORELAI: No…
SOOKIE: She is. She spends her weekends scouring the coast for, you know, old houses with character and—
LORELAI: Sookie, Michel is running the desk. Did you drag me out of viewing distance to talk about Jackson's mother's real estate addiction?
SOOKIE: Well, the point is, she was in Harrington this morning, and she called me.
LORELAI: That's the point.
SOOKIE: That's the point.
LORELAI: I don't follow.
SOOKIE: She found us an inn, Lorelai!
LORELAI: What?
SOOKIE: She called me to tell me that she had found the perfect location for our inn, our dream inn!
LORELAI: No!
SOOKIE: Yes! And she said she'd even help us pay.
LORELAI: [Beaming] Sookie, that's incredible! Really?
SOOKIE: Really.
LORELAI: What's the catch?
SOOKIE: There isn't one, really. I mean, we have to look at it today or it'll sell…but she said it's perfect, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Oh my God! [She and SOOKIE hug] I can't believe it.
SOOKIE: Neither can I. Our dream!
LORELAI: We might actually achieve it in this lifetime.
SOOKIE: She said ten bedrooms, four baths, a living room, a huge kitchen—
LORELAI: It is perfect.
SOOKIE: [Singing] We're gonna open an inn, we're gonna open an inn!
LORELAI: I have to call Rory.
SOOKIE: I have to make sure this kitchen isn't burning down.
[The two start to leave, but rush back together and hug. "Sweetness" by Jimmy Eat World plays in the background]
LORELAI: This is so amazing.
SOOKIE: I know!
[They giggle]
[Int. art museum. GRAYER surreptitiously takes a piece of candy out of his pocket and pops it into his mouth. RORY'S cell rings]
RORY: [On phone] Hello?
[RORY-LORELAI intercut]
LORELAI: Hey! How's it going?
RORY: Great.
LORELAI: Good. Okay, are you sitting?
RORY: No.
LORELAI: You should.
RORY: Really?
LORELAI: No, I just wanted to say that.
RORY: What's going on?
LORELAI: So, you know that inn Sookie and I have been toying with forever?
RORY: [Joking] No.
LORELAI: It might happen, babe.
RORY: No!
LORELAI: Yes! Sookie's mother-in-law found some property. She says it's perfect. We're going to look at it this afternoon.
RORY: Mom! That's so cool!
LORELAI: Isn't it?
RORY: How did she find a piece of property you didn't know about?
LORELAI: It was in Harrington.
RORY: You just needed to expand.
LORELAI: Anyway, we're going to go out there this afternoon, so if you need me, it's the cell.
RORY: Okay. Have fun.
LORELAI: You too, hon.
[RORY hangs the cell phone up, bites her lip, and smiles]
[Int. property in Harrington. LORELAI and SOOKIE are looking at the potential inn]
REALTOR: Now, it looks a little run-down, but—
SOOKIE: We'll take it.
REALTOR: Excuse me?
SOOKIE: We'll take it.
LORELAI: Sook, hold on a sec. [To the REALTOR] Can we have a minute?
REALTOR: Absolutely. Take your time.
LORELAI: Thanks. [To SOOKIE] Sookie, we can't rush into this.
SOOKIE: Lorelai! This is perfect.
LORELAI: It needs a lot of work.
SOOKIE: Not that much.
LORELAI: Enough that it's a consideration.
SOOKIE: Come on, if we don't buy it, someone will.
LORELAI: And they'll be spending a hundred thousand in construction.
SOOKIE: This is our chance, Lorelai. Who know when another opportunity will come along?
LORELAI: I just think we should think about this.
SOOKIE: Do you really want to open an inn, Lorelai?
LORELAI: Of course.
SOOKIE: Because you sound like you don't.
LORELAI: I do. I'm just trying not to rush into anything and regret it later.
SOOKIE: What we'll regret is not buying this property. Come on, Lorelai. Mia's selling the Independence. The timing is right.
LORELAI: This isn't something we can rush into in one day, Sookie. It needs time and consideration and planning.
SOOKIE: We don't have time for consideration or planning. Someone else is going to buy it and we're going to end up running the place out of my house.
LORELAI: We just need to sit down and think finances.
SOOKIE: Remember how excited you were when I first told you?
LORELAI: I hadn't seen it.
SOOKIE: What were you expecting?
LORELAI: I don't know. I just…I momentarily forgot that construction costs a ton of money.
SOOKIE: It would cost a ton anywhere else, too.
LORELAI: Just…just…give me a minute, okay?
SOOKIE: Okay, but make it a fast one.
["Circle Games," by Joni Mitchell starts playing. LORELAI walks all throughout the inn, touching the woodwork, looking out the window. There is a tiny, ramshackle guest house viewable through one of the windows. LORELAI smiles wistfully and continues her walk. She finds SOOKIE clattering around in the kitchen]
LORELAI: Let's do it.
SOOKIE: [Squeals] Ooh! We won't regret this.
[LORELAI and SOOKIE hug. They find the REALTOR on the porch]
LORELAI: We'll take it.
REALTOR: Wonderful! [She digs in her briefcase] There's some paperwork, lots of signing, you know. [She takes out a pen. LORELAI and SOOKIE read through the papers together] So, what are you going to do with the place?
[LORELAI and SOOKIE look at each other and smile]
LORELAI: We're opening an inn.
[Int. Luke's Diner. LUKE comes upstairs and finds JESS reading while listening to music. He takes the headphones off]
LUKE: Can't you hear anything?
JESS: Nope.
LUKE: I need you to come down.
JESS: Okay.
LUKE: And not in half and hour—now.
JESS: I got it.
LUKE: Sometimes I doubt that.
JESS: A little hostile aren't we?
LUKE: Shut up.
JESS: [Knowingly] Why would you be so prickly?
LUKE: My horoscope sucked.
JESS: Now I sit here and inventory your life…there's the diner…there's me…and there's Lorelai.
LUKE: I mean it, Jess, shut the hell up.
JESS: The diner's fine…I'm my usual sunshine-y self…which leaves just one third unaccounted for.
LUKE: Lorelai does not constitute one third of my life.
JESS: You're right. More like a half.
LUKE: Hardly an eighth—why the hell am I debating this with you?
JESS: You want to.
LUKE: Ridiculous.
JESS: So you're in a funk because Lorelai's dating someone.
LUKE: I'm not in a funk, and I don't care.
JESS: No?
LUKE: No.
JESS: This little mood started the day she and Suit came in here.
LUKE: There is no mood!
JESS: There's a mood. A big one. Even Rory noticed.
LUKE: Oh yeah?
JESS: The pie.
LUKE: For God's sake.
JESS: Rory figured it out.
LUKE: She didn't figure anything out. There's nothing to figure out.
JESS: So you're just going to let her date this guy?
LUKE: Oh, since I have control over her mind.
JESS: He's taking Rory out for the day today.
LUKE: So? Afraid he's going to steal her away from your charms?
JESS: So it means that he and Lorelai are serious.
LUKE: I don't care.
JESS: Bull. You've been pining for Lorelai—
LUKE: I don't pine!
JESS: Ever since I can remember and definitely before and you can't even tell her how you feel.
LUKE: You are so out of line here.
JESS: Christ, someone needed to say it.
LUKE: Jess, shut up.
JESS: If you never tell her how you feel, she's gonna end up marrying some guy and you'll pine for your entire life.
LUKE: Just get downstairs.
JESS: Hey, don't follow my advice. But don't say I didn't say something.
LUKE: Out!
[JESS leaves. LUKE leans on the table and hangs his head as "Needle in the Hay" by Elliot Smith plays]
[Fourth commercial break]
[Int. Luke's Diner. LUKE is behind the counter when LORELAI walks in, grinning]
LUKE: You want coffee?
LORELAI: You should sit down.
LUKE: These shoes are guaranteed to hold me up. You want coffee or what?
LORELAI: I have news!
LUKE: [Unenthusiastically] Great.
LORELAI: Aw, come on Luke, don't you want to hear?
LUKE: I just want to hear whether or not you want your damn coffee.
LORELAI: [Hurt] Wow. Fine. Coffee—to go, please.
LUKE: Great. [He pours her a cup and slams it down] Buck thirty.
LORELAI: What's with the mood, Rochester?
LUKE: There's no mood.
LORELAI: There's definitely a mood. There's been a mood for a while now, and I'd like to know what caused it. I haven't gone off on Jess lately.
LUKE: You should apply for sainthood.
LORELAI: What did I do?
LUKE: You know what? Nothing. You didn't do anything.
LORELAI: Did Rachel call or something?
LUKE: No one called.
LORELAI: So that's the reason.
[LUKE slams down his rag and marches upstairs. LORELAI looks around the diner, confused. JESS just raises his eyebrows. LORELAI goes upstairs]
LORELAI: [Calling through the door] Luke?
LUKE: [Opens the door] So what, now you can't give me peace in my own house?
LORELAI: I just came up to see what was wrong.
LUKE: Nothing. Now go.
LORELAI: You opened the door. On some level, you wanted to see me.
LUKE: Got that right.
LORELAI: What?
LUKE: You just never picked up on it before.
LORELAI: [Confused] Luke—what?
LUKE: You never even noticed. Was it because you didn't want to notice?
LORELAI: Notice what?
LUKE: You think I—I fix your inn because I want to? Is that it, Lorelai?
LORELAI: I could pay you if you—
LUKE: You think I just enjoy spending my Saturday mornings on your roof?
LORELAI: I thought—
LUKE: You think I get thrills out of looking for your lost chick? Or painting my own diner? Or making disgusting Santa burgers?
LORELAI: [Getting it] Oh, Luke.
LUKE: Now, the least you could do is thank me. But I didn't even need that.
LORELAI: Luke, I—
LUKE: I mean, Jesus, Lorelai. After all these years, I thought you might get the hint. I thought it might dawn on you, but I've finally got the answer.
LORELAI: Luke, that's—
LUKE: You just like having a reserve guy.
LORELAI: What?!
LUKE: I would always be there waiting for you if it didn't work out with Max or Chris or Grayer. I was your safety net.
LORELAI: You're my friend.
LUKE: That's your motto, isn't it, Lorelai? But really, in the back of your mind, you're thinking, "Well, if mystery man #4 falls through the cracks, at least I'll always have Luke."
LORELAI: That is not true.
LUKE: No, Lorelai?
LORELAI: No.
LUKE: Then how come you got jealous over Rachel?
LORELAI: I did not get jealous! I tried to convince you to let her stay.
LUKE: I saw your face.
LORELAI: You see it everyday.
LUKE: And on those days, it looked jealous.
LORELAI: What do you want me to say, Luke?
LUKE: I want you to say that you were stringing me along all these years.
LORELAI: That's not the truth.
LUKE: It's the truth, Lorelai. You know it.
LORELAI: Luke, please.
LUKE: Please what? Fix your refrigerator tomorrow?
LORELAI: You can't possibly believe this.
LUKE: I didn't want to.
LORELAI: Then don't!
LUKE: It's not that easy.
[Pause]
LUKE: Do you have feelings for me…at all?
LORELAI: [Quietly] Yes.
LUKE: [Sighs] Lorelai…
LORELAI: I'm so sorry, Luke.
LUKE: We can…if you want to…I mean…
LORELAI: [Smiles sadly] I want to, Luke. I just—
LUKE: Can't.
LORELAI: Luke, you deserve someone amazing. Someone who's a lot better at relationships than I am.
LUKE: Look, fine. Just…know that if you break up with Grayer…I won't be here waiting.
LORELAI: Okay. That's—that's fair.
LUKE: Okay.
LORELAI: I should go.
LUKE: Right.
[LORELAI looks like she's going to say something, but just nods and turns away from the door. "Hannah Hold On" by The Get-Up Kids starts playing. LUKE watches her walk down a couple stairs, then shuts the door and leans against it. LORELAI runs down the stairs and out the door, trying not to cry]
[Int. Gilmore house. RORY and GRAYER are pulling up in the drive]
GRAYER: I'll never understand art.
RORY: I think the plain canvas with the spatterings of something that wasn't paint was the weirdest.
GRAYER: The Spanish should be proud.
RORY: Absolutely.
[Pause]
RORY: Thanks for taking me out.
GRAYER: It was my pleasure. I can see why your mother brags so much.
RORY: Well, I'll probably see you soon.
GRAYER: I imagine.
[They smile at each other and RORY climbs out. He sees that she gets in and drives away]
[Cut to RORY entering the house]
RORY: Mom? Mom? Are you home?
[She walks into the living room and finds LORELAI crying on the couch]
RORY: Mom?
[RORY sits next to LORELAI and strokes her hair]
RORY: What happened?
[LORELAI shakes her head]
LORELAI: Don't be like me.
RORY: What?
LORELAI: Luke.
RORY: Mom, are you okay?
LORELAI: Rory, did I string Luke along?
[RORY is silent]
LORELAI: Oh, God.
RORY: You didn't do it on purpose.
LORELAI: I hurt him so much.
RORY: Did you guys have a fight?
LORELAI: I don't want to talk about it.
RORY: Okay. Do you want me to run and get ice cream?
LORELAI: And some banana bread.
RORY: [Kisses her mom's head] Okay. I'll be right back.
LORELAI: I love you, kid.
RORY: I love you too, Mom.
[LORELAI lays on the couch as a tear drips down her face]
[Int. Doose's. RORY is walking down an aisle with a shopping basket on her arm. She rounds the corner and literally runs into DEAN]
DEAN: Oh, ah, sorry.
RORY: No, it was my fault. I have poor corner-turning skills. The driver's ed teacher told me so. He said I went too fast around the corners and that I should wait until the wheels are straight to accelerate—
DEAN: Hey, no injuries here.
RORY: Right, that's a plus.
[Pause]
RORY: I should get my mom's ice cream.
DEAN: Something wrong?
RORY: What?
DEAN: Is something wrong with your mom?
RORY: Why?
DEAN: Ice cream.
RORY: Oh, she and Luke had a fight.
DEAN: Oh.
RORY: Yeah, oh.
[Pause]
DEAN: How's…Jess?
RORY: He's fine. How's Sarah?
DEAN: She's fine.
RORY: Oh, good. Good. [She nods]
DEAN: This is weird.
RORY: Yeah.
[Pause]
RORY: Ice cream.
DEAN: Right. See you…around.
RORY: Yeah. [She smiles forcedly]
[RORY turns the corner. DEAN pauses for a moment, then goes back to stocking]
[Cut to RORY in the back by the ice cream. She ponders for a while, wondering what flavor to get. When she turns, she sees LUKE by the produce. She has to walk past him to get to the check out]
LUKE: Oh, hey, Rory.
RORY: Hi, Luke.
LUKE: Ice cream.
RORY: A Gilmore staple. It's pretty much it's own food pyramid. We can divide it into categories and subcategories.
LUKE: Ah.
RORY: Celery.
LUKE: Part of the real food pyramid.
RORY: Right, healthy food.
[Pause]
RORY: Mom's waiting.
LUKE: Oh. Uh, see you around.
RORY: Probably tomorrow.
LUKE: Right, probably tomorrow.
[LUKE goes back to selecting produce, visibly shaken]
[Int. Gilmore house. RORY enters with the requested items. LORELAI is still lying on the couch]
RORY: I'm back.
LORELAI: What flavor?
RORY: Chunky Monkey.
LORELAI: Good choice.
RORY: Yeah.
LORELAI: So, that was a long trip.
RORY: Yeah, I ran into Dean, and then there was the long debate between Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey.
LORELAI: Oh.
RORY: I'm going to get a spoon.
LORELAI: Thanks.
[RORY exits. LORELAI picks up the carton and opens it. RORY returns with the spoon]
RORY: Here you go.
[LORELAI eats for a minute]
LORELAI: So, we took the inn.
RORY: No!
LORELAI: Yeah, it's ours.
RORY: You just…bought it?
LORELAI: Sookie's mother-in-law pitched in.
RORY: That was nice.
LORELAI: It's only the beginning. Construction in going to cost us a fortune.
RORY: [Without thinking] Maybe Luke would help with some of it.
[Silence]
RORY: Sorry.
LORELAI: No, no big deal.
RORY: Are we still going to go to Luke's?
LORELAI: Sure we are.
RORY: Maybe I could ask Jess to serve us for a while.
LORELAI: I'm not going to avoid him. There's…no reason to.
RORY: Oh. Okay.
[Pause]
LORELAI: Would you ask him?
RORY: Next time I see him.
LORELAI: Thanks.
[LORELAI takes another big bite of ice cream. RORY digs out the banana bread and takes a bite]
LORELAI: So, how did your day with Grayer go?
RORY: Fine.
LORELAI: Just fine?
RORY: Yeah. Nothing too eventful. We ate. We made fun of modern art. We came home.
LORELAI: Sounds fun.
RORY: It was.
LORELAI: So, you like him?
RORY: Yeah.
LORELAI: Good.
[They lapse into silence]
RORY: Yeah. Good.
[LORELAI takes another bite of ice cream. RORY chews more bread]
[Int. bridge. It's late at night. RORY walks up to JESS, who's reading. "The Look of Love" by Diana Krall plays in the background]
JESS: Hey.
[RORY doesn't reply. She just walks up and kisses him. JESS is so surprised, he drops his book in the lake and wraps his arms around her]
RORY: Hi.
JESS: Uh, hi. What was that for?
RORY: That was hello.
JESS: That's the new international symbol for hello?
RORY: Yep. Next time you see Taylor…
JESS: Didn't he tell you about last week in his stock room?
RORY: [Laughs] Oh, you were the one who answered his personal ad.
JESS: What can I say? Cardigans turn me on.
RORY: I'll keep that in mind.
[Their smiles fade slowly as they kiss again]
JESS: What happened to the cap on kissing?
RORY: I changed my mind.
JESS: Good. Even though you made me drop my book in the lake.
[RORY smiles and presses against his side. He puts his arm around her shoulders]
RORY: Luke and Mom had a fight.
JESS: Oh?
RORY: Yeah. She's really upset.
JESS: Am I on her bad side again?
RORY: I don't think it was about you.
JESS: Ah.
RORY: What?
JESS: What?
RORY: That was a knowing "ah."
JESS: I drew my own conclusions.
RORY: And what were they?
JESS: Luke finally came clean and Lorelai couldn't handle it.
RORY: How would you know?
JESS: I have supernatural powers. [He kisses her cheek]
RORY: Jess?
JESS: Yes?
RORY: Sorry about the other night.
JESS: No big deal.
RORY: Really?
JESS: Really.
RORY: Okay. [She leans her head on his shoulder] I ran into Dean at the market.
JESS: A likely location.
RORY: It was weird.
JESS: It's supposed to be.
RORY: Yeah?
JESS: Yeah.
RORY: Good.
JESS: Good?
RORY: I didn't do anything wrong.
JESS: [Chuckles] Oh, for once.
RORY: Hey. [She smiles and kisses his jaw]
JESS: So how was your day with Suit?
RORY: His name's Grayer.
JESS: He looks like a Suit.
RORY: It was fine.
JESS: Good.
[Pause]
JESS: It's late.
RORY: I know.
[The camera slowly zooms out on them sitting together on the bridge]
[Int. Gilmore house. Early morning. "The Long Day is Over" by Norah Jones plays. LORELAI creeps down the stairs and into RORY'S room. She shoves RORY aside in bed and lays down]
RORY: [Mumbling] Mom.
LORELAI: Hey.
RORY: What're you doing?
LORELAI: Couldn't sleep.
RORY: Still Luke?
LORELAI: Did I make a mistake?
RORY: It'll work out.
LORELAI: Rory, answer me.
RORY: Well, what exactly did he say?
LORELAI: He said… [Trails off]
RORY: Go back to sleep, Mom.
[LORELAI snuggles next to RORY and shuts her eyes. RORY curls into her mom]
[Int. Luke's Diner. LUKE is awake, staring at the ceiling. JESS comes in]
JESS: Aren't you supposed to be up?
[LUKE says nothing]
JESS: The people are going to start coming. It's Sunday morning.
[LUKE says nothing]
JESS: I guess I'll just open up, then.
[LUKE rolls over and stares out the window]
[Int. Gilmore house. RORY'S bedroom. She and LORELAI are still sleeping as the sun comes up]
[End of episode]