"Chasing Rainbows"
A/N: Dedicated to Hadar and Kate for reading this and giving me invaluable feedback. Also, thanks to the Gilmore Girls fanfiction thread for their wonderful-ness. And especially thanks to my reviewers. I love you guys.
Featured Music:
"Mack the Knife," Ella Fitzgerald
"Save Me," Aimee Mann
"You've Got a Friend," James Taylor
ANNOUNCER: Previously on Gilmore Girls…
[Cut to LORELAI and GRAYER]
LORELAI: Wow, meeting the parents.
GRAYER: It won't be a big deal. Dinner, drinks…
LORELAI: …massacre.
[Cut to PARIS and RORY on the phone]
PARIS: He said he wanted to do it again.
RORY: He…oh. Joel said he wanted to go out again?
PARIS: Yes. We made plans for next week.
RORY: Well…great, Paris.
PARIS: But I said I couldn't.
[Cut to LIZ and LUKE on the phone]
LUKE: Is there something you want me to tell him?
LIZ: Could you just mention that I called?
LUKE: Sure.
LIZ: And have him call me back.
LUKE: Yeah, right.
[Cut to RORY and LORELAI on the couch]
RORY: Okay. Does the construction company take it in increments?
LORELAI: Yes. There's one mondo one, two enormous ones, or three gigantic ones.
RORY: No monthly-type plan?
LORELAI: No.
RORY: Well, there's always…
LORELAI: What?
RORY: Luke. Luke and the town.
[Int. Gilmore house. Morning. RORY and LORELAI are huddled around the coffee maker, waiting for it to produce coffee]
RORY: We need a faster coffee maker.
LORELAI: They don't come any faster than Bunns.
RORY: Michael Johnson should make coffee makers.
LORELAI: Coffee in four-point-nine seconds flat.
RORY: This one takes three whole minutes.
LORELAI: My parents are sadists. The only people who would wrench us out of bed at seven on a Saturday are sadists. And the people doing the wrenching are my parents. So they're sadists.
RORY: You just might impress a college scout with that logic. [She pulls her mug out from under the drip and sips] Ahh.
LORELAI: Ahh.
RORY: [Checks her watch] Uh-oh.
LORELAI: What?
RORY: Mom, they're late.
LORELAI: Oh dear God. [She looks under the sink] I just saw the apocalypse.
RORY: Late.
LORELAI: Wow, the apocalypse is a really ugly shade of green.
RORY: Late.
LORELAI: And ouch, those orange accessories don't do anything for its coloring.
[A horn sounds outside]
RORY: And they're honking!
LORELAI: I hope the apocalypse can keep its spandex shorts on when it gets mad.
RORY: Let's not stick around to find out.
LORELAI: Good idea.
[They grab their purses and go out to the car, where RICHARD and EMILY are sitting]
RICHARD: [Cheerfully] Good morning.
RORY: Morning, Grandpa.
LORELAI: You're late.
EMILY: There was traffic.
LORELAI: At seven A.M. on a Saturday?
EMILY: Yes, Lorelai.
RICHARD: Construction again.
LORELAI: I'll have you know that your apocalypse is getting angry. [Deepens voice] Apocalypse mad!
EMILY: Lorelai, for heaven's sake.
RORY: So how long does it take to get to New Haven?
EMILY: Well, if that dreadful construction is still going on, it could be forty-five minutes.
RORY: That's not so bad.
LORELAI: Forty-five minutes until boredom.
RICHARD: Now, Lorelai, the Yale campus is a wonderful place.
LORELAI: Not as wonderful as my bed.
EMILY: Oh, it won't be as bad as you think.
LORELAI: Oh no?
EMILY: We're going out for breakfast.
LORELAI: At a place with good coffee, I hope.
EMILY: I'm sure their coffee is fine.
LORELAI: Dad, turn here.
RICHARD: What? This isn't the way out of town.
LORELAI: It's a … shortcut.
RICHARD: Well. [He turns]
LORELAI: Now a right.
EMILY: Lorelai, we're headed for the center of town.
LORELAI: Right there! Stop! [RICHARD brakes] Be back in a second. [LORELAI hops out of the car towards Luke's]
EMILY: I don't see how this is a shortcut.
RICHARD: It certainly seems to be a rather self-serving shortcut.
RORY: Mom and I use this one all the time.
RICHARD: Really?
RORY: Every morning.
RICHARD: Well, then.
[LORELAI comes back out holding a tray of four coffees and climbs in the backseat]
EMILY: Lorelai, no coffee in the car.
LORELAI: I brought napkins! [Brandishes napkins]
EMILY: No coffee in the car.
LORELAI: Come on, Mom. You yourself said it could be forty-five minutes until we get there. Rory and I will die.
RORY: Yep.
EMILY: Oh, fine. Drink it. But don't spill.
LORELAI: [Grins. To RORY] Apocalypse happy.
[Opening credits]
[First commercial break]
[Int. Yale campus. RORY, LORELAI, RICHARD, and EMILY are walking around. RICHARD looks pleased. RORY looks awed. EMILY looks smug. LORELAI looks tired]
RICHARD: And that's where I roomed! Right there.
RORY: Really?
EMILY: The most awful roommate.
RICHARD: [Chuckles] Oh, Emily, Allan was fine.
EMILY: Fine if you liked crude conversation.
LORELAI: I would love to meet Allan.
RICHARD: Ah, he's a television producer now.
RORY: What was he majoring in?
RICHARD: [Grins] Law.
RORY: Oh.
EMILY: No sense of direction either.
RORY: Did you live on campus the whole time you went here?
RICHARD: Oh, yes. A lot of people do. It's a wonderful environment.
LORELAI: But you don't have to.
RICHARD: Just your freshman year, unless they've changed it.
RORY: They haven't.
RICHARD: You've done your research.
EMILY: She is your granddaughter.
RICHARD: True. [Points] That's the theater building. I played Macbeth one year.
EMILY: All the girls were after him.
RICHARD: Oh, come now, Emily.
EMILY: But he was all mine.
RORY: Did you play any other parts?
RICHARD: Small ones. I was very focused on my studies.
EMILY: [Laughs]
LORELAI: I sense a secret.
EMILY: Richard, I never saw you with a book open.
RICHARD: [Indignantly] I had plenty of open books.
EMILY: Not that I saw.
RICHARD: Well, you weren't there all the time.
LORELAI: Admit it, Dad. You were a slacker.
RICHARD: I was most certainly not a "slacker."
EMILY: I seem to remember one or two early-morning calculus courses slipping by.
RORY: You cut class, Grandpa?
EMILY: He hated math.
RICHARD: I didn't hate it. It's unjust to schedule a class before ten A.M.
LORELAI: You get up at a quarter to six, Dad.
RICHARD: Well, I'm more mature now.
EMILY: Your father hated getting up early.
RORY: Really.
RICHARD: Why get up early for calculus?
EMILY: I don't think you're being a good influence on Rory.
RICHARD: Rory can understand. [He nudges RORY, who smiles at him]
LORELAI: Just say it, Dad: she's hung around me.
RORY: That's true, Grandpa.
RICHARD: Ah, look! The music building. I used to be part of a singing ensemble.
LORELAI: That's where I got my wonderful musical talent.
RICHARD: Blame your mother for that. She can't carry a tune.
EMILY: I most certainly can!
LORELAI: Come on, Mom, sing.
EMILY: Here?
LORELAI: Yeah, with all the birds listening.
RORY: Come on, Grandma.
EMILY: [Singing uncertainly] "Oh the shark bites with his teeth dear and he shows them pearly white—"
LORELAI: Oh my God, you're right.
RICHARD: I told you.
RORY: It wasn't that bad, Grandma.
EMILY: Thank you, Rory.
LORELAI: Liar.
RORY: Mom.
RICHARD: My favorite library.
EMILY: He was always in here.
LORELAI: I thought you said he never had a book open.
EMILY: I didn't say he had a book. He was just in here.
RICHARD: Lovely place. [They walk up to the door, which is locked] Well, it is their Christmas break.
RORY: It looks like you need a student ID to get in.
RICHARD: Well, we'll browse next fall.
[LORELAI purses her lips and looks away. RORY sees this but smiles at her grandfather]
RORY: Yep.
EMILY: They have so many books in this institution.
LORELAI: Harvard has millions.
RICHARD: As does Yale.
LORELAI: Harvard has the largest private library in the world.
RORY: But Yale's is big, too. Hey Grandpa, did you play sports at Yale?
RICHARD: Well, I golfed a great deal, but not for a team.
EMILY: He could have been a varsity golfer.
RICHARD: But I didn't want to join a sports organization.
RORY: Why not?
RICHARD: Too time-consuming. I was more of a debater, myself.
RORY: I like debate.
EMILY: It's a wonderful activity.
LORELAI: Especially when you see all the research.
RICHARD: Extemporaneous debate is the way to go.
RORY: Really?
RICHARD: It keeps your intellect very sharp.
EMILY: Oh, Richard, look! The rose garden. [EMILY points to a greenhouse-type structure]
RICHARD: Ah, yes.
RORY: Rose garden?
RICHARD: Horticultural club. At least, that's who tended it when I went here. Let's see if we can have a look.
[They all walk up to the rose garden, which is open. Even LORELAI looks impressed. "Mack the Knife" by Ella Fitzgerald starts playing]
RORY: Wow.
RICHARD: Isn't it lovely?
EMILY: Your grandfather and I used to come here a lot. It's even lovelier in the springtime.
RORY: I bet. This looks like a great place to read.
LORELAI: A little…steamy.
RICHARD: You get used to it.
LORELAI: It'll wilt your book.
RORY: I don't think so.
EMILY: This is still so lovely. It's good they've kept this up.
RICHARD: It's a lovely tradition.
LORELAI: [To herself] And we love tradition.
[Int. Yale campus. Late morning/early afternoon.]
RICHARD: I propose lunch.
LORELAI: I wholeheartedly concur.
RORY: Me too.
EMILY: Lunch sounds lovely.
RICHARD: Well, there's a café about a mile from here. We could walk.
EMILY: Richard, it's the middle of winter. That's ridiculous.
RICHARD: Oh, Emily.
LORELAI: Come on, Dad, it's freezing.
EMILY: Thank you, Lorelai.
RICHARD: [Disappointed] Well, I guess we can drive.
[They climb into the car, where EMILY turns the heat on]
EMILY: It's so cold out.
LORELAI: That's winter for you.
RICHARD: This is a wonderful little café. I used to go here all the time in college.
LORELAI: Uh, are you sure it's still around?
RICHARD: Of course I'm sure.
LORELAI: [Doubtfully] Okay…
RORY: Didn't you eat in the cafeteria?
RICHARD: Sometimes. But it was pleasant to come to this place for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I think you'll like it too.
RORY: Optimal reading environment?
RICHARD: Perfect. Which reminds me, I have a collection of Steinbeck short novels I think you'll like in my study.
RORY: [Enthusiastically] Thanks, Grandpa.
RICHARD: Here we are.
LORELAI: It's very…small.
RICHARD: I didn't say it was fancy.
EMILY: Richard, we can't eat here.
RICHARD: It's perfectly fine.
EMILY: It looks filthy.
RICHARD: It's clean.
LORELAI: Do they serve coffee?
RICHARD: Yes.
RORY: I like it.
RICHARD: Well, good.
[They walk inside, EMILY going in last and looking disgusted. RICHARD picks out a window table]
EMILY: Where is the host?
RICHARD: No host.
LORELAI: [Taking a menu from the center of the table] I like this place.
RICHARD: I'm glad.
RORY: [Taking a menu for herself] It's perfect.
EMILY: It's a bit…dark. [She also reaches for a menu]
RICHARD: Not on a sunnier day.
EMILY: And this glass looks filmy.
LORELAI: Then ask them for another one.
EMILY: God knows what they'll do to that.
RICHARD: Now, Emily.
LORELAI: I never envisioned you coming here, Dad.
RICHARD: You'd be surprised.
RORY: You came here a lot?
RICHARD: Quite a lot.
EMILY: My goodness.
[WAITER comes up]
WAITER: What can I get you?
RICHARD: Do you still have your cream of mushroom and brown rice dish?
WAITER: Yes we do.
RICHARD: I'll have that.
LORELAI: I will have a cheeseburger, fries, coffee and a piece of apple pie.
RORY: Same for me.
EMILY: [After a pause] Just some chicken noodle soup, please.
WAITER: Cup or bowl?
EMILY: You serve soup in a cup? [She shoots RICHARD a look] I'll have a bowl.
WAITER: Okay, then. [Exits]
LORELAI: This might be the best eatery in New Haven.
RORY: It's reminiscent of Luke's.
LORELAI: But not quite Luke's.
RORY: Will the real Luke's please stand up?
EMILY: What on earth are you two talking about?
LORELAI: And there's no Jess here.
[Silence]
RORY: I hope their coffee's good.
RICHARD: It is.
LORELAI: It was. Thirty-five years ago.
EMILY: I wonder if it's sanitary in that kitchen.
RICHARD: I'm sure it is, Emily.
RORY: The health board would be in here if it weren't.
RICHARD: Quite right.
RORY: Thanks for this trip, Grandpa.
RICHARD: It was no trouble.
EMILY: None at all, dear.
LORELAI: Well, it could have been later in the morning.
[All three look at her]
RORY: I'll have to come here.
RICHARD: Glad I could recommend it.
EMILY: Rory, dear, don't you want something a bit…cleaner?
RORY: I like it here.
LORELAI: It's my influence.
RORY: Was it like this when you went to school, Grandpa?
RICHARD: Well, they had different furniture…different wait staff…but yes, it's quite close.
RORY: Did you come here with friends?
RICHARD: It's kind of a solitary café.
RORY: True.
EMILY: My God. This tablecloth is filthy.
[LORELAI rolls her eyes. RICHARD smiles indulgently. RORY giggles]
[Int. Gilmore house. Afternoon. RICHARD and EMILY'S car pulls up and RORY and LORELAI start getting out]
RORY: Thank you both.
EMILY: It was our pleasure.
RICHARD: Good to see the old campus again.
LORELAI: Yeah, thanks, Mom, Dad.
EMILY: We'll see you on Friday.
RICHARD: Ah, yes. Jorina and Jacob are still planning on dinner?
LORELAI: As far as I know.
EMILY: We're looking forward to it.
LORELAI: I'm sure you are, Mom.
[RORY gently shoves LORELAI out]
RORY: Bye Grandma, Grandpa.
RICHARD: Goodbye.
[RORY and LORELAI go up the steps and into the house as RICHARD and EMILY pull away]
LORELAI: That was awful.
RORY: I thought it was kind of fun.
LORELAI: You would, bookworm.
RORY: Come on, it wasn't that bad.
LORELAI: I should have stayed home with the apocalypse.
RORY: Fine, don't admit it.
LORELAI: Six straight hours of my parents…makes me wonder how I lived.
RORY: I imagine that lots of caffeine was involved.
LORELAI: [smiling wistfully] Until I discovered the Valium.
RORY: That must have been a great day.
LORELAI: Small nations still celebrate it.
RORY: I think I'm gonna meet Jess.
LORELAI: I should get to the inn.
RORY: Bye, Mom. [RORY kisses her on the cheek]
LORELAI: Bye, hon. Movies tonight?
RORY: Yeah. Whatever you want.
LORELAI: I'll get some on my way home.
RORY: Hey, Mom?
LORELAI: Yeah?
RORY: Did you ever think about the construction?
LORELAI: [smiles tightly] Yeah, I'm working on it.
RORY: Good. Bye, then.
LORELAI: Have fun.
[RORY waves on her way out the door and LORELAI sighs and slumps on the couch, her head in her hands]
[Int. Independence Inn. LORELAI walks in, dressed in different clothes for work. MICHEL is at the desk, looking bored]
LORELAI: Hey, Michel.
MICHEL: Finally you are back.
LORELAI: What's been happening?
MICHEL: Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
LORELAI: Well, then, that can't be all bad.
MICHEL: I have seen the same guests over and over again.
LORELAI: Then you'll have great descriptions for the police report.
MICHEL: And Sookie will not make me a simple tossed salad…a little Romaine lettuce, some cherry tomatoes, baked, sliced turkey, fat-free bran croutons…it is not so much to ask.
LORELAI: Go to Luke's.
MICHEL: That disgusting greasy place?
LORELAI: Or stay here.
[LORELAI takes a large black folder and goes back into the kitchen where SOOKIE is preparing dinner]
SOOKIE: Aah! You're back. How was it?
LORELAI: Both painful and hideous.
SOOKIE: Oh, tell.
LORELAI: Sookie, six hours with my parents.
SOOKIE: You had Rory.
LORELAI: She was too busy oohing and aahing over the campus with my dad.
SOOKIE: At least she liked it.
LORELAI: She would have liked Harvard too.
SOOKIE: Ah, hon, I think you just need to let the Harvard thing go.
LORELAI: [Sighs] I know. It's tough, though. It's like my parents are invading my life again. And my dad took us to this tiny little hole-in-the-wall café and Rory loved it.
SOOKIE: So?
LORELAI: So they're luring her over to the dark side!
SOOKIE: In a café?
LORELAI: [Imitating RICHARD] "Glad I could recommend it."
SOOKIE: Lorelai, Rory's always going to like you best.
LORELAI: [Pauses] I know. It's just…I hate seeing her slip into my parents' life so easily.
SOOKIE: She loves you.
LORELAI: Maybe I'm overreacting just a little.
SOOKIE: A smidge.
LORELAI: So, what's cooking? No tossed salads, I take it.
SOOKIE: [Smiles] Actually, I'm making a nice one tonight. Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, baked, sliced turkey, some croutons…
[Fade out on LORELAI and SOOKIE talking in the kitchen]
[Second commercial break]
[Int. Chilton. Monday morning. RORY is at her locker when PARIS walks up]
PARIS: I saw him again.
RORY: Saw…oh, Joel.
PARIS: Yes, Joel.
RORY: So…how was it?
PARIS: Good.
RORY: Just good?
PARIS: Okay, perfect.
RORY: Good. What did you do?
PARIS: We went skiing.
RORY: Wow. I didn't know you skied.
PARIS: My parents took me every winter.
RORY: Oh.
PARIS: And he's taking me to New York to see Rockefeller Center over break.
RORY: That's really great, Paris.
PARIS: Yeah.
[They start walking to class]
PARIS: [con't] What are you doing?
RORY: Over break?
PARIS: Yeah.
RORY: Just hanging out at home.
PARIS: Oh.
RORY: The town usually has a Christmas festival.
PARIS: Right.
[Pause]
RORY: So, how bad do you think this AP bio final is going to be?
PARIS: I studied.
RORY: So did I.
PARIS: So we're prepared.
RORY: Right. It's just, you know, finals are usually hard.
PARIS: Finals are hard to the people who don't bother to crack a textbook all semester, much less study for the exam.
RORY: Okay then.
[They turn into the classroom and take seats across from each other. MADELINE and LOUISE start walking in]
PARIS: Hey, Rory? Could you do me a favor?
RORY: Sure.
PARIS: Don't mention Joel to Madeline or Louise.
RORY: Okay.
PARIS: Good.
[MADELINE and LOUISE sit down, making a square of RORY, PARIS, MADELINE and LOUISE]
LOUISE: And then it was the bathroom floor.
MADELINE: My God, wasn't that uncomfortable?
LOUISE: My back wasn't the same all weekend.
MADELINE: Wow.
LOUISE: But the rugs in the basement gave me this awful rug burn. [She turns and MADELINE lifts her sweater and shirt up just a little in the back]
MADELINE: Ouch.
[LOUISE turns back around]
LOUISE: But when you just can't resist someone…
PARIS: So I guess you had an interesting weekend, Louise.
LOUISE: I sure did. [Smirks] And how about you, Paris? I bet you studied hard for this test.
PARIS: Of course.
MADELINE: I studied.
RORY: I did too.
LOUISE: I had more…pressing matters to attend to.
PARIS: I imagine.
LOUISE: I don't think you'd quite understand.
RORY: [Obviously averting an argument] What's everyone doing over break?
MADELINE: My stepdad's taking us to Hawaii.
LOUISE: I've got…plans.
PARIS: Oh, what? A field somewhere?
LOUISE: And I'll bet you're going to do something really exciting.
PARIS: [Looking at RORY] I'm going to New York.
MADELINE: Really? Why?
PARIS: Just vacation.
LOUISE: [Sneering] With your parents?
PARIS: [Still looking at RORY] Yeah.
LOUISE: Ah.
RORY: I bet it'll be fun, though.
PARIS: I think it will.
[They smile at each other]
LOUISE: And what about you, Rory? Tending to the farm?
RORY: You're in luck. We've got plenty of nice open fields.
[MADELINE giggles. PARIS smirks. LOUISE grins]
[Int. Independence Inn. LORELAI is leaning on the counter, talking on the phone]
LORELAI: Look, I understand, but I really need this construction…Okay, sir, see, I see where you have qualms, but this inn will be up and running and profitable in no time. See, our chef is Sookie St. James, who's one of the best chefs on the East Coast…Right, okay, but…No, I understand. But I do believe that we could have this loan paid back in full in less than two years…Well, yes, I realize that's a pretty, uh, "cocky" estimation, but this inn can't help but be successful…Okay. Right…Thanks for your time.
[LORELAI hangs up, sighs, and goes into the kitchen]
LORELAI: [con't] Well, another one bites the dust.
SOOKIE: Oh, poor girl.
LORELAI: Sinking to using Queen references.
SOOKIE: Is that all of them?
LORELAI: There's a promising place on the Internet that tells me that for a small fee, I can have someone else's identity.
SOOKIE: Worth a try, I guess.
LORELAI: I hope I get to pick my identity. I don't want to be Tom Daschle.
SOOKIE: [Giggles] Or Michael Jackson.
LORELAI: Ew.
SOOKIE: [Serious] So what are we going to do?
LORELAI: Just…let me think a little.
SOOKIE: Are you going to ask your parents?
LORELAI: Not just yet.
SOOKIE: Well, get back to me.
LORELAI: I will.
[LORELAI goes back out into the lobby, which is totally deserted. She stands in the middle of it while the camera pulls away]
[Int. Luke's. Early evening. JESS is upstairs reading when the phone rings]
JESS: Hello? [Silence] Hello?
LIZ: Hi.
JESS: Oh.
LIZ: Hi. [JESS says nothing] How are you?
JESS: [Stiffly] Fine.
LIZ: That's good. [Pause] And Luke?
JESS: Same.
LIZ: And, um, Rory?
JESS: Good.
LIZ: Well, good.
JESS: What do you want?
LIZ: I just wanted to talk to you.
JESS: Oh, uh-huh.
LIZ: See how school's going.
JESS: Fine.
LIZ: Luke tells me you're doing really well.
JESS: Fine.
LIZ: He said you've only got one C.
JESS: Yep.
LIZ: That's great.
JESS: I guess.
LIZ: So, how's Stars Hollow?
JESS: [Sarcastically] Really super.
LIZ: Do you like it?
JESS: Whatever.
LIZ: [Clears her throat] Do you want to…come back? To New York?
JESS: [Pause] No.
LIZ: Oh. Okay.
JESS: Why are you calling, Mom?
LIZ: I just wanted to see how you were doing.
JESS: Now?
LIZ: Well, yes.
JESS: You don't call for months and now you want to see how I'm doing.
LIZ: Jess. Don't be like this.
JESS: Like what?
LIZ: Like you.
JESS: Nice talking to you.
LIZ: Wait!
JESS: What?
LIZ: Do you want to come visit? For Christmas? [Pause] You can take Rory with you.
JESS: No.
LIZ: It's the holidays.
JESS: That seemed to mean a lot last year.
LIZ: Jess, I was—
JESS: Busy.
LIZ: I just couldn't last year.
JESS: Well, I just can't this year.
LIZ: Luke can come too.
JESS: What, do you suddenly live in Donald Trump's apartment?
LIZ: We'd figure it out.
JESS: No.
LIZ: Don't you even want to ask Rory or Luke?
JESS: Why are you pushing this? Because as far as I can remember, you put me in this piss ant town because you didn't want anything to do with me.
LIZ: That's not true.
JESS: Yeah.
LIZ: It's not. I just couldn't handle you anymore.
JESS: Maybe if you had bothered to pay attention you could have.
LIZ: I'm sorry, all right?
JESS: Yeah, whatever.
LIZ: Jess, please come.
JESS: Now you want me there so badly you're begging.
LIZ: [Quietly] It's getting lonely.
JESS: Huh.
LIZ: Consider it.
JESS: Yeah.
LIZ: You can call me back and tell me.
JESS: Great.
LIZ: Well…
JESS: Bye.
LIZ: Merry Christmas.
JESS: Bye.
[He hangs up and tries to read but ends up just staring at the page. LUKE comes in]
LUKE: You meeting Rory tonight?
JESS: Don't know.
LUKE: Well, didn't she just call?
JESS: No.
LUKE: Who did?
JESS: Liz.
LUKE: Oh.
JESS: You're invited for Christmas.
LUKE: I'll keep that in mind.
JESS: Great.
LUKE: Jess, are you okay?
JESS: [Standing] Fine. [He starts to leave]
LUKE: Back by ten, then, I guess.
[JESS just leaves and LUKE stands in the kitchen, looking at the door, kind of troubled]
[Int. Gilmore house. Later that day. JESS walks up the stairs and knocks on the door. RORY answers]
RORY: Hi!
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Come in. I was just studying.
JESS: Of course.
RORY: You want a drink?
JESS: No thanks.
RORY: We have Pop-Tarts, an apple, and two slices of pizza.
JESS: I'm good.
RORY: Well, okay.
[She leads him to the couch. The coffee table is strewn with binders, papers, pens, highlighters, etc.]
JESS: Looks like you've been having a party.
RORY: A really great British Lit party.
JESS: Ah. Where's Lorelai?
RORY: With Grayer. She's getting, uh, briefed on dinner this week.
JESS: [Smirks] I see.
RORY: Her words, not mine.
JESS: I thought as much.
RORY: It's definitely a Lorelai thing to say.
[Pause]
JESS: What happened to Lane?
RORY: What?
JESS: I mean, she hasn't been in school lately.
RORY: Really?
JESS: Nope.
RORY: I haven't heard from her in a while.
[Silence. With all the small talk over, they just sit and look at each other until JESS leans forward and kisses RORY. They kiss becomes more and more intense until they are lying on the couch. JESS reaches for the hem of RORY'S shirt and she doesn't protest. He starts taking it off, but RORY'S eyes open and she squirms]
RORY: Jess. Stop.
[With a sigh, JESS stops and his head drops so that it lands in the hollow between her neck and shoulder]
RORY: It's not…I can't…Not now.
JESS: [From her shoulder, muffled] Fine.
RORY: Are you mad?
JESS: [Still muffled] No.
[RORY takes his chin and lifts his head up. She can tell something's wrong, but she doesn't ask and kisses him instead]
[Cut to about an hour later. RORY and JESS are still horizontal on the couch, kissing, until RORY breaks away after a minute]
RORY: Jess…
JESS: [Kissing her neck] What?
RORY: I need to study.
JESS: It's only seven-thirty.
RORY: I know, but I have a lot of ground to cover.
JESS: [Lifting his head] Come on, Rory.
RORY: Jess, I really have to study. This final is twenty percent of my grade.
JESS: Fine. [He gets off of her and she sits up]
RORY: You can stay.
JESS: Trust me, I understand when I'm not wanted.
RORY: You're wanted. [Smiling shyly] You're wanted a lot.
JESS: [Hesitant] Maybe I'll just find a book or something.
RORY: You know where they are.
JESS: Okay.
[RORY watches him disappear down the hall, a tiny smile on her face. She takes a binder and opens it, carefully highlighting her notes]
[Int. Gilmore living room. Next morning. RORY and JESS are sound asleep, RORY on the couch, JESS in the chair with a book in his lap. The phone rings, but neither hears it]
LUKE: [On the answering machine] Jess? Rory? Lorelai? You there? … Okay, well, call me. Come home, Jess.
[RORY starts to wake up slowly, unearthing herself from piles of papers, obviously groggy. She blinks and looks down at herself, still wearing yesterday's clothes. She sees JESS in the chair but it doesn't register. Yawning, she looks at her watch. Mid-yawn she quits and hops up off the couch]
RORY: [Loudly] Oh my God!
JESS: [Half-asleep, but startled] What?
RORY: It's eight-thirty. Mom? [No answer] Mom? [Still no answer]
JESS: What's going on?
[RORY runs upstairs to get her mother up, but LORELAI'S room is empty]
RORY: [Running back downstairs] Oh no. [She bolts into her room and gets dressed at warp speed then runs out into the living room and frantically stuffs things in her backpack]
JESS: [Stretching and getting up] Why the rush?
RORY: School's already started!
JESS: [Nods outside]
[RORY looks up. There's a mountain of snow, completely covering most everything. We see the Gilmore mailbox, but not the pole]
RORY: Oh…
[She stops packing her backpack and sees the machine blinking, and hits play]
LORELAI: [On machine] Hey, Rory, it's Mom. It's snowing really hard, so I think I'm going to stay at Grayer's tonight. We'll see about the morning. Study hard, sweetie.
LUKE: [On machine] Jess? Rory? Lorelai? You there? … Okay, well, call me. Come home, Jess.
RORY: I better turn on the news. [She shivers] It's cold.
[Grabbing a blanket, she motions for JESS to come sit with her on the couch. She turns on the news]
REPORTER: …one of the biggest snowstorms in Connecticut history…The Department of Transportation today advising no travel in the state—
RORY: So I guess that means no school. I've never had a snow day at Chilton.
JESS: Looks like you might get two.
RORY: After tomorrow, there's break.
JESS: So it's a long break.
RORY: What about finals?
JESS: They'll probably just waive them.
RORY: [Rolls her eyes] You better call Luke and tell him you're here.
JESS: He knows.
RORY: You should call, Jess.
JESS: In a minute…
[He leans over and aims for her lips. She smiles and lets him wrap himself around her, kissing her]
[Cut to mid-morning. JESS is digging in the Gilmores' kitchen]
JESS: Do you have any real food at all?
RORY: We used to.
JESS: And?
RORY: I think it expired about three years ago.
JESS: Come on, Rory, you have to have something. An egg.
RORY: [Looks in the fridge] Nope.
JESS: Canned soup?
RORY: Mom's afraid of the canned goods aisle ever since the clam chowder gave her a threatening look.
JESS: Did it ever occur to your mother to get medication?
RORY: We determined that it didn't help anyway.
JESS: There has to be something. [He looks in all the cupboards and sighs] Okay, you have Pop-Tarts, coffee, stale doughnuts, Moon Pies, Twinkies, popcorn and some sort of rotting, diseased vegetable or fruit.
RORY: Oh, I've been meaning to throw that out.
JESS: What was that?
RORY: I can't remember anymore.
JESS: That's it. I'm going to Luke's and getting something.
RORY: Jess, there's four feet of snow.
JESS: It's either freeze or starve.
RORY: I'm assuming you're picking "freeze."
JESS: Yep. [He kisses her cheek] You coming?
RORY: I'm gonna stick around here in case my mom calls.
JESS: You want me to bring you something?
RORY: Please.
JESS: Okay.
[They kiss once again and he leaves. RORY throws the mystery food in the trash with a disgusted look on her face]
[Second commercial break]
[Int. Gilmore house. Same day, evening. LORELAI pulls up in the Jeep and hops out, then runs in the front door]
LORELAI: Rory!
RORY: Mom!
[They hug]
LORELAI: My baby girl!
RORY: Mom, we've been separated for less than twenty-four hours.
LORELAI: It seems like more.
RORY: College.
LORELAI: Ah! Don't. [She looks at the coffee table, which is still covered in study materials] Looks like you had fun last night.
RORY: I fell asleep about nine, I think, and when I woke up, I was all panicky because school had already started but then it was a snow day…
LORELAI: Good to get that adrenaline pumping.
RORY: How was your date?
LORELAI: Extended.
RORY: Extended good or extended bad?
LORELAI: Extended good. Really good.
RORY: Mom.
LORELAI: Babe, you've seen 9½ Weeks.
RORY: You're my mom.
LORELAI: And?
RORY: Kim Basinger isn't.
LORELAI: So, how was you day off?
RORY: Good. Peaceful. I've just been studying.
LORELAI: Sounds like a blast.
[Pause. RORY looks troubled. She bites her lip and looks sidelong at LORELAI]
RORY: Mom?
LORELAI: Yeah?
RORY: Jess spent the night.
LORELAI: I…what?
RORY: Not like that. I mean, I was studying and he was reading and we fell asleep. He was in the chair.
LORELAI: Rory, maybe you should have said that first. Now I have to listen to those commercials about prescriptions for heart conditions.
RORY: Sorry.
LORELAI: But nothing happened?
RORY: No, nothing happened.
LORELAI: Okay. Good.
RORY: And he brought breakfast.
LORELAI: He walked to Luke's? In this?
RORY: He tried to find food in here, but there isn't any.
LORELAI: We wouldn't be Gilmores if there was.
RORY: Exactly.
[Silence]
LORELAI: Hey, Rory?
RORY: Yeah?
LORELAI: [Puts her arm around RORY] Thanks for telling me.
RORY: [Resting her head on LORELAI'S shoulder] You're welcome.
[Int. Luke's. Same day, late evening. JESS is working, filling coffee, while LUKE is behind the counter. The phone rings]
LUKE: [On phone] Luke's.
LIZ: Hi.
LUKE: [Looking cautiously for JESS] Liz.
LIZ: How are you?
LUKE: Liz…?
LIZ: I called to see if Jess gave any more thought to Christmas.
LUKE: [Quietly] Liz, I don't think so.
LIZ: He's not coming.
LUKE: No.
LIZ: He hates me.
LUKE: You'd have to talk to him about that.
LIZ: He won't talk to me.
LUKE: It's busy, Liz. Now's not the time.
LIZ: Fine.
LUKE: Fine.
[He hangs up. JESS is right beside him]
JESS: She harassing you too?
LUKE: You heard that?
JESS: I'm not deaf.
LUKE: Guess the music hasn't taken full effect yet.
JESS: So?
LUKE: So what?
JESS: So what did she want?
LUKE: She wanted to know if you were coming for Christmas.
JESS: And?
LUKE: And I said no.
JESS: Good.
LUKE: She wants you to come.
JESS: Why?
LUKE: Because you're her son?
JESS: Please.
LUKE: Please what?
JESS: Please. She hasn't cared for eighteen years.
LUKE: [Sighs. Caesar hands a plate through and LUKE hands it to JESS] Table by the window.
JESS: Great. [He takes the plate and hands it to the customer, then comes back behind the counter]
LUKE: Maybe she wants to see you.
JESS: Yeah. That must be it.
LUKE: Come on, Jess.
JESS: Why?
LUKE: It's Christmas.
JESS: I'll send a card. A Hallmark one.
LUKE: Fine. Don't deal with this. That seems to be your way.
JESS: Excuse me?
LUKE: Never mind.
JESS: It's my break.
LUKE: Bye.
[JESS grabs his jacket and leaves. RORY and LORELAI walk in next, shivering]
LORELAI: [Sitting at the counter] Super-extra-hot coffee.
RORY: And make it a double.
LUKE: Here you go.
LORELAI: Ahh.
RORY: Ahh.
LUKE: Anything with that?
LORELAI: An "ooh" would be nice.
LUKE: You're on your own.
RORY: I'll have a cheeseburger.
LORELAI: And pie!
RORY: And fries.
LUKE: Got it. [He hands the order back to Caesar]
RORY: [Looking around the diner] Where's Jess?
LUKE: [Nods outside] Break.
RORY: Oh.
BABETTE: [Yelling across the diner] Lorelai!
LORELAI: [Looking at her] Be right back. Don't eat my food.
RORY: No guarantees.
[LORELAI leaves to go talk to BABETTE]
LUKE: [Uncomfortable] So, Jess spent the night.
RORY: Sorry. We fell asleep. [Pause] I was studying.
LUKE: Oh. [Sighs] He was pretty upset.
RORY: Upset?
LUKE: Oh, you know, with his mom calling all the time
RORY: [Confused, but hiding it] Right, yeah.
LUKE: Nothing, uh… [He trails off and waves his hand] He didn't…?
RORY: [Blushing] No.
[LORELAI comes back]
LORELAI: Babette and a snow blower, a combination I've tried to avoid my whole life.
RORY: That sounds about as traumatizing as Austin Powers with floss.
LORELAI: You have no idea. She was just way too in love with it. "I just love powerful machinery…"
[LORELAI'S voice fades out. RORY is staring at the wall, upset and a little angry]
[Int. Mansion. RORY and LORELAI climb out of the Jeep, looking a little nervous. RORY keeps smoothing her skirt]
RORY: I didn't think this would turn into a big…gathering.
LORELAI: Grayer said they wanted to meet you.
RORY: At least Grandma and Grandpa are here.
LORELAI: Good for you. Not for me.
RORY: Maybe we should go in.
LORELAI: We're not late yet.
RORY: Do we want to be late?
LORELAI: It's called playing hard to get.
RORY: Mom…
LORELAI: Fine.
[They walk up to the front door in silence and wait until the maid opens the door]
MAID: Rory and Lorelai?
LORELAI: Or Lorelai and Lorelai.
MAID: Come in.
[RORY and LORELAI step inside and the MAID leads them into the living room, where GRAYER, JORINA, JACOB, RICHARD and EMILY are seated]
EMILY: Lorelai, Rory! Wonderful.
GRAYER: Hi, you two. [He stands and kisses LORELAI, whispering in her ear; she grins. He leads RORY to a seat between him and LORELAI] Mom, Dad, this is Lorelai and Rory. Lorelai, Rory, these are my parents, Jorina and Jacob.
LORELAI: It's nice to meet you.
[RORY is nervous; she just smiles]
JACOB: [Chuckling] Doesn't she speak?
GRAYER: Of course she speaks.
RORY: I speak.
JORINA: Well, we've cleared that up. [She turns to EMILY and RICHARD] I didn't her remember being so…old.
LORELAI: Me? [She looks to GRAYER, who shakes his head]
EMILY: Rory…Christopher Hayden's daughter.
JORINA: Ah.
LORELAI: I don't have…other children.
JORINA: Well.
RICHARD: This Rory's as smart as a whip.
EMILY: She certainly is. She's going to Yale.
JORINA: You have connections there, am I correct, Richard?
RICHARD: Well, yes, but Rory doesn't need them. She's a four-point-oh student at Chilton.
JACOB: Excellent school. I attended many moons ago.
JORINA: Isn't that rather inconveniencing? After all, you do live in that tiny little town.
RORY: [After making sure no one else will answer] It's not so bad.
JORINA: [Smiling fakely] Well.
GRAYER: [Shooting his mother a look] So, Mother, Lorelai manages an inn.
JORINA: Yes, Emily said something about that. What is it called?
LORELAI: The Independence Inn.
JORINA: Seems rather fitting.
LORELAI: I'm sorry?
JORINA: I understand you're a very…independent girl.
GRAYER: Mother.
EMILY: Lorelai has done very well for herself.
JORINA: You must be so proud.
RICHARD: [Warningly] We are.
JACOB: Say, is dinner ready yet?
JORINA: I was having the maid set an extra place. I didn't realize that Lorelai's girl would be coming.
GRAYER: [Annoyed] Her name is Rory and she's sitting right here.
JORINA: In any event, the maid is setting a last-minute place.
EMILY: The house looks lovely, Jorina.
JORINA: Our decorator costs a fortune, it had better.
JACOB: So true.
JORINA: [To RORY, interrogatively] What do you plan to do in college?
RORY: [Caught off-guard] Oh, well, I'm planning on majoring in political science and journalism.
JORINA: To do…?
RORY: Reporting. International news reporting.
JACOB: That sounds fascinating.
JORINA: War trenches are no place for a well-bred woman.
LORELAI: No, they're a place for a smart woman.
JORINA: Are you implying that one cannot be well-bred and smart?
LORELAI: I said nothing like that.
GRAYER: Mother, stop this.
JORINA: Stop what?
GRAYER: Stop harassing Rory.
JORINA: I am merely asking the girl some questions.
GRAYER: For Christ's sake, her name is Rory.
JORINA: Rory, how do you feel about your mother giving up all her potential for you?
RORY: I—
RICHARD: That's quite enough, Jorina.
JACOB: I agree, Jorina. That was a bit harsh.
JORINA: I'm just curious.
EMILY: Rory has no fault in this situation.
LORELAI: You—
GRAYER: Let's just eat.
JORINA: I don't understand you, Grayer.
GRAYER: I know that.
JORINA: Why would you date a woman with a fully-grown child?
LORELAI: Rory is not a child anymore.
EMILY: You seemed perfectly pleased to set them up, Jorina.
JORINA: I didn't think this little…fling would last.
GRAYER: Enough!
JORINA: Dating this woman who has already marked herself scarlet with a child who dragged her away from all that is proper—
RORY: [Angry] My mother isn't "scarlet"!
LORELAI: Rory, honey, it's okay.
JORINA: Then what do you call having a child out of wedlock?
GRAYER: Jesus Christ, Mother! You said you wouldn't do this.
JORINA: Do what?
GRAYER: You're attacking them.
RICHARD: Without reason, may I add.
GRAYER: Rory is a great kid, Mother.
JORINA: How redeeming.
RORY: I'm sick of this. [She stands and turns to her mother] Can I have the keys?
LORELAI: [She digs them out of her purse] Bye, hon. I'll see you at home.
RORY: Okay. Bye. [She turns to JORINA and JACOB] Thanks.
JACOB: [Apologetically] I hope Yale works for you.
RORY: Thank you. Bye Grandma, bye Grandpa.
GRAYER: I'll walk you out.
[GRAYER glares at his parents and follows RORY out]
[Cut to Gilmore Jeep. RORY and GRAYER are standing by the driver's side door]
GRAYER: Rory, I'm so terribly sorry.
RORY: It's not your fault.
GRAYER: I honestly didn't think my mother would attack you.
RORY: It's happened before.
GRAYER: That doesn't make it excusable.
RORY: Really, it's okay.
GRAYER: I would storm out too.
RORY: Did I storm?
GRAYER: You were close.
RORY: Wow.
GRAYER: Look, you didn't deserve any of that, okay? You're the coolest kid I know.
RORY: [Looking at her hands] Thanks.
GRAYER: I'm gonna go back to the lion's den. Drive safe, okay? There's a lot of ice.
RORY: I will.
GRAYER: Okay. Bye.
[GRAYER watches her pull out of the drive, waving, then goes back inside, looking upset]
[Int. Luke's. RORY pulls up in the Jeep and parks at the curb, then walks inside. The diner is completely dead, and LUKE nods upstairs. RORY mounts the steps and knocks on the apartment door]
JESS: [Opening the door] Hey.
RORY: Hi. Can I come in?
[JESS moves aside]
JESS: I thought tonight was the big dinner.
RORY: It was.
JESS: Didn't last very long.
RORY: Not for me.
JESS: Was it one of those reality-TV show dinners where they vote people off?
RORY: [Tersely] No.
JESS: Okay.
RORY: [Sits on JESS' bed. Upset] They hated me.
JESS: Grayer's parents?
RORY: They asked me how it felt to have taken away my mother's potential.
JESS: I don't think that was your fault.
RORY: Of course it was. My mother would be doing a lot more than managing an inn now if I hadn't been born.
JESS: [Sits next to her] Then I suppose your parents shouldn't have forgotten the condom.
RORY: I guess. [She looks at her hands] Jess?
JESS: Yes?
RORY: Why didn't you tell me your mother had been calling?
JESS: How did you find out about that?
RORY: It doesn't matter.
JESS: It matters to me.
RORY: Luke accidentally told me, thinking you already had.
JESS: Super.
RORY: So why didn't you?
JESS: What's the point?
RORY: What does that mean?
JESS: It means that I'm not going back to New York so it doesn't matter.
RORY: But you were upset.
JESS: Not really.
RORY: You were. I could tell when you came over Monday.
JESS: Fine. And if I had told you?
RORY: We could have talked about it.
JESS: I'll get a therapist, thanks.
RORY: Why don't you want to talk to me?
JESS: I do.
RORY: Not about anything important.
JESS: Literature is important.
RORY: Fine. Be like that. [She stands]
JESS: What, now you're pissed at me because I don't want to get psychoanalyzed?
RORY: I'm pissed at you because you don't even want to tell me anything. I might as well be Luke.
JESS: I don't kiss Luke.
RORY: Try it.
[She leaves, angry. "Save Me," by Aimee Mann plays. JESS runs his hand through his hair and sighs raggedly, then falls backwards on the bed]
[Int. Gilmore house. LORELAI and GRAYER pull up in his car. LORELAI gets out and goes inside, where RORY is lying on the couch in her dress clothes]
LORELAI: Rory?
RORY: Hi, Mom. How was dinner?
LORELAI: Those people are awful. [She sits next to RORY] How are you?
RORY: Fine.
LORELAI: Baby, you know they were wrong, right?
RORY: Yeah.
LORELAI: That didn't sound too convincing.
RORY: Good enough for a lie detector test.
LORELAI: Honey, that woman was stupid. She didn't know what she was talking about.
RORY: Come on, Mom. Would you be managing an inn if you hadn't had me?
LORELAI: No.
RORY: See?
LORELAI: I'd be a Vassar graduate wearing pearls and going to charity balls and gossiping.
RORY: Yeah, right.
LORELAI: I'd rather be managing an inn and have the best daughter in the world than be in that woman's social circle any day. I don't regret anything, Rory.
RORY: Not even one?
LORELAI: Not even one. I love you, kid.
RORY: Love you too, Mom.
LORELAI: Good. You still look a little mopey.
RORY: I'm not.
LORELAI: You totally have Nicole-Kidman-Hours type look.
RORY: It's nothing. Just residual mopiness from dinner.
LORELAI: Okay then. This calls for one thing.
RORY: Coffee?
LORELAI: Okay, two things. Coffee … and … [Long pause] Footloose!
RORY: [Grinning] Mom.
LORELAI: If Kevin Bacon dancing around town in the tightest jeans known to man with an '80s soundtrack doesn't cheer you up, nothing will.
RORY: Plug it in.
LORELAI: If you insist.
[Third commercial break]
[Int. Gilmore house. Morning. RORY and LORELAI are moving around groggily]
LORELAI: I hate working Saturdays.
RORY: When you get your own inn, you're going to be working seven days a week.
LORELAI: Yeah, but it'll be mine. [She sips her coffee and picks up her purse]
RORY: Have a good time.
LORELAI: Have a good talk with Jess.
RORY: What?
LORELAI: You had a fight.
RORY: How can you tell?
LORELAI: You've got an I-fought-with-Jess look.
RORY: I have a specific look?
LORELAI: Yep.
RORY: That's not good.
LORELAI: But much more convenient for me. [She opens the door] Bye, hon. I'll be back about six-ish, I hope.
RORY: Bye, Mom.
[Frowning, RORY sits at the table and drinks her coffee, looking into space]
[Int. Luke's. Mid-morning. LORELAI is walking up, looking determined. She lets herself in and sits at the counter]
LUKE: Coffee?
LORELAI: Please.
LUKE: So… I heard you met the parents.
LORELAI: How?
LUKE: Jess.
LORELAI: Little gossip.
LUKE: How'd that go?
LORELAI: They totally insulted Rory and threw me dirty looks the whole time.
LUKE: Hmm.
LORELAI: I think my parents had fun.
LUKE: Well, good. [Pause] Anything to go with that?
LORELAI: Uh… no thanks. But thanks.
LUKE: Okay. [Pause] How's the inn?
LORELAI: It's… it's… [She pauses and tries to gather the courage to ask for help, but can't] It's going pretty good.
LUKE: Well, good.
LORELAI: I'm just glad I've finally got my own place.
LUKE: What's Mia doing with the Independence?
LORELAI: [Guiltily] I haven't really… told her about it yet.
LUKE: Oh.
LORELAI: But soon.
LUKE: Before you quit?
LORELAI: Of course. [Looks at her empty cup] Uh, I better go.
LUKE: Well, okay.
LORELAI: Probably see you… tonight. For dinner.
LUKE: Okay.
LORELAI: You might see Rory first, though.
LUKE: Bye, Lorelai.
LORELAI: Bye.
[LORELAI walks out. LUKE looks after her for a minute, then shakes his head and goes back to work. He walks into the storeroom and sees no pickles. He marches over by the stairwell]
LUKE: [Yelling] Jess!
JESS: What?
LUKE: I told you to order this week!
JESS: Whoops.
LUKE: We're out of pickles.
JESS: Huh.
LUKE: Get down here.
[JESS appears at the curtain]
JESS: Yes?
LUKE: I gave you a list of what to order.
JESS: I guess I forgot about the pickles.
LUKE: You know what, just… here. [He shoves him behind the counter] Now, I am going to go and get us some pickles. Just stand here.
JESS: Okay, Uncle Luke.
LUKE: I'll be right back.
[LUKE grabs his coat and leaves. JESS leans his elbows on the counter]
[Cut to Doose's. LUKE opens the door as a woman is coming out. Her groceries fall and LUKE leans over to help her pick them up]
LUKE: I'm sorry.
WOMAN: That's okay.
LUKE: You didn't have eggs, did you?
WOMAN: No, no eggs. I'm a vegan.
LUKE: Oh, well. [He throws some veggies in the bag] Sorry about that.
[They both straighten up]
WOMAN: It's fine.
LUKE: Okay.
[Neither moves]
WOMAN: I'm Lindsay. Lindsay Manning.
LUKE: Hi. [They shake hands] Luke Danes.
LINDSAY: Nice to meet you.
LUKE: Same here.
LINDSAY: So, do you always walk into buildings without looking?
LUKE: Not normally.
LINDSAY: So I'm a special occasion.
LUKE: You might be an inaugural occasion.
LINDSAY: What an honor.
LUKE: [Clears his throat] So, a vegan, huh?
LINDSAY: My parents were hippies. They were against red meat and all for the acid.
LUKE: Oh. [Nods to the bag] So, what else have you got in there?
LINDSAY: [Laughs. Looks him over] Are you free tonight?
LUKE: Excuse me?
LINDSAY: For dinner. Tonight.
LUKE: Oh, well… sure. Sure.
LINDSAY: Great!
LUKE: Uh, when?
LINDSAY: How about seven? We can go to Red's in Bridgeport.
LUKE: Okay.
LINDSAY: Okay, then. I'll meet you there.
LUKE: Seven.
LINDSAY: Right. [She smiles]
LUKE: Sorry about the…bag thing.
[Cut to diner. Meanwhile. RORY walks into the empty restaurant and sits at a barstool across from JESS]
JESS: Hey.
RORY: Hey. Coffee?
JESS: Here.
RORY: [Takes a long sip] Sorry.
JESS: For what?
RORY: I kind of went overboard last night. I was upset and I took it out on you.
JESS: It happens.
RORY: But I do wish you would have told me.
JESS: Noted.
RORY: Good. [Pause] You didn't actually try kissing Luke did you?
JESS: [Grins secretively] Virgin ears.
RORY: Ew.
JESS: Hey, don't judge.
RORY: [Laughs. Sips her coffee] What are you doing tonight?
JESS: Nothing.
RORY: There's a huge sale at Borders.
JESS: Good thing they run buses at night, then.
RORY: You'll come?
JESS: If Luke decides to give me the night off.
RORY: Good.
JESS: Any word from Lane?
RORY: She called me this morning from her jail cell. Her mom found out about the drums and she's so mad, Lane's not even allowed to go to school.
JESS: Wow.
RORY: It's comforting to know I'm not the only person who overreacts.
JESS: Isn't it?
[LUKE comes in, carrying a bag of pickles]
LUKE: Jess, you're working tonight. Hi, Rory.
RORY: Hi.
JESS: [Looks sidelong at RORY] Hot date?
LUKE: Dinner.
JESS: You have a date?
LUKE: [Indignant] Yes, I have a date.
JESS: Who?
LUKE: None of your business.
JESS: I have never seen you have a date.
LUKE: Then I guess you're in for a show. [He thrusts the pickles at JESS] Here. Stock those.
[JESS takes the pickles back to the storeroom. RORY follows]
JESS: I guess Borders will have to wait.
RORY: That's okay.
JESS: Have you ever seen Luke on a date?
RORY: Only Rachel.
JESS: Rachel?
RORY: Rachel.
JESS: Huh.
[He shoves the pickles onto the shelf. When he turns around, RORY is standing right there. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him. He kisses her back fervently. They start meandering around the storeroom until JESS accidentally backs RORY into a shelf and sends it toppling. They look at each other and grin]
LUKE: Jess!
[Int. Independence Inn. Late afternoon. LORELAI is getting ready to go when SOOKIE comes up]
SOOKIE: Lorelai?
LORELAI: Yeah?
SOOKIE: I've got bad news.
LORELAI: Just what I need.
SOOKIE: That's why I waited until now.
LORELAI: [Sighs] Okay, let's hear it.
SOOKIE: I can't get the money either.
LORELAI: No loan?
SOOKIE: They wouldn't give it to me. The house isn't enough collateral.
LORELAI: Just great.
SOOKIE: I think we only have a couple options left.
LORELAI: My parents are a no.
SOOKIE: Then we have to ask Luke and the town to pitch in.
LORELAI: [Glumly] I guess so.
SOOKIE: Do you think he'll do it?
LORELAI: I don't know, Sookie. I tried asking him this morning, but I just couldn't.
SOOKIE: Do you want me to?
LORELAI: No, no, that's all right. I'll do it.
SOOKIE: Soon.
LORELAI: Soon. I promise.
SOOKIE: Okay. [Pause] Lorelai?
LORELAI: What?
SOOKIE: what if he says no?
LORELAI: Then we re-group.
SOOKIE: Does re-grouping include asking your parents?
LORELAI: I don't know.
SOOKIE: Well, okay.
LORELAI: I think I'm heading out.
SOOKIE: Me too.
[LORELAI kisses SOOKIE'S cheek]
LORELAI: Talk to you later.
SOOKIE: Okay, honey. Bye.
LORELAI: Bye.
[Int. Luke's. Evening. RORY and LORELAI are walking up, bundled up in coats]
LORELAI: So you and Jess made up.
RORY: Let me guess. I have an I-made-up-with-Jess face too.
LORELAI: Bingo.
RORY: Are you asking?
LORELAI: Uh…
RORY: Because he's in a good mood today.
LORELAI: Luke? In a good mood?
RORY: Well, okay, a moderately non-confrontational mood.
LORELAI: Why?
RORY: Oh, um, his date.
LORELAI: [Surprised and a little hurt] Luke has a date?
RORY: Sorry.
LORELAI: That's okay, sweetie.
RORY: In all fairness, he did say no more waiting.
LORELAI: That's true.
RORY: So anyway, it's probably a good time to ask him.
LORELAI: [Fakely] Yeah.
[They go inside. LUKE is making new coffee; JESS is wiping tables down. RORY and LORELAI sit at a table near the window]
LUKE: What do you want?
LORELAI: Burger.
RORY: Me too.
LUKE: Fries?
LORELAI: Not for me.
RORY: I'll have some.
LUKE: And I can only assume you want coffee.
RORY: Yep.
LUKE: Death on a platter and in a cup.
LORELAI: We like variety.
[LUKE walks away. A second later, JESS comes with coffee. LORELAI sips hers morosely while RORY and JESS communicate across the diner]
LORELAI: I can't do this.
RORY: Yes, you can.
LORELAI: It feels wrong.
RORY: You and Luke are still friends.
LORELAI: No, we're friends in that "I don't really want to, but I should be polite" kind of way.
RORY: Mom, you have to.
LORELAI: Being an adult bites.
RORY: Come on, you want this inn. And if you don't want to ask Grandma and Grandpa, then this is it.
LORELAI: Thank you, Voice of Reason.
RORY: Anytime.
LORELAI: Before or after food?
RORY: Well, there's no one at the counter now.
LORELAI: Right. [She takes a huge gulp of coffee and looks at RORY, who nods. LORELAI gets up and goes to the counter]
LUKE: You're at the counter.
LORELAI: Astute.
LUKE: Having a fight?
LORELAI: No.
LUKE: Okay, then.
LORELAI: Luke?
LUKE: Yeah?
LORELAI: I need to… ask you a favor.
LUKE: And…
LORELAI: You know what inn I bought?
LUKE: The one you've been yammering about for a year? Yeah, I know.
LORELAI: And today, when I said it was going great?
LUKE: Yeah…
LORELAI: I kinda lied. [Takes a deep breath] I can't get a loan to save my life. Sookie and I have both tried, and no bank will give us money to fix this thing. And I can't ask my parents. They paid for Rory's school and for my house and for Yale, and I can't let them pay for anything else. So, I'm asking you to please… [Pause] Please, help me out with some of the construction.
[Silence]
LORELAI: [Con't] I'll pay you and everything. Not as much as those really expensive construction companies, but as much as I can. Please, Luke.
LUKE: Lorelai, I have a date tonight.
LORELAI: I know.
LUKE: I'm moving on.
LORELAI: I know. I'm just asking for your help, as a friend.
LUKE: As a friend.
LORELAI: As a friend.
LUKE: I'll take a look at it tomorrow.
LORELAI: [Eyes water] Thanks, Luke.
LUKE: [Gruffly] You're welcome.
["You've Got a Friend," by James Taylow plays. Zoom out on LUKE and LORELAI at the counter]
[End of episode]