Title: Season 4 Bent Style
Episode: 4.05
Episode Title: The Do's and Don'ts of Dating and Design
Author: Bent137
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it despite my acting as a writer for the show.
Author's Notes: Thanks to Roxy, who beta'd this chapter too.
Spoilers: Season Four Episode Five. Yes, I did say Season 4, as in the one not aired at all yet.

Gilmore Girls
Episode 4.05
The Do's and Don'ts of Dating and Design

Writer: Ashley/Bent137
Executive Producer: Daniel Palladino

Director: Amy Sherman-Palladino

Starring:

Lauren Graham
Alexis Bledel
Melissa McCarthy
Scott Patterson
Keiko Agena
Liza Weil
and
Kelly Bishop

CLIPS

INT. CHILTON - DAY

LORELAI and RORY are talking in the hall.

ALEXIS BLEDEL (VOICEOVER)

Previously on Gilmore Girls...

RORY

Go put in the bid on the Dragonfly. You've got the money now, Grandpa's money.

EXT. STARS HOLLOW - OUTSIDE CHURCH - DAY

DEAN and RORY are talking.

DEAN

I asked Lindsay to marry me, and she said yes.

EXT. CHILTON - DAY

LORELAI has written "We Got The Inn!" on a graduation program and is showing it to Rory.

INT. YALE - DURFEE HALL - NIGHT

MARTY is naked on the floor, RORY is staring at him.

MARTY

I'm naked.

RORY takes off her robe and hands it to him

RORY

I think you need this more than me.

INT. DOOSE'S MARKET - DAY

LORELAI is talking to TAYLOR.

LORELAI

I came to see if you've made a decision about the inn.

TAYLOR

Oh, refresh my memory?

LORELAI

You remember! Sookie and I are opening the Dragonfly. We bought it from Fran. We just need you to sign off on the permits before we can move forward with renovations.

EXT. STARS HOLLOW STREET - DAY

DEAN and RORY are talking.

DEAN

You should go. I mean, come. You should come, to my wedding.

INT. TAYLOR'S ICE CREAM SHOPPE - DAY

LORELAI

If I can get the Dragonfly up and running quickly we may be able to nip this in the bud and save some of the economic loss. I believe the Stars Hollow Business' would very much appreciate this.

TAYLOR

I do see your point. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I will approve your permits.

EXT. FRONT OF LUKE'S - DAY

RORY stands in front of Luke's, her hands in her pockets. From her point of view we can see that DEAN and LINDSAY are getting married.

TEASER

1 INT. RORY'S DORM - HER AND PARIS' ROOM - NIGHT

PARIS GELLAR is sitting on her bed on the phone.

PARIS GELLAR

Jamie, don't worry about it. I swear it's nothing you're completely overreacting.

She sighs and rolls her eyes.

PARIS

When are you coming to visit? Yes, I do want you to!

RORY GILMORE walks in.

PARIS (CONT.)

I told you a thousand times you have nothing to worry about. Will you get over it? There's nothing going on between me and Terrance.

PARIS gives RORY a 'Help me!' look.

RORY GILMORE (loudly)

Paris? Are you going to be done soon? I need to make a call.

PARIS smiles at her.

PARIS

Sure, Rory. Just a second. Jamie, I have to go. Find out when you can come okay? I love you too. Bye.

PARIS hangs up.

PARIS

Thank you. It was getting ridiculous.

RORY

No problem. I really do need to make a call anyways.

PARIS hands her the phone.

PARIS

Tell Lorelai I said hi.

PARIS walks out of their room into the common area. RORY settles against her pillows and dials the phone.

BEGIN INTERCUT WITH INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

LORELAI GILMORE picks up the phone.

LORELAI GILMORE

Hello?

RORY

Jamie is still bugging Paris about Terrance.

LORELAI

He obviously still hasn't met him.

RORY

Nope. Paris is trying hard to keep it that way. I suspect it won't be long until he cracks though. So what's going on there?

LORELAI

It's actually been pretty quiet around here. Kirk's still working at the beauty parlor, though I was told he's also working for the Stars Hollow Security Company.

RORY

Stars Hollow has a security company?

LORELAI

I guess. Lane's band is still looking for a new guitar player.

RORY

Yeah I saw the ad was still in the newspaper. Last time we talked she told me that everyone sucked.

LORELAI

I was here last time they had auditions, and it was horrible.

RORY

I've got to go, I have to write a paper for my English Lit class.

LORELAI

Okay, I'll talk to you tomorrow?

RORY

Absolutely.

LORELAI

Bye sweetie.

RORY

Bye Mom.

RORY hangs up and looks at the phone. She then gets up and walks over to her desk. She sits down and picks up a pencil.

CREDITS

ACT ONE

2 INT. YALE HALLWAY - DAY

MARTY and four of his friends, ROSCOE, JOSH, SUGARMAN, and KEEBLER, are standing in the entryway. They are in mid-conversation, laughing.

ROSCOE

Hey, I saw Brooke the other day.

KEEBLER

Oh, man! Is she still totally hot?

RORY comes in the hall with books, including 'The Sun Also Rises.'

JOSH

Dude, she's my sister!

The guys, except MARTY, laugh. RORY walks past them, glancing at MARTY, whom glances back at her.

MARTY

Be right back.

MARTY jogs after RORY.

MARTY

Rory, wait up.

RORY stops and turns to him.

RORY

Hey, you remembered my name.

MARTY

I wrote it down as soon as I got back to my dorm. I wanted to remember who to thank and give the robe back to. And I will, give the robe back, as soon as I wash it. Well, my mom will wash it, but I'll take it to her.

MARTY laughs nervously.

MARTY (CONT.)

In case you hadn't noticed I tend to babble when I'm nervous. That's why I haven't approached you until now. I was embarrassed, and I knew that'd only make it worse.

RORY

It's okay, that you babble. I do too, and it's okay about the robe. Take your time.

MARTY starts to say something buy KEEBLER interrupts, walking over with the other three guys in tow.

KEEBLER

Marty, going to introduce us to your friend?

MARTY looks at RORY and shrugs. RORY smiles at him.

MARTY

If I must. Guys, this is Rory. Rory these are my friends, Roscoe, Sugarman, Josh, and Keebler.

RORY

Like the elf.

KEEBLER

Like the elf.

SUGARMAN

It's a pleasure to meet you Rory.

RORY

Oh, likewise of course.

The bell rings.

RORY

Well, higher education beckons.

The guys laugh.

RORY (CONT.)

See you later, Marty. Nice meeting you all.

She turns and walks into a nearby door.

MARTY

Bye guys.

The group of guys split up and MARTY goes into the door next to RORY'S.

3 INT. LUKE'S - DAY

LORELAI is sitting at the counter on a stool. Her cell phone rings and she pulls it out of her purse, answering it.

LORELAI

Lorelai Gilmore speaking.

EMILY GILMORE

I cannot believe the gall of you.

LORELAI

Mom?

EMILY

Who else would it be?

LORELAI

Oh I don't know, Rory, Sookie, Michel, one of the contractors -

LORELAI is cut off.

EMILY

Stop that nonsense. I've called to speak with you, not for you to speak with me. You're going to listen.

LORELAI

Uh, okay.

LORELAI sees LUKE DANES come out of the back room.

EMILY

I cannot believe you. Actually, no I can, this is perfectly like you. You have never had any respect for the family.

LORELAI waves to LUKE, but LUKE doesn't notice.

EMILY (CONT.)

You know, the things you do reflect badly on Richard and myself! Infact, sometimes I wonder if that's why you do the things you do. I know you must simply hate us for you to be so inconsiderate.

LORELAI moves the phone away from her mouth and waves at LUKE again.

LORELAI (whispering)

Luke.

EMILY

Do not interrupt me Lorelai! I know I could have waited until tomorrow to discuss this at dinner, but knowing you, you wouldn't come. So I have decided to call and discuss this with you know.

LORELAI

Discuss what?

LORELAI throws a spoon at LUKE.

EMILY

You know very well what. You promised you would call Digger and suggest getting together, but you never did! I told him you would Lorelai! So you'd better do it.

LUKE turns around and sees her.

LUKE DANES

Lorelai! You know there are no cell phones are allowed, get off the phone.

LORELAI

Sorry mom, I have to get off the phone now. It's very rude of me to be disregarding Luke's rules and be having this conversation in public. I'll speak with you later.

LORELAI hangs up and stands up, collecting her things.

LORELAI

Thanks, Luke.

LORELAI walks out. LUKE looks after her confused.

4 INT. CLASSROOM - DAY

The students and PROFESSOR are all looking at one girl, HEATHER, whom is speaking.

HEATHER

The Sun Also Rises is an essential piece of literature. The way it portrays the emotions and effects of World War I is genius. Discussing the issue, without actually discussing it. A true staple of it's time.

RORY opens her mouth to say something, but HEATHER continues.

HEATHER (CONT.)

The characters are perfect, because they are flawed. From Jake's impotency, to Brett's borderline alcoholism. Everything they say and do is an effect of the war, be it physical, mental, emotional. Hemingway -

She is cut off by the PROFESSOR.

PROFESSOR

That's great Heather. Let's hear from someone else.

He looks around and spots RORY.

PROFESSOR

Miss.... Gilmore. Rory, what is your opinion of the book.

RORY

I actually disagree, I don't care for the book at all, and while I'm sure it can be considered a classic I don't see what distinguishes it from some other books. and even pop culture now. Everyone seems to be sleeping with everybody else, except Jake. It's all very Dawson's Creek.

HEATHER scoffs.

RORY

I actually think it sets a bad example. These people are so messed up, but you don't see them fixing themselves, and at the end of the book they're still screwed up, and nothing's really gone wrong for them. Sure, there were a few fights here and there. But most of it was blah, blah, blah, blah. Completely boring if you ask me.

PROFESSOR

Great! It's so wonderful to have other opinions.

HEATHER opens her mouth to say something, but the PROFESSOR continues.

PROFESSOR

Let's have someone else now.

He looks around again.

PROFESSOR

Ah, Trevor. How do you feel? Do you agree with Heather, or Rory, or have a completely different and unique opinion?

TREVOR

I actually agree with Rory. Even though it did seem like everyone was sleeping with everyone else, the book seemed dull. I don't know if it was a lack of action, or perhaps the repetitiveness of the storyline. It could have even been Hemingway's style of writing.

PROFESSOR

This is great!

HEATHER opens her mouth. The bell rings.

PROFESSOR

We'll discuss this more next time. Have a nice day everyone.

RORY gathers her stuff and heads to the door. She finds herself next to TREVOR.

TREVOR

Hi.

RORY

Oh, hi, I'm Rory.

TREVOR

I know. I'm Trevor.

RORY

Oh, right. Thanks for your support.

TREVOR

No problem.

THEY walk out of the classroom together.

5 INT - YALE HALL - DAY

TREVOR and RORY are still walking together.

TREVOR

Hey, have you heard about that new restaurant, Michelangelo's?

RORY

Oh, yes. My roommate was talking about it.

TREVOR

I've been meaning to check it out.

RORY

It's Italian right?

TREVOR

Right. Do you like Italian?

RORY

I love Italian.

TREVOR

Great. So you should check it out.

RORY

Yeah. I probably will.

TREVOR

and I should check it out.

RORY

You said that.

TREVOR

Why don't we check it out together? Maybe, on Saturday?

They walk outside.

6 EXT. YALE COURTYARD - DAY

RORY and TREVOR are still walking together.

RORY

I can't go this Saturday, but if it's good I'll go another time. Will you let me know?

TREVOR

Oh, uh, yeah sure. No problem.

RORY

Thanks. Well, it was nice meeting you, I'd better go.

TREVOR

Bye.

RORY walks away. TREVOR watches her looking disappointed.

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

7 INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

LORELAI is setting two pizza boxes on the coffee table. RORY bursts in with a large basket of wet clothes. RORY heads straight through the kitchen. to a laundry room. LORELAI follows her.

LORELAI

What are you doing here? Is everything okay? Why are your clothes all wet? Aww, is somebody hazing you?

RORY is loading clothes into the washer.

RORY

No, I don't know. I went to the laundry room and someone had dumped all my clean clothes out of the washer. So now I have to wash them all again, not mention I have two papers to finish and a book to read! I didn't have enough quarters, so I had to drive all the way here!

RORY sets the basket on the floor and walks back to the living room.

LORELAI

Wow, you'd better get cracking.

RORY

Yeah. Mm, pizza.

RORY opens a box.

LORELAI

No.

RORY

No?

LORELAI

That's not ours, take from the other box.

RORY gives her a strange look.

RORY

Well, whose is it?

They're interrupted by LANE KIM bursting in.

LANE KIM

Rory! I saw your car.

RORY

Lane!

LANE

What are you doing home?

RORY

Long story.

LANE

Tell it to me over Luke's?

RORY

Sure. Mom, Lane and I are going to Luke's so you can keep your freaky pizza that's not even ours.

LANE

Do I want to know?


RORY

Later.

They walk out the door. LORELAI sighs. She fixes the pizza and checks a VCR tape. Headlights flash across the windows. LORELAI goes and peeks out then steps back and checks herself in a mirror. The doorbell rings. LORELAI answers it. It's JASON STILES

JASON STILES

Sorry I'm late.

LORELAI

No that's fine. Come on in.

JASON enters and looks around.

JASON

Nice house.

LORELAI

Thanks. Come sit, I've got everything ready.

They go and sit on the couch.

8 INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - MUCH LATER

LORELAI is cleaning up the pizza boxes. RORY comes in.

RORY

Hey mom, some weird guy just left, who was that?

LORELAI

That was Digger.

RORY

Digger, did we give him that nickname?

LORELAI

I did, years ago. I used to play in his sandbox.

RORY

Better than a paddling pool.

LORELAI

Not really, you know how sand gets everywhere. In your hair, your shoes, your underwear, sometimes your mouth.

RORY

Man, I hope it wasn't the same sand that was in your underwear as was in your mouth.

LORELAI

Ew. I am so going to be gargling for days you devil child.

RORY

Yeah, well I'm never going to the beach again. Anyway, Digger. Why was Digger here?

LORELAI

Well, Digger is your grandfather's new business partner.

RORY

Since when?

LORELAI

Since now. He wants to screw over his father, so he decided to leave his father's company and join your grandfather.

RORY

Wow, I hope he's not really screwing over Grandpa.

LORELAI

That's what I said. Anyway, Grandma said he asked about me so I joked I'd call him and maybe see him.

RORY

Oh, no.

LORELAI

Oh, yes. She called me this morning and tried to rip me a new one for not calling him.

RORY

What'd you do?

LORELAI

I was in Luke's, so I had him kick me off the phone. So, enough about me, what's happened to you today, besides the laundry thing.

RORY

Nothing much, Marty introduced me to some of his friends.

LORELAI

Oh, Naked Marty?

RORY

Yes. His friends have weird nicknames. Like Roscoe, and Sugarman, and Keebler.

LORELAI

Like the elf.

RORY

That's what I said.

LORELAI

At least Marty may be the normal one.

RORY


Well there's Josh too.

LORELAI

Good, choices. What else?

RORY

We had kind of a debate in class, about The Sun Also Rises.

LORELAI


Really?

RORY

Yeah, mostly it was this girl Heather, but the teacher asked my opinion and I told him.

LORELAI

Oops.

RORY

No, I was nice. Then he asked this guy Trevor, and he agreed with me it was boring.

LORELAI

Possible ally.

RORY

Yeah, we talked after class.

LORELAI

About?

RORY

Michelangelo's, this new Italian restaurant. He wanted to go try it out.

LORELAI

With you?

RORY

Yeah that was mentioned.

LORELAI

You kept this from me! What'd you say?

RORY

I said I was busy, but to let me know if it's any good.

LORELAI

You turned down a date?

RORY

I guess, if that's what it was.

LORELAI

Oh my god. Rory, you've got to live your life. Recognize the ask out, or else you'll be Paris. Try casual dating.

RORY

I've dated.

LORELAI

You haven't casual dated. What you had with Dean and Jess was serial monogamy.

RORY

I guess you're right.

LORELAI

Try it!

RORY

I'll give it a shot.

LORELAI

Good.

9 INT. LUKE'S DINER - DAY

LORELAI and NATALIE are taking up a corner of the diner with decorating books.

NATALIE

Now each room can be the same, or you can go with themes.

LORELAI

Like The Jungle and The Big City and stuff?

NATALIE

Well yes, but to be blunt, that'd be a little tacky for your style inn. I'd recommend colors. The Blue Room. The Red Room.

LORELAI

I like that, Natalie! That's a great idea.

LUKE DANES approaches them.

LUKE DANES

Lorelai, could you please move the other books.

LORELAI

There are only two other people in the diner, besides me and Natalie.

LUKE

That's not the point. More may come in.

LORELAI sighs and moves the book.

NATALIE

Let's go back to talking about wallpaper. This one with the swirly sponged pattern you were looking at is actually in Emily's guest bathroom. I imagine that's where you've seen that.

LORELAI


Excuse me, who's guest bathroom?

NATALIE

Emily's, you know, your mother. I remodeled her second floor two years ago. Isn't that where you got my name? From Emily?

LORELAI

Uh, no. I got it from a magazine.

NATALIE

Wow, that's great. Such a small world.

LORELAI

It really is.

NATALIE

Now, look at this border, it goes great with that wallpaper.

LORELAI looks freaked out still. Scene fades.

END ACT TWO

ACT THREE

10 EXT. DRAGONFLY INN - DAY

LORELAI and SOOKIE ST. JAMES-MELVILLE are sitting at a wooden picnic table away from the inn, construction workers are walking back and forth in the background. The sounds of hammering, sawing, and drilling can be heard.

LORELAI

I just still can't believe it.

SOOKIE ST. JAMES-MELVILLE

Well, we do want the inn to seem very quaint and country and somehow Emily doesn't strike me as the modern type so I can picture it. I hope this doesn't mean you're going to fire Natalie.

LORELAI

No, of course not.

She pauses.

LORELAI (CONT.)

At least, I don't think so.

SOOKIE

I hope not. She's so on our wavelength. I love the designs so far. The dining room is going to be absolutely fantastic. Her idea of using Tatouage to do the border and murals on the walls is great! I'm even going to be using it in my nursery. I found some online, little baby feet, I think it'd be so cute.

LORELAI

It is a good idea, and it saves money because instead of paying a professional to come in and paint this huge mural we can do it ourselves. I like Natalie, it's just weird. I mean, Emily and I have this very volatile history, and it's strange to share, well, anything with her aside from genes.

SOOKIE

Well maybe you and Emily are more alike than you thought.

LORELAI

Or maybe Natalie's a spy! I should try and find out.

SOOKIE

You're being paranoid.

LORELAI

I won't be able to focus until I know, so I'm going to go find her right now and discuss this whole thing like a rational adult.

LORELAI stands up and heads for her jeep.

SOOKIE

Good luck!

11 EXT YALE COURTYARD - DAY

RORY is leaning against a building. TREVOR comes out and she approaches him.

RORY

Trevor?

TREVOR

Yes? Oh, hi Rory.

RORY

Hi. Remember yesterday you asked me to go to that new restaurant with you?

TREVOR

Yes.

RORY

Well, I rearranged my schedule, and if you'd still like to go tomorrow, I'd enjoy that.

TREVOR

Really?

RORY

Yes.

TREVOR


Wow, that's great. I'll pick you up at six?

RORY

Sure, I'm in Durfee, suite five.

TREVOR

Okay great. See you tomorrow.

RORY

See you.

12 INT. KIM'S ANTIQUES - DAY

LORELAI enters and looks around. She spots Natalie looking at a table nearby. She approaches her.

LORELAI

Excuse me, Natalie?

NATALIE

Oh, Lorelai! Great, what do you think of this table? I think it would go great in the lobby. Perhaps next to an overstuffed chair.

LORELAI

Yes, it is very beautiful. Can I talk to you a moment?

NATALIE

Sure, what's up?

LORELAI

It's about my mother. Did she, have you discussed this with her?

NATALIE

My working for you?

LORELAI

Yes.

NATALIE

Oh no, of course not. I haven't spoken with Emily in ages.

LORELAI

Oh, do you plan to?

NATALIE

You're concerned I'm a spy aren't you?

LORELAI

Am I that transparent?

NATALIE

No, I just know that you and your mother don't get along, and I'm sure this came as a bit of a shock. You have nothing to worry about. Not only have I not spoken to Emily in a very long time, but I don't really intend to in the future.

LORELAI

You don't?

NATALIE

No, I did her decorating when I really needed the money, but now, I don't need it so much, and she was so demanding.

LORELAI smiles.

LORELAI

Thanks for reassuring me.

NATALIE

No problem.

MRS. KIM walks up.

MRS. KIM

Very nice table, are you interested?

NATALIE

We're interested, however we currently have no place to store it until the inn is done.

MRS. KIM

I can hold table for one week. More if you buy more.

NATALIE

Well, do you have anything else similar? Or perhaps a nice desk?

MRS. KIM

Yes, lovely desk, right this way.

LORELAI and NATALIE follow her further into the store.

13 INT. LUKE'S DINER - DAY

LORELAI enters and goes to the counter. She sits on a stool. LUKE comes out from the back room.

LORELAI

Hey Luke, can I get some coffee?

LUKE grabs the pot and a mug and pours LORELAI a cup.

LORELAI

I miss Rory.

LUKE


Won't you see her tonight?

LORELAI

Yes, but usually we have a movie night on Saturday and now she'll be gone. Plus, we used to talk about everything and now I feel like I'm missing so much.

LUKE

Oh. Well, if there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

LORELAI

Thanks.

She's quiet a moment.

LORELAI

Will you come over Saturday?

LUKE

Me?

LORELAI

Yes, come over and watch movies with me.

LUKE

Uh, okay, I guess I could do that.

14 INT. GILMORE DINING ROOM - HARTFORD - NIGHT

LORELAI, EMILY, and RORY are eating dinner.

RORY

Grandpa's still at work?

EMILY

Yes, he's showing Jason around the office.

RORY

That's nice.

EMILY

So what's going on with you?

LORELAI

Yes, did you agree to go out with Trevor?

EMILY

Who's Trevor?

RORY

Grandma, this lamb is so tender, and moist.

EMILY

Rory, who's Trevor? What is you mother talking about?

RORY

Trevor is a guy in my class. He asked me to try a new restaurant with him and I turned him down. Mom encouraged me to give casual dating a try though.

EMILY

Well yes, socializing is very important for a girl your age.

LORELAI

Did you talk to him?

RORY

Yes, he and I are going to the restaurant tomorrow.

EMILY

What kind of restaurant is it?

RORY

Italian.

EMILY

Oh, that sounds lovely. Have a nice time, and call me to tell me how it was. Richard and I are always looking for new places.

RORY

It's in New Haven, Grandma.

EMILY

I know, we can go there and visit you all in the same day.

RORY and LORELAI share a glance.

15 INT. RORY'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT

PARIS is at her desk reading and writing. RORY enters, still dressed from dinner.

PARIS


Welcome back.


RORY

Thanks.

PARIS

How was it?

RORY

It was horrible! My mom brought up my date with Trevor at the table.

PARIS

What did your Grandmother say?

RORY

She said that socializing is important for a girl my age and she wants me to let her know how the restaurant is. As if I'm not freaking out enough.

PARIS

Breathe, Rory.

RORY

I can't do this, I don't know what to do! How do I dress? What do I talk about?

PARIS

You've dated before.

RORY

Yeah, but I knew Dean before we started dating, and Jess and I were friends for a LONG time before we got together.

PARIS gets up.

PARIS

It's okay Rory. Tomorrow night will come, you'll shower and wear a simple dress that still manages to accentuate your beauty. You'll go and it will be awkward but you'll eventually start a conversation and it will get better from there. You'll eat and then he'll bring you home and it will be great. Then it will be easier next time, and the time after that. You just have to break the ice.

RORY

What will I talk about?

PARIS

Well find out a few interesting stories and facts that pertain to the restaurant or Italian food and you'll be fine.

RORY sighs.

RORY

Was it like this for you and Jamie?

PARIS

Yes.

RORY

Thanks Paris.

PARIS

No problem. Let's get ready for bed.

PARIS grabs a robe and walks out. RORY sighs.

END ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

16 INT. MICHELANGELO'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

RORY and TREVOR are sitting on padded benches in an alcove. TREVOR is holding one of the beeper/pager things that restaurants give to people who have to wait. TREVOR seems relaxed, but RORY is uncomfortable, and sits on the edge of her seat, looking everywhere but at TREVOR.

TREVOR

So, how about that Heather girl?

RORY

Huh?

TREVOR

From our class.

RORY

Oh, yeah, she's a little intense.

TREVOR

I'll say, she dominated the conversation.

They fall silent. TREVOR coughs.

TREVOR

Do you like American Literature?

RORY

Oh, yeah I love to read.

TREVOR

I meant the class.

RORY

Oh, yeah, it's good.

They're silent again.

TREVOR

So what's your favorite book?

RORY

I have so many, Pride and Prejudiced, Little Women, The Secret Life of Bees.

TREVOR

Mine is On The Road.

RORY is quiet.

TREVOR (CONT.)

It's by Jack Kerouac.

RORY

Yeah, I know.

TREVOR

Oh.

They fall silent again. Rory shifts uncomfortably.

RORY

You know, those mints there, on the table?

TREVOR looks.

TREVOR

You mean the breath mints on the hostess stand?

RORY

Yeah. Did you know that scientists did a study on them? They found traces of urine on them because of the people that go to the bathroom and don't wash their hands then grab a mint.


TREVOR

I didn't know that.

RORY

Yeah, so I guess I won't be having a mint.

TREVOR

Me either.

They sit awkwardly. Suddenly the lights on the pager TREVOR has start flashing crazily.

TREVOR

I think that means our table's ready.

RORY

Great.

They stand up and TREVOR escorts her to the hostess' stand.

17 INT. LORELAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT

There's a knock at the door. LORELAI walks over and opens it. LUKE is there.

LORELAI

Hey, you're just in time, come on in.

LUKE enters and follows her to the living room.

LUKE

So what's Rory doing tonight.

LORELAI

She's on a date.

LUKE

Really?

LORELAI

Yeah. At first she turned him down, but I encouraged her to give it a try. I don't want her to not live her life you know.

LUKE

Right, especially now that Dean's married, and Jess is, well Jess. She should be moving on, it's healthy.

LORELAI

That's what I told her. She's nervous though, she's never casually dated.

LUKE

What about Dean and Jess?

LORELAI

That's what she asked. I told her, like I'll tell you, what she had with them was serial monogomy.

LUKE

Oh.

LORELAI

Anyway, movie's starting, I got some baked low-fat potato chips, I know you like to eat healthy.

LUKE

Thanks, those are actually really good.

The FBI Warning comes up on the screen.

LUKE

What's this?

LORELAI

The FBI Warning, haven't you ever seen it?

LUKE

No.

LORELAI

It's been on movies for years! To discourage people from duplicating the tape and selling it, since that's illegal. You are such a monk.

LUKE

Sorry.

LORELAI

Shh. It's starting.

They're quiet a moment.

LUKE

What is it?

LORELAI

Casablanca.

LUKE

Oh.

They fall quiet again.

18 INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - TIME LAPSE FROM LAST SCENE

LORELAI and LUKE are watching the movie. LUKE is talking.

LUKE

You guys do this every week?

LORELAI

No, at least once a month though.

LUKE

Oh. It's kind of fun.

LORELAI

How would you know, you haven't shut up!

She's quiet a second.

LORELAI (CONT.)

Sorry. It's just, you're talking over the movie, and I've never heard you talk this much.

LUKE

It's okay.

They get quiet. LORELAI looks angry at herself for saying something.

19 INT. MICHELANGELO'S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

The HOSTESS has taken RORY and TREVOR to their booth. RORY sits down on one side, expecting TREVOR to sit on the other. TREVOR instead slides in next to her. RORY looks shocked, but slides over further. They open their menus.

TREVOR

You know the bad thing about Italian food?

RORY

What?

TREVOR

You're hungry again four or five days later.

RORY stares at him.

TREVOR

It's a joke. Like they say with Chinese food you're hungry again an hour later, but Italian is filling.

RORY

Oh, I usually get jokes.

They grow quiet and just stare at their menus, RORY looks embarrassed.

20 INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - MUSIC: SAM PHILLIPS CUE

The movie is just ending. Pan to the couch where LUKE is sound asleep. LORELAI clicks off the T.V., covers LUKE with a blanket and goes up stairs.

21 INT. LORELAI'S KITCHEN - DAY

LORELAI walks in, LUKE is at the stove cooking.

LORELAI

Something smells good.

LUKE

It's pancakes.

LORELAI

Man you're great!

LUKE

Sorry for falling asleep on your couch.

LORELAI

If this is how you repay, do it any time you want.

LUKE puts the pancakes on a plate.

LUKE

I've got to get over to the diner. Enjoy.

LORELAI

Thanks, Luke. Bye.

LUKE goes out the front door.

22 INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

LORELAI and RORY are sitting on the couch eating Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies.

RORY

It was horrible. So awkward.

LORELAI

I can't believe has sat on the same side as you. That's so weird.

RORY

I can't believe I talked about the research on breath mints.

LORELAI

Don't worry too much, honey. Trust me on this, ninety-nine percent of your dates will really suck.

RORY buries her face in her hands.

RORY

Please, shoot me.

LORELAI

No, it's okay. See, the bad dates make good conversation for the other dates you go on. It helps break the ice talking about horrible dates you've both had.

RORY


Really?

LORELAI

Really.

They eat their cookies thoughtfully.

RORY

You know, I may hate Alyssa Milano, but these cookies are almost enough to redeem her.

LORELAI

They will make you think happy thoughts.

23 INT. YALE LAUNDRY ROOM - DAY - MUSIC: Something Corporate - "Hurricane"

RORY walks in carrying an empty laundry basket and is startled when she sees a CUTE BOY putting his clothes in a dryer. She approaches him apprehensively.

RORY

Excuse me.

CUTE BOY turns around.

CUTE BOY

Yes?


RORY

Um, my stuff was in that dryer.

CUTE BOY

Oh! Great, somebody else took them out, but don't worry they're still clean. I put them in my basket to keep them clean.

RORY

Oh, thanks.

RORY looks down at his basket. It's covered in rock stickers. Some examples: Something Corporate, All American Rejects, Limp Bizkit, No Doubt.

RORY

Oh, you're a Something Corporate fan?

CUTE BOY

Yeah.

RORY

I love them.

CUTE BOY

You have good taste.

RORY

Who else do you like?

CUTE BOY

All kinds of people. The Beatles, Pete Yorn, The Ramones, The Clash, XTC, Ash.

RORY loads her laundry into her basket as he talks.

RORY

You'd get along great with my friend Lane.

CUTE BOY

Oh, does she go here?

RORY

Oh no, she's my friend from home. She's really into music, loves it, she has to hide her CD's under her floorboards though. Her mom is really strict.

CUTE BOY

Poor her.

RORY

Yeah.

RORY'S quiet a moment.

RORY

So, maybe we could have coffee sometime.

CUTE BOY

Um, no offence, but no. Thanks anyway.

CUTE BOY leaves. RORY watches him go and sighs.

END

Guest Starring:
Wayne Wilcox - Marty
Adam Kaufman - Roscoe
Ron Lester - Sugarman
Greg Rikaart - Josh
Marty West - Keebler
Jordan Clarke - Professor
Chelse Swain - Heather
Thad Luckinbill -Trevor
Chris Eigeman - Jason "Digger" Stiles
Traci Lords - Natalie
Emily Kuroda - Mrs. Kim
Tac Fitzgerald - Cute Boy