Title: Season 4 Bent Style
Episode: 4.06
Episode Title: All Hallow's Eve
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 Six. Yes, I did say Season 4, as in the one not aired at all yet.

Gilmore Girls
Episode 4.06
All Hallow's Eve

Writer: Ashley/Bent137
Executive Producer: Daniel Palladino
Director: Amy Sherman-Palladino

Starring:

Lauren Graham
Alexis Bledel
Melissa McCarthy
Scott Patterson
Keiko Agena
Sean Gunn
and
Kelly Bishop

Special Appearance by Edward Herrmann

CLIPS

INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

LORELAI and RORY are talking.

LAUREN GRAHAM (VOICEOVER)

Previously on Gilmore Girls...

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.

INT. RORY'S BEDROOM - DAY

RORY is asleep, LORELAI is shaking her.

LORELAI

Come on, you're going to be late to Yale. It's nine o'clock.

RORY sits up suddenly.

RORY GILMORE

Oh my god, how could you let me sleep so late?

INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

LORELAI and RORY are talking.

LORELAI

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.

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. YALE HALLWAY - DAY

MARTY jogs after RORY.

MARTY

Rory, wait up.

RORY stops and turns to him.

RORY

Hey, you remembered my name.

TEASER

1 INT. RORY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - INTERCUT WITH INT. LORELAI'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

LORELAI GILMORE and RORY GILMORE are on the phone with each other.

LORELAI GILMORE

I also got Hershey's, Snickers, and two bags of Tootsie Rolls.

RORY GILMORE

Geez Mom, what'd you spend on candy? Fifty bucks?

LORELAI

Only twenty-five, and whatever doesn't get handed out tomorrow you can take some back to your dorm. It'll help you study.

RORY

All that caffeine? I'm sure. Speaking of studying, I joined a study group.

LORELAI

Really?

RORY

Yeah, Marty told me about it.

LORELAI

Naked guy.

RORY

Yes, naked guy. It's actually really cool. There's snacks and everything.

LORELAI

That's great. Oh! Did I tell you about the fight Taylor and Luke had?

RORY

No.

LORELAI

Taylor wanted Luke to decorate.

RORY

As usual.

LORELAI

He's already working on Thanksgiving. He wants Luke to put a vine of autumn leaves on the door and a picture of a turkey.

RORY

He'll never learn.

LORELAI

No.

RORY

Speaking of Halloween, I have dinner that night.

LORELAI

Yeah that sucks.

RORY

I'm going to call Grandma and see if I can plan it.

LORELAI

When?

RORY

As soon as I get off the phone with you.

LORELAI

I don't think she'll go along.

RORY

We'll see.

LORELAI

Bet you five bucks.

RORY

You're on.

CREDITS

ACT ONE

2 EXT. YALE COFFEE KIOSK - DAY - MUSIC: SAM PHILLIPS CUE

RORY is waiting in line. A girl BECKY accepts a coffee and turns to leave. RORY spots her.

RORY

Hi, Becky right?

BECKY


Right.

RORY

I'm Rory, I'm in your Major American Writers class.

BECKY

Oh, right. Isn't the curriculum nuts? I mean, Stephen King?

RORY

It is kind of strange, but I guess it's American Writers in general, not just the dead ones.

BECKY

Yeah, and in that case Stephen King definitely deserves to be on the list. The Shining is one of my favorites.

RORY

Have you read the Bachman books?

BECKY

No. What's that?

RORY

It's a book of four short stories he wrote under the pen name Richard Bachman. It's a good read. Especially Rage.

BECKY

I'll check it out.

RORY pays for her coffee and takes it. She and BECKY begin walking towards a nearby building.

BECKY

This coffee is so good.

RORY

It definitely is. It's nice out too. Perfect coffee weather.

BECKY

Yeah, it's crisp, but not too cold.

RORY

I heard they had snow in Vermont.

BECKY

Don't they always have snow in Vermont?

RORY

Maybe in the mountains. Say, I'm in a study group for the Major American Writers class. Are you interested in joining us?

They enter the building.

BECKY

Sure, it sounds fun.

RORY

Great. We're meeting tonight at six, can you make it?

BECKY

Yeah, where is it?

RORY

Why don't we meet at this kiosk and we can get coffee and I'll show you where it is.

BECKY

Okay. I better get to class.

RORY

Me too. See you tonight.

BECKY nods and walks down the hall.

3 EXT. STARS HOLLOW SQUARE - DAY

LORELAI is walking, she's just approaching Luke's when her phone rings. She pulls it out of her purse and stops in front of Luke's. She opens it up.

LORELAI

Lorelai Gilmore speaking.

BEGIN INTERCUT WITH INT. EMILY GILMORE'S SITTING ROOM - DAY

EMILY GILMORE is sitting on a sofa on the phone.

EMILY GILMORE

Hello, Lorelai.

LORELAI

Hello, mom. What can I do for you today?

EMILY

Well, I'm calling on business. I'm throwing a launch party for Richard and Jason. I'd like for you and Sookie to cater it.

LORELAI

Mom, we aren't just caterers, we plan the whole thing. Do you realize that?

EMILY

I wondered if that was the case. I'm glad I called you before I called any party planners. So, do we have a deal?

LORELAI

I'll have to check with Sookie and make sure we're not booked for the weekend you're planning on having it. When may that be?

EMILY

November 8th.

LORELAI

Okay, it shouldn't be a problem, but I should still check. Now, mom, if we do agree to plan this party we'd like you to treat us as you do any other catering or party planning company.

EMILY

Fine, that's no problem.

LORELAI

I'm about to meet with Sookie right now in fact. As soon as the meeting is over I'll call you back and let you know if we will be doing it okay?

EMILY

That's fine. I would like it to be elegant.

LORELAI

No problem, Mom. It's a business launch party, not a kid's birthday. I'll be appropriate.

EMILY

Great. I'll talk to you soon.

LORELAI

Bye mom.

She hangs up and enters Luke's where SOOKIE ST. JAMES-MELVILLE is sitting at a table. LORELAI walks over to her.

LORELAI

Guess what.

SOOKIE ST. JAMES-MELVILLE

That was the contractors, the expenses will be less than they thought for the inn?

LORELAI

No, I wish. It was Emily. She'd like us to plan a party for her.

4 INT. YALE CLASSROOM - DAY - MUSIC: SAM PHILLIPS CUE

RORY is in American Literature class.

PROFESSOR

Now class, I have some bad news. There's been a problem with our syllabus. Therefore your reading has been pushed ahead a week. Don't laugh when I say this, you are all to begin reading Nicholas Sparks' A Bend In The Road.

RORY looks concerned.

PROFESSOR (CONT.)

I know some of you are thinking it's such a new book to be on the syllabus. However it contains many wonderful lessons. I won't spoil it for you by telling you what ones. Have it read by Wednesday. Expect a Pop Quiz sometime thereafter, and we'll begin discussing the book next week. You are dismissed.

RORY gathers her things and heads for the door. She bumps into Trevor. They both look awkward and embarrassed.

RORY

Sorry, um I'm running late.

She hurries away. Trevor looks after her confused.

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

5 EXT. GILMORE HOUSE - DAY

LORELAI and SOOKIE are on the front step SOOKIE rings the doorbell. LORELAI is holding a bunch of bags, SOOKIE is holding a smaller briefcase like bag.

SOOKIE

Do you need help?

LORELAI

No I'm good.

The MAID answers the door.

MAID

Hello, may I help you?

LORELAI

Yes, I'm Lorelai and this is Sookie, we're here to discuss the party with Emily.

MAID

Oh, yes, she's expecting you. I'm afraid you'll be using the servants entrance though. Just follow the driveway around the house to the right, The door is near the back, I'll meet you there.

LORELAI

Oh, uh, okay. Thanks.

The MAID nods and shuts the door. Lorelai exchanges a glance with Sookie. They start walking around to that side of the house.

6 INT. EMILY'S DINING ROOM - DAY

EMILY is sitting at the table. The MAID shows LORELAI and SOOKIE in.

MAID

Mrs. Gilmore, Lorelai and Sookie are here.

EMILY

Ah yes. Thank you. Have a seat ladies.

LORELAI and SOOKIE sit on opposite sides of the table, LORELAI sets the bags beside her.

EMILY

What's in the bags?

LORELAI

I brought along some sample decorations to show you.

EMILY

Oh good.

SOOKIE

First I would like to discuss the menu with you, Mrs. Gilmore.

EMILY

Very well.

SOOKIE opens her briefcase and pulls out a folder.

SOOKIE

We can actually do this two ways, it's really up to you. We can do a sit down dinner, or more of a mingling party with lots of hors d'oeuvres to fill up on.

EMILY

I very much like that. I think the mingling may be better for business and more exciting than a sit down dinner.

SOOKIE

Great. I made a menu of the hors d'oeuvres I can make. You just have to choose how many you want and tell me how many people are coming.

SOOKIE pulls out a paper and hands it to her. EMILY looks it over.

SOOKIE

Feel free to keep it and think about it a few days.

EMILY

I will thank you. Oh, mushroom croustades, that sounds lovely. Thank you very much, Sookie. I will think it over and get back to you with my choices.

SOOKIE smiles and nods. EMILY turns to LORELAI.

LORELAI

Great. Now, for decorations, I was thinking a very classy combination of silver and white with hints of blue, I know that's dad's favorite color.

EMILY

Sounds lovely.

LORELAI pulls a white tablecloth with small silver flowers embroidered on it out of her bag.

LORELAI

I thought this for a tablecloth..

EMILY

No.

LORELAI

No?

EMILY

It's gaudy and hideous.

LORELAI

Uh, okay. How about plain white?

EMILY

Fine.

LORELAI sets the tablecloth aside and pulls out two cream candles in silver holders.

LORELAI

What do you think of these?

EMILY

Well the holders are okay, but the candles are more cream than white don't you think?

LORELAI

I guess so.

EMILY

See if you can find better ones.

LORELAI

Okay. For flowers I thought white roses, lillies, daisies, and baby's breath.

EMILY

That sounds lovely, but your father is allergic to lillies.

LORELAI

Really?

EMILY

Yes.

LORELAI

Okay, how about gardenias?

EMILY

Sounds great.

7 INT. DORM ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

There's a knock at the door. A girl, APRIL, opens it. RORY and BECKY are standing there with coffee.

APRIL

Hi.

RORY

Hi, we're here for the study group. I'm Rory, we met last week. This is Becky.

APRIL

Hi Becky, I'm April. Come on in. Marty's already here.

RORY and BECKY walk in. APRIL shuts the door behind them. RORY and BECKY walk over to MARTY.

RORY

Marty, this is Becky.

MARTY

Hi Becky.

BECKY

Uh, hi Marty.

MARTY

Let's sit.

RORY, BECKY and MARTY sit on the couch.

RORY

Every week we have the group at a different person's suite.

BECKY

Oh.

MARTY

This way no one's roommate is upset that their common room is being used every week.

BECKY

Good thinking.

MARTY

We take turns bringing refreshment as well. Tonight it was my turn.

RORY

What did you bring?

MARTY

Apple cider and donuts.

BECKY

That sounds so good.

MARTY

Help yourself.

BECKY gets up and heads for a table where the stuff is set out. RORY looks at MARTY.

RORY

So, what do you think?

MARTY

I like her.

RORY

Good.

8 INT. RICHARD GILMORE'S STUDY - NIGHT

RICHARD GILMORE is on the phone. EMILY pokes her head in.

EMILY

Richard, hurry up we'll be late.

RICHARD GILMORE

Just a moment. Sorry Jason, Emily and I are about to leave. Can we talk tomorrow? Yes, I do agree a trip to Atlantic City would make us stand out among the competition. No, your father certainly never did anything like that. You have to spend money to make money, Jason. Sounds like a plan. We'll discuss it more tomorrow. Good night.

RICHARD hangs up and walks out the door.

RICHARD

Emily, where's my scarf?

9 INT. LORELAI'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - MUSIC: OUTKAST - HEY YA

LORELAI is sitting on the couch reading and listing to music. RORY comes in.

RORY

I don't have much time, where's my five bucks?

LORELAI

What?

RORY

My five bucks. You owe me five bucks.

LORELAI

For what?

RORY

We made a bet.

LORELAI

I already paid you on that bet about Britney and Madonna.

RORY

Not that one. You bet me I wouldn't get grandma to let me plan dinner. Pay up.

LORELAI

She did?

RORY

Yes. Lane and I are meeting them in the gazebo in ten minutes. We're going to the fall festival.

LORELAI grabs her purse and digs through it.

LORELAI


Really?

RORY

Grandma thought it was a fabulous idea. We're going to dinner, and then through a haunted house and riding on the horse drawn carriage.

LORELAI

Does she know any of that?

RORY

She knows I was planning fall oriented activities.

LORELAI

I don't think they'll like it.

RORY

I have no time to argue

RORY takes the five dollars LORELAI is offering her.

RORY (CONT.)

I've got to go, I'm going to be late.

RORY goes out the front door.

END ACT TWO

ACT THREE

10 INT. LUKE'S DINER - NIGHT

LUKE DANES is setting up a table with candles, a reserved sign, and a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket of ice. KIRK GLEASON comes in and walks up to LUKE.

KIRK GLEASON

Is everything ready?

LUKE DANES

Yes Kirk, everything's ready.

KIRK

Good, I'm very nervous about this date. Lulu's great. Did you know she has a cat?

LUKE

No I didn't.

KIRK

She does. I haven't met him yet, but I hope he likes me. I hope she likes me.

LUKE

I'm sure she will.

KIRK

You really think so.

LUKE

I think you've done everything you can do to make this date look good at first glance, and first impressions are really important.

KIRK

Yes, they are, that's why I chose this shirt. Mother says it brings out my eyes.

LUKE

You'll be fine, Kirk. Just relax, and enjoy dinner.

KIRK

What if there's a lull, in the conversation.

LUKE

Well, talk about what a nice night it is, how you feel about this time of year, tell her if your food is good, ask about her food.

KIRK

The season, the night, and food. Got it.

LUKE

When you pick her up, tell her she looks nice. They like that.

KIRK

Great. I've got to go pick her up.

KIRK hands LUKE some red roses.

KIRK (CONT.)

These are for the table.

LUKE

Okay, I'll find something to put them in immediately.

KIRK

Thank you, Luke.

KIRK turns and walks to the door.

KIRK

You look lovely. No. Wow, Lulu, you look nice. No. You look beautiful. Yes. That's good.

KIRK leaves. LUKE watches him shaking his head.

11 EXT. THE GAZEBO - NIGHT

RORY and LANE are sitting.

LANE

Here they come.

RICHARD and EMILY approach and climb the steps. RORY smiles and hugs them both.

RORY

I'm glad you could make it, was your trip okay?

RICHARD

Traffic was surprisingly pleasant.

EMILY

Hello Lane, nice to see you again.

LANE

It's nice to see you too Mrs. Gilmore.

RORY

Well, let's get started shall we. I thought we could start with dinner first.

EMILY

Sounds wonderful.

RICHARD

I'm famished. Lead on, Rory.

RORY and RICHARD link arms and she leads him to Luke's, EMILY and LANE trail behind.

EMILY

This town is so beautiful at night, the twinkle lights are fantastic.

LANE

It is, they make it look like a fairyland.

EMILY

They do.

RORY

You should see it at Christmas.

They arrive at Luke's and Rory opens the door for them. RICHARD and EMILY look inside and then look at RORY.

EMILY

We're eating here?

RORY

Yes. Luke is a very good cook, and I checked the menu, he has plenty of things you'll eat. I talked with him before hand and he's even just gotten some fresh fruits and vegetables in a shipment today. They'll be the freshest you can get.

EMILY and RICHARD enter warily. LANE and RORY follow.

12 INT. LUKE'S DINER - NIGHT

RICHARD, EMILY, RORY and LANE sit at a table for four. LUKE approaches.

LUKE

Good evening, Mr. Gilmore, Mrs. Gilmore. Nice to see you again, Rory told me you'd be coming tonight.

LUKE sets the menu's in front of them.

LUKE (CONT.)

What can I get you all to drink?

EMILY

I'll take a water.

RICHARD

Me too.

RORY

Coffee please, Luke.

LANE

Do you have any cider?

LUKE

I sure do Lane.

LANE

Good, I'm in the mood for cider.

LUKE walks away.

13 INT. LUKE'S DINER - NIGHT -TIME LAPSE

RICHARD and EMILY are looking at their menus.

RICHARD

I'll think I'll order a double cheeseburger.

RORY

Excellent choice, grandpa. Luke makes the most delicious burgers. They come with french fries too.

EMILY

I can't believe you're ordering a burger. You could get the same thing at a McDonald's.

LANE

Actually, McDonald's burgers are inferior. Their meat isn't as good a quality as the meat Luke buys.

EMILY looks at her.

LANE (CONT.)

Um, plus Luke make's them really thick. Right, Rory?

RORY

Right. What are you getting, grandma?

LUKE approaches with his pad and pen.

EMILY

Oh, I can't decide.

LUKE

May I suggest the steak Mrs. Gilmore?

EMILY

Really?

LUKE

Oh yes, I'm finding the group of steaks I've cooked today have been extremely tender and well flavored. They come with a baked potato and side salad.

EMILY

That sounds wonderful. I'll take that.

LUKE

Mr. Gilmore?

RICHARD

I'd like a double cheeseburger with fries.

RORY

Me too.

LUKE

Lane?

EMILY turns and looks at LANE.

EMILY

Lane dear, why don't you join me in having a steak.

LANE

Actually that does sound good. I'll have that Luke.

LUKE

What kind of dressing would you like Mrs. Gilmore and Lane?

EMILY

Italian.

LANE

Ranch.

LUKE

Be right back.

LUKE walks away. RORY notices KIRK sitting at a table with LULU. She nudges LANE.

RORY

Look, Kirk is on a date.

EMILY leans forward.

EMILY

Who is?

RORY

Kirk. I've never seen him date before. He lives with his mother.

EMILY

I see.

LUKE comes back with EMILY and LANE'S salads.

RORY

Luke, is Kirk on a date?

LUKE

As a matter of fact he is. Her name is Lulu.

RORY

Lulu.

LUKE

Yes, it seems to be going well.

RORY

Well good for him, it's about time he's happy.

LANE nods.

LUKE

Your dinners will be right out, enjoy your salads.

LUKE walks away.

14 EXT. HAUNTED HOUSE - STARS HOLLOW TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT - MUSIC: EURYTHMICS "SWEET DREAMS"

RICHARD, EMILY, RORY and LANE have just exited the haunted house.

EMILY

That was fun, much scarier than I thought it would be though. Do people really like to be frightened that much?

RORY

Oh yes, it's an adrenaline rush to some people.

LANE

The best part was when that ghost came down and covered your head, Mr. Gilmore.

They all laugh.

RICHARD

I couldn't see a thing.

EMILY

I'm having so much fun. When you said we were going through a haunted house I expected it to be dreadful. It wasn't though, and the carriage ride was fantastic.

RORY

I'm glad we decided to do that first.

RICHARD

So what are we doing next?

RORY

Well, I see a hot drinks booth just over there on the corner. Why don't we stop and have a nice warm drink.

EMILY

Sounds lovely. I would love some hot cocoa.

They walk towards the booth.

RORY

So, grandpa, how's business?

RICHARD

It's going very well thank you. Jason and I are discussing taking some prospective clients to Atlantic city in a few weeks.

EMILY

You didn't tell me.

RICHARD

We've only just been discussing it. We're going to go on a weekend.

EMILY

I can't believe this. I can't believe you didn't even discuss it with me. He's only with you to get back at his father for crying out loud.

EMILY shakes her head and walks away. RORY, LANE and RICHARD watch her, stunned.

RICHARD

What did I do wrong?

15 INT. LORELAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT

The doorbell rings. LORELAI enters the hall coming from the kitchen and picks a cauldron up off of the table. It's filled with candy. She opens the door. Emily's standing there.

LORELAI

What have we - Mom?

EMILY

Can I come in?

LORELAI

Uh sure.

LORELAI moves aside and EMILY enters.

LORELAI

Why don't we sit down, can I get you something to drink?

EMILY

No thank you.

They go and sit on the couch.

LORELAI

So, what's wrong, mom?

EMILY

It's your father. He and Jason have planned a trip to Atlantic City. They didn't even tell me.

LORELAI

Why are they going?

EMILY

To celebrate with their prospective clients. It's so horrible.

LORELAI

It's okay, mom.

EMILY

I don't have any place in his new world. When he worked for Jason's father I knew all the other men's wives, and we would have tea and parties. I thought by throwing him a party to celebrate his merge with Jason I could recreate that.

LORELAI

Did you tell him that, mom?

EMILY

No. Jason doesn't even have a wife! This is horrible.

LORELAI

Maybe you should talk to him.

EMILY

Maybe I will.

EMILY looks at LORELAI

EMILY

The party's off.

LORELAI looks concerned.

LORELAI

Isn't that a little harsh?

EMILY

Until further notice, it's off.

END ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

16 INT. YALE HALL - DAY - MUSIC: SAM PHILLIPS CUE

Groups of students are standing around talking quietly. RORY walks in and looks at them curiously before going into her suite. The entire place is very quiet.

17 INT. RORY'S SUITE - DAY

RORY comes in the door and shuts it behind her.

RORY

Hey, anybody here?

TANNA comes out from her room.

TANNA

Hi, Rory.

RORY

Hey. What's going on out there?

TANNA

I'm not entirely sure, but I heard that somebody died.

RORY

A student?

TANNA

I don't know.

RORY

I'm going to go find out.

RORY turns around and walks back out the door.

18 INT. YALE HALL - DAY - MUSIC: SAM PHILLIPS CUE

Students are still standing around. RORY looks around and spots MARTY coming down the stairs. She walks over to him.

RORY

Hey, Marty.

MARTY

Hi, Rory.

RORY

What's going on?

MARTY

You don't know?

RORY

No, I went home last night.

MARTY

Rory.

He sighs and puts a hand on her shoulder.

MARTY

Rory, Becky's dead.

RORY

What?

MARTY

She died last night. They found her in her dorm room, hung from the ceiling.

RORY

Oh my god, did she -

MARTY

They don't think it was suicide. They think it was an accident. Her two best friends were supposed to meet her there that night. Her roommate said Becky told her she was going to trick them. Apparently they always played jokes on her, and this year she was going to get them back.

RORY

Oh god.

MARTY

I guess she was going to fake hanging herself, but something went wrong and the chair got knocked out from under her and she died.

RORY

Oh my, I'm sorry, I've got to go.

MARTY nods understandingly as RORY bolts back into Suite 5.

19 INT. JASON'S OFFICE - DAY

JASON is sitting at his desk. LORELAI storms in.

JASON

Lorelai, I wasn't expecting you.

LORELAI

Yeah, I figured as much, after all, you wouldn't return my phone calls.

JASON

I'm sorry I've been really busy.

LORELAI laughs.

LORELAI

Right, I forgot, you're trying to screw your father over. Just, would you try to stop screwing over my family in the process?

JASON

What are you talking about?

LORELAI

I'm talking about the launch party my mother was throwing for you and my dad. She hired Sookie and I to plan it and then all of a sudden last night she comes to me and tells me the party's off. Why? Because you talked my father into going to Atlantic City to celebrate with your clients for some unknown reason. What are you trying to do bankrupt them completely?

JASON

No! We're not, we just want to celebrate.

LORELAI

And you couldn't have done that here, with the party?

JASON

I didn't know about the party! I thought if we took them to Atlantic City we'd stand out.

LORELAI

Yeah, maybe as the stupidest. Let them gamble away their payment to you and then how are you going to get any clients?

JASON

I never thought of it that way.

LORELAI

I'm amazed you thought at all. God, you've done this your whole life. Everything I've done, or my family has done, you and yours did it better, yet somehow more gaudy and stupidly. When we were ten I planned a fantastic birthday party and do you know how many people came? Ten. Ten people out of one hundred! The other ninety were at a stupid party you'd put together. Do you know how many of those ninety people later came to me and said they were sorry and should have gone to mine instead? Ninety of them!

JASON

That's not my fault, the lion trainer didn't show up.

LORELAI buries her face in he hands and screams.

LORELAI

You haven't changed! You're still the same arrogant little prick. Except now you don't return phone calls. I swear if you screw over my father you will wish you were never born.

JASON

I'm sorry I didn't return your calls, and that you think I'm an arrogant prick. I won't screw over your father, I respect Richard too much.

He pauses

JASON

Lorelai, will you go to dinner with me?

LORELAI

How can you ask that with a straight face? Can't you tell by my unexpected visit, body language, and tone of voice that I am pissed as all hell at you right now?

LORELAI snorts.

LORELAI

Like I would say yes.

JASON

Look, Emily's probably just as angry at me, so going to dinner with me now would piss her off.

LORELAI

What makes you think I want to piss my own mother off?

JASON

Because when push comes to shove you and I aren't that different, Lorelai.

LORELAI frowns and stares at him.

LORELAI

Fine. One dinner, consider it a trial. By the way, I am nothing like you.

LORELAI leaves his office slamming the door behind her.

20 EXT. YALE QUAD - DAY - MUSIC: SAM PHILLIPS CUE

RORY, visibly upset, walk through the quad with A Bend in The Road by Nicholas Sparks. She stops suddenly. Ahead of her is a tree, a HOT GUY is sitting underneath reading Entertainment Weekly. She approaches cautiously.

RORY

Excuse me?

The HOT GUY doesn't look up.

HOT GUY

Yes?

RORY

Can you move?

The HOT GUY looks up at her.

HOT GUY

Why?

RORY

This is my study tree.

HOT GUY

I see. Well, I've been studying here for a year and two months so I doubt I'm about to let a petty little freshman scare me away. It's a free world and if I want to sit here I will. There are plenty of trees around if you're looking for one.

HOT GUY goes back to his magazine.

RORY

But this is the best one, the ground is softer under it, and the trunk is big enough to lean against, and there's that root, that works good to prop books up on and the leave allow just the right amount of sun and shade.

HOT GUY looks up.

HOT GUY

You think entirely too much. If you're that gung ho over it I'm sure there's enough tree to go around.

He goes back to reading. RORY huffs and goes to the other side of the tree and sits against the truck. She glances over at him then opens up her book and tries to read. After a moment she begins crying. He glances over his shoulder at her and sighs.

HOT GUY

I didn't think I was that mean, please stop crying.

RORY

It has nothing to do with you. Just, leave me alone.

They're both quiet a moment while RORY continues to cry. He sighs and looks straight ahead.

HOT GUY

Did you know Becky?

RORY

Yes.

He digs around in his nearby backpack and then throws a little pack of tissues at her. She picks them up from her lap and looks back at him curiously. He's looking at her.

HOT GUY

It's allergy season. You can have them, I have plenty.

He turns back to his magazine.

RORY

Uh, thanks.

HOT GUY

Don't mention it. Ever.

They both go back to reading as RORY wipes her tears away.

END

DEDICATION: Three years ago one of my cousin's friends tried to play a Halloween joke on his parents and friends by pretending he'd been hung in the garage. In a horrible accident he slipped and ended up hanging himself. The mailman found him. This episode is dedicated to him. I don't remember his name, or the year he died, but it's still for him.

Guest Starring:

Michelle Borth - Becky

Jordan Clarke - Professor

Melissa Jones - Maid

Wayne Wilcox - Marty

Stacey Bellew - April

Chris Eigeman - Jason "Digger" Stiles

Juliette Lewis - Lulu

Olivia Hack - Tanna

Mike Erwin - Hot Guy