(The afore-mentioned disclaimer still applies.)

Act Three--French Cheese and Top Hats

GILMORE HOUSE--RORY'S ROOM

Lane is sitting on the bed while Rory puts stuff into her duffle bag.

Lane: Europe...two summers in a row...you're such a jet setter...so lucky, too.

Rory: You and I should go someday.

Lane: Great idea. With our luck, we'd probably hook up with two very hot European guys only to find that they're secretly using us to smuggle drugs. Then we'll end up in some scary prison.

Rory: But, at least we'll have each other.

Lane: True. So, my mom and I have been seeing each other more.

Rory: (smiling) Really? That's great.

Lane: Well, actually, it's more like her visiting, drinking her tea in virtual silence, and asking if I've read the Bible lately. But it's a start.

Rory: (nodding) Yeah. A start's good.

Lane: So, six weeks. You'll be gone way too long.

Rory: I'll be back before you know it.

Lane: (getting up and shutting the door) Did you talk to Dean?

Rory: Yeah, he called earlier. Oh, and I had a fun encounter with Lindsay this morning.

Lane: (surprised) Whoa, what happened?

Rory: She told me to stay away from Dean. She says they're not getting a divorce.

Lane: But, they are, right?

Rory: (sighing) Yeah, at least that's what Dean says. Anyway, I just...it will be good to get away...Then I can figure out what to do.

Lane: But I'll miss ya.

Rory: Yeah, me too.

CUT TO LIVING ROOM

The doorbell rings. Lorelai goes to answer it.

Lorelai: (calling to Rory) Ror, I think Grandma's here.

She opens the door. Sookie and Michel are standing there.

Lorelai: Oh, hey Sookie, Michel...What are you doing here?

Michel: (rolling his eyes) Nice hospitality.

Lorelai: Come in....I just meant..I thought you two were supposed to be in Hartford at the Home and Garden Show, looking for ideas for the inn.

Sookie: Well, we were...Until Michel got us kicked out.

Lorelai: What?

Michel: That vendor was so rude. He kept trying to get me to sit in that massage chair. I didn't want to, okay? It's not my fault he tripped over those boxes.

Sookie: You pushed him!

Michel: They'll never prove it.

Lorelai: You didn't!

Michel: I can't help it. I don't like things that vibrate.

Lorelai: (snapping her figures) Oh man. There goes the trip to the sex toy shop for your birthday present.

Sookie: (smiling) Where's Rory? I wanna say bye before she leaves.

Lorelai: She's in her room with Lane.

Rory and Lane come walking out.

Rory: (looking around) I thought Grandma was here.

Lorelai: False Alarm.

Sookie: Rory, you excited?

Rory: (smiling) Yeah.

Michel: Rory, will you be visiting France?

Rory: (nodding) Yes, we will.

Michel: Well, have a nice glass of wine and cheese for me.

Rory: Okay, will do.

Michel: (reminiscing) Oh, I do love cheese. I miss it the most, you know.

Lorelai: That's what you miss about France--the cheese? We do have cheese here in America, Michel.

Michel: Yes. American cheese. Not at all original. Oh, French cheese. (a little misty) Excuse me. I need a moment.

Michel walks out the front door.

Lorelai (to Rory): He and Lulu should start a club.

Sookie: Well, Rory, Have a great time. (hugs her) We'll miss you. Pinch a French guy's butt for me!

Rory: (laughing) Okay, Sookie. Come on, Lane. I gotta give you those CDs you lent me.

Lane: Okay.

Lane and Rory walk off, leaving Sookie and Lorelai in the living room together.

Lorelai: (whispering) Hey, Sookie...um...before anything gets out...I wanna tell you something.

Sookie: What?

Lorelai: Luke and I are, uh, kinda...

Sookie: (sighing) You're not fighting again, are you? I swear you two go at it like cats and dogs.

Lorelai: (smiling) Actually, no...um...we're dating.

Sookie: (doesn't believe her) Yeah right.

Lorelai: Sookie, I'm serious.

Sookie: You and Luke are dating? No way.

Lorelai: Yes.

Sookie: No.

Lorelai: Yes.

Sookie: Yes?

Lorelai: Yes.

Sookie: (eyes widen) Oh my God! When did this happen?

Lorelai: It's only been a few weeks, but it's going pretty well.

Sookie: (shocked) A few weeks?...and you only told me now?

Lorelai: I'm sorry...its just..we were tryin to keep things quiet...plus with the inn...and Rory...I just kinda forgot.

Sookie: (still in disbelief) Wow! Luke? I mean I always thought you two would....but to have it actually happen. Wow.

Lorelai: (smiling) Yeah, I know.

Suddenly Emily's voice is heard from off screen.

Emily: (OS) Lorelai? Rory?

Lorelai: (whispering to Sookie) My mom doesn't know. Shhh.

Sookie: Okay.

Emily walks into the living room.

Emily: You just leave your front door open? Do you want to have intruders in here?

Lorelai: Yes, Mom. I find it's the best way to polish my Kung Fu moves.

Emily: (rolling her eyes) Where's Rory? Oh, hello, Sookie.

Sookie: Hi. Have a great time in Europe. See ya later, Lorelai.

Lorelai: Bye, Sook.

Sookie walks out. Rory walks in. Lane has apparently left.

Rory: Hey Grandma.

Emily: Hello, Rory. Are you ready?

Rory: Yes.

Emily: Great. The driver will get your luggage.

Lorelai: Hey Mom, how's Dad?

Emily: Why don't you call him and find out?

Lorelai: Oookay.

Emily: Well, Lorelai, you take care of yourself. And I will take care of our Rory. (pats Rory on the shoulder)

Lorelai: Okay, Mom.

Emily: (in a huff) What on Earth is taking that driver so long to get the luggage?...Excuse me....

Emily leaves.

Lorelai: (kinda sad) So, kid, you're really leavin me?

Rory: Mom, I'll be back before you know it.

Lorelai: Last chance to bail. That offer about the pony still stands.

Rory: Ponies scare me, remember?

Lorelai: Well, then how 'bout a goat?

Rory: Mom. (hugs her) You'll be fine. I'll miss you.

Lorelai: I'll miss you, too. Call every day.

Rory: I will.

Lorelai looks at Rory and smiles.

Lorelai: I love you, sweetie.

Rory: I love you, too. You and Luke behave yourselves. I won't be here to chaperone.

Lorelai: (smiling) Well, I'll try, but I don't know about Luke....

CUT TO GILMORE HOUSE--THAT EVENING

The doorbell rings. Lorelai is heard off screen.

Lorelai: (OS) I'll be there in a minute. (she opens the door) Hey, Luke.

Luke: (walking in with bags of food) Hey...Where do you want this? Kitchen?

Lorelai: Yeah (following close behind him as he walks to the kitchen, touching the back of his shirt) Ahh...flannel...sweet flannel...you've returned...oh, how I've missed you.

Luke: What're you talkin about? You saw me in flannel earlier.

Lorelai: Yes..but this is the first time you've worn flannel on a date with me.

Luke: Oh...well I woulda wore my tux, but it's at the cleaners with my top hat.

Lorelai: Top hat! Great look for you!

Luke: Uh huh. So I brought a little of everything. You hungry?

Lorelai: Starved.

Luke: Good. So Rory's on her way, huh?

Lorelai: (sifting through the bags) Yeah, I miss her already.

Luke: (sitting down at the table) So...Sookie came to the diner this afternoon.

Lorelai: (sitting down too) Okay.

Luke: Yeah. She kept winking at me and giggling. I assumed you told her about us because the only other alternative is that she's developed some kinda tic...

Lorelai: (smiling) Maybe she has a crush on you. I'll have to fight her. Mud wrestling?

Luke: No thanks. So you told her?

Lorelai: Yeah, I figured I should before she reads it in the Stars Hollow Gazette.

Luke: The people in this town are so nosy.

Lorelai: Really? Yeah. I think they have big ears, too.

Luke: Alright...eat.

Lorelai: (excited) Ooo yeah...cuz I picked out a great movie for us.

Luke: Which one?

Lorelai: Psycho? Seen it?

Luke: Nope.

Lorelai: Luke Danes, you are in for a treat...You'll never feel the same way about showering again.

Fade to black.