Season Four As It Should Be

by Jewls13

As early pioneers in the knowing, that when you lose your reason, you attain highest perfect knowing." In a world where actor availability doesn't dictate storylines, season 4, our way. "Its like East and West Berlin without the laughs"

3. White Flag

Disclaimer: I don't own any character that has ever appeared on Gilmore Girls. They belong to Amy Sherman Pallidino. I do however, own any and all character in this fic that don't appear on Gilmore Girls.

Talk not of wasted affection; affection never was wasted.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

For Marissa and everyone else who's lost faith

Chapter 3: White Flag

EXT. YALE CAMPUS HALLWAY

Rory and Paris walking out of class

RORY: Nicely done.

PARIS: Nicely done? Rory, two hundred students submitted their proposal; a hundred and ninety of them hate me. Why? 'Cause I'm in the top ten.

RORY: Come on Paris. That's not why they hate you.

Paris shoots her a look which Rory shrugs off

RORY: So, are we gonna eat or what? I'm starving.

Paris walks towards the grade chart on the wall

PARIS: Yeah, I just want to check my grade from Professor Andrews's class.

RORY: For what? You're always number one.

PARIS: And the crazy thing is...it never gets old.

Rory sighs

RORY: I still can't believe you're taking a graduate level class.

PARIS: Well, just because you can't handle it doesn't mean that I can't. Ok, read me the top student ID number.

RORY: The top score went to student ID number...hand drumroll...8438.

PARIS: Very funny, Rory. Now read the one that finished first on the test.

RORY: That is the one.

Paris pushes Rory out of the way so she can see the print out

PARIS: No. Can't be. My number's 9350. I'm supposed to be first.

RORY: Maybe nobody told the guy who grades the papers.

PARIS: I'm number two?

RORY: Whoa, whoa, wha.. what just happened here? Let's see, if you're number two...let me see if my math is correct...that means somebody else is number one. Huh!

PARIS: Where do you hide your abacus?

RORY: No, no, no, no. Now stay with me, stay with me. This means if you, if you were in the Olympics, you'd be uh...silver! And if you were a Brady, you'd be Jan!!

PARIS: You're enjoying this aren't you?

RORY: Is my enormous grin showing?

Paris glares at Rory

RORY: Paris, all this means is you're just going to have to study a little bit more.

Paris stares straight ahead, determined as she walks away

PARIS: Or...find out who's number one and take 'em down.

RORY: Yes, you're maturing nicely.

::Opening Credits::

EXT. CAMPUS

Rory and fellow classmate are talking. Rory turns to leave, and he sees a book on the bench.

GUY: Hey, you forgot your book.

Rory turns to boy.

RORY: That's not mine.

GUY: Oh, ok. Ask me tomorrow if I gave it to lost and found, cause I'll probably forget.

RORY:I'll drop it off, I'm heading that way anyway.

GUY: All right, cool.

He gives Rory the book

GUY: I'll see you tomorrow. Or maybe at the Quad later?

RORY: Yeah, um. Probably not.

GUY: Ok...

Guy leaves a little hurt. Rory looks at the cover of the book, 'Sons and Lovers'. Intrigued, she turns it over to read the back as she walks down the hallway to her dorm. Upon turning a corner, she opens the book and begins flipping backwards through it. As her eyes scan the pages, her walking slows; her eyes widen until she comes to a complete stop. The first half of the book with familiarly written notes in the margins.

CUT TO:

Jess. He approaches a bench and reaches for his book. Realizing he doesn't have it, he pauses for a moment, before turning back in the direction that he came.

EXT. YALE COURTYARD

Jess sees the book lying on the bench with no one around. He goes to pick up the book, but he sees that the second half of the book is torn out. Rory comes out of hiding surprising Jess.

RORY: Looking for this?

Rory holds up the second half of the book. Jess looks on, shocked and rather nervous though he maintains his casualness...

JESS: Yeah actually.

RORY: He doesn't stay.

JESS: Thanks, you just saved me the trouble of reading it.

RORY: (slightly angry) What are you doing here?

JESS: (matter-of-factly) Looking for my book

Rory is not amused, he presses forcefully

RORY: What are you doing here?

Jess looks down momentarily, then away

JESS: I didn't say goodbye?

Rory just looks at him; she's not charmed, she's not amused, she's a mix of mad and surprised and just....bewilderment. She's detached; she's numb, but if she's anything she's angry.

JESS: Rory we need to talk...

RORY: I said everything I needed to say over the phone.

JESS: And what about me? Don't I get the chance to explain.

RORY: You had your chance. You blew it.

::beat::

RORY: Goodbye Jess.

She turns and walks away leaving Jess standing there.

EXT. STARS HOLLOW

Lorelai and Sookie are walking around the town, window shopping.

LORELAI: Sookie, wait. We have to stop here.

They stop at a jewelry boutique.

SOOKIE: What are we doing here?

LORELAI: Fawning.

SOOKIE: What are we fawning at?

LORELAI: The most beautiful earrings in the world.

SOOKIE: (pointing)Those?

LORELAI: Yep.

SOOKIE: (gasping) Those are the most beautiful earrings in the world.

LORELAI: And they go perfectly with that necklace I bought for your wedding.

SOOKIE: You mean the most beautiful necklace that Audrey Hepburn never wore.

LORELAI: That's the one.

SOOKIE: You're right. They're perfect. You should buy them.

LORELAI: Sure. But first, let's go to pick up our government cheese.

SOOKIE: Oh that's right. They must be expensive.

LORELAI: And this time I don't have the excuse of a wedding.

SOOKIE: Janine Hooverman is getting married.

LORELAI: Well, let's see how I can get myself invited to that wedding.

SOOKIE: She's looking for caterers.

LORELAI: I see what you're saying. I recommend a good caterer to her and she's so grateful she sends me an invitation. Good thinking.

Lorelai looks up and taps her chin

LORELAI: Now who to recommend...

SOOKIE: You could recommend us.

LORELAI: Us? We're not caterers.

SOOKIE: What are you talking about? We catered things at the inn all the time.

LORELAI: Yeah, but that was different.

SOOKIE: How so?

LORELAI: We had money then.

SOOKIE: But this could be a way to make money. We're good caterers. We can use some of the money we have for the new inn to start off with, pay it back with the money we make, plus some for the next job, and pretty soon we start making a profit.

LORELAI: Who would hire us?

SOOKIE: Hopefully, Janine Hooverman.

LORELAI: She's getting married.

SOOKIE: Yes.

LORELAI: It could work.

SOOKIE: Of course it could.

LORELAI: Okay. So our first gig. Hooverman and...Who's she marrying?

SOOKIE: Peter Lemon.

LORELAI: Ooh. Not good.

SOOKIE: What?

LORELAI: I dated the groom.

SOOKIE: So?

LORELAI: It wasn't good.

SOOKIE: What happened?

LORELAI: Well, let's just say when life gives you Lemons, you can't always make lemonade. It made my list of worst dates ever, but he's still a little hung up on me. I think I might have bumped into him and Janine on one of their dates. I don't know. I just wouldn't want to step in Mrs. Lemon's limelight.

SOOKIE: And you wouldn't be able to stop with the Lemon jokes.

LORELAI: No.

SOOKIE: (sigh) Well, we can't go by who you dated or who wanted to date you or we won't be able to cater any weddings.

LORELAI: Hey, when did I become the town slut?

SOOKIE: What about Christopher's wedding?

LORELAI: Hello. I dated him, too. I even had his kid. Huh. Maybe I am the town slut.

SOOKIE: Does he have caterers?

LORELAI: We are not catering Chris' wedding.

SOOKIE: Why not? If you have to be there anyway, might as well make money off of it.

LORELAI: But since I'm not going to be there, I'd feel a little guilty making money off of it.

SOOKIE: You're not going?

LORELAI: No. I already sent back the invitation card. It'd be too weird, you know. It's Chris.

SOOKIE: What about Rory?

LORELAI: Oh, she's going.

SOOKIE: By herself?

LORELAI: She went all the way to Yale all by herself. I'm sure she could make it to Boston.

SOOKIE: So you're not going.

LORELAI: No.

SOOKIE: All right. So no Janine Hooverman. No Chris. It's okay. I'm sure we'll find something. It's the season for weddings. (noticing a crowd in the town square) I wonder what's going on over there.

LORELAI: (deadpan) Probably a wedding. Actually, I think that's the raising of the town flag. Taylor said something about that at the last meeting.

SOOKIE: That's right. But already, you think? Let's go over.

LORELAI: But I want coffee now. All this wedding talk killed my buzz.

SOOKIE: Okay, coffee first.

EXT. LUKE'S DINER

On the door is a sign: 'Leave all flags and flag paraphernalia at the door or you will not be served. The Management.'

LORELAI: Yep. That's the flag raising over there.

They go and take a table

LUKE: What do you want?

LORELAI: We were actually looking for t-shirts with the town flag. Do you have any left?

LUKE: Don't start.

LORELAI: Just an innocent question.

LUKE: Look, I don't want to know anything about flags. I don't want to even here the word 'flag' in my diner. This is a flag free zone.

LORELAI: That's funny 'cause you just said it three time.

LUKE: If you ask me, this whole thing is ridiculous. Now all day I'm going to have to see those stupid flags...

LORELAI: Shh. This is a bleep free zone.

LUKE: How many disasters in history occurred because someone wanted to put up a dumb flag somewhere?

LORELAI: You say that word one more time and I'm calling the Management.

LUKE: (to Sookie) I'm willing to wait on you, how's that?

SOOKIE: What kind of peppers do you use in the Western omelet?

LUKE: I give up.

Luke walks away. The bell above the door sounds as Taylor enters; a man with a mission

TAYLOR: Luke. Just the person I wanted to see. I thought I'd see you at the ceremony, but...

LUKE: You know I wasn't going to the ceremony.

TAYLOR: Yes, well, you can still support the cause. I was wondering if you would use these Stars Hollow flag mugs instead of those plain, drab ones. Just for the day.

LUKE: No.

TAYLOR: Now, Luke...

LUKE: No, no, no. I like the plain, drab mugs. Do you know why? No propaganda.

TAYLOR: This is not propaganda, Luke. This is town pride.

LUKE: No, this is stupid.

TAYLOR: This flag (pointing to the flag on the mug) represents fellowship, fraternity, and community.

LUKE: It's a mug, Taylor.

LORELAI: What's the whole deal with the flag anyway, Taylor? And if we have to say the Pledge of Allegiance in front of it, do we leave out 'under God'?

LUKE: No, just replace it with 'under Taylor'?

TAYLOR: If either of you had been to the ceremony, you would know. But for your own edification, I will just have you know that this flag is going to bring about communal solidarity. Whenever a member of the town experiences a tragedy of some sort, lost a friend or loved one, that person is entitled to lower the flag to half mast, at which point, anyone around will gather and find out what has happened in that person's life and will be able to support the person in his or her hour of need.

SOOKIE: (wistfully) That's kind of nice.

LORELAI: Yeah.

LUKE: Do me a favor and don't lower the flag when I shoot myself.

TAYLOR: You don't have to tell me twice. Thank you once again, Luke, for your lack of cooperation.

LORELAI: Don't worry, Taylor. You can go higher than him. Speak to the Management.

TAYLOR: I hope you ladies will join the Town Flag celebration.

LORELAI: Will do. Oh, can I get one of those flag mugs?

TAYLOR: Well, I don't see why not.

Taylor gives her mug and leaves. Lorelai holds the mug to Luke

LORELAI: Coffee please?

Luke rolls his eyes and pours the coffee

INT. NEW HAVEN

Rory is walking down the hall, not really paying attention to where she is going. A hand grabs her and pulls her into an empty classroom

RORY: Whoa. Francie? Oh, Paris. Close.

PARIS: Lavinia Boyd.

RORY: Really? You look just like Paris Gellar.

PARIS: No, Lavinia Boyd is 8438.

RORY: What?

PARIS: Top score on the test.

RORY: Oh. How'd you find out?

PARIS: I have my sources.

RORY: And I thought they posted ID numbers for the anonymity.

PARIS: Do you know her?

RORY: No, she's still very anonymous to me.

PARIS: Fine, then. We need to research this

RORY: Paris, don't be ridiculous. So she got a higher score than you. What difference does it make?

PARIS: This isn't just about the score, Rory.

RORY: It isn't?

PARIS: No. Don't you see? We're born rivals. She got her name from the Aeneid. I got my name from the Iliad.

RORY: That explains it.

PARIS: This is destiny, Rory. This is our Kampf auf Leben und Tod.

RORY: Well, let me know how it turns out.

PARIS: You're not going to help me?

RORY: Am I going to be your accomplice in your psychotic competition? No. Look, Paris, I have work to do and things to take care of and a lot on my mind and I really just don't have time for this.

PARIS: You don't care about defending the Homeric Greek tradition.

RORY: Paris was a Trojan. And he was in the Aeneid, too.

PARIS: But he dies in the Aeneid. Is that what you want for me?

RORY: I don't think I should answer that just now.

EXT. STARS HOLLOW

Miss Patty is lowering the town flag. Babette sees her from across the street

BABETTE: Hey, everybody, look! Patty's lowering the flag. We better see what's wrong.

A crowd gathers around the flag

KIRK: What happened?

BABETTE: Yeah, honey. What's the matter?

MISS PATTY: I just got a letter that Bula just died. We used to do an act together.

LORELAI: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Patty.

TAYLOR: Were you two friends for a long time?

MISS PATTY: If you ask Bula, a very long time. But you can't ask her because she's dead!

Miss Patty starts bawling

BABETTE: Come on, sugar. We'll have a pint on it over at Luke's.

Lorelai and Lane are standing side by side.

LANE: Poor Miss Patty.

LORELAI: Yeah.

LANE: I don't think I've ever seen her so upset.

LORELAI: Not since she lost that Greta Garbo look-a-like contest.

LANE: That's right.

Taylor comes over.

TAYLOR: Now you see, ladies, this flag will remain at half-mast for the rest of the afternoon in memory of Bula.

LORELAI: I have to say, Taylor, this flag thing was a good idea. I might not have even known about Bula if it weren't for this.

TAYLOR: Well see, that's what it's for.

LANE: I'm going to offer a prayer for Bula at the Prayer Group. If you speak to Rory, tell her I'll call her tomorrow.

Lane leaves

LORELAI: I will.

TAYLOR: Well, I better draw up the announcement about Bula to post on the pole.

Taylor leaves. Lorelai turns around and gasps. Christopher is standing looking right at her.

CHRIS: Hey.

LORELAI: Uh. Hi.

CHRIS: Can we talk?

LORELAI: Uh, I guess. Though I should warn you, I just found out Bula died so I might be a little out of it.

CHRIS: Who's Bula?

LORELAI: A good friend of a friend.

CHRIS: I'm sorry.

LORELAI: It's okay. So what's up?

CHRIS: You tell me.

LORELAI: Well, if you would have come five minutes earlier, I would have said the flag.

CHRIS: Yeah, I saw that. Look, Lorelai, I don't have a lot of time so let's not beat around the bush.

LORELAI: Does Sherry know you're here?

CHRIS: No. I mean, it's not that I'm hiding it from her. I just didn't see her before I left. Lorelai, what's this about?

Chris holds up the reply card

LORELAI: I thought it was about your wedding.

CHRIS: You checked no.

LORELAI: Did I? Well then, I guess I'm not going.

CHRIS: You have to go.

LORELAI: I'm sorry. I thought the two boxes on the card were there for a reason.

CHRIS: I mean, I want you to go.

LORELAI: Why?

CHRIS: Because I want Rory to go...

LORELAI: She's going.

CHRIS: She's not going to know anybody...

LORELAI: She knows you.

CHRIS: But you know, I'm going to be a little busy, getting married and all.

LORELAI: She'll bring a book.

CHRIS: I'm sure she will, but I want her to have a good time.

LORELAI: Rory has a great time with books. That's why she got into Yale.

CHRIS: She'd want you to be there and you know it.

LORELAI: I've talked to Rory about it and she understands. Why can't you? I mean, after everything...all...just everything...that...how can you stand there and ask me to go?

CHRIS: I just want you to.

LORELAI: Why?

CHRIS: I don't know. It's just that whenever I pictured myself getting married, I always pictured you there.

He cocks a feeble smile

LORELAI: I'm sorry, Christopher. I...I can't stand here having this conversation with you. I have to go.

CHRIS: Here. (returning the card) I won't accept that until you've changed your mind.

Lorelai takes the card and leaves.

INT. LUKE'S DINER

Babette and Miss Patty are at a table. Miss Patty is still in the aftermath of tears. Luke comes over

LUKE: What can I get you two?

BABETTE: Can we get another minute, Luke?

LUKE: Sure. (Notices Miss Patty) You okay, Patty?

BABETTE: Didn't you hear? Bula died. They lowered the flag and everything.

LUKE: Who's Bula?

BABETTE: They used to do an act together.

MISS PATTY: We worked together for 3 years.

LUKE: That's long, eh?

MISS PATTY: In Bulla's time, it was even longer. Twenty one years.

LUKE: Wait. You don't mean to tell me Bula's a dog?

MISS PATTY: Well, of course. I mean, what's so special about a human playing the piano? Oh, Bulla!

She starts crying again

BABETTE: I was the same way when Cinnamon died, the poor thing. Could you be a doll and get her some water?

LUKE: Uh, yeah.

INT. LIBRARY

Next day. Rory is studying in the library. Paris enters the library, whips her head around quickly, and swiftly approaches her target

PARIS: Okay, so it turns out that Brainy Boyd is the secretary for Students for the Refuge of Refugees.

RORY: (not looking up) So she has a brain and a heart. That must kill you, doesn't it?

PARIS: They meet today. You have to come with me. I might need someone to hold me back.

RORY: Paris, please don't tell me you're looking for a fight with this girl.

PARIS: I didn't look for a fight with her. She's looking for a fight with me. She took what was rightfully mine. I'm just getting it back.

RORY: Poetic justice, don't you think? The grade that launched a thousand ships.

PARIS: The battle has already started, Rory. Now you're either with me or against me. Are you coming?

RORY: As much as I enjoy watching a good blood bath, I'm swamped. Can I offer some advice, though?

PARIS: If you've got any quotes from Gandhi, save it.

RORY: All I have to say is that one day, as great of a stretch of the imagination as it requires right now, you might need a tutor, and do you really want to make enemies with the only person who might actually be qualified to help you?

PARIS: You think she's better than me!

RORY: (sighs) Forget it. I'm going to study in my room.

She picks up her stuff and starts to leave.

PARIS: I'm going to remember this, Rory.

RORY: Paris, I'm just saying you should be nice to her. Maybe you could wreak your twisted revenge on her better as her friend than her adversary. Trust me. I'm living proof you can.

She leaves

EXT. STARS HOLLOW

Andrew is lowering the flag. Everyone goes over.

MISS PATTY: Andrew, what's wrong?

ANDREW: Lolita just died.

KIRK: Who's Lolita?

ANDREW: My car.

GYPSY: Yep, she's a goner. Beyond fixing. Officially dead.

ANDREW: It used to be my dad's car. He loved it. More than he did my mom. And when he died, he left it to me. I thought he'd leave it to my brother because he was always the favorite.

BABETTE: That's true. Stan was always his favorite.

ANDREW: But he left it to me. It meant a lot to me. Just driving around in it, I felt my dad was right there.

EVERYONE: Aww.

GYPSY: Yeah, I feel bad for you, Andrew. But you need to get that hunk of junk out of my shop. It's taking up a lot of space.

BABETTE: Come on, Gypsy. Respect the flag.

KIRK: That's right. There is to be no moving of the car until the flag is raised again.

GYPSY: Fine. But as soon as that thing goes up, it better be out of there.

Gypsy walks off. Everyone stays with their heads bowed around Andrew and the flag.

INT. INN

Lorelai is looking through mail

LORELAI: I can't believe this.

SOOKIE: What?

LORELAI: A disconnection notice for cable.

SOOKIE: Oh no.

LORELAI: How many pay-per-view? That's ridiculous! That's...Kirk.

SOOKIE: Then just tell him he has to pay half?

LORELAI: I can't. We made a deal. Since he cooks, pays rent, can't decorate his room, and can't leave his sci-fi magazines in the magazine rack, he gets free cable. But this, this is revenge. I used up his neutralizing lotion. He got pretty upset about it. So now I have to pay this bill and buy my own neutralizing lotion. Any news of any weddings? Heck, I'd even do a funeral.

SOOKIE: We could always camp around the flag and find out who died.

LORELAI: (phone rings) Good idea (she picks up) Hello.

CHRIS: I'm checking my mail.

LORELAI: That's funny. So am I? Did you get your cable bill?

CHRIS: No.

LORELAI: Want mine?

CHRIS: Thanks, but I think I've got my own on the way.

LORELAI: It's always good to have a spare.

CHRIS: I take it I'm not going to find anything from you in here.

LORELAI: Not unless you want my cable bill.

CHRIS: Come on, Lorelai. Let's be serious.

LORELAI: Look, Chris, I'm still not sure.

CHRIS: I'm just asking you to think about it.

LORELAI: That's not all you're asking for.

CHRIS: No, but that's good enough for now.

LORELAI: Well I am thinking about it. I'm thinking it's going to be huge mistake that I'll live to regret.

CHRIS: But you'll live.

LORELAI: To regret it.

CHRIS: Well, I'll tell you this much. I just lined up a great caterer, so you won't regret the food.

LORELAI: You're going to regret mentioning another great caterer with Sookie less than ten feet away.

CHRIS: Well, you'll cover for me, won't you?

LORELAI: I'll try.

CHRIS: I knew I could count on you. I am counting on you.

LORELAI: I'll think about it.

CHRIS: Thank you.

LORELAI: All right. So I gotta go.

CHRIS: Yeah, me too. Take it easy, Lor.

LORELAI: Yeah, you too.

Lorelai hangs up and sighs

SOOKIE: Chris?

LORELAI: Yeah.

SOOKIE: So I heard 'great caterer.' He needs a great caterer. He wants to hire us.

LORELAI: Nope. Sorry to tell you, but someone else grabbed our spot.

SOOKIE: But someone else is not a great caterer. Not greater than us.

LORELAI: I know. I know.

EXT. CAMPUS

Rory is studying at a table outside when a cup of coffee is placed in front of her. Jess sits down across the table, watching her expectantly. Rory doesn't stop taking notes, nor does she look up.

RORY: (deadpan) My mother always told me not to accept candy from strangers.

JESS: This isn't candy.

RORY: (without looking up) My mother always told me not to accept coffee from strangers.

JESS: (smiling) No she didn't.

RORY: (not looking up) Is that so?

JESS: Lorelai would never turn down coffee, nor would she ever teach you to. No, she would probably say something like 'a stranger baring coffee is a friend you haven't met yet'.

Rory's mouth curves up into a smile in spite of herself. Still not looking up, she quickly tries to cover it, but Jess has already noticed and is now smirking himself

JESS: Besides, I'm not a stranger.

Rory shakes her head

JESS: (sighs)You can drink the coffee you know, its not poisoned. It is however, just the way you like it.

RORY: (still not looking at him) I don't take my coffee that way anymore.

JESS: So... what? You're telling me that you've gotten into that trendy, flavored crap?

Rory raises an eye brow in a 'maybe' way while keeping her eyes focused on her textbook

JESS: That's not true.

RORY: (bitterly) How would you know?

JESS: Because I know you.

Rory rises and puts her textbook in her bag while keeping her eyes averted from Jess

RORY: Yeah well, things change Jess.

Jess grabs her arm lightly

JESS: They don't change that much.

RORY: (surrendering to eye contact) Yes, they do.

She starts to walk away, but stops

RORY: (with her back to Jess) and no, I haven't gotten into flavored coffees, I still take it black.

She stands for a split second, and then keeps walking without looking back.

INT. LUKE'S DINER

Luke is clearing some tables. Gypsy enters.

GYPSY: You know, I'm starting to think this whole flag business was a bad idea.

LUKE: Whatever you get is on the house.

GYPSY: Coffee. Black. Strong. No sugar.

Lorelai comes in.

LORELAI: I'll have one of those, too. Or two of those, three. Two of those, please. No three.

LUKE: What's wrong with you?

LORELAI: (sigh) Have you got an hour?

LUKE: Actually, I don't.

LORELAI: A half hour?

LUKE: Not really.

LORELAI: Then I'll just have the coffee. The three of them.

LUKE: Coming right up.

LORELAI: That was easy.

LUKE: Well, what can I say, Gypsy's thinking the flag was a bad idea. Pretty soon, everyone else will follow. The flag will be gone.

LORELAI: Huh. It's lowered again. Who died?

GYPSY: Lolita.

LORELAI: Oh, I never finished that book. Don't give away the ending. Oh that's right. I saw the movie. I know how it ends.

GYPSY: Lolita is Andrew's car. She went kaput.

LORELAI: Wow. First Bulla, now Lolita. Makes you realize how much death there is in the world.

LUKE: Because the thousands of children dying around the world didn't already give a clue. This is ridiculous and I can't believe I'm the only one that sees it. You don't declare regional mourning because a dog died or a car died. (amazed) A car died. I can't believe I actually said that. It's a car. It doesn't die.

LORELAI: Why not? If they meant something to someone.

LUKE: It's a dog and a car for crying out loud! Dogs slobber and mark trees with their own waste. Cars get you from point A to point B. That's all they do.

GYPSY: And Andrew's car barely did that.

LORELAI: Bulla played the piano.

LUKE: Don't even get me started on that.

LORELAI: Can I just ask you something? Why does it bother you if they want to lower the flag over a dog or a car? You don't care about the flag, right?

LUKE: Because I've got that stupid flag right in my window. And every morning all my customers are running out of here to see who's lowering the flag for what. Tomorrow it'll be a dead hamster. The next day, a dead gold fish. The next day, a dead skin cell. I just wish these people would get it that some people have real problems.

LORELAI: (going into a full on rant) Yeah. Some people have to find out how they're going to get money to pay the bills let alone buy themselves a pair of gorgeous earrings. And some people have to decide whether to just put the past behind them and go to the stupid wedding, or whether it's stupid to give in and go when you know you really shouldn't. So quite frankly, stressing about whether or not people want to raise or lower a flag over a piano playing dog and a good-for-nothing car just doesn't seem like a real problem to me!

LUKE: (taken aback) What?

Lorelai shakes her head and looks down, composing herself

LORELAI: Forget it. Can I just get my coffee?

Luke hands her the cups in a bag.

LORELAI: Thank you.

Lorelai exits quickly, leaving Luke still dazed

GYPSY: Some people have to keep that good-for-nothing car in their shop taking up space for paying customers.

EXT. STAR'S HOLLOW

Lorelai outside Luke's Diner, takes out her cell phone and dials

RORY: Hello?

LORELAI: Hey. How's it going?

RORY: Fine. You?

LORELAI: Fine. (Pauses) You?

RORY: Um... I believe I just said fine.

LORELAI: Oh. Right. Sorry.

RORY: That's okay.

Lorelai is silent for a moment as she slumps against Luke's window. Her face is scrunched up as she debates letting everything spill to Rory, but she doesn't want to bother her with it. She's also afraid of where the conversation might go, what it might make her face.

LORELAI: So...

RORY: So... Been busy?

LORELAI: Yeah... you?

RORY: Oh, yeah. Swamped actually. You know... papers and... stuff.

LORELAI: Yeah. Me too. Papers and... You know what? I'll just let you go. Since we're both so busy and all. We'll catch up later. Ok?

Rory's face relaxes. She is eager to get off the phone so she doesn't have to lie to her mother.

RORY: Oh, yeah. That's fine. Good luck. With all the work.

LORELAI: You too. Bye.

RORY: Bye.

Both girls let out a sigh and slump down, the weight of their problems becoming harder and harder to bear.

INT. CAMPUS
Paris approaches a classroom. People are exiting.

PARIS: (to random student) Was this the SFRR meeting?

STUDENT: Yeah. It just finished.

PARIS: Is Lavinia Boyd still there?

STUDENT: Yeah. She's still in there.

PARIS: Good. Move out the way.

Paris pushes the student and goes inside.

INT. CLASSROOM

Inside, a group of students are gathered around a table, talking. With them is a small girl, listening reverently to a young lady speak. Paris creeps over and overhears the young lady speaking.

YOUNG LADY: I think we should hold a teach-in. I have spoken to many willing and enthusiastic faculty who would be happy to host it. The students here cannot be expected to be anything more than representative of the nation and the nation itself suffers from a lethargic lack of consciousness.

ANOTHER STUDENT: I completely agree with you. We'll present it under new business at the next meeting.

YOUNG LADY: Thank you, Madam President.

STUDENT: So that's it. I'll see everyone next week.

Paris steps up and approaches young lady. She approaches aggressively at first, but then stops and smiles and come off more nicely.

PARIS: Hello. You must be Lavinia Boyd. I'm Paris Gellar. Is this your little sister? She's cute.

YOUNG LADY: No. Actually, this is Lavinia Boyd. I'm Felicia Winthorp.

PARIS: (to the small girl) You're Lavinia Boyd?

LAVINIA: Yes. Can I help you?

PARIS: You're Lavinia Boyd?

LAVINIA: Is something wrong?

PARIS: Yes. Something's terribly wrong. You can't be Lavinia Boyd. You're five years old.

LAVINIA: Twelve.

PARIS: What's your social security number?

LAVINIA: I'm twelve, I'm not stupid.

PARIS: Oh that's it. You're going down, sister. You think I'm going to back down just because you just got out of training pants? Well you've got another thing coming. This is war. And age ain't nothing but a number.

Paris marches off in fumes

INT. LUKE'S DINER

Evening. Luke's. The diner is packed. Luke is serving.

BABETTE: Hey look, everyone. Kirk's lowering the flag. Let's go see what happened.

Luke runs in front of the door.

LUKE: Nobody leaves until you finish your orders and pay for them.

MISS PATTY: But Luke, it's the flag.

MAURY: Yeah. You gotta respect the flag, man.

TAYLOR: I'm instituting a new rule. Restricting people's response to the flag is now illegal, subject to a twenty-five dollar fine.

LUKE: You can't do that, Taylor.

TAYLOR: I most certainly—

Kirk pushes open the door, hitting Luke.

LUKE: Damn it, Kirk!

KIRK: Didn't anyone see I lowered the flag?

BABETTE: What happened, Kirk?

KIRK: I've lowered the flag for my lost virginity.

There is complete silence for a few seconds, then everyone breaks out in laughter.

BABETTE: That's a good one, Kirk.

MISS PATTY: It's a good thing you kept us in here, Luke. If I'd have been out there, I might have peed my pants. Excuse me.

She leaves for the restroom, laughing

KIRK: I'm serious!

TAYLOR: Now, now, Kirk. You've given everyone a laugh, that's all well and good. But from now on I'm instituting a new law against fraudulent flag-lowering. I can't believe I didn't think of that before. Andrew, go raise the flag again.

Andrew leaves

KIRK: But I'm telling the truth! You believe me, don't you, Luke?

LUKE: Patty was just showing pictures of a dog playing the piano. I can probably believe anything right now.

KIRK: Thank you, Luke.

LUKE: Anything but that.

KIRK: Oh, come on. I'm serious, people!

TAYLOR: You keep it up, Kirk, and I'll issue you a ticket.

KIRK: But I'm not lying! And I have the check to prove it!

LUKE: You mean she paid you for it?

KIRK: Of course. You don't think I would have done it for free.

BABETTE: Now that is definitely illegal.

TAYLOR: Kirk, are you a prostitute?

LUKE: Now I've heard everything. Kirk, let me see that check?

KIRK: But it's mine.

LUKE: Just give me the check.

Luke takes the check and looks at it

LUKE: It's a sperm bank. You donated sperm? That's not losing your virginity.

Kirk; It isn't? I lost my little soldiers. They're going to impregnate someone.

LUKE: Jesus, Kirk's breeding. That's it.

Luke leaves

BABETTE: Hey, where's Luke going?

EXT. TOWN SQUARE

Everyone exits the diner and follows Luke. He starts to lower the flag

ANDREW: Now what are you lowering it for?

LUKE: My sanity!

INT. LUKE'S DINER

Later that day... Lorelai comes into dinner, walks hesitantly to the counter. Luke eyes her as he wipes the counter

LUKE: Hey.

LORELAI: Hey.

LUKE: Coffee?

LORELAI: Yeah.

Lorelai Watches as Luke pours her a cup.

LORELAI: Listen, I'm sorry about my little outburst earlier.

LUKE: (Shrugs) It's okay. I had one myself this evening.

LORELAI: (Small smile) So I heard. You okay?

LUKE: Yeah. How about you?

LORELAI: I don't know.

Lorelai pauses, fiddling with the handle of her mug.

LORELAI: Chris wants me to come to his wedding.

LUKE: Ah. So, are you?

LORELAI: I don't know. What would you do?

LUKE: (Shakes head) It's up to you. I'd rather not get involved.

LORELAI: But I'm asking you to. What do you think I should do?

Luke looks at her a moment before answering.

LUKE: I think you should go.

LORELAI: (Stunned) Really?

LUKE: Yeah. I mean, it'd probably be really hard on Rory to have to go by herself. She could use you there for the support, and if it just so happens that he wants you there too, it's okay.

LORELAI: So if it were you in this situation, you would go? But what if you think it's a stupid union and you're in love with the groom?

LUKE: You're in love with him?

LORELAI: Yes... No... I don't know. I just figured somehow, someway we'd be together in the end. I know it doesn't make any sense, but it's always been there in the back of my mind. How can I sit there and watch him get married?

Luke looks at her softly before answering

LUKE: I guess if someone I... felt that way about was going to get married, I'd have to decide what was more important to me. Keeping that friendship, or holding onto some daydream I've got of being with her that'll probably never come true anyway.

Lorelai gives him a strange look as he continues, now looking downward, cleaning the same spot on the counter over and over...

LUKE: It's not about supporting the marriage, I mean, you know the person is all wrong for them and you could give them so much more... It's about supporting the person you care about in what they decide is best for them. (Pauses before meeting her questioning eyes) But you might want to ask me tomorrow. I still haven't gotten over the idea of little Kirks running around out there soon.

LORELAI: (Making a face.) Ooh. One bad thought at a time, okay?

They both laugh.

EXT. GILMORE HOUSE

Lorelai is at the mailbox. She looks down at the revised reply card. She hesitates. A motorcycle roars by and stops. She looks up, expectantly, and watches as the stranger on the bike drops something in the trash and rides off. She sighs deeply and drops the card in the mailbox. Walking to the town square, she sits beneath the flag at half-mast.

INT. COFFEE SHOP

Rory is in a coffee shop reading when Jess enters and approaches her. The second half of the torn book is in the pile of books on the table.

RORY: (not looking up )What do you want Jess?

JESS: Actually, I'm just looking for the second half of my book.

Rory looks through her books, finds it, and thrusts it at him

JESS: The Rory Gilmore I know wouldn't vandalize a literary work such as this.

RORY: Well the Jess Marian I know wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Oh wait, yes he would, he's done it twice.

Jess raises his eye brows in a sheepish way

RORY: what are you still doing here?

JESS: Public place.

RORY: You know, you weren't this attentive when we were dating.

JESS: Well, technically, we are still dating.

RORY: (Looking up) What?

JESS: Well, we never actually broke up.

RORY: (amazed)You're kidding me right?

JESS: Do you want me to be kidding?.

RORY: (sincerely)You know what? I can't do this, I really can't. I have school and I have my grandparents....basically, I have a life that I need to deal with. So I don't have the time or the patience or the will to sit here and let you play your little mind games with me. So just go back to California and just let me live my life in peace.

JESS: I can't.

RORY: What?

Jess shrugs casually and looks away

JESS: I can't go back.

Rory looks at him. Her face softens as he looks at her and they lock eyes for a second. She sees how vulnerable and small he looks. She feels her resolve start to weaken, but then relents and her face -and willpower- harden again

RORY: No. (more forcefully) No, I'm sorry. I am sorry that things didn't work out with your dad. I really am. But that is not my problem. I cannot deal with this being my problem.

JESS: Rory...

RORY: You left! You left Jess, so anything that happened after that...You're on your own Jess. That's how you wanted it. You had people who cared about you, people who...(Rory accidentally meets his eyes for a second. She looks hurt and upset, but only for a split second before she recovers) You chose this.

Jess stares straight ahead, past Rory. He knows Rory's right

RORY: (calmer and softer) Did you go to Luke? I mean, he'll probably be mad and everything, but its Luke. Once, when I was around 4 or 5, I tried to get coffee myself. So I snuck behind the counter and I got the coffee pot in my hand, but then I dropped it and it broke. Luke got mad and yelled and I ran away and hid. He found me a little while later and he said that he wasn't mad that I had broken the coffee pot, but rather that I had put myself in a position to get hurt. And that he wasn't yelling at me, he was just yelling. And that I wasn't allowed behind the counter, but that all I had to do was ask and he would get me anything I wanted. See, he wasn't really angry at me. He was more angry at himself. That was the day that I stopped being scared of Luke.

JESS: (amused) You were scared of Luke?

RORY: Well, Luke's big and scruffy and he doesn't talk much, and when he does, it comes out sounding harsh most of the time. He's scary to a 5 yr old.

They both smile and laugh a little

RORY: But seriously, did you talk to him? I mean, he'd probably be mad at first but...

JESS: I tried

Rory looks at him

JESS: I went to Stars Hollow, and I tried. But I just...I couldn't face him.

Rory nods solemnly. She tucks an invisible strand of hair behind her ear and furrows her brow a little.

RORY: Well, what about going back to New York. I mean, you mom is there and...

JESS: (shaking his head) I burned a lot of bridges in New York...and one car.

Rory looks at him sideways

JESS: Don't ask. Point is, I can't. Liz...its not an option.

Rory nods her head

JESS: I have nowhere to go Rory. If I did, do you really think I'd be here?

Rory looks up sharply

RORY: So that's what I am huh? A last resort? Some sort of consolation prize?

JESS: Rory, I didn't mean it like that...

RORY: (interrupting) No, that's exactly how you meant it. You wouldn't be here talking to me, apologizing to me, trying to make things right with me, if you had anywhere else to go. You don't care about me, or about how much you hurt me, or how badly you treated me. You just want to use me until something better comes along. Well I'm sorry Jess.

Rory she starts getting her things together

RORY: I'm sorry if I've given you the impression that I'm some sort of lap dog that'll jump whenever you ask me to. And maybe, maybe that how I was with you, but that's not who I am. I am a strong, capable, intelligent person and I don't need to be made to feel otherwise; especially by someone who is supposed to care about me. I don't deserve to be treated the way that I have been by you. (slight pause, but doesn't loose steam) I'm sorry that you screwed up. I'm sorry that you didn't realize what you had when you had it. But that is not my problem Jess. You, are not my problem, anymore.

Rory exits the coffee shop leaving Jess standing there, deflated. He turns to walk out, when he notices Rory's keys on the table. He silently debates with himself for a second, then relents and takes the keys and goes after her.

EXT. STREET

Jess exits and looks around, then sees her a couple of feet away trying to hide behind a lamp post. He walks up to her and hold out the keys.

RORY: Yeah, I uh, I was gonna wait 'till you left.

Jess nods, then looks behind her

JESS: Nice car.

RORY: It was a gift.

JESS: Nice gift.

RORY: ...from my grandparents.

JESS: Nice grandparents.

RORY: They're also paying for college. They said I could pay them back whenever I wanted.

JESS: That's good.

::beat::

JESS: I mean that, really. I'm glad that things are... I'm glad that you're good.

Rory nods. They look at each other for a bit. Rory gestures to the car.

RORY: Well I should...

JESS: Right.

Neither of them move

RORY: So, um... I guess...

JESS: Yeah

Rory goes over to the drivers side. She goes to open the door when they both realize that Jess still has her keys

JESS: Oh, here.

He hands the keys to her over the car.

RORY: Thanks.

She puts the keys in the door and opens it, then looks up in frustration

RORY: You know, I have nothing more to say to you. I've said everything that I wanted to say. And yet, I'm standing here racking my brain, desperately trying to find something to say to prolong this. Something to give me a reason to keep standing here with you, why is that?! After everything...(she laughs bitterly) You know, I rehearsed this so many times in my head. And all I wanted, all I wanted, was to be the one to walk away. I promised myself that I would walk away from you this time. So tell me, why, now that I finally get the chance, now that the time is finally here...why can't I walk away? You did it...twice. So why, when I am perfectly justified, why can't I walk away?

::silence::

JESS: You don't need a reason. I mean...

RORY: (forceful) I know what you mean, and yes I do need a reason. I am not going to be one of those girls that lets herself get used and mistreated. I am not going to be one of those girls who forgives and takes someone back just because she still cares about them. Just because she wants to, regardless of whether or not they deserve it. (pauses and looks away) If I ask you to get into the car and I take you to my dorm. (looks back at him) If I let you back into my life, I am sure as hell going to need a reason!

::silence::

JESS: I'm not asking you to forgive me and I'm not asking you to take me back. I'm just asking for your help.

They make eye contact briefly, but Jess looks away. he can't take the intensity or the honesty

RORY: You have no right to ask me for anything.

JESS: I know.

They stand there for a while longer. Jess looks down and swallows. Rory hasn't moved, she's just standing there. Jess closes his eyes briefly and starts to turn to walk away.

RORY: (softly) Get in the car.

Jess looks up with questioning eyes. Starts to open his mouth as if to say 'what'

RORY: (looking him in the eyes) Get in the car Jess.

As she ducks inside the car, she presses a button unlocking the doors. Jess is still standing there. She opens the passenger side window and leans over

RORY: (impatient) Well..?

Jess opens the door, sits down, and shuts the door. He turns to Rory

JESS: Rory...

RORY: Don't..say..anything.

He shuts his mouth. Rory starts the car. She looks over at Jess

song: Evan Dando-Hard Drive (chorus)

RORY: Seatbelt?

JESS: Oh right

He buckles the seatbelt and she drives

FADE TO:

EXT. TOWN SQUARE

Lorelai sitting beneath the while flag half mast.