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Now, take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the show!
D-Day:
The Star's Hollow crew walked with great purpose and indignation. That door was messing with the wrong people. It was Jackson who came up with the brilliant plan, the plan that would surely breed victory.
"I have an idea," said Jackson. The others listened with fervour. "I have a cousin that's really into carpentry…"
"Oh fabulous darling," Patty interrupted, "Now is your cousin on the ship, and what does this cousin look like?" Man she was horny.
"It's not Rune, is it? Sookie fearfully questioned.
"Oh god, I hated that guy!" Babette chimed in.
"Will you people just listen for one second?!" Jackson was infuriated, "It's my cousin Gwen. She knows a lot about architecture and doors are her specialty."
"Rats," mumbled Patty. When the others looked on she feigned innocence. "I mean, that's wonderful Jackson, do go on," she laughed nervously.
"Well, as I was saying," Jackson continued, "Gwen often spoke of a fool-proof substance that she concocted. It could break the seal on any door…" he paused, "I guess I should have said this earlier, but Gwen isn't exactly a carpenter…she's, well…she's a professional thief." It shook him to say it.
"What?" Luke and Sookie simultaneously snapped.
"This story is becoming more interesting by the minute!" Patty clucked.
"She's part of a gang of thieves actually, they break into homes and steal things, specifically lamps. They have a fetish for antique lamps. Apparently they do well at auction. Gwen is the 'door expert' – once the seal is broken, they can pull off the robbery without a hitch. I know it's illegal and all, but I don't have the heart to turn her in. She's a good person, she really is." Jackson acted as though he was trying to convince himself rather than his audience.
"What the hell are we waiting for then?!" Babette shouted. "Let's break this damn door!" She was a 'less talk, more action' kind of woman.
"Hold on a sec, what exactly is this 'substance' comprised of?" inquired Luke, the only level headed one in the bunch.
"It's a mixture of toothpaste, nail polish and lemon juice." Jackson replied.
Luke seemed slightly sceptical…well, entirely sceptical, but that was Luke. "Where exactly are we going to get these items?"
"Darling, what woman doesn't own a bottle of nail polish? And as for toothpaste, I should hope we all have that at our disposal." Patty was half a block away from sounding rude.
"I can 'borrow' some lemon juice from the kitchen…I have a key!" screeched Sookie with delight.
"God help us!" mumbled Babette.
"Alright then, Sookie is in charge of the lemon juice, Patty and Babette are in charge of the nail polish, and Morey is in charge of the toothpaste. Jackson and I will meet everyone at Kirk's door in twenty minutes – ok?" Luke instructed.
"Ok," everyone agreed.
Once the others had departed the premises, Luke and Jackson stared blankly at one another, unsure of their next move.
"So, I guess we wait then." Jackson's statement sounded more like a question than anything else.
"Yep, we wait," agreed Luke. He was a man of few words.
Another awkward pause…
"Um, I wonder how the others are doing?" Jackson hated awkward.
"They're fine." Luke hated awkward more.
Jackson tried another approach, making light of the situation, "I wonder how Lorelai is holding up. Poor thing being stuck with Kirk…I don't know if I could last as long as she has!"
Jackson's words somehow struck a nerve, "Nicole and I broke up. She's leaving the ship and I have to bunk with Kirk and…and…I kissed Lorelai…I'm in love with her Jackson."
Jackson simply smiled and grabbed Luke's hand shaking it firmly. "Best of luck my friend. Lorelai is an incredible woman and you deserve every happiness." That was nice, and unexpected.
Luke was taken aback. "Uh – thanks Jackson. Thanks…for everything." They were bonding.
"You bet Luke – I only hope that this stuff will work. I think it will, but…I just want you to know, that I'm in it till the end buddy!"
Luke looked at Jackson with confusion written all over his face, "Jackson, this isn't Independence Day, we're talking about a door here!"
"Heh, heh – yeah I just take my job very seriously." The nervous tension had returned.
Luke was tired of waiting. "Ok Jackson, I'm going to head down to Kirk's and see if anyone is there yet. You stay here for a few minutes longer, in case anybody needs a hand."
"Sure thing Luke…and Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"Make sure you tell her." Enough said.
Luke smiled and headed towards his destination.
D-Day: 5 minutes till crunch time.
Patty and Babette eagerly greeted Luke upon his return to Promenade deck #7. Morey and Sookie arrived moments later. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.
"Luke? Is that you? Please get us out of here…I'm starting to hallucinate again!" That was obviously Kirk.
"Yeah, I'm here Kirk – we'll get you out of there in no time!" Luke's voice was reassuring.
"But how? Others have tried and failed, this door is too strong…it will kill you!" He was delusional.
"No one has tried or failed – no one has even attempted cause they're all too damn busy with that damn kitchen fire! Where the hell is Sookie by the way?" Lorelai snidely questioned.
"I'm right here hon," replied Sookie. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," she felt a twinge of guilt.
Jackson finally made his glorious entrance as the crowd was beginning to grow restless, and thus, D-day was upon us.
"Ok gang, I've got a bucket and a shovel! Let the games begin!" Jackson was enjoying this far too much.
The mixture was completed in a matter of minutes. Jackson scooped a decent amount of the substance on his shovel (it was a small shovel) and applied it to the door's seal. Immediately, the seal began to wear. The Star's Hollow crew looked on in quiet amazement.
"I wonder what they're doing," Kirk whispered to Lorelai.
"As long as it works, I couldn't care less," quipped Lorelai.
Jackson repeated the process several times, applying the mixture to the entire length of the door. The seal continued to weaken, but it refused to break.
"I think we'll just have to do the rest ourselves!" Jackson stated.
"Allow me," Morey, of all people replied. "Everybody stand back!"
He took a deep breath, then a small hop, and slammed his body against the door. Nothing. Then Jackson had a go at it. Still nothing.
"Earthquake!" screamed Kirk.
"Kirk, honey – it's just the guys trying to break the door. Nothing to worry about!" Lorelai did her best to comfort the crazed man.
Rory was sound asleep inside the Gilmore cabin – only she could sleep through Hurricane Hollow! They were making enough noise to wake the dead Those cabins must have been sound proof, although the Star's Hollow inhabitants occupied the majority of the rooms on Promenade deck #7 and they were quite awake.
Everyone's focus had suddenly turned to Luke. He merely rolled his eyes and casually approached the door. He gave one solid push and the door collapsed inwardly with an enormous thud.
Once the dust had settled, the room erupted with cheers and laughter. Hugs and smiles were warmly exchanged.
Luke and Lorelai wholeheartedly embraced while the others looked on in amusement. If only they could have some privacy, to determine once and for all, their true feelings for one another. But how?
If they could break a door, anything was possible…
And thus, another chapter has ended – but never fear my dears, the next and perhaps FINAL chapter will make all your dreams and your wildest fantasies come true!!!
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