A/N: This is two days after "Protection."
Trading.
[Cut To: Independence Inn, room 20, LORELAI is cleaning and RORY looking at her book, but not reading]
Lorelai: Honey, you've got to read it out loud, then I can help you.
Rory: I can't read it.
Lorelai: Well, here, bring it over here. I'll show you.
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Okay, then you'll just have to keep trying.
Rory: No, Mommy, I can't read it. Can I have a new book?
Lorelai: What? Rory. I thought you were going to be able to do this.
Rory: I can't.
Lorelai: So you're going to give up? (RORY doesn't answer)Are you?
Rory: I'm sorry. No. I won't.
Lorelai: Good. I don't want you to be a quitter. (RORY looks back at her book and LORELAI starts cleaning again)
[Cut To: Independence Inn, lobby, later, LUKE is at the counter talking to MIA. He has the shopping bag from yesterday]
Luke: So, could you just give this to Lorelai?
Mia: I can get her. She's almost done.
Luke: Oh, no. I don't think she should be disturbed.
Mia: Well you can wait. She'll be out in a few minutes.
Luke: No, Mia, I don't think she really wants to talk to me.
Mia: Why not? (LUKE doesn't answer, in a warning tone)Lucas.
Luke: I need to get back.
Mia: Oh. Well, goodbye.
Luke: Bye. (he turns to leave)
Rory: (coming out of the maintenance room, waving)Mr. Luke! (he walks over to her reluctantly)
Lorelai: (sticking her head out of the room, then walking out)Dukey. Hey.
Rory: Did you bring us food?
Luke: What? Why?
Rory: Do you have a hamburger?
Luke: I don't have anything.
Rory: (sadly)Oh.
Luke: (to LORELAI)Do you need food? I could go get some for you.
Lorelai: No, of course not. We're fine.
Luke: She said-
Lorelai: She's crazy. Don't listen to her.
Luke: Are you sure you're good? I haven't, um...I haven't seen you around.
Lorelai: Yeah, well, we've been eating here. Good food.
Luke: Oh, I'm sure it is.
Lorelai: It is. Yummy. (to RORY)Right, baby?
Rory: Sure, whatever.
Lorelai: So, see? We're fine.
Luke: I just thought maybe you weren't coming in for a reason.
Lorelai: No, no.
Rory: (whispering)We haven't gone anywhere.
Lorelai: Hey, Rory, go sit down, okay?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Yes. Go.
Rory: You said!
Lorelai: Just this once.
Rory: I'm sorry. (to LUKE)I take it back!
Lorelai: No, honey, that's not why. I just need to talk to Duke. Please? (RORY leaves)
Luke: Listen, I-
Lorelai: (cutting him off)I think I screwed up.
Luke: What?
Lorelai: Are you supposed to let them give up?
Luke: What? Who?
Lorelai: Kids, Duke! Follow me!
Luke: Give up on what?
Lorelai: She said she couldn't read her book and I said that, no, she had to. Is that right? She hasn't been talking since then. Just sitting there and looking at the book with this blank look. (after a pause)I rhymed.
Luke: Yeah, you did-
Lorelai: Stay focused! Is that right? Did I do the wrong thing?
Luke: I have no idea.
Lorelai: What? Yes you do. You know! I know you know.
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: Duke!
Luke: Ask someone else. Ask someone with kids. Ask Mia!
Lorelai: I can't. I can't tell them that I messed up. 'Cause I did, didn't I?
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: Oh, God, what do I do?
Luke: Lorelai, calm down.
Lorelai: Okay, okay. (she breathes deeply)Okay.
Luke: Why don't you tell her that it's okay? That she can stop reading it.
Lorelai: Is that right?
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: Stop saying that! I'm freaking out here.
Luke: What do you think?
Lorelai: (sighing)I think that I don't want to be the one to make my daughter sad.
Luke: Okay. Then go fix it. (LORELAI walks over to RORY and kneels on the floor)
Lorelai: Hey. Look, remember what we talked about before?
Rory: (sighing)Not everybody knows.
Lorelai: No, that's not it. I mean, no, not everybody knows. But also, the book, remember?
Rory: (smiling)I'm doing good.
Lorelai: You can get a new book, if you want.
Rory: I won't give up.
Lorelai: But you can.
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Honey, we can just get a new one.
Rory: I'm not a quitter.
Lorelai: Okay, how about this? We get a new book-
Rory: No!
Lorelai: -and we'll get this new book off my shelf.
Rory: So it's not quitting?
Lorelai: Oh, no. Of course not.
Rory: Okay.
Lorelai: Okay. (LORELAI looks up and smiles at LUKE, he smiles back. LUKE starts to leave)Wait, Duke!
Luke: (turning around)Yeah?
Lorelai: (standing up)Why'd you come over here?
Luke: Oh, right. (he walks over to the counter)You left these at the diner. And I know how excited you were about them. (he smiles)
Lorelai: The curtains! Thank you.
Luke: Sure.
Rory: (to LORELAI)Put 'em up, put 'em up!
Lorelai: Yes, we will.
Luke: Do you need some help, or-?
Lorelai: No, no thanks.
Luke: Okay. Well, I have to get back. Maybe I'll see you tonight?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Yeah, no. Probably not for a while.
Luke: Is it because of-
Lorelai: It's because of an unwelcome visitor. But thanks for caring.
Luke: It's not...caring...
Lorelai: Oh, no, of course not. It's, um, very...manly and protective of you.
Luke: (smiling)Bye.
Lorelai: Bye.
Rory: Bye, Mr. Luke.
[Cut To: Independence Inn, potting shed, LORELAI is sitting on the bed, looking up at the window. RORY is looking at the books]
Lorelai: How do I get these on? (RORY mumbles)Do I...tape them on? Staple them? Nail them?
Rory: Look at the back.
Lorelai: (flipping the bag over)It says to use a curtain rod. But we don't have one. So...I say stapler. Thoughts?
Rory: Nope.
Lorelai: No, do you have any thoughts?
Rory: Lots.
Lorelai: On curtain-hanging?
Rory: Nope.
Lorelai: Okay, let's go borrow a stapler.
Rory: Bye.
Lorelai: No. You're not staying here alone.
Rory: Come on.
Lorelai: No. There's not even a lock on the door.
Rory: Mommy!
Lorelai: Okay, I may not know the finer points of parenting, but I do know that you definitely don't leave the kid alone when they're just a baby!
Rory: (turning around, looking shocked)I'm not a baby!
Lorelai: (sighing)No, I know.
Rory: I'm four!
Lorelai: Three.
Rory: Almost. I'm no baby.
Lorelai: No, you're not. (she looks at RORY, but RORY doesn't say anything)But you're not getting left alone, either. Let's go.
Rory: Food, too?
Lorelai: No, we'll eat here.
Rory: Eat what?
Lorelai: PopTarts, cereal.
Rory: Breakfast.
Lorelai: Also dinner. Let's go.
(time lapse, LORELAI's got the stapler and is standing on the bed, trying to staple the curtains onto the wall. RORY is still looking at the books)
Lorelai: Babe, staring at them isn't doing anything.
Rory: I can't pick.
Lorelai: (coming down)There's only four. (picking one)Here, this one.
Rory: "The Secret of the Old Clock." Sure?
Lorelai: Yup. I'm sure.
Rory: Okay. (behind them, what was stapled up of the curtain falls down)
Lorelai: Duke?
Rory: (nodding her head)Duke.
[Cut To: Luke's Diner, LORELAI and RORY walk in and sit at a table]
Luke: (coming over)So, you decided to come for dinner?
Lorelai: No, we just sat down because we're tired. Long walk.
Luke: Ah.
Lorelai: I actually have a favor to ask you. I know it's not fair.
Luke: No, it's fine.
Lorelai: The curtains.
Luke: You need help putting them up?
Lorelai: I do.
Luke: Sure.
Lorelai: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Luke: You're welcome.
Lorelai: So when can you come?
Luke: Uh, after closing? Ten? Or is that too late? You know, for Rory.
Rory: Nope.
Lorelai: Guess not. So ten?
Luke: Ten. Do you want something?
Lorelai: Oh, no-
Rory: Yes!
Lorelai: Or maybe yes. Uh, coffee, hamburger.
Rory: Pie, pie, pie.
Luke/Lorelai: (together)After dinner. (they laugh)
Lorelai: Great minds. She'll have a grilled cheese.
Luke: Got it.
[Cut To: Independence Inn, potting shed, LORELAI is pacing by the bed and RORY is sitting on the bed, following her with her eyes]
Lorelai: I did not think this through. I don't want him to see us here!
Rory: Why? Is it bad?
Lorelai: No, no it's not. Um, I just don't want him to see it. And now he will. I am stupid.
Rory: Not stupid.
Lorelai: (smiling)Thanks. (there's a knock on the door)Oh, God, we didn't even clean. (she goes over and answers the door)Hi.
Luke: Hey. Uh, Mia told me you'd be here.
Lorelai: And she was right, wasn't she? Come on in. (he comes in)It's kind of messy.
Luke: No, it's not. Hey, Rory.
Rory: Hi Mr. Luke.
Luke: Uh, you know, just Luke's okay.
Lorelai: Or, hey, how about Duke?
Luke: (to RORY)Please no.
Rory: Okay, Luke. (LUKE smiles)
Luke: Alright.
Lorelai: Okay. Well, (pointing)there's the window. Evil curtains are on the bed.
Luke: (walking closer to the bed)Rods?
Lorelai: No, we don't have any.
Luke: (confused)You need them.
Lorelai: Can't you just, like,-
Luke: (looking at the curtains closer)Are these...staples?
Lorelai: Yeah, why?
Luke: (laughing)You can't staple up curtains.
Lorelai: Oh, well, whatever.
Luke: Did you really think you could?
Lorelai: (smiling)Listen, I didn't call you over to play 'let's make fun of Lorelai.'
Luke: Sorry. There's nothing I can do, now. You need rods and the store's closed.
Lorelai: Closed? It's only ten fifteen.
Luke: Well, the town meeting was at nine thirty, so John had to make sure he was all closed up.
Lorelai: (noticing LUKE's standing uncomfortably)Sit, sit. (he sits on the bed)So there was a town meeting?
Luke: Yeah. They're like...weekly, or bi-weekly.
Lorelai: Why aren't you there?
Luke: Why aren't you?
Lorelai: I wasn't invited.
Luke: You better start going. They like to talk about the newbies.
Rory: Mean things?
Luke: No, no. Just...things.
Lorelai: Well, maybe we'll go to the next one.
Rory: Yeah! (there's a knock at the door, then it opens)
A/N #2: Hee! Cliffhanger!
Trading.
[Cut To: Independence Inn, room 20, LORELAI is cleaning and RORY looking at her book, but not reading]
Lorelai: Honey, you've got to read it out loud, then I can help you.
Rory: I can't read it.
Lorelai: Well, here, bring it over here. I'll show you.
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Okay, then you'll just have to keep trying.
Rory: No, Mommy, I can't read it. Can I have a new book?
Lorelai: What? Rory. I thought you were going to be able to do this.
Rory: I can't.
Lorelai: So you're going to give up? (RORY doesn't answer)Are you?
Rory: I'm sorry. No. I won't.
Lorelai: Good. I don't want you to be a quitter. (RORY looks back at her book and LORELAI starts cleaning again)
[Cut To: Independence Inn, lobby, later, LUKE is at the counter talking to MIA. He has the shopping bag from yesterday]
Luke: So, could you just give this to Lorelai?
Mia: I can get her. She's almost done.
Luke: Oh, no. I don't think she should be disturbed.
Mia: Well you can wait. She'll be out in a few minutes.
Luke: No, Mia, I don't think she really wants to talk to me.
Mia: Why not? (LUKE doesn't answer, in a warning tone)Lucas.
Luke: I need to get back.
Mia: Oh. Well, goodbye.
Luke: Bye. (he turns to leave)
Rory: (coming out of the maintenance room, waving)Mr. Luke! (he walks over to her reluctantly)
Lorelai: (sticking her head out of the room, then walking out)Dukey. Hey.
Rory: Did you bring us food?
Luke: What? Why?
Rory: Do you have a hamburger?
Luke: I don't have anything.
Rory: (sadly)Oh.
Luke: (to LORELAI)Do you need food? I could go get some for you.
Lorelai: No, of course not. We're fine.
Luke: She said-
Lorelai: She's crazy. Don't listen to her.
Luke: Are you sure you're good? I haven't, um...I haven't seen you around.
Lorelai: Yeah, well, we've been eating here. Good food.
Luke: Oh, I'm sure it is.
Lorelai: It is. Yummy. (to RORY)Right, baby?
Rory: Sure, whatever.
Lorelai: So, see? We're fine.
Luke: I just thought maybe you weren't coming in for a reason.
Lorelai: No, no.
Rory: (whispering)We haven't gone anywhere.
Lorelai: Hey, Rory, go sit down, okay?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Yes. Go.
Rory: You said!
Lorelai: Just this once.
Rory: I'm sorry. (to LUKE)I take it back!
Lorelai: No, honey, that's not why. I just need to talk to Duke. Please? (RORY leaves)
Luke: Listen, I-
Lorelai: (cutting him off)I think I screwed up.
Luke: What?
Lorelai: Are you supposed to let them give up?
Luke: What? Who?
Lorelai: Kids, Duke! Follow me!
Luke: Give up on what?
Lorelai: She said she couldn't read her book and I said that, no, she had to. Is that right? She hasn't been talking since then. Just sitting there and looking at the book with this blank look. (after a pause)I rhymed.
Luke: Yeah, you did-
Lorelai: Stay focused! Is that right? Did I do the wrong thing?
Luke: I have no idea.
Lorelai: What? Yes you do. You know! I know you know.
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: Duke!
Luke: Ask someone else. Ask someone with kids. Ask Mia!
Lorelai: I can't. I can't tell them that I messed up. 'Cause I did, didn't I?
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: Oh, God, what do I do?
Luke: Lorelai, calm down.
Lorelai: Okay, okay. (she breathes deeply)Okay.
Luke: Why don't you tell her that it's okay? That she can stop reading it.
Lorelai: Is that right?
Luke: I don't know.
Lorelai: Stop saying that! I'm freaking out here.
Luke: What do you think?
Lorelai: (sighing)I think that I don't want to be the one to make my daughter sad.
Luke: Okay. Then go fix it. (LORELAI walks over to RORY and kneels on the floor)
Lorelai: Hey. Look, remember what we talked about before?
Rory: (sighing)Not everybody knows.
Lorelai: No, that's not it. I mean, no, not everybody knows. But also, the book, remember?
Rory: (smiling)I'm doing good.
Lorelai: You can get a new book, if you want.
Rory: I won't give up.
Lorelai: But you can.
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Honey, we can just get a new one.
Rory: I'm not a quitter.
Lorelai: Okay, how about this? We get a new book-
Rory: No!
Lorelai: -and we'll get this new book off my shelf.
Rory: So it's not quitting?
Lorelai: Oh, no. Of course not.
Rory: Okay.
Lorelai: Okay. (LORELAI looks up and smiles at LUKE, he smiles back. LUKE starts to leave)Wait, Duke!
Luke: (turning around)Yeah?
Lorelai: (standing up)Why'd you come over here?
Luke: Oh, right. (he walks over to the counter)You left these at the diner. And I know how excited you were about them. (he smiles)
Lorelai: The curtains! Thank you.
Luke: Sure.
Rory: (to LORELAI)Put 'em up, put 'em up!
Lorelai: Yes, we will.
Luke: Do you need some help, or-?
Lorelai: No, no thanks.
Luke: Okay. Well, I have to get back. Maybe I'll see you tonight?
Rory: No.
Lorelai: Yeah, no. Probably not for a while.
Luke: Is it because of-
Lorelai: It's because of an unwelcome visitor. But thanks for caring.
Luke: It's not...caring...
Lorelai: Oh, no, of course not. It's, um, very...manly and protective of you.
Luke: (smiling)Bye.
Lorelai: Bye.
Rory: Bye, Mr. Luke.
[Cut To: Independence Inn, potting shed, LORELAI is sitting on the bed, looking up at the window. RORY is looking at the books]
Lorelai: How do I get these on? (RORY mumbles)Do I...tape them on? Staple them? Nail them?
Rory: Look at the back.
Lorelai: (flipping the bag over)It says to use a curtain rod. But we don't have one. So...I say stapler. Thoughts?
Rory: Nope.
Lorelai: No, do you have any thoughts?
Rory: Lots.
Lorelai: On curtain-hanging?
Rory: Nope.
Lorelai: Okay, let's go borrow a stapler.
Rory: Bye.
Lorelai: No. You're not staying here alone.
Rory: Come on.
Lorelai: No. There's not even a lock on the door.
Rory: Mommy!
Lorelai: Okay, I may not know the finer points of parenting, but I do know that you definitely don't leave the kid alone when they're just a baby!
Rory: (turning around, looking shocked)I'm not a baby!
Lorelai: (sighing)No, I know.
Rory: I'm four!
Lorelai: Three.
Rory: Almost. I'm no baby.
Lorelai: No, you're not. (she looks at RORY, but RORY doesn't say anything)But you're not getting left alone, either. Let's go.
Rory: Food, too?
Lorelai: No, we'll eat here.
Rory: Eat what?
Lorelai: PopTarts, cereal.
Rory: Breakfast.
Lorelai: Also dinner. Let's go.
(time lapse, LORELAI's got the stapler and is standing on the bed, trying to staple the curtains onto the wall. RORY is still looking at the books)
Lorelai: Babe, staring at them isn't doing anything.
Rory: I can't pick.
Lorelai: (coming down)There's only four. (picking one)Here, this one.
Rory: "The Secret of the Old Clock." Sure?
Lorelai: Yup. I'm sure.
Rory: Okay. (behind them, what was stapled up of the curtain falls down)
Lorelai: Duke?
Rory: (nodding her head)Duke.
[Cut To: Luke's Diner, LORELAI and RORY walk in and sit at a table]
Luke: (coming over)So, you decided to come for dinner?
Lorelai: No, we just sat down because we're tired. Long walk.
Luke: Ah.
Lorelai: I actually have a favor to ask you. I know it's not fair.
Luke: No, it's fine.
Lorelai: The curtains.
Luke: You need help putting them up?
Lorelai: I do.
Luke: Sure.
Lorelai: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Luke: You're welcome.
Lorelai: So when can you come?
Luke: Uh, after closing? Ten? Or is that too late? You know, for Rory.
Rory: Nope.
Lorelai: Guess not. So ten?
Luke: Ten. Do you want something?
Lorelai: Oh, no-
Rory: Yes!
Lorelai: Or maybe yes. Uh, coffee, hamburger.
Rory: Pie, pie, pie.
Luke/Lorelai: (together)After dinner. (they laugh)
Lorelai: Great minds. She'll have a grilled cheese.
Luke: Got it.
[Cut To: Independence Inn, potting shed, LORELAI is pacing by the bed and RORY is sitting on the bed, following her with her eyes]
Lorelai: I did not think this through. I don't want him to see us here!
Rory: Why? Is it bad?
Lorelai: No, no it's not. Um, I just don't want him to see it. And now he will. I am stupid.
Rory: Not stupid.
Lorelai: (smiling)Thanks. (there's a knock on the door)Oh, God, we didn't even clean. (she goes over and answers the door)Hi.
Luke: Hey. Uh, Mia told me you'd be here.
Lorelai: And she was right, wasn't she? Come on in. (he comes in)It's kind of messy.
Luke: No, it's not. Hey, Rory.
Rory: Hi Mr. Luke.
Luke: Uh, you know, just Luke's okay.
Lorelai: Or, hey, how about Duke?
Luke: (to RORY)Please no.
Rory: Okay, Luke. (LUKE smiles)
Luke: Alright.
Lorelai: Okay. Well, (pointing)there's the window. Evil curtains are on the bed.
Luke: (walking closer to the bed)Rods?
Lorelai: No, we don't have any.
Luke: (confused)You need them.
Lorelai: Can't you just, like,-
Luke: (looking at the curtains closer)Are these...staples?
Lorelai: Yeah, why?
Luke: (laughing)You can't staple up curtains.
Lorelai: Oh, well, whatever.
Luke: Did you really think you could?
Lorelai: (smiling)Listen, I didn't call you over to play 'let's make fun of Lorelai.'
Luke: Sorry. There's nothing I can do, now. You need rods and the store's closed.
Lorelai: Closed? It's only ten fifteen.
Luke: Well, the town meeting was at nine thirty, so John had to make sure he was all closed up.
Lorelai: (noticing LUKE's standing uncomfortably)Sit, sit. (he sits on the bed)So there was a town meeting?
Luke: Yeah. They're like...weekly, or bi-weekly.
Lorelai: Why aren't you there?
Luke: Why aren't you?
Lorelai: I wasn't invited.
Luke: You better start going. They like to talk about the newbies.
Rory: Mean things?
Luke: No, no. Just...things.
Lorelai: Well, maybe we'll go to the next one.
Rory: Yeah! (there's a knock at the door, then it opens)
A/N #2: Hee! Cliffhanger!
