A long Friday night dinner by Ane Berentsen

At Richard and Emily's; at another Friday night dinner. The four Gilmore's are gathered around the dinner table.

RORY: So, Grandma, what did the doctor say?

EMILY: Finally, someone remembered to ask. He said that if nothing happens by next Friday, they'll induce labor.

LORELAI: (Mumbles to Rory): I guess that saves us a dinner.

RORY (Mumbles back): I wouldn't be too sure.

EMILY: I'm sorry, what?

Rory doesn't know what to answer, so Lorelai saves her.

LORELAI: Rory was just saying what a shame it is that we can't come for dinner that day. (Rory scowls at her)

EMILY: Oh, don't worry, I've already thought of that. We'll have dinner on Thursday instead.

LORELAI (Loud) NO! (After getting a weird look from both Emily and Richard, she calms herself) I mean... Our deal says "Friday night", right?

EMILY: Then I would like to add "Unless anybody is having a baby that day".

LORELAI (Gives up and sighs) Fine...

RORY (Mumbles to Lorelai): See? I told you.

Pause. Emily gestures to Richard as though to say "Tell her".

RICHARD: Lorelai, your mother and I have something we would like to discuss with you?

LORELAI (Talks with food in her mouth): If it's about the way I talk with food in my mouth again, then I'm not interested.

RICHARD: It's not that. Lorelai, please, don't get upset about what we're about to tell you.

LORELAI (Stops eating): Dad, you're starting to scare me a little. What is it?

Richard and Emil look at each other, Emily nods. Richard takes a deep breath.

RICHARD: We've taken out the furniture from your old room.

EMILY: We're turning it into a baby-room.

RICHARD: We could have used one of the guest rooms, but...yours has a better view.

EMILY: And it's closer to our room. So...are you mad?

LORELAI (Laughs): That's all? For a minute there I thought you were both dying or something.

EMILY (Relieved): So, you don't mind?

LORELAI: Of course I don't mind! I wanna' see what it looks like! Let's go!

Lorelai pulls Rory with her. When they're at the door, she remembers something, and turns.

LORELAI: May we be excused, please?

EMILY (Ironic): Sure.

INTRO: WHERE YOU LEAD

Lorelai and Rory run upstairs and into Lorelai's old bedroom. A new, childish wallpaper has been put up on all walls but one. There's a white, beautiful crib standing by the window.

LORELAI: Wow, it's your old crib!

RORY: Is that mine?

LORELAI: Yeah...this is what you slept in before we moved. I thought they had thrown away this old thing.

Richard and Emily enter.

EMILY: Oh, that. I couldn't get rid of that one, so we put it in the basement. I'd never dreamed of finding a use for it someday.

RORY: It's so weird; I've actually been small enough to fit into that thing.

LORELAI: Yep, you have...

Flashback. Richard and Emily are putting the crib into Lorelai's room. 16-year old pregnant Lorelai is watching.

EMILY: There! Doesn't that look nice?

RICHARD: It sure does, huh Lorelai?

LORELAI (Not enthusiastic at all): Sure, it looks fine.

EMILY: Well, let's go and get the old baby clothes.

LORELAI: You do that, I think I need to rest.

Emily and Richard leave. Lorelai sits down on the bed. She puts one hand on her stomach and looks down.

LORELAI: I know how you feel, I don't like it either.

Back to reality.

RORY (Breaks the silence): So, are you looking forward to next Friday, Grandma?

EMILY: I'm looking forward to getting it over with. Not that I'm worried, though, I've checked and double checked to find the best crew at St. Clarence's.

RORY: St. Clarence's, huh? I heard that's one of the best hospitals in the country.

EMILY: Of course, dear, that's why I'm going there.

RORY: How about you, Grandpa? Are you looking forward to it?

RICHARD: Well, actually, your grandmother and I agreed that I'm not going to be present. I know it's normal for fathers to be there these days, but...It just doesn't seem right. However, I am looking forward to knowing if it's a boy or a girl. This family is running low of the male gender.

RORY: I think it's a boy.

EMILY: Why do you think that?

RORY: Because your bump is all...circle-shaped. Doesn't that mean it's a boy?

EMILY: It is not circle-shaped, it is pointy.

RORY: Uh-uh. Circle.

EMILY: Lorelai, what do you think?

Lorelai is not a part of the conversation, she is still thinking about the last time the crib was used.

RORY: Mum!

LORELAI ("Wakes up"): Huh?

EMILY: What shape does my bump have, is it circular or pointy?

LORELAI (Takes a closer look): Neither, it's shaped like a D. Excuse me, I have to...

Lorelai leaves the room.

EMILY (To Rory): Well, I suppose that means I'm having a neuter.

Lorelai is in the bathroom. She is standing by the mirror, looking at herself.

Flashback. 16- year old Lorelai is running back and forth in her room, throwing clothes into a bag on the bed. Baby Rory lies in the crib, she is crying. Lorelai is done packing, she puts the bag over her shoulder, and picks baby Rory up. The baby stops crying.

LORELAI: Don't look at me like that. I know this is scary, but it's gonna' be all right, I promise. Now, we have to hurry before they come back.

She leaves the room and slams the door.

Back to reality. Lorelai has got tears in her eyes. She quickly washes her face and goes back to her old room.

RORY: There you are. Isn't it about time for us to leave? It's getting late.

LORELAI: Yeah, you're right, we should go.

EMILY: Rory, didn't you say you liked that pie we had for desert? Would you like to bring the rest of it back to Yale?

RORY: I would love to, unless you want it yourself?

EMILY: Nonsense, I'll put it in some foil for you. (Is about to leave the room).

RICHARD: Emily, is there really any point in getting you up and down those stairs again tonight? I'll go with Rory, I'm sure we can figure it out.

RORY: Bye, Grandma. See you on Thursday, then.

EMILY: Bye, dear.

Richard and Rory leave. Emily and Lorelai are left alone in the room.

EMILY: So, do you like the wallpaper?

LORELAI: Sure, teddy bears are always a hit.

EMILY: They should be, the designer costed us half a fortune.

They both look at the crib at the same time.

Flashback. Emily and Richard walk into Lorelai's room. Richard checks the closets, Emily walks over to the crib.

RICHARD: All of the clothes are gone.

EMILY (Picks up apacifier from the crib, speaks in a thin voice): She forgot Rory's pacifier!

Richard leaves the room, clearly angry. Emily remains by the empty crib. She starts crying.

Back to reality. Emily looks in a different direction, the memories are obviously too horrible.

EMILY: Well, Thursday, then?

LORELAI: Thursday, sure. Hey, mum, do you mind if I have a minute alone with this thing (Points at the crib).

EMILY(Doesn't really understand, but gives in): Go ahead. I'll wait outside.

Emily leaves. Lorelai walks over to the crib and leans on it.

LORELAI (Whispers): It's good to have you back.

Lorelai leaves. We zoom in on the crib before the screen goes black.

The end.