CUT TO:
INT. LUKE'S DINER -- MOMENTS LATER
JESS walks down the stairs, behind the counter, and picks up the phone. LUKE follows him down the stairs.
JESS: (into the phone) Hello?...(smiles) Hey...
TAYLOR: (to LUKE) Is Rory upstairs?
LUKE: That's none of your business.
TAYLOR: I knew it. Doesn't that girl have a boyfriend? That Huntzburger fellow...his father owns a paper...
LUKE: Don't you have someone better to harass...Miss Patty...Kirk?
TAYLOR: You know, in my day, a lady was looked down upon for this kind of behavior. It earned her...a reputation. And an undesirable one at that.
RORY comes downstairs.
LUKE: (to TAYLOR) Not another word.
LUKE goes back to work. RORY walks behind the counter, pours herself a cup of coffee, walks towards JESS and listens to his side of the conversation.
JESS: (into the phone)...Of course I didn't forget...the 17th, right?...Yeah, I'll be there...I promise...(looking at RORY) I'll see you in a few days...bye.
JESS hangs up the phone. RORY looks at him.
JESS (CON'T): That was Lily...Jimmy's girlfriend's daughter...
RORY: And?
JESS: I told her...
RORY and JESS look at TAYLOR, who is leaning over the counter listening to their conversation. He turns his head innocently and begins whistling.
JESS (CON'T): Let's go outside.
CUT TO:
EXT. LUKE'S DINER -- MOMENTS LATER
RORY and JESS walk outside.
JESS: I promised Lily I would go to her Christmas concert. It's kinda corny...the kids sing and stuff...I go every year.
RORY nods.
RORY: So when will you be back?
JESS: I don't know...I'm gonna drive back so I can have my car here...
RORY: That'll take forever!
JESS: I can't afford to ship it! That's over a thousand dollars.
RORY: (sadly) I know...
JESS: I need my car here. I'm going crazy. Taylor's chasing me around with applications to join the military...he'll probably have a town parade when he finds out I'm gone.
RORY: You're underestimating him. He'll probably have a festival.
JESS turns away from RORY and runs his fingers through his hair with frustration. Nervously, he turns back towards RORY.
JESS: You wanna come with me?
RORY: Jess...I can't...
JESS: I know.
JESS looks both ways to see if anyone is watching them. He wraps his arms around RORY'S waist. RORY looks to the side uncomfortably.
JESS (CON'T): I'm gonna drive back...so I probably won't be here for Christmas.
RORY: Jess!
JESS: I need my car, Rory.
RORY pouts. JESS tightens his grip around her waist. RORY looks around nervously and tries to push him away.
RORY: Jess, not here...
JESS ignores her and kisses her passionately. She hesitates, then wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him back. She strokes his face. They continue to kiss. After a moment, RORY pulls away. They hold hands.
RORY (CON'T): So when are you leaving?
JESS: Tonight.
RORY: Plane?
JESS: Bus.
RORY: Plane.
JESS: Bus.
RORY: That'll take forever.
JESS: That will save me money.
RORY: I'll pay for the ticket.
JESS: (smirks) Yeah right.
RORY: I will.
JESS: I won't let you.
RORY: Too bad. You can pay me back.
JESS: I'll be fine, okay? I've taken a lot of busses.
RORY: It'll be your Christmas present.
JESS smiles and pulls RORY towards him.
JESS: I'd rather have something else as a Christmas present.
RORY turns away slightly with embarrassment and smiles.
RORY: You're not going to get anything until you get back here...so go, start packing.
She pushes him away gently. They start to head back inside the diner.
RORY: I'm buying you the plane ticket. I've got flyer miles.
JESS: When do you fly?
RORY: I don't. But Logan does.
JESS smirks. RORY playfully pushes him inside the diner.
CUT TO:
EXT. LUKE'S DINER -- EVENING
It is late and the diner is closed. All the lights are off and the chairs are on the tables. JESS walks out the door, wearing his leather jacket and carrying a duffel bag over his shoulder. He locks the door behind him and starts walking down the street. He passes LANE, who is walking down the other side of the street. LANE stops.
LANE: (nervously) Hi, Jess...
JESS: Hi.
They begin walking together.
LANE: What's up?
JESS: Not much.
LANE notices the bag over his shoulder and gestures towards it.
LANE: What's that?
JESS: Uh, clothes.
LANE: Clothes? Going somewhere, Jess?
JESS picks up his pace. LANE picks up hers and follows alongside him.
LANE: Where you going Jess? Running away again? Does Rory know about this?
JESS: I'm going home for a few days.
LANE: A few days? By a few days, do you mean, a few years? You going to just disappear in the middle of the night again without a trace, no letter, no phone call?
LANE stops in front of JESS to prevent him from walking further.
JESS: I'll be back after Christmas.
LANE: After Christmas! Oh, so you're going to just let Rory spend Christmas by herself, with no one to kiss under the mistletoe? Not that she'd wanna kiss you anyway!
JESS: (gently pushing past her) I've got a plane to catch.
LANE: (chasing after him) Oh no, you're not going anywhere! You're going to call Rory right now and explain to her why you're leaving again! She doesn't deserve this, Jess.
JESS stops, turns, and gives her a stern look as he listens to her ramble.
LANE (CON'T): Rory is the most perfect girl that you will ever find. Granted, she doesn't have the best taste in men, and she likes the new White Stripes CD, but otherwise, she is as good as it gets! And if you can't realize that, than she deserves to choose Logan over you!
JESS: Are you done?
LANE pouts angrily for a moment before responding.
LANE: Yes, I'm done.
JESS: (calmly) Rory bought me the plane ticket. She knows I'm going. I'm not running away from anything...except crazy female drummers who chase me down the street.
He starts walking again.
LANE: (yelling after him) I'm not gonna let you get away with this!
She runs after JESS, stops him, searching his pockets.
JESS: What the hell...
LANE: Where's your cell phone, I'm calling Rory!
JESS: (pulling out his cell phone) Did you get bit by a rabid dog while I was gone?
JESS hands his cell phone to LANE. She stares at him angrily and dials RORY'S number.
INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION
CUT TO:
INT. LORELAI'S HOUSE -- CONTINUOUS
RORY is sitting in her bedroom when the phone rings. She picks up the phone.
RORY: Hello?
LANE: Rory?
RORY: Lane?
LANE: I'm here with Jess. Are you still dating Jess?
RORY: Uh...sort of. Where are you?
LANE: Well, you're not gonna believe this Rory, but I caught Jess trying to sneak away in the middle of the night. If you don't believe me, come see, he's got his bags packed and everything.
RORY: Oh, I know. He's going to California.
LANE: Yeah, he...wait. You know?
RORY: Yup.
LANE: How is that possible?
RORY: He told me.
LANE: (looking at JESS) And you're okay with this?
RORY: He'll be back in a few days.
LANE smiles at JESS apologetically. He smiles back at her smugly.
LANE: Well. Okay then. I'll talk to you later Rory.
RORY: Tell Jess I said bye.
LANE: Oh, I'll tell him.
She hangs up the phone and hands it to JESS.
END PHONE CONVERSATION
CUT TO:
EXT. STARS HOLLOW -- CONTINUOUS
LANE: Well Jess. I guess I owe you an apology.
JESS: Don't worry about it.
LANE nods.
LANE: I won't.
JESS and LANE stare at each other.
LANE (CON'T): So. You still like Rory, huh?
JESS: (shrugs) She's grown on me.
LANE: You better not hurt her again.
JESS: I won't.
LANE: I never liked you Jess.
JESS: Wasn't a big fan of you either.
LANE: But that has to change. For Rory's sake. We have to get along again.
JESS: I suppose that would make things easier.
LANE: So I'm willing to give you another chance.
JESS nods.
LANE steps close to JESS.
LANE (CON'T): If you ever hurt Rory again- in any way- I'm going to castrate you.
JESS'S expression fades. LANE smiles and taps him on the shoulder.
LANE (CON'T): Merry Christmas, Jess.
INT. DRAGONFLY INN FRONT DESK -- DAY
Lorelai and Michel are standing behind the desk answering the phones. They are RINGING off the hook.
LORELAI: (into the phone) Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai speaking, one moment please.
She picks up another phone.
LORELAI (CON'T): (into the phone) Dragonfly Inn...
MICHEL: (into the phone) Dragonfly Inn, Michel speaking, one moment please...
LORELAI: (into the phone) Yes, your room is still reserved for December 24th.
MICHEL: (into the phone) I'm sorry, we have no available rooms at the moment. Perhaps the Holiday Inn can take you.
LORELAI: (into the phone) Yes we do have a Christmas tree...
MICHEL: (into the phone) No, we are not accepting reservations for the next month...well you should have called sooner...
LORELAI: (into the phone) Well we don't have any planned recreational activities for children...
MICHEL: (into the phone) So I suppose you would like me to go upstairs and kick some of the guests out myself?
LORELAI: (into the phone) Thank you Mr. Howard. We'll see you on the 24th.
MICHEL: (into the phone) Why don't you tell that to Chingy while you're partying at the Holiday Inn!
LORELAI: (into the phone) Goodbye.
MICHEL: (into the phone) (angrily) Goodbye!
They both hang up the phones and sigh with frustration. LORELAI rests her head down on the desk.
LORELAI: I can't take it anymore.
MICHEL: At least you don't have to deal with the ignoramuses who still want to make holiday reservations. I need a vacation.
LORELAI: I need coffee. If anyone calls, tell them I died.
LORELAI slowly picks her head up off of the desk and saunters towards the kitchen. The PHONE RINGS. She makes an expression of agony and continues to walk towards the kitchen. MICHEL picks up the phone.
MICHEL: (into the phone) Dragonfly Inn, Michel speaking...Oh I'm sorry, she passed away this morning. Can I take a message?... Oh hello Mrs. Gilmore, I'm terribly sorry I did not recognize your voice, it has been so stressful here today... Let me go try to revive her.
MICHEL walks into the kitchen.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS
LORELAI is drinking a cup of coffee.
MICHEL: Your mother is on the phone.
LORELAI: Did you tell her I died?
MICHEL: She did not buy it.
LORELAI: Hmmm...Tell her I joined the circus!
MICHEL: I am not going to dignify that with a response.
CUT TO:
INT. DRAGONFLY INN FRONT DESK -- MOMENTS LATER
LORELAI picks up the phone.
LORELAI: (into the phone) Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai speaking.
INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION
CUT TO:
INT. ELDER GILMORE RESIDENCE -- CONTINUOUS
EMILY is sitting in the living room.
EMILY: Hello Lorelai.
LORELAI: Hello Mom.
EMILY: I wanted to let you know that our Christmas party is going to be on Friday.
LORELAI: Uh huh.
EMILY: You do intend on coming, don't you?
LORELAI: (sorting through papers at the desk) Let me check...Nope.
EMILY: Why not?
LORELAI: (smirks) So many reasons...Where should I begin...
EMILY: Oh for Heaven's sake Lorelai just spit it out. If you're trying to hide your engagement to Luke from us, forget it, we already know.
LORELAI: You do?
EMILY: Yes, we do.
There is a pause.
EMILY (CON'T): Are you still there?
LORELAI: Just waiting for you to yell at me.
EMILY: I figure that can wait until after the Christmas party.
LORELAI: Well you may as well get it over with now, because we're not coming. Or, I'm not coming, I'm not sure about Rory, but I highly doubt she's going if I'm not going. So tell Christopher he doesn't have to come either.
EMILY: I didn't know Christopher was coming.
LORELAI: Neither did I.
LORELAI hangs up the phone and sighs. The phone rings. She picks it up.
LORELAI (CON'T): (into the phone) Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai speaking.
EMILY: You hung up on me.
LORELAI: Yes I did.
EMILY: You don't hang up on your mother.
LORELAI: And you don't invite Christopher over for Thanksgiving dinner without telling me! God, why am I even having this conversation with you. You conned me into going there with your 'tell Sookie to bring her food' and 'tell Luke he can bring his family.'
EMILY: It was Christopher's idea!
LORELAI: What?
EMILY: He thought if I told you that he was coming that you wouldn't come.
LORELAI: Smart man, that Christopher.
EMILY: He wanted to see Rory.
LORELAI: He could have called her.
EMILY: Don't you think that your father and I would like to get to know Luke a little better before you marry him?
There is a pause. LORELAI looks around, debating inside her head.
LORELAI: What time on Friday?
EMILY: Seven. Tell Rory I already invited Logan. He's flying in from China that night, so he's going to be a little late.
LORELAI: (with a fake smile) She'll be thrilled.