Title: The Mariano Agenda
Author: Bent137
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Characters of Gilmore Girls(as well as anything else associated with it) aren't mine, the title is a spin of the Dark Angel episode "The Berrisford Agenda".
Spoilers: Up to the Season 2 Finale
Music References: All lyrics can be found on Goldfinger's "99 Red Balloons"
Authors Note: I've had this bouncing around for a little while. I finally got the chance to sit and write it out. This is the first time I've done script format. Thanks to Rea for beta reading for me.

Mystery Solved!

Previously

Paris: They'll be doing checks in just a minute.

Rory: Then dinner. (she walks to her desk and sets down) Hey I've got mail. (she clicks it) Oh my god.

Paris: What?

Rory: Luke. Jess.

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(Luke is pouring coffee for a man at the counter when the phone rings. He puts the coffeepot back and walks over to the phone. He picks it up and holds it to his ear.)

Luke: Luke's Diner.

Rory: (over the phone line) Luke it's Rory, I got your e-mail. Is he okay?

(Luke looks around the diner carefully before turning his attention back to the phone.)

Luke: (quietly) Yeah, I think he is. Listen though, he didn't want me to tell you. So don't let on that you know okay?

Rory: Yeah, sure. So, any idea what's wrong?

Luke: Well your mother and I have a theory. (the bell jingles and Luke looks up to see Jess walk in) So have you seen any good sights yet?

Rory: (thrown) Uh, Paris and I went for a walk around the block but there wasn't much to see. Some good looking restaurants, a deli, and a good coffee shop, not as good as your coffee, but better than the watered down crap they serve here. (pause) I'd really like to talk some more about Jess though.

Luke: Well, that's great about the coffee shop. Jess just walked in, did you want to talk to him? (Jess eyes Luke warily)

Rory: Oh, I get it now. Sure, Luke, put him on.

Luke: Okay talk to you later kiddo. (holds the phone out to Jess, "99 Red Balloons" by Goldfinger starts playing.) It's Rory.

(Jess sighs and frowns as he takes the phone from Luke and puts it to his ear.)

Jess: Hey.

Rory: Hey. How are you doing?

Jess: (looks at Luke suspiciously) Fine, why?

Rory: Just wondered. What are you reading?

Jess: I'm re-reading 1984.

Rory: Ah, Big Brother is watching you.

(Cut to the room in Washington, Rory's sitting on her bed talking on the phone. Paris is sitting at her desk reading a pamphlet. Paris glances at her watch)

Paris: Rory it's four, they'll be doing checks soon.

Rory: (sighs) Okay, Paris. (into the phone) Sorry Jess, I have to go. I'll call some other time.

Jess: Yeah, bye.

Rory: Bye. (Rory hangs up and stares at the phone as though it's a sick kitten)

Paris: What'd the phone ever do to you?

Rory: It's not what the phone did, it's the person on the other end.

Paris: I finally figured out the great mystery!

Rory: Why is the sky blue?

Paris: Because it reflects the ocean.

Rory: Then why is the ocean blue?

Paris: (stares at Rory) Because it reflects the sky. It's a tautology.

Both: Something is what it is because it is.

Paris: Besides, that's not what I was referring to.

Rory: Oh! You found a cure for the common cold?

Paris: Please, that was done weeks ago.

Rory: Damn, wish someone had told me.

Paris: Stop trying to distract me!

Rory: I'm not!

Paris: Yes you are. The mystery is (there's a quick knock on the door before it opens and a woman walks in.)

Woman: Checks. Dinner is at five, you can start preparing, It'll be served in the formal dining room.

(Cut to Jess approaching Luke at the diner)

Jess: (tentatively) Luke?

Luke: Yeah Jess?

Jess: I know, that you know that something is wrong. I want you to know, that I will be okay, eventually. But I need to fix this.

Luke: (nods) I figured as much. So, do you need help?

Jess: Sort of. See, summer school doesn't start for another week and a half. So I was wondering if I could have that time off from the diner (takes a deep breath) to go back to New York.

Luke: (looks up at him shocked) Really?

Jess: Yeah.

Luke: Uh, yeah, I guess that's okay. When will you leave?

Jess: First thing in the morning.

(Luke nods and Jess smiles at him briefly before turning and going up the stairs. Luke watches him go and sighs. "99 Red Balloons" fades out.)