SEGMENT THREE

INT. CRAP SHACK KITCHEN – WEDNESDAY MORNING

Scene opens on Rory as she opens her old bedroom door and enters the kitchen. The kitchen which is, right now, being occupied by none other than Luke and Lorelai Danes. Lorelai seems chipper than usual as she sets the day's newspaper on the table where Rory's place is set.

LORELAI: (Sees her daughter step out of the room) Morning!

RORY: (Squints and looks up at her mother – groggily, she greets) Morning.

LUKE: (As he makes pancakes at the stove) G'morning, Rory.

RORY: (Slowly walks up to the table) What are you two doing up so early?

LORELAI: (Stands by Luke, but faces her daughter) I guess you could consider 10:00 AM to be early.

RORY: (Gasps) It's ten o'clock?! (Looks around) Oh my god, I'm so late for work!

LORELAI: (Holds out her hands) Rory… honey… hold on. Don't you remember?

RORY: (Looks up quizzically) Remember what?

LORELAI: You were up so late working on that article.

RORY: (Remembers) Oh, the article!

LORELAI: And your editor…

RORY: Rob?

LORELAI: (Nods) Yeah, Rob… he called you at six this morning to congratulate you on your first Courant article.

RORY: (Thinks) Oh, I very faintly remember that.

LORELAI: Yeah, and he also asked you to take the morning off, remember?

RORY: (Remembers) Oh yeah. Wow… I must've been really tired.

LORELAI: (Grins and gestures at the newspaper on the table) Look over there.

RORY: (Sees the newspaper on the table, and slowly steps towards it as if she were in a trance. She whispers) Wow.

LORELAI: (Proudly explains) Luke went out and bought ten more copies. (Rory takes a seat, and very carefully examines the article underneath the two big images). Now we can frame it, laminate it… whatever you like. (Luke turns and smiles proudly as well)

RORY: (Still staring at her very first article on the Hartford Courant, she very lightly touches it like it was an artifact) My first real article (looks up at her mother and Luke) … I mean, the first real article on a real newspaper.

LUKE: (With one nod) We're really proud of you, Rory.

LORELAI: (Grinning) Indeed, we are. (Sighs) And, Luke's making you the biggest breakfast ever!

RORY: I could use one of those.

Everyone hears a faint ring of a phone.

LORELAI: Is that mine?

RORY: (Looks towards her old room) I think it's my cell phone. (Gets up, takes the newspaper and makes her way to the door) It could be Rob again.

INT. RORY'S OLD BEDROOM…

Rory walks in and picks up her cell phone.

RORY: (Quizzically looks at the caller ID, then answers) Hello?

PARIS: (In urgency, she paces) I called you at work, why aren't you answering your phone?!

Scene CUTS between PARIS' APARTMENT and RORY'S OLD BEDROOM

RORY: Paris?

PARIS: (Sarcastically) No, it's Sandy Claws looking for Jack.

RORY: (Takes a seat on her bed as she rolls her eyes) I'm not at work right now.

PARIS: I called your apartment too…

RORY: I'm in Stars Hollow right now, Paris.

PARIS: (Cuts to the chase) Doyle is back.

RORY: (Taken back) What? Doyle? How… how do you know?

PARIS: The idiot just sent out an e-mail to all his friends – that distribution list is longer than the list of employees at Wal-Mart. I mean, who needs to know that many people? (Sighs) He e-mailed to let everyone know that his "spiritual journey to India" is now complete… and that he has returned home.

RORY: Home? Where's home?

PARIS: Get this… he has been back for almost a month. And guess where he is working?

RORY: Well… (thinks)… I really wish I had a clever response to that one.

PARIS: (Still pacing) Barefoot Books working as an editor.

RORY: Oh, that's great! I can see him editing children's books.

PARIS: And where is Barefoot Books? That's right… Cambridge, Massachusetts! And where do I live?

RORY: (Makes a face) Not too far from him?

PARIS: (Shakes her head) This is not good.

RORY: Why isn't it good? You guys broke up months ago.

PARIS: But what if I run into him?

RORY: (Nods) Sure, it will be awkward… but you've moved on to the next phase of your life and it shouldn't bother you. (Thinks) Right?

PARIS: (Stops pacing) Right.

RORY: (Tries to calm her down) Besides, it's not like he called you. Or just e-mailed you alone…

PARIS: (With a tentative expression) Right.

RORY: (Sighs) Paris? Are you okay?

PARIS: (Snaps out of it) Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? (Changes the topic) Anyway, why the hell are you in Stars Hollow? Did the Courant kick you out?

RORY: No. (Smiles) I'm taking the morning off… celebrating my very first (holds up the newspaper and smiles) article on the front page of the Courant.

PARIS: (Takes a seat in her chair) Hey, not bad. So work's going well – I assume.

RORY: It's going really well.

PARIS: How's Nate?

RORY: (Surprised that Paris remembers him) He's fine… or at least I think he is.

PARIS: (Bluntly) Have you figured out that you love him yet?

RORY: (Makes a face) What? No… (with an annoyed chuckle) I don't love him. You've got it wrong, Paris. He and I have worked out our differences… and he's nothing like I had assumed he was.

PARIS: (Rolls her eyes) Right. Come on, Rory… it was obvious you liked him even when you thought he was "intimidating"…

RORY: Not true. I'm a little annoyed that you believe that…

PARIS: The only thing you're annoyed about is the fact that he, unlike most other guys in your past, hasn't fallen for your angelic face.

RORY: (Annoyed) Paris, that's mean.

PARIS: The truth hurts, baby.

RORY: (Sighs) I do have (struggles for the word) some kind of feelings for him… but it doesn't matter, because he sees nothing but a co-worker in me.

PARIS: Have you even tested the water?

RORY: There's nothing to test.

PARIS: Right. (The conversation comes to an end) Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

RORY: Anytime.

PARIS: Go back to celebrating.

RORY: Bye Paris.

Scene fades on Rory as she looks at the newspaper again.

INT. DRAGONFLY INN – LIVING ROOM – WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

Scene opens on a clothed, pregnant stomach. As the camera zooms, we see Lorelai sitting on the couch going through mail and snacking on what looks like animal crackers (from a small bowl on the middle of the couch) The phone rings.

LORELAI: (Struggles to reach the coffee table, then gets up from her seat and bends to the side to pick up the cordless) Hello… Dragonfly Inn… this is Lorelai.

EMILY: (Sitting in the Gilmore Living room) Lorelai, it's your mother.

Scenes CUT between the GILMORE MANSION and the DRAGONFLY INN

LORELAI: (Sits back on the couch) Hello mother.

EMILY: (With a big sigh, she continues) I have a confession to make.

LORELAI: (Curiously) Okay.

EMILY: But first, I wanted to apologize again for waking you up so early yesterday.

LORELAI: (Still curious) I'm over it.

Pause.

LORELAI: Mom?

EMILY: (Sighs again) I called your OB/GYN on Monday… and that's how I know about your appointment. (Lorelai is confused)… you didn't mention it at dinner on Friday.

LORELAI: (Confused) Okay.

EMILY: I apologize for lying.

LORELAI: Why did you call her?

EMILY: (Sincerely, but clearly not comfortable) I wanted to know how you were doing. You never tell me details about the pregnancy…

LORELAI: (Sighs) Mom.

EMILY: I just wanted to make sure that everything was going well.

LORELAI: (Very subtly touched) Everything's going well, mom. I promise. Besides, I've told you everything I know.

EMILY: (Sighs) I just wanted to make sure.

LORELAI: (Takes a deep breath) Mom?

EMILY: Yes?

LORELAI: Do you really want to come with us for the next appointment? If so, I guess I can handle that.

EMILY: (A little surprised at the offer) Well… (thinks) no… that's fine, Lorelai. I will let you and Luke deal with this one.

LORELAI: Okay.

EMILY: (Sternly) But please make sure you call me after the appointment. I don't want to be left out.

LORELAI: (Rolls her eyes) You won't be left out.

EMILY: Okay, that's all I wanted to say.

LORELAI: (With a sincere smile) Mom?

EMILY: What is it Lorelai?

LORELAI: Thanks.

EMILY: What for?

LORELAI: For telling me the truth.

EMILY: (Takes a moment to process) Well, I will let you get back to work.

Rory (dressed for work) enters the Dragonfly Living room.

LORELAI: (Smiles) Bye mom. (Looks at her daughter) I thought you were going to work?

RORY: (Takes a seat next to her on the couch) I am. I have a few minutes… thought I'd stop by. (Gestures at the phone) What was that about?

LORELAI: (With an intrigued expression) Get this… mom just called to apologize to me.

RORY: (Starts to snack on the crackers) For all the childhood scars?

LORELAI: She lied to me yesterday about how she knew about my appointment with Dr. Borvansky. Said I had mentioned it at dinner on Friday… I guess her guilty conscience got the better of her.

RORY: Wow, you don't hear that often.

LORELAI: (Chuckles) Nope, you don't.

Pause.

LORELAI: (Looks down at her mail, and changes the topic) So, I bet your co-workers are very proud of you.

RORY: (Smiles) Just glad I could help.

LORELAI: (Looks at her daughter) Speaking of which… we haven't really chat about you-know-who since your epiphany last week.

RORY: Well, there's not much to say about 'you-know-who'.

LORELAI: Have you decided what you want to do about it?

RORY: (Nods) Yup, and the decision was easy. (Lorelai looks up curiously) I ignore it until it goes away.

LORELAI: (Hides a chuckle as she continues sarcastically) Oh yeah, very effective.

RORY: (Explains) The decision was made easy since he has no clue that I exist in that capacity.

LORELAI: (Sighs) Well… his loss.

RORY: (Places another animal cracker in her mouth) Indeed.

Scene fades.

EXT. HARTFORD COURANT – THURSDAY MID-MORNING

Scene opens on the next day. Rory is sitting on one of the steps that lead up to the Hartford Courant – with a book in hand. At the bottom of the steps, we see Nate arriving at work. He spots Rory… and walks up to her. Removes the strap of the messenger bag from his shoulders and places it on the side as he takes a seat next to her.

RORY: (Looks up) Hey.

NATE: (Looks at the book) Hey… what're you reading?

RORY: (Turns the cover to show him) Henry James. Had the sudden urge to revisit "The Portrait of a Lady."

NATE: (Looks out at the street) One of the greatest American authors. (Adds) Although, I think he secretly wished he was born a Briton. (Rory smiles, leaves a bookmark and closes the book. Nate turns to her) Hey, good job on the article yesterday. I didn't get a chance to see you before I left.

RORY: (Nods) Thanks. Rob asked me to take the morning off.

NATE: (Very slightly nudges with his elbow) You deserve the whole week off. Nice job, Gilmore.

RORY: (Curiosity clouds her face) You know… (sighs) for Rob to have that much faith in me to ask… (Nate smirks subtly to himself) it's almost as if someone… (she gets interrupted by the cell phone. Rory takes it out of her coat pocket) Oh, it's Paris – a friend. (Nate nods encouraging her to take the call) Hello?

PARIS: (Pacing again in her apartment) He called!

RORY: (Nate takes the Henry James book from Rory's lap and starts to browse through it) Who called?

PARIS: Doyle! He called … and asked if I was free this weekend to meet him.

RORY: Oh wow… what did you say?

PARIS: I told him I wasn't in town… that I was spending the weekend with you.

RORY: (Shakes her head) Now Paris…

PARIS: (Cuts her off) By the way, I'm spending the weekend with you.

RORY: (Unable to come up with an excuse, she nods) Okay.

PARIS: Alright… (nods) I'm glad I dodged that bullet. Thanks. Talk to you later.

RORY: Bye. (places the phone back in her pocket) Sorry about that.

NATE: (Flipping through the book) Not a problem. How's Paris doing?

RORY: (Surprised that Nate remembers her from their one meeting) Oh, she's fine. I'm going to have to take her to the basket auction.

NATE: (Looks up) Basket auction?

RORY: (Remembers) Oh yeah… sound familiar to you? The Stars Hollow Bid-On-A-Basket… your article from way back when...

NATE: (Amused) You pulled the unpublished article?

RORY: (Admits) I did… besides, can you blame me? It is after all the town I grew up in… I was curious.

NATE: (Nods) Makes sense.

RORY: (Swallows a bit nervously as she realizes that maybe she should take the opportunity) Umm… maybe if you have time, you should stop by?

NATE: (Looks up at her) In Stars Hollow?

RORY: (Nods) Yeah… the auction is on Saturday.

NATE: (Shakes his head) Sounds great… but I'm heading over to New York tomorrow morning. (A very small hint of disappointment hits Rory's face) My parents are back in Hartford – so I get to have some alone time at the house in the city. Besides I have a meeting on Saturday morning. (Stands up) Maybe next time.

RORY: (Nods) Maybe next time.

NATE: (Looks down at her, then stretches his arm to hand her the book) See ya in there. (Nate climbs the rest of the steps to his workplace)

RORY: (Takes the book, and sighs) See ya.

Scene fades.

INT. CLINICAL AREA – EXAM ROOM – THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Scene opens as Dr. Borvansky ends the checkup. Lorelai is seated at the exam table wearing the clinical gown, with Luke beside her. Dr. Borvansky is seated on a stool next to a desk. She is seen writing stuff down on a clipboard.

DR. BORVANSKY: (As she continues to write) Everything is going smoothly.

LORELAI: (Smiles up at Luke) It seems like it.

DR. BORVANSKY: (Looks up) You must be impatient to know the sex of the baby.

LORELAI: (With a pout-y smile) A little bit. But we (holds Luke's hand) are determined that it should be a surprise.

DR. BORVANSKY: (Gets up from her stool) And a surprise it will be. (Looks at Luke and Lorelai) The two of you will be amazing parents to this child. (Sighs) Anyway, do you have anymore questions for me?

LORELAI: (Shakes her head, then looks up at Luke – then at her doctor) Nope…

LUKE: (Shakes his head) Nope.

LORELAI: … we're good for now.

DR. BORVANSKY: Good… good. Well, if you do have any questions… I'm only a phone call away. (Slightly touches Lorelai on the shoulder) You're all ready.

LUKE: (Looks down at Lorelai and exclaims) I will go bring the truck up to the entrance till you get ready? (Lorelai nods. Luke steps closer to the OB/GYN and shakes her hand) Thank you, Dr. Borvansky.

Luke leaves the examination room. Borvansky starts to follow him out when Lorelai calls out…

LORELAI: Dr. Borvansky?

DR. BORVANKSY: Yes, Lorelai?

LORELAI: (Needing assurance) Everything is fine… isn't it? I mean, you said there are risks with my age and all…

DR. BORVANSKY: (puts her at ease) Yes, there are risks for women over 35… mostly when it's the first child – and in your case, as I've mentioned… it's been 20-some years since your first child. But women over 35 have babies all the time… and I assure you, Lorelai. You are doing great… (Lorelai smiles) … the baby is doing great… and this BEEP is going to be one very lucky kid. (Lorelai's sudden gasp prompts Dr. Borvansky to gasp as well). Oh my god!

LORELAI: I'm having a BEEP? (Lorelai's mind trails)

DR. BORVANKSY: (Holds up her hand to her mouth) Oh my god… I'm so sorry! I've been doing this for 25 years and I've never slipped like that! Mrs. Danes…

LORELAI: (Oblivious to Borvansky's mini-meltdown) It's okay. (Sighs, and looks up at the doctor – completely surprised at the news) Wow.

Scene fades on Borvansky and Lorelai.

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Will update with Final Segment soon. Thank you for all the support. And thanks to DieHardJavaJunkie14 for assisting me with this episode. You rock.

A little challenge (for those who want to partake):
So far, there are 14 episodes and 14 titles in this series. One of the main reasons I loved the show was their catchy and intelligent references. It felt great to know exactly what they were saying, or research something that was said. I'm neither calling my titles "catchy" or "intelligent" – but I thought this would be a fun way to interact with you. In some cases the reason for the title is very obvious within the episodes, but in others, it needs a bit of digging. So my challenge to you is… What do the titles in my series mean? Do you have your own little spin on them?