Part 5

*As if it were a real episode, the audience watching Gilmore Girls is shown a zoomed-in flyer of Paul Anka, which shows he is a 'LOST GILMORE FAMILY MEMBER' and then an out-of-focus black and white picture of Paul Anka and immediately below it, a "HELP FIND ME!", some general specs about the pup, the general Stars Hollow Hotline number, and 'REWARD: AMOUNT PENDING' at the bottom of the flyer.*

Lorelai's car screeches to a halt. She gets out of the car and slowly closes the car door as she takes in the scene unfolding before her. Everyone is walking around, talking to one another while some are shrugging and scratching their heads. A few people are walking around with flyers in hand. As soon as they see Lorelai, they all slow down and look up, concerned. Lorelai freezes for a minute, looking back at them. She then puts on a smirk and moves her fist in front of her jovially. "Hey everyone, so about that lost dog, eh?" She adds a nervous laugh while everyone else just stares back. This prompts Lorelai to nervously saunter over to the entrance of Luke's diner.

"Luke, are you here? Damsel in distress here!"

"Lorelai, oh, I'm so glad you're here. I have no idea to explain myself. Excuse me folks," Luke says while moving away from the counter full of inquiring customers.

Luke and Lorelai grasp hands. "Everyone's acting like Paul Anka is some sort of cult following. How do you suppose this whole thing started?" asks Lorelai nervously.

"I'm pretty sure we would need to have a missing dog."

"Seriously, Luke?"

"Yeah I know. Bad joke, bad timing." Luke rubs his forehead.

Lorelai blankly looks outside and twists her mouth. "Well, the mystery's over now, everyone knows. I'm still considering calling a town meeting later."

"I agree. What's important now is that we use our time and resources wisely to start the search. Does Paul Anka have a tag at least?"

"Yes and I made absolutely sure of it to get one when I first got him." Lorelai looks down at the table. "Do you think he's alright, Luke?"

"Oh, Paul Anka? Of course!"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Well for one thing, it's Paul Anka: a strong, resilient, yet adorable dog... the perfect combination. Who can pass him without talking to him and asking him whether or not he has family?"

Lorelai half smiles. "He is adorable, isn't he? Like one of my own children."

Luke gestures towards the counter. "Coffee?"

"Thanks." Lorelai looks at a flyer at a nearby table. Just then, Babette walks in. "Lorelai, honey! You're here!"

"That I am," Lorelai exclaims unexcitedly.

Babette closes the door. "So you must know by now but Paul Anka is lost."

"And the plot thickens," Lorelai scoffs.

"I'm so sorry. I never thought this would happen. A lost Gilmore." Babette frowns.

"Hm, sounds like you were anticipating it."

"Is everything alright, honey? I know this must be a very difficult time for you."

"Yes, Babette, as fine as I'll ever be knowing my dog's lost and I have no logical explanation for his running away."

"Now, now. Don't you worry. Dogs do this all the time. It's just their way."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"So I was talking to Taylor and he believes that a town meeting is the way to go."

"Does he now..." Lorelai gives Luke a look while Luke looks sternly at Lorelai.

"Oh yes. And he wants to make the town meeting for tonight."

"I'm beginning to think this is Stars Hollow's lost community dog rather than mine," says Lorelai to particularly no one.

"Don't be silly, Lorelai. Why would you say such a thing?"

"Listen Babette, thank you very much for your help so far. I guess right now, I just need some time to think this over and let this all sink in."

"Oh of course. I completely understand. And honey, if you ever need anything, you have my number. Call it and I will be out here quicker than the Black Hawk descent."

"Wow lightning fast. Thanks Babette, I will keep that in mind." Lorelai smiles as Luke comes by with two coffees.

"Anytime. I will see you later tonight. And Luke?" Luke raises his eyebrows. Babette moves in closer.

"Keep this young lady in line. Bye now!" The door handle bells jingle as Babette exits.

"What was that about?" Lorelai asks while beginning to sit down while looking at Babette walk down the street.

Luke shrugs. "I don't know, something about keeping you in line."

"Oh no, she was probably alluding to the fact that she knows we've reconciled."

"Is that a problem?" Luke takes a seat.

"Not when you realize this is Stars Hollow and anything and everything is impossible to keep mum, not even trimming your own eyebrows and nose hairs."

"Guess she really is one blabbermouth of two."

"Definitely." Lorelai takes a sip of her coffee. She furrows her eyebrows and gestures to a nearby flyer. "Mm," Lorelai swallows. "So what do you suppose the Reward Amount is going to be? Sookie inidicated it as 'pending.' That's neither good nor bad."

"I don't know, I guess she left it open for you to decide. I mean, you'll eventually have to reward someone for their hard work in all of this."

"Yeah but on the other hand, I'm not a bank or anything either. How much do you think I should make the reward? How do you even go about determining the amount of a lost dog reward? Does it depend on what type of dog is missing? Do you base it on cuteness or the degree of cuddly-ness? Does it have to do with how long the dog goes missing for or is it based on a dollar-per-mile basis? Does the reward amount automatically go up since it's a Gilmore and since, you know, the Gilmores are perceived as old money?"

"Not sure but I think the standard amount is anywhere from $500 to $1000."

"Actually now that I think about it, 'amount pending' sounds about right after all." Lorelai sips her coffee.

"So what's your strategy for later today?" Luke asks.

"Well, thanks to Babette, now I can scratch off having to call for a town meeting. So now all I have to do is be sure to get there before everyone else does and make sure to pick up some ginger biscuits from Sookie. Oh and update Rory."

"Sookie makes dog biscuits?"

"Apparently, Sookie can whip up anything. Have an upset stomach, and she'll make double fudge strawberry marble cake."

"Sounds like a stomach ache in and of itself."

"Oh you would think so, but you'd be pleasantly surprised."

"Wow, amazing," Luke says.

They both look out at the scene outside. The crowd has now thinned.

"Yeah. Amazing."