I hope you guys enjoyed this first episode of Season 8. Let me know if you want me to begin work on episode 2!
Final Scene Part 2 of 2
Meanwhile in Iowa, early evening
"So Rory, are you excited about the first day on the job?"
Rory stirs her vanilla latte with a wooden stick. "I mean I feel ready but at the same time, it's such a leap and becoming a reality that I'm actually going to complete my first assignment, you know?."
"That's how it goes and that's totally normal. I mean, I remember my first journalism assignment." Michelle Newmann slowly stirs her drink, looking at it intently. "Two years ago, headline: Boston Woman Wins $10 million in Lawsuit over False Advertising."
Rory sits back and crosses her arms, listening intently.
"At first, everything from the cameras to the lights to the people yelling at you behind the cameras to look this way and that was just so intense and intimidating."
"Wow, I never knew."
"Yeah but don't worry. I was more thrown into that than anything. My dad's passion sometimes gets in the way of his rationality. It'll be a cinch. You'll see." She looks at her watch. "Whoa, journalism time *is* a real thing. I've gotta meet a staff member 5 minutes ago."
"Ok, I'll walk back with you, I was just about to head out myself." Rory gathers her belongings and her drink, sneaking in a sip. She matches Michelle's pace. "So, does anything happen on Friday nights?"
Michelle keeps walking. "I don't think so, I mean with this being post-college and everything. I think the most exciting thing is equivalent to Grandfather's story time around the candlelight."
"Oh," Rory frowns. "I should've known. So, no parties or initiations or anything?"
"Nope. The only partying I'll probably be doing tonight is going over my dad's fiscal reports he faxed over to me and listening to Frank Sinatra."
"Fiscal reports?"
"I'm minoring in Financing."
"And I am suddenly intimidated."
"Why are you suddently intimidated, Rory? I should be intimidated by *you.* You have the license and right to rub your Yale-ness in my face if you felt like it."
"Yeah but I never thought of double-majoring."
"It's not what it's cracked up to be. I'm thinking of dropping anyway."
"Well, suit yourself. But I don't think you should just give up."
"It's not giving up. It's finding what I personally enjoy and personally, I don't enjoy the seriousness that comes with Financing. I'd like to stay young while I'm young. And so far, I feel like it's aged me by 5 years. Long nights, long formulas, bulky calculators...I'm so over it." Michelle says, opening the door to the main building.
"Yeah, math hasn't always been my strongest point. Although the B+ in Calculus has shown to be an exception," Rory says.
Michelle smiles as she takes one last sip of her drink, handing the cup to Rory. "Thanks Rory. And as a newbie journalist, expect more of those handed to you." Michelle smiles, winks and continues walking. Rory slows her walk and smiles appreciatively, finding the nearest garbage can to throw it away. Rory begins to take a few more sips from her drink when her phone rings. She finishes one last sip and also throws her cup away. She retrieves her phone, not pausing to look at caller ID. "Hello?"
"Hey, Ace. Just a friendly reminder to take better care of your belongings. Dogs shouldn't go too far from home without a leash."
Rory freezes, her eyes getting wide.
********Meanwhile in Stars Hollow, early evening***********
"Maybe I should have worn those yellow boots. I feel too formal for Friday dinner."
Lorelai and Luke are on their way to Friday dinner.
"Luke, unfortunately there is no time for a wardrobe change. You're on in 5 minutes."
"I am aware of that, Lorelai."
"You look great, ok? Like a million bucks. Something my parents would certainly agree with."
A pause. "What if they don't like me, Lor?"
"Trust me, they will like you. And if they don't, I will make them like you. Even if I have to spoonfeed them." Lorelai focuses on the road.
"So wait, what are your parents' names again? I don't want to get them mixed up."
"Richard and Emily." Lorelai nods and pauses. "And I'm not quite sure how you could mix that up."
"Do I say: 'Hello Mister Gilmore, Mrs. Gilmore' or 'Hello Richard Gilmore, Emily Gilmore,' or 'Hello Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore' or 'Hello Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Emily Gilmore?'
"Brain overload over here."
"Sorry."
"I don't know. I never had to think about it. I guess just what comes out naturally."
"Right. So I'll say 'hello Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore.'"
"The correct suffixes and the correct last name. Sounds good to me." Lorelai turns onto the street. "I hope you like filet mignon with orange shavings."
"Why? Is that what we're having tonight?"
"According to my mom two nights ago, yep. Unless she had a sudden change in catering."
"Hm, I don't know. Sounds highly exquisite. And expensive. And anything expensive has to be good, right?"
"Not necessarily. Try caviar and pate together, you'll be wishing for a Big Mac with real gold flecks in the secret sauce."
"Gotcha." Luke reaches for Lorelai's hand. "Hey." Lorelai turns to Luke.
"Hey back, mister." Lorelai smiles while folding her hand into his.
"Thanks for inviting me."
"Thanks for accepting." Lorelai smiles and sighs as she single-handedly turns into the driveway. Her smile soon disappears. "What in the-"
She slows her drive up the driveway to see numerous types of cars parked in the front. a Hummer, a convertible Mercedes, a red Porsche, a black Maserati, a dark gray Audi A4, a white BMW, and a silver Jaguar.
"It's not my birthday, unfortunately," Lorelai says somewhat sadly, yet confused.
"Is there a party or some type of soiree you didn't tell me about?"
"I don't think so. My parents didn't even tell *me* about any of this."
"Or did someone rob a luxury car dealership? I must've counted at least 3 Mercedes so far."
Lorelai parks her car a little ways off the driveway since most of the front part of the house was pre-occupied with strangers'. "How soon they forget their own daughter," Lorelai huffs under her breath as she hastily gets out of the car while hugging her white scarf over her red dress. "This is definitely not the shoe of choice to walk up a steep driveway." She says, focusing on her white heels. Luke offers his hand. "Thanks," Lorelai whispers.
"Maybe it's a celebratory party. You know, for finding Paul Anka."
"Please. I don't remember the last time my parents ever threw me a surprise party." Lorelai's phone begins to ring. Lorelai sighs while walking up the driveway. "Ugh, ignore it. Must be Michel or something. I told him to not worry about the Haddens reservation tonight." They finally make it to the door. She nervously fixes her hair and readjusts her scarf.
"Hey," Luke says, putting both hands on her shoulders. "You look absolutely wonderful tonight."
"Thanks, Luke." Lorelai kisses him. She rings the doorbell and then pauses, placing an ear to the door. She gasps. "I hear a lot of voices in there that are several octaves lower than usual."
Luke swallows. "You don't think-"
The door opens. "Lorelai!" Emily smiles then drops once she sees Luke. "Luke."
Luke nods and smiles weakly.
"I didn't know you'd have a guest tonight, Lorelai," Emily says in a low, somewhat disapproving tone. She turns to Luke. "How nice of you to...join us...this evening." Emily glances at Lorelai, somewhat waiting for an explanation. Luke and Lorelai exchange glances. "Well," Emily sighs and smiles. "at least you've decided on the traditional red dress. This will make for quite an interesting night." She spins on her heel. Luke and Lorelai follow nervously.
"You were able to park ok, right Lorelai? Pardon all of the cars." They continue to walk towards the main hall.
"Mom, what exactly are those cars doing out there? Did you saddle up the European Car Showcase Convention?" Lorelai asks, slowly taking off her sash. Emily walks a little bit faster ahead, then claps her hands twice, joining Richard on the other side of the room. Immediately the voices fade and silence ensues. Lorelai and Luke enter the room. Lorelai gasps.
"Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my daughter, Lorelai Gilmore." All of the men in the room are dressed in suit and tie. All well-groomed, and all holding a glass of wine in their hands. Lorelai continues to stare, frozen. Luke is equally frozen.
"Lorelai, please introduce yourself to these fine men."
Lorelai could not say anything. She could not move. Luke looks down and clears his throat.
"Uh," Lorelai begins. "Good evening all. I am...indeed...the daughter of Emily and Richard Gilmore," Lorelai begins. Then Luke turns to Lorelai, taking both of her hands into his. He gets down on one knee. Lorelai gasps. "Luke..."
"Lorelai Gilmore," he turns to all of the men in the room briefly. He focuses his attention back to Lorelai. "Will you marry me?"
Emily places a hand up to her mouth, Richard looking on in moderate disbelief. Lorelai's phone begins to ring again. Lorelai and Luke keep their eyes on one another, everything unmoving other than the sound of Lorelai's ringtone.