The Gilmore residence
November 11th, 1978
6.30 PM

The elegant dining room of the Gilmore residence buzzed with warmth and laughter. Richard and Emily Gilmore had welcomed Straub and Francine Hayden for a meticulously prepared dinner and the table was a true testament to Emily's impeccable taste and attention to detail.

"...and there we were, in the middle of discussing our philanthropic endeavors, when Mrs. Ludlow's Persian, of all creatures, decided to grace us with its presence. You can only imagine the chaos that ensued!" Emily said, using her napkins to par her mouth.
"That certainly is a very good story, Emily," Francince said, giving a little laugh.
Emily's gaze swept over her guests, noticing Lorelai's empty chair.
"Speaking of unexpected disappearances, it seems we're missing our own little Houdini. Lorelai has once again opted for her signature vanishing act."
"Now, Emily, I'm sure Lorelai just…" Richard started, but couldn't really come up with the rest of the sentence. The room fell silent until Christopher spoke.
"Excuse me, may I use the restroom?"

Christopher ventured into the hallway, pondering where to begin his search for Lorelai. He decided to start with the restrooms and began heading in that direction. However, he didn't need to wonder for long, as an unexpected tug on his pant leg nearly made him stumble.
"Chris, wait!" someone hissed, a hand firmly grasping his trouser.
Startled, Christopher steadied himself and peered under a little hallway table.
"Lorelai? What on earth are you doing down there?"
"Listen, I've got the best plan. Let's put on a 'Charlie Brown' show for the parents. You as Schroeder, me as Lucy. It'll be legendary!"
Christopher frowned, the idea not immediately appealing to him.
"I don't know, Lore. Do you really think they'd want to watch us?"
"Absolutely! It'll be a hit. And you're the perfect Schroeder to my Lucy. Please, Chris, please, please, please you're my best friend forever, please!" She tilted her head and batted her lashes at him.
Christopher's frown turned into a sly smile. "Alright, I'll do it. But on one condition: You'll give me your Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots."
Lorelai gasped, feigning indignation.
"My Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots? That's blackmail!"
But the protest was half-hearted and with a dramatic sigh, she conceded,
"Fine, you drive a hard bargain, Hayden. The robots are yours. But this show better bring down the house!"
Christopher extended a hand to help her up. "Deal. Let's make this the best show they've ever seen."

***

"Richard, these new regulations coming down the pipeline are something, aren't they? The landscape's shifting under our feet," Straub said, giving his drink a little swirl.
"Indeed they are. It's a pivotal time. We're exploring more comprehensive coverage options in response. The market's demands are evolving; so must we", Richard answered.
"I couldn't agree more. We've been analyzing risk assessment models, trying to predict where these changes might lead us. The key, it seems, is -" Straub was interrupted mid-sentence as the door slammed open, and Lorelai bounced into the room, with Christopher trailing behind her.
"Mom, dad, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden, you have to stop everything! Chris and I have something amazing to show you!"
"Lorelai, a young lady should know not to interrupt like this," Emily said. "Please be civil."
"Oh, come on, mom, we've been practicing almost an hour! Chris is great, I promise!"
"Great at what? Being civil?"
"He's great in our show! We've put together a show for you."
"Well, it seems we have a budding entertainer in our midst. What have you and Christopher prepared for us, Lorelai?" Richard said, considerably more amused than his wife.
"We're going to perform a scene from "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"! I'm Lucy, and Chris is Schroeder. You're going to love it. Please, mom? Can't we show you?"
Emily gave a little smile.
"Allright, then," she said. "Show us what you've got you two." Lorelai clapped her hands and dramatically positioned herself on the coffee table, mimicking Lucy with an exaggerated pout and head resting on her hands like she was at Schroeder's piano.
"Come on, Chris!" she said impatiently, "let's start!" Christopher, taking his cue, sat down at the end of the coffee table and began to pretend-play the piano, his fingers dancing over the imaginary keys.
"Schroeder, play me something nice. Something about love and life." Lorelai implored in her best Lucy voice. Trying to channel Schroeder's exasperated patience with Lucy, Christopher started to play and sing with earnest exaggeration,
"It's suppertime, yeah, it's suppertime. Oh, it's sup-sup-suppertime, very best time of day!" Lorelai responded with theatrical awe,
"Oh, Schroeder, you play so well. This must be what it's like to be in love!"

It was hard for their parents to contain their amusement and delight. Even though Emily thought Lorelai and Christopher might be a bit too old for such antics, she couldn't help but clap her hands, offering a little smile as she said,
"Christopher, I'd say you were born for the stage." Richard chuckled heartily, his eyes crinkling at the corners,
"Indeed, Christopher, you have quite the knack for this. Bravo!" Francine added,
"You two are just adorable. What a lovely performance!" Even Straub seemed to have softened a little. He conceded with a rare smile,
"I have to admit, this was quite the unexpected entertainment. Well done, children."

Lorelai jumped off the table, took Chris' hand and together they bowed to their audience.