November 11th, 1978
6.30 PM

Underneath crystal chandeliers and dark wooden panels sat Richard and Emily Gilmore in their dining room. Richard was laughing; he just told what he thought was the most amusing story from his entire work life and Emily smiled, well aware of how the story would end. This evening, several maids circled around the table, eager to please, knowing that the smallest misstep could trigger Emily's fury. And especially since the Gilmores weren't dining alone – tonight, they had invited the Hayden family for a meticulously prepared dinner. Emily was taking every chance to outshine Francine who for some aggravating reason managed to find the best cooks in Connecticut and therefore could have the most intricate menus proposed to her. This particular evening, though, Emily's current maid had put together a delicate seven course dinner, inspired by Japanese cooking.

Christopher sat next to his father, minding his manners, trying hard to remember which fork that should go with the third course. Lately, his mother had been picking on him for not being ready for cotillion, even though he'd been taking classes since what felt like forever. To make things even more complicated, today's cutlery included some Japanese… things he couldn't really tell what they should be used for, and in the corner of his eye he saw his mother watching him. He swallowed. He was a little thirsty, but hesitant to drink since he wasn't sure which glass to use and he would definitely be scolded if making the wrong choice. He glanced over at Lorelai to see if she by any chance had used her glass already, but to his surprise, found her chair empty. He hadn't heard her excuse herself and that probably meant that left without permission which could definitely mean trouble. Christopher's heart started to beat a little faster, he really didn't like it when his father got upset and Straub's anger was very irrational. Some days it could be triggered by the smallest things, like Christopher not being able to pronounce a word that he had only read before; others Straub would just laugh off the flooding of a bathroom. Lorelai leaving dinner before Richard broke the table could potentially turn into a nightmare later on, with Christopher getting yelled at for keeping bad company, or something else down that line that Straub made up.

"...and there we were, in the middle of discussing how to best prepare a dog show , when Mrs. Ludlow discovered that her Persian, all of a sudden, had disappeared! You know how found Susan is of that terrible animal, you can imagine the chaos that ensued. Eventually it turned up in the pool."

Emily finished her story with a small smile.
"Too bad it didn't drown," Straub said, chewing a piece of duck. Richard chuckled, but Francine shot her husband a look.
"Well, speaking of unexpected disappearances –" Richard nodded over to Lorelai's chair "– it seems like we're missing our own little persian."
When Christopher saw Emily's eyes narrowing as she scanned the room he immediately rose from his chair. He had no desire what so ever to hear his father's comments on Lorelai's behavior.
"Excuse me, may I use the restroom?"
Before anyone had the time to answer, he was already halfway out the door.

He stumbled out in the hallway, quickly turning a corner to get away from the dining room. Since the dinner so far had consisted of unidentifiable items covered by unidentifiable liquids, he assumed that Lorelai had gone to their secret hideout to see her stash of candy canes and poptarts. However, he didn't make it there as an unexpected tug on his pant leg made him stumble, tripp, and end up flat on the floor.
"Ouch!" He turned his head to see what held on to his leg. Lorelai was crouching under a little hallway table.
"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!"
"You didn't have to break my leg for that, did you?"
Christopher rubbed his shin. He wasn't sure how a show would be received by Straub and Francine.
"You don't need legs to play the piano."
"I don't know… do you really think they'd want to watch us?"
"Of course they will! Everybody loves Peanuts, don't they?"
"I honestly don't think my parents even know of Peanuts."
Lorelai frowned a little.
"Thinking of it, I'm not so sure my parents do either," she said. "But it doesn't matter, everyone loves a good show. And you'll be the perfect Schroeder, please, Chris, please, please, please, you're my best friend forever, please!"
She batted her lashes at him.
"Okay, sure, I'll do it." He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at her. "But, on one condition: you'll give me your Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots."
"My Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots? That's blackmail!" Her eyes narrowed, but he knew she'd give in. Lorelai Gilmore was not famous for her patience.
"Okay," she said after about three point four seconds, "The robots are yours. But Schroeder better bring down the house!"
Christopher extended a hand to help her up.
"Where's rehearsal?"

"Dick, these new regulations coming down the pipeline are really something, aren't they?" Straub sighed and gave 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 sure are evolving," Richard replied.
"We've been working around the clock analyzing risk assessment models, trying to predict what kind of impact these changes might have on the business. The key, it seems, is –"
He was interrupted mid-sentence as the salon doors slammed open, and Lorelai bounced into the room, 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 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 song, it's really great I promise, you're gonna 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 flung herself onto the coffee table. She rolled over to lay on her stomach, put on an exaggerated pout, head resting in her hands.
"Come on, Chris!" she waved animatedly at him, "Let's start!"
Christopher took his cue; he sat down at the end of the coffee table and began to pretend-play the piano, waving his fingers in the air over imaginary keys. It didn't feel like it looked very convincing, but Lorelai urged him on.
"Schroeder, play me something nice. Something about love and life."
Christopher started to sing, out of tune, but he gave it all he had.
"It's suppertime, yeah, it's suppertime. Oh, it's sup-sup-suppertime, the very best time of day!"
Lorelai rolled over onto her back, letting her feet kick the air.
"Oh, Schroeder, you play so well. This must be what it's like to be in love!"

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After they finished, Lorelai jumped off the table and grabbed Christopher's hand, pulling him to the floor where they bowed to their audience. Emily and Richard applauded, having a hard time containing their amusement and delight.
"Christopher, you were born for the stage!" Emily smiled at him.
"Indeed! Christopher, you have quite the knack for this. Bravo!" Richard's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
Francine glanced over at her husband before adding:
"You two are just adorable. What a lovely performance!"

Straub, who had been sitting quiet in his armchair, watched his only son in silence. He slowly rotated the glass he held in his left hand, letting the whiskey swirl. He took a drag on his cigar, held his breath, and then slowly exhaling while speaking:
"Christopher. You are soon to be eleven years old. At this age, I expect you to have a certain behavior which includes not pretending to play the piano as well as always being a gentleman around young ladies."
Christopher looked down, facing his shoes.
"I – I'm sorry, dad," he said. "I didn't think you would disapprove of this, it was just… Lore and I, we just wanted to… make something fun for you."
"Please, Mr. Hayden, don't be angry with him," Lorelai tried to smooth it over, "he didn't want to, I mean, it was my idea, I talked him into it."
"The name is Lorelai, Christopher," Straub said, ignoring her comment. "From now on, you are going to address her properly."