373THE NEW PAUL ANKA
1. INT. Truncheon Books - day
Luke and Jess are standing at Truncheon Books. People mill around them. April sits in a corner, looking at a magazine.
LUKE
By the way, that is your cousin.
He points over at April.
JESS
Right. Liz filled me in on all that. Daddy.
LUKE
She just calls me Luke. Total brain.
JESS
You confirm paternity?
LUKE
Don't be a wiseass. Hey April! I want you to meet somebody.
She walks over.
LUKE
Meet your cousin Jess. He's my sister's kid.
APRIL
Hi.
JESS
Hey.
There's a pause as they look awkwardly at each other.
APRIL
Men in this family aren't chatty.
JESS
Sorry.
APRIL
I'm going to go explore a little more.
LUKE
Cool.
She leaves.
JESS
How are you adjusting to all that?
Luke
Okay I guess. I like her. And hey, I had you first to practice with.
Jess smirks and shrugs ruefully.
JESS
And after me, she's gotta be a walk in the park. I bet Lorelai likes her better.
Luke looks awkward.
LUKE
Well, they haven't really…met. Yet. It's still new…
Jess is surprised.
JESS
Didn't Liz say you and Ms Coffee Addict were getting hitched?
LUKE
Yeah. We are.
Jess just stares at him, eyebrows raised.
LUKE
What's your point Jess?
JESS
Well I just thought…it's been what, six months since she showed up? Shouldn't Lorelai be involved? I mean, technically, she's gonna be the kids step-mom; might be nice if they meet each other before the wedding.
There's a pause.
LUKE
Huh.
JESS
Wow, did we just do a Freaky Friday there or what?
LUKE (distracted)
A freaky what?
Jess shakes his head, smirking again.
JESS
It's okay, have your fiancée explain it to you.
Luke just chews his lip as he watches April in the corner. Jess nudges him.
JESS
Come on. I've got some sculpture over here you're really going to hate.
2. INT. Truncheon books — day
Rory stands with Jess by the staircase. There's a poetry reading just finishing off to the side.
RORY
So, this is Truncheon books.
JESS
Yeah, this is Truncheon.
RORY
I like it. It makes me feel like I instantly want to create something. Give me a pen, give me a brush.
JESS
A brush? I've never seen you with a brush. Would that be safe?
RORY
Hey, I just said I wanted to create something. Didn't say it would be good.
Jess chuckles. Rory sees Luke and points him out, surprised.
RORY
Luke!
JESS
Yeah, there's a definite 'Jess Mariano, this is your life' vibe here today.
They walk over to Luke who is looking at an abstract painting. April sits on a chair next to him, flipping through a book.
JESS
Hey, Luke.
LUKE
Bicycle?
JESS
No.
Luke notices Rory.
LUKE
Rory, hi! What are you doing here?
RORY
Just came to get some brushes.
She shares a smile with Jess. Luke looks confused.
RORY
Kidding. I'm doing the same thing you're doing Luke.
April stands up and turns to Jess.
APRIL
Your books are really easy to skim.
JESS
Thanks. That'll make a nice blurb.
LUKE
Well, we should probably get going…
JESS
Uh, I've got to get something. Don't leave till I get back. I'll just be a minute.
He starts to walk towards the stairs but turns back.
JESS (cont'd)
And don't let Rory near any paint brushes.
He leaves. April is looking at Rory.
APRIL
Rory? You have a great face.
RORY
Thanks. So do you.
LUKE (awkwardly)
Yeah, uh, Rory, this is April.
Rory smiles, surprised.
RORY
Oh, April! Hello there, April.
They shake hands.
RORY
Wow, the famous April!
APRIL
I'm famous?
RORY
Kind of.
LUKE
Uh, April, Rory's an old friend.
Rory looks at Luke, a bit surprised.
APRIL
She doesn't look old.
LUKE
I mean, I've known her, well, since she was your age. She's actually the daughter of the woman I'm with. My fiancée, Lorelai. You met her that one time. It's kind of complicated.
Again, Rory looks surprised. She doesn't find it complicated.
APRIL
I'll say.
LUKE
You probably want to get back to that boyfriend of yours, right?
APRIL
He's not my boyfriend. Jeez!
She rolls her eyes. Jess reappears.
JESS
Hey, Luke, come here.
They move away from the girls. Jess hands Luke a copy of his book.
JESS
Here.
LUKE
Oh, let me buy this, so that way you would get the money.
JESS
Ah, it's okay.
Luke is looking at the book and finds a check between the pages.
LUKE
What's this?
JESS
It's what's owed.
LUKE
You owe me nothing.
JESS
I owe you. Take it, and if you rip it up, I'm just going to send you another.
LUKE
I'm very proud of you. Of this — of what you're going for here. I don't get all of it, but…I'm me.
JESS
Thanks.
Jess leans over and pulls Luke into a hug.
JESS
I wouldn't have done this without you. You were a great Uncle.
He gestures over to where April and Rory are talking. There's a pause.
JESS
You'll be a great Dad. (pause) To both of them.
Luke smiles and looks content, like he's suddenly realised something. They both walk back to the girls.
APRIL
All I said was that I liked him and I realised it was a mistake as soon as I said it.
Rory laughs.
RORY
Well, a word of advice? Just be careful not to share anything too volatile with him, unless you want Freddy dead. Believe me, I know all about Protective Luke! You should have seen what he did when my first boyfriend broke up with me!
Luke looks embarrassed.
LUKE
We should get going.
APRIL
Nice meeting you Rory.
RORY
You too. Good luck with Freddy.
LUKE (to Jess)
Good luck with this. Congratulations.
JESS
Thanks. See you.
Luke and April leave. Jess turns to Rory.
JESS
So. She's gonna be your sister.
RORY
Yeah, wow...I guess. Eventually. It's weird. I only just met her.
JESS
Yeah, Luke said he hadn't really introduced her to everyone yet.
RORY
Well, not me or my Mom. I think the rest of the town has met her in the diner at one point or other.
JESS (with a chuckle)
What, you don't go to the diner anymore?
RORY
Not when April's there. It's a thing…a Mom, Luke thing. I mean, I'm sure they'll work it out. I really want them to work it out. (pause). Things have been weird. But since when did grown ups ever make sense?
Jess nods a little as he places his hand on Rory's back to walk her away.
JESS
Never. But I did sort of mention it to Luke. About how weird it was. Don't know if it'll help but-
Rory stops, surprised.
RORY
You spoke to him? About the April situation?
JESS
Kind of, yeah. I mean, I know me and your Mom weren't exactly best friends, but Luke's been after her forever and I can't imagine Lorelai likes being kept out of things. I don't want him to screw it up.
Rory is just standing, smiling at Jess.
RORY
Wow. You really grew up. That's amazing...not the growing up thing. I mean, of course you grew up, but, talking to Luke...Thank you - so much! I'll have to let you know what happens.
Jess smirks as he starts to walk Rory away again.
JESS
Hey, I don't need any gory details. I just want Luke to be happy. I know what it's like to mess things up.
Rory gets a sad look on her face and turns to Jess.
RORY
Jess —
He steps back from her, clearly uncomfortable.
JESS
Hey look I really need to go and schmooze for awhile but don't leave, okay? We can talk, after?
Rory nods.
RORY
Sure. Yeah. I'll be here.
Jess smiles and squeezes her arm as he backs away.