14 Tips and Town Meetings

Jess took the tips off the table. He was about to shove it in his pocket when Luke sped by him; taking it from his hands, "Thank you." he said.

"Hey!" Jess followed him around the diner, "I thought we agreed whatever tips I find, I got." he said.

"Yeah," Luke said with a bitter smile, "consider it interest on taking you in and taking care of you." he said; smiling at the thought of the real reason. Jess was clearly upset, "That's not fair! I didn't want to come here anyhow!"

"Well, your mom isn't sending me anything, so," he held up the money, "Have fun." he chuckled before pocketing it. Jess glared. He turned to walk up the stairs but ran into someone on the way up. Lucy rubbed her eyes tiredly and looked at him. Jess looked at her confused, "What were you doing upstairs?" he said.

"Sleeping?" she looked at him.

"Upstairs?" he raised his brows.

"Wow," she said tiredly, "Couldn't even tell I was on the couch?" she rubbed her eyes again trying to look more awake. Jess rolled his eyes, "Why were you upstairs?"

"I didn't feel like going home. What? Am I not allowed to be at the diner?" she retorted. "Not upstairs." he said. "Funny, a few minutes ago you didn't even know I was there." she said, "Now excuse me," she pushed past him and walked to an empty table in the diner. Jess frowned. What's her problem? He thought. And why the hell was she upstairs?!

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"Alright people settle down, let's get to the next topic of discussion please," Taylor tried rounding up the people. Their jibber-jabber came to a slow halt as Taylor orchestrated their town meeting. "Next topic on the agenda," he read, "Luke, has something to say," he rolled his eyes, muttering, "This should be interesting."

Luke stood up in his seat. "We need to talk about certain people being assigned a big job, and not getting the help for it." he said. Taylor interrupted, "Luke, if this is about the coffee stand at the dance, I'm going to stop you right there. You volunteered to do that job."

"I'm not talking about me, Taylor, I'm talking about Lucy." he said.

"Who?" Babette croaked.

"Lucy." Luke repeated.

"Is that that loner chick who hangs at your diner?" Babbette asked. "She's adorable." she added.

"Apparently there was talk in trying to include her in the town, and in doing so, she was placed with decorating the entire gym for the dance marathon." he said.

Patty frowned, "Luke, dear, I think that's a mistake." she corrected.

"Yeah," Babbette added, "We did talk about including her and such, but we haven't come up with anything yet."

"We tried," Kirk piped in, looking butt-hurt.

"Sorry, Kirk, but apartment hunting for you, isn't a task anyone wants to go through." Babbette sympathized. Kirk pouted. Luke frowned confused.

"Wait a second," Lorelai spoke up, "Lucy decorated that entire gym by herself? I thought that was Taylor's job?"

Everyone looked at Taylor. He looked at them evasively. "Taylor?" Patty said; waiting for an explanation, as well as the rest of the towns people. Taylor looked down briefly, "I might have elected myself to hand her a task.." he said innocently.

Everyone groaned. "You made that poor girl do your dirty work." Gypsy accused him. "I wouldn't say dirty work, it was stringing lights and streamers.." he tried to argue his way out.

"All those in favor of making Taylor pay her for her efforts in the gym, say I." Patty spoke; raising her hand.

"I." the town raised their hands.

"All those in favor of being more aware of any hoodwinks Taylor tries to pull on people, say I." Patty vote.

"I." the town said again.

"Meeting adjourned." Patty said; everyone including her getting up immediately. Lorelai stopped Luke on their way out, "I didn't know that Lucy was having a problem fitting in." she said. Luke shrugged; shoving his hands in his pockets awkwardly, "To be fair, I don't think Lucy did either until now." he said.

She perked her lips slightly in thought, "Well. If there's anything I can do, just let me know." she said. Luke nodded, about to walk away, when he stopped. "Hey Lorelai."

"Yes?"

"There might be something." he nodded. "Do you know who Shane is?" he asked.

"You mean Jess' ex?" she asked confused. Luke paused, dawning the same emotion, "What do you mean ex?"

"What everyone usually means when they say ex?" she looked at him, still confused. Luke furrowed his eyebrows. "That can't be right."

"Of course it's right, Luke, I should know, him and Rory are dating." she said. Luke was really rolling with the punches at all these new surprises. "What?" he said shocked. "Your Rory?" he said.

"Uh, yeah?" she said and looked at him, "Dean and Rory broke up during the dance, and Jess broke up with Shane after the dance and next thing you know they're together." she explained; figuring out the web in her head as she talked.

Luke blinked a couple times, "Jeez, got to get a town newsletter for this kind of stuff." he said. "Luke why is this so important." Lorelai asked. Luke shook it off, "It's nothing. Have a nice night Lorelai." he gave a quick waved before heading back to the diner.

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