Chapter 174
The next week passed by as a blissful blur. Jess and Rory were both relieved to be home, to have time for themselves, each other and their work. And beyond that, for their friends in Philadelphia. Since they knew the next month was going to be extremely hectic, they'd decided to take advantage of this week to spend as much time with the Truncheon men and their significant others as possible. Which is how Rory and Jess found themselves at Chris and Hannah's apartment on Wednesday night, eating Chinese food and arguing about old movies.
"Look, the Matrix was an allegory, whether or not you agree with what it was an allegory for. That much has always been obvious," Chris argued.
"It's not that I disagree, I just don't think that you should be able to take credit for being progressive retroactively. I mean, if that's what it is- great. But they didn't do that. It's the Dumbledore of the sci-fi movie world," Matt pointed out. Rory nodded, generally feeling like this was a fair point.
"Is it sci-fi or fantasy?" Hannah mused.
"I don't think it matters," Jess replied casually, "Whatever it is, if the people who created it made the effort to come out and explain what it meant when they created it, it seems like we should give credibility to that."
"…first of all, a couple doesn't speak for everyone involved in creating a thing. And separately, this is really just the age old argument- does art belong to artist or viewer? Book to author or reader?"
"Reader," Rory answered, just as Jess answered "Author." They turned and smirked at each other. Matt rolled his eyes.
"You guys are sickening. I'm gonna grab another beer. Jane, want anything?"
"Sure. Whatever's fine," Jane said easily. Matt nodded, walking into the other room.
"I mean, books are written for their readers, Jess," Rory pointed out. Jess raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Who'd you write your book for? Oh wait…" Jess smirked as Rory opened her mouth indignantly, "You haven't written any yet."
"You…ass."
"…eloquent. You should save it for your book," he teased, earning a good-natured eye roll from Rory and an audible laugh from Hannah.
"You're such a…oh, crap. Sorry guys, I gotta take this," Rory said apologetically. Hannah nodded and gestured to the open bedroom. Rory looked at her gratefully and walked inside, closing the door behind her. "Hello?"
"Hey. I have news."
"…again? Isn't it a little early?"
"Not that news," Paris said. Rory could hear the eye roll in her voice from across several states, "We're here. In New York. Move complete."
"Wait, really?"
"Yep," Paris nodded, "Finishing touches finished this morning. We are set for the baby's impending arrival."
"Marie!" Rory heard Doyle call from the other room. There was a long pause, and then a heavy sigh from Paris.
"Marie," she said, her voice dripping with annoyance, "Anyway, just wanted to let you know. Also means I'll be hitting up your boyfriend for the career stuff soon."
"I think he's looking forward to it, actually. But don't tell him I said that."
"Your secret's safe with me," Paris proimsed, "Actually, would you mind sending me the contact info for Matt and Chris too? It'll just make things easier to set up."
"Sure," Rory shrugged, "I'll do that now. We're all over at Chris' having chinese food, as it happens."
"That sounds nice," Paris said. To Rory's ear, she sounded a little wistful. "We're…going out, I think. Soon. Wherever my stomach can still fit at a table."
"Well, you're in New York! You should enjoy the opportunity to do that. Philadelphia's great, but you definitely have the better dining options."
"And the prices to match. I always forget how strung out on this city you get."
"…got. For a long time. Living there myself really kind of shattered the illusion," Rory admitted, "But it's different to do with people you love, and, frankly, money."
"…well, we've still got some of that. Though I gotta say, guest lecturer certainly isn't paying surgeon salary. If I weren't as obsessive of an investor…"
"You'd still find a way to make an absurd salary once they worked with you for six months."
"I did negotiate pretty successfully," Paris admitted. Rory laughed.
"Of course you did. Well, I'm gonna get back before the food gets cold, but I'll call you later this week, see when we can do our next in-person thing. Okay?"
"That sounds great," Paris smiled, "Say hi to the guys and everyone for me."
"Will do!"
Rory walked back out into the living room, smiling. She took her seat between Hannah and Jess. "Sorry, that was Paris. She just moved."
"Didn't she already move?" Matt asked, walking back into the room and handing Jane one of the beers she was holding.
"She was in the process," Rory nodded, "But they finished."
"Already? That was fast," Chris said, Hannah nodding.
"Well, when Paris wants something to happen, it happens," Rory shrugged.
"Understatement of the century. She's a force," Jess said incredulously, shaking his head back and forth. Jane smiled.
"She seemed nice," Jane offered. Rory smiled back at Jane.
"Oh, I forgot, the only time you really met her was the baby shower. She's going to live closer so should be visiting more. I know she wants to get to know you better. All of you." Rory smiled generously, before being struck by a thought.
"Oh! And of course, you'll be seeing her more with the work thing."
"Work thing?" Chris asked, tilting his head. Matt looked at Jess.
"You didn't mention a work thing."
"…you didn't talk to them?"
"I was going to," Jess sighed, "Things have been crazy."
"We getting a new stock girl?" Chris joked. Matt rolled his eyes.
"Nope. Paris got a new job teaching at a college in New York. She wanted some catch up on what's going on with contemporary American literature, since she'll be teaching a section on that and being a surgeon hasn't left a ton of time for pleasure-reading."
"Makes sense," Matt nodded. Seeing the positive reception, Jess continued.
"She also…well, I asked if she wanted some info on it for her or her class, and it occurred to her it could be useful for her students too. Particularly since a lot of them will be trying to go into traditional, big-6 publishing, and she thinks it could be useful for them to be exposed to the other options."
"Meaning our little pet project?" Chris said incredulously. Matt looked at Jess.
"…why?"
"…she believes in independent publishing. And thinks we're good at it. I didn't have the heart to tell her how wrong she was."
"Now that I believe," Matt smirked. He turned to Chris. "I mean, it's not a bad idea."
"It's a lot of work."
"That we can make Jess do most of."
"…that does make it sound better. Jess, what would it actually involve?"
"I'm not totally sure. I was gonna run it by you and then she wanted to come down some weekend and talk to us about it. I'd guess soon, given her personal situation." Chris nodded.
"That seems…fair. Do you have a general idea though?"
"It seems like she wants us to give her a crash course in the current landscape, which is easy enough, even if our take is a little less mainstream. And it sounded like she might want a similar thing for her class, whether that means a trek there or them trekking here. Probably the former. She also mentioned wanting to give them some insight into the independent publishing process, so I'd think that'd kind of naturally combine with the first part."
Matt nodded. "I mean…I don't see any reason that's not doable. When's she coming?"
"I don't know, I need to catch up with her. Rory, did she mention anything about it to you?"
"…not beyond what you just said. But she did ask me to send her Matt and Chris' contact info. Wanted to check with you guys first."
"Sure," Chris nodded, without even looking up from his slice of pizza. Matt's face was suddenly unreadable.
"Matt? That okay?" Jess asked, rolling his eyes at his friend's inability to focus.
"Uh, yeah. Sure," he nodded, "I'm gonna grab another one. Anyone else?"
"I'll take one," Rory nodded, "Thanks."
"Uh-huh." Matt disappeared into the kitchen.
"Now let's get back to the fun stuff," Chris exclaimed, "Any pre-wedding celebrations we should be preparing for?"
"I think Luke wants you guys to come for his bachelor's," Jess admitted.
"He's having one?"
"Yep. It'll be very low key. Steak dinner, a couple beers- zero scotch." Rory grinned at this.
"Well, count us in. But who'll hold down the fort? We can't close again."
"I'm happy to help," Rory offered, "Mom's isn't until the weekend after."
"I can pitch in too," Hannah nodded. Chris smiled.
"Thanks, you guys."
"Of course. You guys should have fun with Luke. Though, at some point, you might also want to hire people."
"…where's the fun in that?"
