Disclaimer: I do not own any of the GG characters.

Summary: Rory's Canadian pen pal, Melissa Chen, is visiting her in Stars Hollow. Melissa has been invited to Friday dinner at Richard and Emily's

Rory: Grandma, this is Melissa Chen, my pen pal from Toronto.

Emily: Pleased to meet you, Melissa. Do come in. Beatrice, will you take the young ladies' coats?

Beatrice: Yes, ma'am

Melissa: Mrs. Gilmore, you have a lovely home (they head into the living room where they take their seats)

Emily: Thank you. Would you like something to drink, Melissa? Rory?

Melissa: Yes, a ginger ale, please.

Rory: Club soda, Grandma.

Emily: (makes drinks) Melissa, Rory tells me that you're an English major. Is that correct?

Melissa: Yes, I've just completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Western Ontario.

Rory: Melissa wrote her thesis on women and culture in 19th century literature, grandma.

Melissa: Rory tells me that you went to Smith, Mrs. Gilmore. I went to a women only school, well an all-girls high school myself.

Emily: Oh, how nice. Richard! How glad of you to join us. This is Melissa Chen, Rory's pen pal.

Richard: Yes, you're the Melissa that Rory was talking about. You're from Canada, right?

Melissa: Yes, Toronto.

Richard: Ah yes. You don't happen to know Charles Austin, do you? (Melissa and Rory giggle) What's the matter?

Rory: Grandpa, Charles is Melissa's boyfriend. Well, Charles, Jr. is

Melissa: He prefers Chuck. We've been dating for a few years. Chuck's sister, Katherine, was in my class at Havergal.

Richard: Well, Charles did mention something about his son having a girlfriend, but I didn't think that she'd know our Rory!

Beatrice: Mrs. Gilmore, dinner is served.

Emily: Thank you, Beatrice. Come on everyone, we're having roast chicken.

(They head to the dining room and sit down)

Emily: Now Melissa, Rory tells me that you're joining the Ladies' Association in the fall. How did you end up doing this?

Melissa: Well, a friend of mine is third generation in the Association and invited me last break to attend a day long event, helping sort prom dresses for less-privileged girls. I fell in love with what the Association does and stands for, and will be going to meetings this fall.

Emily: That's very nice. I was in the Association too.

Rory: I thought you were only in the DAR, Grandma,

Emily: I was in the Association until your mother was 15, Rory.

(Beatrice brings the salads)

Richard: So Melissa, what will you be doing now that you've finished college?

Melissa: Well, Mr. Gilmore, that's a good question. My father wants me to follow his footsteps in law, while my mother wants me to "pursue my dreams." Whatever that means.

Rory: Actually, Grandpa, Melissa starts an internship with an art magazine next week.

Emily: How lovely!

(awkward silence)

Richard: Are you enjoying Connecticut, Melissa?

Melissa: It's very lovely, Mr. Gilmore. It's a nice change from the big city.

(The main course is served. Will there be continued polite/awkward conversation, or will things get a little more interesting at the Gilmore table? STAY TUNED!)