Chapter 2: A Slice of Poe
Rory's head falls in disbelief as she stares hard at the text, making sure she didn't misread it. The realization sets in that Jess is in the airport, waiting for her. Rory scans both directions until she finds the hanging sign that shows her the way.
Her pace increases as she becomes more nervous. She smooths out her hair, worrying that she looks disheveled from the flight.
What am I even wearing? She wonders, looking down.
Rory's pleased to see her powder blue baby tee and faded blue jeans with simple black flats, but thinks a scarf would complete the outfit.
She slips into the closest scarf-selling store, her eyes drawn to one in particular that's a soft and attractive pale pink.
I needed a scarf anyway, she tells herself, justifying the impulsive purchase.
As she leaves the store a magazine cover catches her eye. Jess is on the front of the celebrity magazine Fab, Glam and Rock 'n' Roll, highlighting an interview included in this month's edition.
His hair is slicked back, and he is staring at the camera, expressionless. Rory is glad to see that his natural serious disposition is not compromised in how he's portrayed to the public. She laughs to herself, remembering that Jess said his agent wanted him to show more excitement in his star appearances. He refused, and his agent decided to make the serious style work for Jess' celebrity persona.
She turns from the magazine in the hopes of seeing Jess in real life soon, using great care as she wraps the new scarf around her.
The bustling security check point makes it difficult to find him. But as a middle-school soccer team scatters, Rory catches sight of Jess. She takes in a deep, controlled breath to gather up her strength before drawing nearer.
His arms are crossed as he reads the arrivals on the screen above.
Rory studies his appearance as much as possible before he can spot her. A sea green short-sleeved buttoned shirt falls loosely over his dark blue jeans. His hair seems void of hair products, allowing his natural curls to lie however they wish, just the way she likes it.
Rory stops a few feet away, and Jess greets her with a smirk-smile. His eyebrow raise is so slight and the glint in his dark brown eyes is almost imperceptible, but she knows both very well, signifying to Rory that he is very happy to see her.
"You made it," he says.
She avoids his tender gaze as she replies, "Yeah, sorry I didn't text back."
Shrugging it off, he says, "It's good to see you."
She wishes he'd hug her or at least touch her shoulder, but he doesn't move forward. Rory knows she deserves his hesitancy, since the last time she saw him she was still with Logan. They hadn't talked about their love lives after that so she never told him that they broke up. Rory had assumed that Luke told him, but now she wasn't so sure.
Gesturing toward the exit with his head, he says, "Come on."
"Where are we going?" she asks.
He grins and says in his cryptic fashion, "You'll see."
After a 20-minute drive Jess parks his silver Lamborghini Murciélago at the curb of an unassuming neighborhood that's lined with withering maple trees, rusty cars and grim urban public housing.
"Nice area. Too bad I forgot to pack my handgun," Rory states.
He gives her a disapproving glance. "You're gonna love this."
They cross the street and approach a three-story red-brick building. "Go ahead, read the sign," he says, as they walk up to the plaque sitting atop a low stand beside the entrance.
Rory reads, "Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site."
"Jess!" she exclaims, eyes animated.
He digs his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. "I knew you'd like it."
She raises a palm to her forehead, "I totally forgot this was in Philly."
He climbs the stairs and holds the door for her.
Rory enters, reminiscing about the two Poe actors in Stars Hollow who gave back-to-back performances of The Raven. She and Lorelai struggled to get through the first recitation, not realizing they had a second round of torture to endure. Rory smiles at the painful but now-cherished time, considering how unpleasant moments can make for fond memories.
"Hey, Vincent," Jess calls to the maintenance man standing on a small step ladder, facing the wall and readjusting a black-and-white framed portrait of Poe.
Vincent turns to face the visitors. "Yo, Jess. It's been forever. Are the hardships of celebrity life keeping you away?"
"Shut up, man," Jess says, grinning.
"Who's this?" Vincent asks.
Speaking instead to her, Jess says, "Rory, this is Vincent. We worked together when I was part-time here ages ago."
She waves. "Hi, Vincent. Nice to meet you."
"I was just gonna give her the official tour," Jess says.
"You're lucky Ron's not in. If he knew you were here he'd probably try to get you behind the cash register for a few hours. Lanny just quit, and he's been freaking out about needing more help."
With firm resolve Jess shakes his head. "No, thanks."
"I know, man, but Ron loves you." Vincent turns to Rory and explains, "The boss always wanted to put Jess in the sales center. His empty expression and brooding personality fit in perfectly here."
"Yeah, I nailed the macabre customer service role," Jess replies.
Going back to his work, Vincent says, "Don't be a stranger, man."
Jess quips, "Wouldn't dream of it," as he and Rory walk toward the exhibit room.
"So you used to work here, huh?" Rory inquires as her eyes scan the prominent Poe display that greets them.
"Just for a few months after the Truncheon Books Open House. The publishing gig was great but it didn't always pay the bills." His eyes wander the room as he reflects. "This place was my first inspiration for the trilogy."
"I wanted to let you know," Rory began, "I read The Crideon Chronicles. Jess, you're a really good writer. I was dying at the end to find out what happens to Marian and Dehrik in the cave."
Jess grins with pride. "I'm glad I was able to keep the Yale grad captivated."
She shakes her head. "You've come so far. It's me who should be aspiring to be like you."
"Nah, you don't want that. Shaving the facial hair ain't all it's cracked up to be," he says, running a hand across his short dark stubble.
She smiles, pleased to see that he didn't lose his sense of humor after gaining his fame.
Although more focused on their conversation than on viewing the exhibits, Rory tries to acknowledge each display she passes with a polite nod.
Except for Vincent, there doesn't seem to be another soul in the building. She realizes that if not for their voices bouncing off the walls, the entire room would be filled with silence.
"Let's go to the best part," Jess says.
They walk to a worn wooden staircase, descending into another room. The smooth but scuffed steps glow from the sun spilling in through the windows opposite the stairs.
As her feet hit the dusty floor, Rory discovers that the sunlight is the room's single redeeming quality. Crumbling stone walls close in on her in the barren, eerie space.
"Is this where the bad employees are sent?" Rory asks.
"Ha ha. Poe's basement is rumored to have been his inspiration for The Black Cat."
Rory muses, "I bet it's packed here at Halloween."
"The men in the black hooded robes come at all seasons."
Joke or not, Rory shivers and rubs her bare arms.
Jess grins, promising "just one more room."
When Rory enters the Reading Room, she gapes at the overwhelming use of Venetian red – from the flower-patterned carpet to the ceiling-high curtains trimmed in gold, concealing most of the elongated windows. Curved wooden chairs are dispersed throughout the room, each topped with a pink cushion.
Rory weaves through the chairs and deeper into the room, sucked in by a beautiful and enchanting force.
Jess explains, "This room is based off of The Philosophy of Furniture."
A pile of papers cover the dark wooden coffee table that's pushed up against the wall. She asks, "Are all of these his writings?"
"Yep. Most of my lunch breaks were spent in here, just me and Eddy."
"What a break room," she says, marveling at its serenity and warmth. "If the whole writing thing in Europe falls through, I know where I'm applying next."
"I'm sure they'd love to have you." Jess' statement comes off emotionless, but Rory senses he means that he'd love for her to live nearby.
She turns away as she feels her face heat up, her heartbeat quickening.
Moments later she forgets her sudden shyness as she senses a stomach growl threatening to resound throughout the soundless room. Rory realizes she hasn't eaten anything today. She crosses her arms, pleading with her body to keep quiet, but the awkward and unattractive sound is released and seems to vibrate off the still and attentive walls.
Jess smirks. "Why didn't you just say you were hungry, Gilmore?"
A gentle nervous laugh escapes her as she fidgets in embarrassment.
"I think you've had enough Poe for one day," Jess states. "There's this restaurant you gotta try."