Next, the scene shifts to Lorelai working at the Independence Inn. There's Michel Gerard, a rude French man who runs the front desk, an unbelievably sassy harp player, and Sookie St. James, the chef. Meanwhile, we find out that Rory is the kind of girl who is more interested in academic pursuits and reading Gustave Flaubert's novel Madame Bovary, than worrying about clothes and boys. But unbeknownst to Rory there is a new guy in town, and he has his eyes set on her. Rory and her best friend, Lane Kim hang out after school and discuss an upcoming teen hayride. Rory wouldn't be caught dead at the event, but Lane has strict parents who are trying to set her up with the son of a business colleague.
