An American in Paris Once upon a time there was an American named Jerry Mulligan who lived in Paris. When he was discharged from the army he decided to become a painter and continue to live in Paris so he could simply paint and study art. Paris is a place that inspires a painter or an artist. This is why Jerry loves it so much. Jerry lives 2 floors above a bar in a cramped apartment. But he doesn't complain, he's carefree and fun. Jerry is popular with the neighborhood kids because he gives them American Bubble Gum. Adam Cook is one of Jerry's good friends in Paris. He is currently unemployed and continues to win scholarships to stay abroad. However he isn't doing much with any of them. Adam works at a bistro down the street playing piano for Henri. Henri shows Jerry a photo of his young girlfriend. As he describes his girlfriend, Jerry imagines five different personalities of young Lise. Jerry works in Montmartre selling his paintings on the street. However, he has difficulty with criticism. One of her first clients we see says to "move on" because she is critical of her work. Jerry is lucky to have Milo coming over to his side. A rich American woman takes a liking to Jerry and offers to buy two of his pieces. He travels with her in a chauffeured car to her hotel so she can be paid. Her parents are founders of tanning oils and she is the heiress to their fortune. She immediately takes a liking to Jerry and invites him to a small party later that evening. He tells him to have his driver take him home. Later, when Jerry arrives at the "party", he admires Milo's dress and wonders about the other partygoers because so far there are only two of them. Milo said they are the party. Jerry is not the kind of person who wants to be someone's date. He offers to return the money and suggests she find some other man to do this for her. She tells him that she is more interested in her work than him. He wants to help him make it big and introduce him to important art dealers and things like that. While at a club he has a chance encounter with the infamous Lise.