In the Virginia countryside, Wednesday…

The sleek limo pulled up behind the other parked in the semi-circular drive of a mansion in the Virginia suburbs. A woman got out, went to the front door, and rang the doorbell.

Hank Johnson, the owner of the house, opened the door.

"Good to see you again, Stephanie. Always a pleasure. Senator Preston is already here. Come on in."

The woman nodded curtly and entered the house. "Roger is never late when his ass is on the line," commented the Vice President. "Have someone get me a gin and tonic. It's damn hot, you know."

She knew her way and walked imperiously towards the living room. Hank Johnson followed her meekly.

Roger Preston stood when she came into the living room. She frowned. She hated the man, although he had his uses. He was dressed in tennis clothes, obviously coming from the club. Of course. Why would he be doing the job the people of Indiana actually wanted him to do, expected him to do, elected him to do? She sat down facing Hank and the Senator. She was still a striking woman. She was not in as good a shape as she had been as an actress, which had been years ago. Still, she knew she was still photogenic and people all over the country immediately recognized her. She was also fairly healthy, which was important, since there would be challengers in the primaries. When Fulton stepped down, she would have the advantage over all contenders, though she needed to be in peak physical condition to endure the lengthy campaign. Especially with those assholes the other parties were going to throw at her.