Mark likes the way her skin is paler than his palms, and the way her hair falls in messy tendrils down her back first thing in the morning, when she turns her back to him and always makes sure she's the first to leave. He likes that she isn't afraid of blow-jobs, likes that she is never too proud for faked orgasms.

He likes that she is young and never says no.

The last night before the election, and he's running for state legislature. The other interns say she's running for the title of campaign slut, but she doesn't even have the energy to honor that with a sneer.

The exit numbers start coming back early, before the polls are even near to closing, and it's looking as good for them as they had expected. It hasn't been a hard race. The challenger is a boring guy in his forties, two kids and the whole deal, but he's never really had anything more interesting to say than 'vote for me.'

Mark Harper is thirty-two, beautiful and dark-haired and socially conscious and conservative and all of those things you needed to be to get elected in the mid-80s. His wife is a knockout, and his dog always manages to complete the campaign photos in a way that says: look at me, I'm the real thing.

Ann is twenty-three, short-legged and a little awkward, but already she knows that none of those things really matter. He likes her because she never says no.

The televisions in campaign headquarters are on, volume too loud and distorted, and a couple of staffers are dancing near the windows. Itıs warm, even though it's snowing outside, and Ann dangles her feet off the edge of a table.

Mark approaches from behind, says her name like an expletive or a come-on. She doesn't turn around, just tilts her head back until she can see him.

"We're doing well," he says. She hasn't finished her Master's, hasnıt quite grown into her baby fat, but already he's saying "we." She likes the way he says it.

"We always knew we'd win. It wasn't a hard fight." He walks around the table, touches her knee in a way that's not quite subtle enough to be something people wouldnıt notice. He flaunts that he sheıs his latest conquest.

"You should come with me to Albany," he says.

Her face doesn't register surprise that he's finally said it. "I think Mrs. Harper would get tired of me fast enough." Ann says it because she likes to hurt him this way. He doesnıt take her seriously, and she knows it.

He frowns. "I'm not kidding, Ann. You've done good work for this campaign."

"Not good enough to get on the payroll."

"No, not that good," he agrees. "You should think about coming with me."

She waits a long time before saying anything. She made her decision months ago. "Count me in," she says suddenly, as he starts to turn away. "Sounds like fun."