"No," said Harry Gates, "you can only be Mercutio if he starts to chase Diane."

"I don't understand.""Ask Fletcher. He'll explain it to you."

Jimmy left his father to walk across and join his friend.

"I don't know what you see in her," said Jimmy.

"She's got everything you haven't," said Fletcher smiling. "She's bright, pretty, fun to be withand.

"Are you sure we're talking about my sister?"

"Yes, which is why you're the one who has to wear glasses."

"By the way, Diane Coulter has just turned up with her parents. Dad wants to know if you're still hoping to meet her."

"Not particularly, she's gone from A to Z, so she's now a natural for you."

"No thanks," said Jimmy, "I don't need your cast-offs. By the way, I told Dad about Romeo and Juliet, and said I saw myself as Mercutio."

"Only if I start to date Dan Coulter's sister, but I'm no longer interested in the daughter of that house."

"I still don't understand."

"I'll explain tomorrow morning," said Fletcher, as Jimmy's sister reappeared carrying two Dr.

Peppers. Annie scowled at her brother, and he quickly disappeared.

For some time, neither of them spoke, until Annie said, "Would you like me to show you the Senate Chamber?"

"Sure, that would be great," said Fletcher. She turned and began walking toward the door, with Fletcher following a pace behind.

"Do you see what I see?" said Harry Gates, turning to his wife as Fletcher and his daughter disappeared out of the room.

"I certainly do," replied Martha Gates, "but I shouldn't get too worried about it, as I doubt if either of them is capable of seducing the other."

"It didn't stop me trying at that age, as I feel sure you remember."

"Typical politician. That's another story you've embellished over the years. Because if I remember correctly, it was me who seduced you.""This is the Senate Chamber," said Annie as they looked down from the gallery onto a semicircle of blue leather chairs.

SONS OF FORTUNE "It's very impressive," said Fletcher.

"Daddy says you'll end up here one day, or perhaps go even further." Fletcher didn't reply, because he had no idea what exams you had to pass to become a politician. "I heard him tell my mother he'd never met a more brilliant boy."

"Well, you know what they say about politicians," said Fletcher.

"Yes, I do, but I can always tell when Daddy doesn't mean it because he smiles at the same time, and this time he didn't smile."

"Where does your father sit?" asked Fletcher trying to change the subject.

"As the majority leader, he sits third along from the left in the front row," she said pointing down, "but I'd better not tell you too much because I know he's looking forward to showing you around the Capitol himself." He felt her hand touch his.

"Sorry," he said, quickly removing his hand, thinking it had been a mistake.

"Don't be silly," she said. She took his hand again, this time holding on to it.

"Don't you think we ought to go back and join the party?" asked Fletcher. "Otherwise they might start to wonder where we are."

"I suppose so," said Annie, but she didn't move. "Fletcher, have you ever kissed a girl?" she asked quietly.

"No, I haven't," he admitted, turning scarlet.

"Would you like to?"

"Yes, I would," he said.

"Would you like to kiss me?"

He nodded and then turned and watched as Annie closed her eyes and pursed her lips. He checked to make sure that all the doors were closed, before he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the mouth.

Once he'd stopped, she opened her eyes.

"Do you know what a French kiss is?" sheasked.

"No, I don't," said Fletcher.

"No, neither do I," admitted Annie. "If you find out, will you tell me?"

"Yes, I will," said Fletcher.

BOOK TWO

EXODUS

"ARE you going to run for president?" asked Jimmy.

"Haven't decided yet," Fletcher replied.

"Everyone assumes you will."

"That's one of the problems."

"My father wants you to."

"But my mother doesn't," said Fletcher.

"Why not?" asked Jimmy.

"She thinks I should spend my final year concentrating on getting a place at Yale."

"But if you become student president, it will only assist your application. It's me who's going to find it a struggle."

"I'm sure your father has several markers to call in," said Fletcher with a grin.

"What does Annie think?" asked Jimmy, ignoring the comment.

"She's happy to go along with whatever I decide."

"Then perhaps I should be the deciding factor."

"What do you have in mind?"

"If you hope to win, you'll have to appoint me as your campaign manager."

"That should certainly lengthen the odds," said Fletcher. Jimmy picked up a cushion from the sofa and threw it at his friend. "In fact, if you really want to guarantee my victory," added Fletcher as he caught it, "you should volunteer your services as campaign manager for my closest rival."

Their sparring was interrupted when Jimmy's father walked into the room. "Fletcher, could you spare me a moment?"

"Of course, sir."

"Perhaps we could have a chat in my study."

Fletcher quickly rose and followed the senator out of the room. He looked back at Jimmy, but his friend justshrugged his shoulders. He wondered if he had done something wrong.

"Have a seat," said Harry Gates as he took his place behind the desk. He paused before he added, "Fletcher, I need a favor."

"Anything, sir. I'll never be able to repay you for all you've done for me."

"You've more than honored our agreement," said the senator. "For the past three years, Jimmy has somehow kept his place in the top stream, and he wouldn't have had a prayer without your continued vigilance."

"That's kind of you to say so, but.."

"It's no more than the truth, but all I want for the boy now is to see that he has a fair shot at getting into Yale."

"But how can I help when I'm not even certain of a place myself?"

The senator ignored the comment. "Pork barrel politics, my boy."

"I'm not sure I understand, sir."

"If you become student government president, as I'm confident you will, the first thing you'll have to do is appoint a vice-president." Fletcher nodded.

"And that could just tip the balance for Jimmy when the admissions office at Yale decides who gets those last few places."

"And it's just tipped the balance for me, sir."

"Thank you, Fletcher, I appreciate that, but please don't let Jimmy know that we've had this conversation."

As soon as he woke the following morning, Fletcher went next door and sat on the end of Jimmy's bed. "This had better be good," said Jimmy, "because I was dreaming about Daisy Hollingsworth."

"Dream on," said Fletcher, "half the football team are in love with her."

"So why did you wake me?"

"I've decided to run for president, and I don't need a campaign manager who lies in bed all morning."

"Was it something my father said?""Indirectly." He paused. "So who do you think will be my main rival?"

"Steve Rodgers," said Jimmy without hesitation.

"Why Steve?"

"He's a three-letter man, so they'll try to run him as the popular jock up against the austere academic. You know, Kennedy against Stevenson."

"I had no idea you knew what the word austere meant."

"No more jokes, Fletcher," said Jimmy as he rolled off the bed. "If you're going to beat Rodgers, you'll have to be prepared for anything and everything they throw at you. I think we ought to begin by having a breakfast meeting with Dad; he always has breakfast meetings before he starts a campaign."

"I lost my first campaign," said Senator Gates, when he heard Fletcher's news, "so let's be sure that you don't make the same mistakes. For a start, who's your campaign manager?"

"Jimmy, of course."

"Never "of course"; only select someone who you are convinced can do the job, even if you're not close friends."

"I'm convinced he can do the job," said Fletcher.

"Good. Now, Jimmy, you will be of no value to the candidate"- it was the first time Fletcher thought of himself as the candidate- "unless you're always open and frank with Fletcher, however unpleasant it might be."

Jimmy nodded. "Who's your main rival?"

"Steve Rodgers."

"What do we know about him?"

"A nice enough guy, but not a lot between his ears,"