Lindsay Majors thought that her father was joking when he said that he got her a job at the office of Congressman Philip Trask. The freshman congressman from Illinois had been the subject of much derision at their dinner table, her Senator father writing him off as an arrogant upstart who just didn't understand how politics really worked.
So, she laughed when he told her about the opportunity, expecting him to roar along with her. But her giggles were met with a serious stare.
'This isn't a joke, Linds,' her father said. 'I think this is a really good chance for you.'
'A chance for what, daddy?' Lindsay asked in a challenging tone.
'To get some real experience working politics,' he said.
'Why wouldn't I just work in your office?'
'You know it wouldn't be good optics if I just gave my daughter a job,' he said. Lindsay had to acknowledge this as true, even if the rest of this situation still didn't make a whole lot of sense to her.
'I don't know even know if I want to be in politics, dad,' Lindsay finally admitted.
Her father looked at her gravely, and then softened. Lindsay knew that he had always wanted her to follow in his footsteps, and that he wasn't too crazy about her making a career as an influencer. But she was making good money endorsing products online, and she didn't really see the benefit to shifting to a higher-pressure career. Her various platforms gave more than enough reach to get out a conservative message, anyway, without the added complications of the life of an elected official.
'Just meet with him,' he said. 'What could it hurt? If you go there and you decide you don't want to work there, then we can just forget about it?'
'But why him, dad? Why this guy who's been nothing but a pest to you and the party?'
Her father seemed to give this some thought, choosing his words very deliberately.
"He and I have been talking, and in spite of all our differences, he strikes me as a...uniquely honest man.'
'W-what does that mean?' Lindsay said.
'Meet with him and you'll see.'
***
In person, Congressman Philip Trask struck a much more dramatic figure. What little Lindsay had seen of him on television gave her the impression that he was one to fade into the background, one of those meek politicians whose name you'd forget in a week. But up close, he was much difficult to ignore. She'd grown up around politicians, and she recognized in him the confidence of someone who believed he was always in control.
His handshake gave her the same impression. It was firm in a way that projected power, but yielding enough that it didn't feel like overcompensation. She had to admit that she was somewhat impressed with his presence, even though she had absolutely no intention of working for this man.
She kept silent as he led into his office, forgoing the niceties that are usually afforded to potential employers.
'So,' he said, sitting at his desk, 'you're going to be my secretary.'
'Secretary?' Lindsay couldn't hide her incredulity.
'Now, now. I know you're overqualified for the position, Ms. Majors. I've seen your grades. Your double major in economics and political science are very impressive, but I do value work experience here. And based on your resume, you haven't really done any relevant work since graduating.'
He said all this with a slight grin that infuriated Lindsay. She stared at him, this nobody from Illinois, this uppity black man with the gall to reduce Kentucky royalty like her in this way.
'This is waste of time,' Lindsay started. 'You know I don't want to work for you, and I can't imagine why you'd want me working here either. Unless you're just playing some sort of sick game with my father.'
Trask flashed her a wide grin. 'Well, I'm going to be completely honest with you, Lindsay. I actually am playing a sick game. To tell the truth, I'm kind of getting off on it.'
Lindsay was shocked by this sudden admission. Was he joking? Was he trying to manipulate her somehow? Lindsay didn't quite know how to respond.
