Because Arthur Pendleton had been so successful in besmirching the reputation of a troublesome college President, Jonathon Jones, the founder of R.S.V.P., gave him the almost impossible assignment of making sure Reginald O. Bradley, a seeming shoo-in for Governor, did not get elected to office. Bradley, who was planning an entire overhaul of higher education, was an especially formidable adversary because of one important attribute. Whatever charisma was, he had IT: IT, being the ineffable quality, the ineluctable aura, the essence of presence, or, at a less abstruse level, the ability to succeed without brains. He also had the backing of Frank Venale, one of the most notorious mobsters in Massachusetts. In taking on this assignment, Arthur had to use all his ingenuity and resourcefulness to defeat his seemingly invincible foe. Only he was in for a number of surprises.