 William Sterling Jr., son of a popular former governor of California, is working as a teacher in the prison system when he is tapped by Gov. Marino, the present governor of that state, to finish the term of the recently deceased senior U.S. Senator. Trouble ensues immediately when it is discovered he is an Independent and not a Democrat, as was presumed by Gov. Marino. Mister Sterling recounts the daily trials and tribulations of a political novice trying to survive in the turbulent, ultra-insider dominated environment of Capitol Hill. He must rely on his instincts, integrity and the knowledge of his experienced staff to get him through. He must also learn when to apply certain "tricks of the trade" and when to compromise if he is going to survive.