Mary Marsh's POV

The annual National Association of Women in Government dinner was quite a success. Besides listening to the President speak, and having the opportunity to introduce Josh Lyman to some candidates for my little project, I was amazed to have found a new cohort.

As I looked for my place card, I noticed a dignified woman with auburn hair who looked vaguely familiar seated at my table. We were alone, so I introduced myself and she grinned at me, her dimpled countenance becoming more recognizable but I couldn't quite make the connection, I couldn't put my finger on the semblance.

She said she knew who I was, and was pleased to finally meet the only other woman in America who could put her son in his place. I frowned, as I didn't know what she was talking about, then she introduced herself as Josh Lyman's mother.

I couldn't believe such a lovely woman could be his mother. As the evening drew on, I found myself liking her more and more. I now understood where Josh got his warmth and his wit.

After dinner, she watched him flit about the room and sighed deeply. When I asked her what was wrong, she stated that she was here visiting, and that the President himself instructed Josh to bring her as his date this evening. She then stated that she could now see why he wasn't married, if he abandoned all his dates the way he had deserted her. She then gave me that sly Lyman grin and I knew she was joking. I cautiously indicated that I thought it sad that he hasn't been able to find the right person.

She pounced on my statement and confided to me she despaired of ever seeing him married and having grandchildren. I countered that he is quite a busy man, and probably doesn't have much time to date.

She responded by questioning whether Washington had any eligible, suitable women who would be interested in settling down and marrying. I replied that Washington was full of decent, appropriate ladies befitting a man of his stature.

She questioned whether he would be worthy of such a seemly young miss. I assured her that although his politics were questionable, he was indeed a fine young man and it was fitting that he seek a compatible, pleasant spouse.

She asked if I knew of any such ladies. I told her that I knew of many lovely prospects, and if I were to put the word out to the appropriate people, I could cultivate a plethora of model patricians of Washington.

She questioned whether these fine young ladies would indeed be suitable for her son, or merely be the decorous, eye-candy Josh tends to favor or the abrasive bitches he beds.

We faltered for a moment, I am sure my face was as crimson as hers. We seemed to have gotten carried away in our tête-à-tête and did not mean to pursue that line of thought. We both stared across the room at Josh, who was deeply engaged in a conversation with Amy Gardner. How apropos.

I assured her that there were many exemplary Christian women. She stated that she hoped there were also exemplary Jewish women. I assured her that, indeed there were.

I then explained that perhaps a Republican woman would hold true to the ideals she sought in a daughter-in-law. She declared that she was sure that a Democratic woman would make a fine daughter-in-law.

I replied that Josh tends to date the bleeding left edge of the Democratic spectrum, populated by harridans who condemn marriage and motherhood. We both shuddered as we contemplated Josh united with one of that particular species of shrews.

She asked me if I had noticed any centralist, eligible Democrats who believed in family values. I stated that I did not know of any who were currently available, but I did know a certain Republican who was suspected of leaning a bit too far to the left for certain party members. She was single, never married, available, and had mentioned to me just the other day she felt her biological clock was ticking.

She asked, apologetically, if she was a Christian.

I replied, apologetically, no, she wasn't born again, that she was agnostic.

Oh. We both thought about this, long and hard, considering the possibilities and challenges of such a mission, all the while watching Josh and Amy engaged in a deep conversation on the other side of the room.

Finally, I conceded that perhaps she would not be the Perfect, Political Wife.

But politics involves compromises. And she would satisfy the vast majority of our requirements. We turned and looked at each other, and an imperceptible accord was reached. We giggled like school girls and made a lunch date to plot our strategy.