If you're gonna follow in someone's footsteps, who better than J.C.?

In June, I mentioned that I felt filthy while reading Jessica Cutler's "The Washingtonienne" — the book by the Senate intern who kissed and told.

Part of the problem was that I was reading it in public (on an airplane) and felt self-conscious the whole time.

Cutler — who these days is a published author who jumps out of cakes for money — said that I should have hidden the book inside The Economist. She also told me, over e-mail, that I shouldn't have taken the book so seriously since most of the book's stories are made up.

(Perhaps she claims it's fiction in order to fight the $20 million lawsuit from Robert Steinbuch, who says he is one of the characters. But how can one be sued for libel if one tells the truth? Maybe she's telling the truth that the stories aren't true.)

Anyway, below is my complete e-mail conversation with Cutler. She was kind enough to put up with my questions, and in return I will plug her book: Combined with The Economist, it's perfect for a flight from D.C. to Denver.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to read your book but who feels insecure doing so while sitting in an aisle seat on an airplane?

Jessica Cutler: Hide the book inside The Economist or something.

Your book is listed as fiction. Is that just to protect the identities of the people involved, or did you embellish some of the stories?

Jessica Cutler: It's categorized as fiction because most of it is made up. Like any other novel.

D.C. has a reputation for being a conservative city, clothing-wise and partying-wise. Yet you paint a pretty wild picture. Which is it?

Jessica Cutler: Pretending that it's a conservative city makes it that much more perverse.

Many people found it ironic that you were working for a Republican senator. Are those people just naive to think it would have been less "scandalous" to learn about such escapades coming from a Democratic staffer?

Jessica Cutler: What's scandalous to some people isn't a scandal to me. It's all relative.

Do you think Americans are hypocrites for being outraged at the stories in your book while such a high number are themselves involved in such mischief themselves (drugs, cheating on partners, etc.)?

Jessica Cutler: Who are these outraged Americans? Whoever they are, they're not my audience.

In your experience on the Hill, is it really the case that most staffers don't believe in the policies of their boss?

Jessica Cutler: I hope so. A senator's office shouldn't be a cult.

You don't strike me as being particularly politically active. Do you vote?

Jessica Cutler: No. Waste of time unless you live in a swing state.

Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), your former boss, is up for reelection in November. Are you following his race against Sherrod Brown (D)? Do you hope he loses?

Jessica Cutler: I don't live in Ohio, so it's not my choice to make.

You imply that Washington is a great place for women since it doesn't take much to be treated like a goddess. Is it because D.C. women aren't hot or stylish, or is it because there are simply more men in D.C. so the ratio is in their favor?

Jessica Cutler: Someone told me that women outnumber men, but it didn't seem that way when I lived there. Men tend to vie for the same women. It's the Queen Bee effect.

Is "Snakes on a Plane" going to be the greatest film of all time?

Jessica Cutler: They're not pretending to make a great film, they're embracing its badness, and I think everyone can appreciate that.