You are listening to a Clarksworld magazine podcast. I'm your host and narrator, Kate Baker. Welcome to the first story of the month for November, 2024, issue 218. As always, these issues are brought to you by your support. So thank you so much if you have given us a subscription, if you've gone to patreon.com for slash Clarksworld

or even checked out Clarksworld citizens. We cannot do this without you. And I have a huge,

huge, very, very deep appreciation in my heart for those of you who have stepped up and

contributed in any way possible. You guys are amazing, and we literally cannot do this without you.

So our first story for the month is titled Love Home Trademark by Risa Nelson.

Risa Nelson is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association

and a graduate of the Clarion Science Fiction Writers Workshop.

Her magazine sales include Science Fiction Age, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Fantasy Magazine, Pulp House,

and others. Nelson is the author of 24 novels, most of which take place in her Dragon Slayer

World. Her science fiction novels include All of Us, we're Sophie, and the Mosaic Women. She

lives in the Boston area. So my dear listener, I hope that you can sit back, relax, and let me tell

you a story. Naked except for her pink, fluffy robe and slip-on shoes, Dinah stumbled when her own front door

shoved her out into the condo building's fourth floor hallway. As the door's lock clicked shut,

Dinah realized her home had deceived her. She slammed her palm against the rigid door,

instantly regretting the sharp sting that rattled every bone in her hand.

Shaking it as if to get rid of the pain, Dinah shouted at the door,

What is wrong with you? The oval displaying 414, the number of her condo unit, rolled back to display a small speaker.

Not a thing, love. Her condo said in a male British voice that leaned toward a cockney accent,

just doing what's the best.

Ten minutes ago, Dina had come awake and shrugged when she noticed the time had passed

mid-morning.

In her younger days, she'd loved being an early riser, typically waking up at sunrise, anxious to get an early start.

...