Howdy, folks! I'm Scott M. Roberts, and I'm the special guest editor of this issue of Orson Scott Card's InterGalactic Medicine Show. Lemme introduce you to our stories:

In H.G. Parry's "Until We Find Better Magic," a pretty good wizard rescues the world's finest dancer from being dead. That's just the beginning of this charming tale of adventure, magic, life, death, and maybe love, too.

"The Two Kingdoms Woman," by James Beamon, is a lyrical fantasy set in China's past. Sun Renxian is a proud warrior, whose skills are only matched by her ambition for her family. Her brother's ambition matches her own, and his machinations will lead her far from the life she thought to have lived.

If mystical ancient China ain't exotic enough for you, how's about Prohibition-era rural Kentucky? Get there with the help of Marie Vibbert's "The Time Mechanic," a tale of broken time machines, stranded travelers, unexpected mechanics, and likker. Don't hog the jug, now . . .

It's not exactly time travel, but K.C. Norton's "The Far Side of Extinction" posits a world filled with pteradactyls, pliosaurs, dodo, and other wondrous creatures. Pharmacant Tale de Kaant is on the trail of the most wondrous creature of all - the dog.

If you're of a gastronomic bent, let me recommend you to Nick T. Chan and Jennifer Campbell-Hicks's story of "The Temptation of Father Francis." You'll find some good, wholesome nourishment therein - none of that pasty, corporate swill, all gene-modded and guarded by patent police. The food comes with a price, though. Hope you're willing to pay.

Rounding out our IGMS originals is Alex Shvartsman's "The Fiddle Game," which is this issue's audio selection. Maurice the Ghost, former art thief and con man, owns a diner in the anonymous midwest, avoiding the attention of Freddy the Mace, a Mafia-type who has a penchant for magic use and cement overcoats. But some cons are too good to pass up.

And don't miss Darrell Schweitzer's interview with Maurice Broaddus, and the reprint of "Voice of the Martyrs" which first appeared in the Beyond the Sun anthology.

Returning from last issue's hiatus is the ever photogenic Chris Bellamy and his "At the Picture Show: Extended Cut" column. This time, Chris addresses how hard it is to find a good bad guy lately.