Author's Note- Hey everyone, today's story was actually inspired by my father. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was struggling to come up some writing prompts for the New England states and he mentioned that Vermont would probably be pretty upset that a major NPR personality named Carl Kasell was retiring. Thus this story was born. Hope that you will enjoy. But before we get to that a quick shout out to xXNaidaXx, ThePrussianCross, Fallen Angel1243, Saoirsewolf, BloodLily16, and Melza-cha for being awesome reviewers.

Disclaimer- I do not own Hetalia, Apple, or any podcast, but I have had a lifelong dream of having Carl Kasell voice on my home answering machine.

Downcast

Shortly after the United State of America was first organized over two hundred years ago the states that made up the region of New England began a tradition. They began to organize working breakfasts. At first they would meet once a year to eat, then as transportation got better then would gather once a quarter. When the car was invention the group of New Englanders tried to have breakfast together at least once a month.

Normally these breakfasts were a great opportunity to catch up, to gossip, and discuss politics. When everyone was on their game they were very productive, but if one of the states was having an off day everyone seemed to just stare at their plates in silence. Today, Vermont pouting and her neighbor was getting completely feed up with it.

"Come on Vermont, cheer up. It is not the end of the world." New Hampshire said with a roll of her eyes and Vermont had a strong desire to smack her fraternal twin.

"Like you have any idea what I am going though right now."

"Oh really? You really think that I don't know you well enough to recognize that you are upset about Carl Kasell's retirement from Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." New Hampshire continued to talk ignoring the dagger like glare that Vermont was sending her way. "Sure, it is kind of sad, but at least he is still around to keep recording his voice on all of those answering machines. I keep getting stuck with series where the author ends up dying part way through and I never get to find out how they end. I mean how could Frank Herbert die before finishing the Dune series. The Universe must totally hate me!"

"That is why you shouldn't state reading a series until it is completely finished." Connecticut smirked. New Hampshire stuck out her tongue at her sibling.

"I like to stay current with my reading list" New Hampshire said in her own defense, "and I happen to enjoy a good podcast too. In fact I think I have the perfect solution to Vermont's sulking."

"And what might this be?" Rhode Island said with a raised eyebrow.

"We are all going all going to force Vermont to expand her horizons. No longer is she just going to listen to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." New Hampshire thoughtfully tapped her lips. "You are also going to download this American Life, Freakonomics, and Radiolab tonight. Okay, Massachusetts it is your turn."

"America Abroad, Car Talk, and of course Welcome to Nightvale." The Mass said with a wink.

"Connecticut?" New Hampshire prompted.

"This ridiculous." The state muttered under their breath.

"Come on Cut." Massachusetts elbowed his sibling. "Everyone knows that you like to listen to podcast and audio books when you are comminuting."

"Fine." The state looked thoughtful for a moment. "My favorite podcast would either be the Drabblecast…oh, and then there is a podcast call Podcastle which is also pretty good."

"And they have a sister podcast called Escape Pod which also does wicked awesome scientific episode." Rhode Island interjected.'

"Like the story 'Conversation's With and About My Electric Toothbrush.'" Massachusetts said with a grin.

"That was hilarious!" Rhode Island giggled. "Then there was the one that Pen likes."

"Oh, Pseudopod?" Connecticut supplied.

"Yeah. It is a horror podcast so it is kind of Goth. Pennsylvania tried to get me into it a couple of years ago, but she made me listen to a episode where the president of the United States turned into a werewolf I totally loss interest."

"Okay that seems like a reasonable list started. Maine, do you have anything to add?" Vermont tried to bring the conversation back to the point.

"Always read the plaque." The state said with a yawn before turning his attention back to his bacon and eggs.

"What?" The other states nearly stammered in unison.

"Always read the plaque." The northern state repeated with a shrug while taking a hardy swig of coffee. "It is kind of a catch phrase from 99% Invisible, which in my opinion is way better than Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. I mean what other podcast could not only have an episode on Razzle Dazzle ships but also on Ray Cats."

"Ray Cats?" Vermont asked, her interest peeked.

"You know the plan to make cats change color whenever they were exposed to radiation?"

"No." Connecticut cocked their head to one side.

"Well I guess you are just going to have to download the episode then."

Vermont sighed. Yes, the state was still depressed about the fact that her favorite radio personality had gone off the air, but it appeared that the world of podcasting might provide some suitable replacements.

End Note- Well hopefully you not only enjoyed this short but also discovered a new podcast that might tickle your imagination.