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Prologue

ROOM FOR RENT–SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY

Clean, quiet, responsible professional seeking the same.

The Space:

Private bedroom (11x13) with a closet in a well-maintained two-bedroom, one-bath house. Shared access to the kitchen, living room, bathroom, and backyard garden. Quiet neighborhood in Evergreen Lakes, walking distance to downtown, 10 minutes to major employers.

Rent: $750/month (utilities included)

Available: ASAP

Lease Term: Month-to-month with 30-day notice required

HOUSE RULES (Non-Negotiable):

NO PETS. Not even fish. Not even "emotional support" animals unless you have legitimate documentation, which will be verified.

NO SMOKING/VAPING. Anywhere on the property. This includes the backyard, the driveway, and that spot by the side gate you think I won't notice.

NO OVERNIGHT GUESTS. Your romantic life does not get to invade my personal space. Date elsewhere.

NO PARTIES. This means no "small gatherings" that mysteriously turn into ragers. Maximum of two visitors at a time, and they must leave by 10 PM on weeknights, midnight on weekends.

QUIET HOURS: Midnight to 10 AM. I work evening shifts at a local bar and need to sleep in. Your morning routines need to respect this.

CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. Immediately. The kitchen is not your mother's house. Dishes go in the dishwasher within 30 minutes of use. Wipe down counters. Don't leave food out. If I find your crusty pasta pot "soaking" in the sink for the third day in a row, we're going to have problems.

RESPECT SHARED SPACES. The living room is shared, which means I get equal access to the TV. No hogging the bathroom. No leaving your stuff everywhere like you're marking territory.

THE GARDEN IS OFF-LIMITS. The backyard garden is my personal sanctuary and stress relief. Look, but don't touch. Don't water it. Don't "help" with weeding. Don't pick anything. Seriously, I will know.

NO DRAMA. I've had enough drama to last a lifetime. Keep your personal chaos to yourself.

ABSOLUTELY NO FLIRTING. We are roommates. That's it. Professional courtesy only. I'm not interested in awkward "will they/won't they" tension or ruining a perfectly functional living arrangement with messy romantic complications.

About Me:

I'm a 24-year-old bartender at The Lucky Tap. I work evening shifts most days (typically 4 PM to midnight or later), so I sleep in and keep late-night hours. I value my space, my routine, and my peace and quiet. I'm organized, direct, and I don't do passive-aggressive sticky notes—if there's an issue, I'll tell you. I expect the same in return.

What I'm Looking For:

Someone equally clean, responsible, and drama-free. Stable employment required. Background checks conducted through the site. References appreciated. First month's rent plus security deposit due upon move-in.

If this sounds like a good fit, message me with a brief introduction and why you're looking for a room.

Messages:

Troy_Abernathy:Available starting Monday?

Ainsley_Boothe:Hello! Thank you for your interest in the room. To answer your question—yes, the room is available starting Monday, assuming we're a good fit and all requirements are met. However, before we proceed, I'll need a bit more information from you. Could you please tell me about yourself? Specifically, I'd like to know your current employment situation, why you're looking for a room in Evergreen Lakes, how long you anticipate staying, and whether you have any concerns about the house rules I've outlined in the listing. Also, the site requires background checks for all potential tenants, which I take very seriously, so please ensure your profile is complete and verified. And please note that I keep somewhat unconventional hours since I work at a bar, so my schedule might be different from a typical 9-to-5, but that shouldn't affect our living arrangement as long as we both respect quiet hours. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Troy_Abernathy:Construction worker. Thompson Construction. Just moved to town. Need place ASAP. Clean, quiet, no drama. Rules fine.

Ainsley_Boothe:Thank you for the quick response! Thompson Construction—that's great! They do excellent work around town. Welcome to Evergreen Lakes, by the way! When you say you just moved to town, does that mean this is permanent or are you here temporarily for a project? I'm looking for someone who can commit to at least three months, preferably longer, since I'd rather not go through this process repeatedly. It's nothing personal, just that finding a reliable roommate has been... challenging. Also, just to confirm—you're comfortable with all ten house rules? Including the no overnight guests policy, the quiet hours (especially in the mornings since I sleep late), and the garden being off-limits? I know some people find them a bit... extensive, but they're really important to me for maintaining a peaceful living environment. And one more thing—do you have any questions for me? About the house, the neighborhood, the bathroom schedule, anything at all? I want to make sure we're on the same page before we move forward.

Troy_Abernathy:Permanent move. Three months minimum. Longer if it works out. Rules clear. Garden's yours. One question: utilities included mean internet too?