Words to know
make less noise
not sleep at all during the night
talk to someone briefly, often about a problem
Step 1 of 5
Listen first
No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
- MayaText hidden. Listen first.
- FelixText hidden. Listen first.
Practice · 3 min
Take Felix's part first, then Maya's. Felix is sleepy and a bit confused; Maya is polite but tired and determined. Copy her careful, apologetic first request, and the shared relief once they realize who's really making the noise.
- FelixHi. Um, it's midnight. Is everything okay?
- MayaSorry to bother you. I'm Maya, from 3C, right below you.
- FelixFelix. Nice to meet you, I think. What's wrong?
- MayaThe noise. The music and the stomping. Could you keep it down a little?
- FelixMusic? I've been reading in bed for two hours.
- MayaReally? Because it sounds like a dance party up here.
- FelixCome in and look. One lamp, one book, one very sleepy cat.
- MayaOh. That's embarrassing. But I can still hear it. Listen.
- FelixWait. You're right. I thought it was coming from the street.
- MayaIt's coming from above us. It's not you, it's the fifth floor.
- FelixThe new guy in 5C. He moved in on Monday. I haven't slept well since.
- MayaI was up all night on Tuesday. I thought you were the problem.
- FelixAnd I thought it was the bar on the corner. We've both been blaming the wrong people.
- MayaShould we go up and have a word with him? Together?
- FelixAt midnight? In my pajamas?
- MayaI'm wearing slippers with rabbit ears. We're even.
- FelixFair enough. Let's go. You knock, I'll smile.
- MayaDeal. And sorry again for waking you up.
- FelixYou didn't. The fifth floor did.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.