Words to know

understand a situation incorrectly

deal with a problem and fix it

do something nice for someone after upsetting them

Step 1 of 5

Listen first

No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.

ClaraOscar

Practice · 3 min

Take Oscar's part first, then Clara's. Clara stays calm and finds it funny; Oscar is horrified and keeps apologizing. Copy her dry reading of the card, then her warm last line. Oscar's "Oh no" should sound like the floor just fell away.

  1. ClaraOscar, a delivery just arrived. From you, I think.
  2. OscarOh good. Do you like them? Happy anniversary, darling.
  3. ClaraIt's a big white wreath. The card says "With deepest sympathy."
  4. OscarWhat? No. I ordered red roses. Twelve of them.
  5. ClaraSo I shouldn't get the wrong idea? This isn't a hint about our marriage?
  6. OscarClara, please. Our marriage is very much alive. I promise.
  7. ClaraI'm laughing, don't worry. But it's a very sad-looking wreath.
  8. OscarWhat else does the card say? Is there a name?
  9. Clara"Dear Harold, you will be deeply missed. From the Brown family."
  10. OscarOh no. If you have the wreath, then who got the roses?
  11. ClaraProbably Harold's funeral. With a card from you.
  12. OscarMy card says, "Twenty years, and you're still the love of my life."
  13. ClaraThat's going to confuse a lot of people at the funeral.
  14. OscarI'm calling the florist right now. I'll sort this out.
  15. ClaraTell them to fix it for the Brown family first. That's more important.
  16. OscarYou're right. Poor people. And then I'll find you some real roses.
  17. ClaraYou don't have to. Just come home early tonight.
  18. OscarI'll be home by six. And I'll make it up to you. Dinner at our old place.
  19. ClaraDeal. And bring the card. I want to read it before Harold does.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.