Can we have a chat?

Shadow Liam first. His worry comes out in a rush: "Did I do something wrong?" Say it fast, then let his voice slow down as the good news sinks in. "Me?" should be real surprise. Then take Mia's part. She's warm and certain; stress the evidence: "every new hire", "for months".

1. MiaLiam, have you got ten minutes this afternoon? I'd like to have a chat.
2. LiamSure. Is everything okay?
3. MiaEverything's fine. Three o'clock, in the small room?
4. LiamThree o'clock. See you then.
5. LiamOkay, I've been worrying since lunch. Did I do something wrong?
6. MiaWhat? No. Why would you think that?
7. Liam"Can we have a chat" usually means bad news. And you didn't say what it was about.
8. MiaI'm sorry. That's my fault. It's actually good news. At least, I hope you'll think so.
9. LiamOkay. Now I'm nervous in a different way.
10. MiaKenji is moving to the Osaka office in January. His team will need a new lead.
11. LiamAnd you want me to help find someone?
12. MiaNo, Liam. I want to put you forward for the role.
13. LiamMe? I've only been here two years.
14. MiaAnd in those two years, you've trained every new hire. People already come to you with questions.
15. LiamI never thought of that as leading. I was only helping.
16. MiaThat's what leading mostly is. You've been stepping up for months without the title.
17. LiamCan I think about it over the weekend? It's a big change.
18. MiaOf course. Talk to Kenji too. He'll give you the honest version.
19. LiamThank you, Mia. And next time, maybe put "good news" in the first message.
20. MiaNoted. I'll never send "Can we have a chat?" on its own again.