Words to know

not know where you are or how to get somewhere

a board with words or arrows that gives information or directions

be discovered to be true in the end

Step 1 of 5

Listen first

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

OliviaMateo

Practice · 3 min

Shadow Olivia first. Asking a stranger for help starts with a double softener, "Excuse me, sorry", said quickly and politely. Then take Mateo's part. He's friendly and a little amused by the building; keep his lines relaxed, and let "Oh" show the moment he figures it out.

  1. OliviaExcuse me, sorry. I'm looking for a meeting room called Aurora. I think I'm lost.
  2. MateoYou're not the first today. Since the remodel, everyone's lost, including me.
  3. OliviaThe sign by the elevator says Aurora is to the left.
  4. MateoI know. And on the left there's a kitchen and a wall. Are you visiting?
  5. OliviaYes, from the New York office. My meeting started five minutes ago.
  6. MateoOkay, let's find it. The new rooms are named after nature. Aurora, Glacier, Volcano, Rainforest.
  7. OliviaWhy not numbers? Numbers would be simpler.
  8. MateoThat's what everyone said. Let's try this way. There's Glacier, so Aurora should be next to it.
  9. OliviaThis one says Rainforest.
  10. MateoHmm. Let me check the booking app. Oh. It turns out Aurora is on the ninth floor, not the eighth.
  11. OliviaBut the sign was on the eighth floor.
  12. MateoI'll report that sign. Come on, the stairs are faster than the elevator.
  13. OliviaThank you so much. I'd still be standing in the kitchen.
  14. MateoHere we are. Aurora. And I can see your colleagues through the glass.
  15. OliviaThey're still getting coffee. Maybe I'm not that late after all.
  16. MateoWelcome to São Paulo. Tell them the sign made you late. It's true.
  17. OliviaI'll tell them a very helpful stranger saved me. What's your name?
  18. MateoMateo. I'm on the finance team, next to Volcano. If you get lost again, you know where to find me.

Say it today

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