The moment

It's game night at Arjun's apartment in Bangalore. There's a bowl of popcorn, a box of plastic chips, and one last hand between Arjun and his friend Amelia. Amelia is sure she has won, but she has read one of her cards wrong. Listen for how she realizes it, and for how both of them keep things friendly.

The conversation

ArjunAmelia
  1. Arjun
  2. Amelia
  3. Arjun
  4. Amelia
  5. Arjun
  6. Amelia
  7. Arjun
  8. Amelia
  9. Arjun
  10. Amelia
  11. Arjun
  12. Amelia
  13. Arjun
  14. Amelia

Words to know

it's your turn to act

show me your cards

wait a moment, something isn't right

you were completely sure, but you were wrong

a kind thing to say when someone almost wins

Check yourself

1Why does Amelia go all in?
2What does Amelia mean by "I could have sworn I had it"?
3How do they keep the ending friendly?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line. Round two: mute Amelia and say her lines, moving from confident to surprised to good-humored. Round three: mute Arjun and practice being a kind winner. Then use "I could have sworn" today about something small you were wrong about.

  1. ArjunOK, that's the river. It's just the two of us now. Your move.
  2. AmeliaI'll raise. Actually, I'm going all in. Everything I've got.
  3. ArjunAll in? You've been quiet all night. That makes me nervous.
  4. AmeliaWell, are you going to call, or are you going to fold?
  5. ArjunI'll call. Let's see what you've got.
  6. AmeliaA flush. Five hearts. Sorry, Arjun, I think the popcorn is mine.
  7. ArjunHang on. Can you look at that last card again?
  8. AmeliaIt's the seven of hearts. Oh, wait. It's a diamond, isn't it?
  9. ArjunI'm afraid so. So you've got a pair of sevens, and I've got three kings.
  10. AmeliaI could have sworn I had it. The light in here is terrible.
  11. ArjunNice try, though. I really thought you were going to beat me.
  12. AmeliaFine, you win this one. But I'm not doing the dishes.
  13. ArjunDeal. The loser only has to bring snacks next month.
  14. AmeliaSame time next month, then. And I'm sitting closer to the lamp.

Say it today

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