The moment

Amelia and Haruto work at the same design agency in London. She's been asked to visit the Tokyo office next month, a twelve-hour flight, and she's never flown that far. Haruto grew up in Tokyo and is excited for her, until he sees her face. Listen for how he takes her fear seriously and still helps her say yes.

The conversation

HarutoAmelia
  1. Haruto
  2. Amelia
  3. Haruto
  4. Amelia
  5. Haruto
  6. Amelia
  7. Haruto
  8. Amelia
  9. Haruto
  10. Amelia
  11. Haruto
  12. Amelia
  13. Haruto
  14. Amelia
  15. Haruto

Words to know

very, very scared

stop trying to do something

your heart beats hard and fast from fear

hold something very tightly

it becomes less hard with time

do something even though you're afraid

Check yourself

1What is Amelia thinking of doing at the start?
2Why does Haruto tell Amelia that he still grips the seat?
3How does the conversation end?

Practice · 4 min

Round one: repeat every line in the gap. Round two: mute Haruto and say his lines. On "What part scares you the most?" sound curious, not impatient. Round three: mute Amelia. Say "Terrified, honestly" with a small laugh, the way people sound when they're embarrassed about a fear.

  1. HarutoSo, you're going to Tokyo next month. Aren't you excited?
  2. AmeliaAbout Tokyo, yes. About the twelve hours on a plane, not at all.
  3. HarutoOh. I didn't know you were scared of flying.
  4. AmeliaTerrified, honestly. I'm thinking of asking my boss to send someone else.
  5. HarutoWait, don't give up yet. What part scares you the most?
  6. AmeliaThe bumpy parts. When the plane drops, my heart starts pounding.
  7. HarutoThat makes sense. I felt the same way on my first long flight.
  8. AmeliaReally? You've flown back and forth a hundred times.
  9. HarutoActually, I still grip the seat sometimes. It gets better, I promise.
  10. AmeliaOK. So what do you do when it starts shaking?
  11. HarutoI pick an aisle seat, breathe slowly, and watch something funny.
  12. AmeliaAnd I could tell the crew I'm nervous, right? Is that weird?
  13. HarutoNot at all. They hear it every day, and they're really kind about it.
  14. AmeliaOK. I'm still scared, but I'm going to do it anyway.
  15. HarutoGreat. And I'll give you a list of the best ramen near the office.

Say it today

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