The moment

Marcus and Li Na are neighbors in an apartment building in Seattle. They haven't talked in months, and they meet in the lobby on a rainy Thursday evening. What starts as small talk turns into something more real when Marcus notices Li Na seems nervous. Listen for every stage: greeting, weather, plans, family, a feeling, and a warm goodbye.

The conversation

MarcusLi Na
  1. Marcus
  2. Li Na
  3. Marcus
  4. Li Na
  5. Marcus
  6. Li Na
  7. Marcus
  8. Li Na
  9. Marcus
  10. Li Na
  11. Marcus
  12. Li Na
  13. Marcus
  14. Li Na
  15. Marcus
  16. Li Na

Words to know

a friendly greeting after a long time

completely wet

spending the evening or weekend at home

you feel tight and nervous inside

thinking about or checking something again and again

tell me the result later; I care

Check yourself

1What news does Li Na share about her family?
2How does Marcus know something is on Li Na's mind?
3Why does Li Na apologize near the end?

Practice · 4 min

Round one: repeat every line in the gap. Round two: mute Marcus and say his lines. Notice how his voice changes from quick small talk to slower and softer on "You seem a little nervous, though." Round three: mute Li Na. Then play the whole scene once more and try both parts from memory, pausing the audio when you need a second.

  1. MarcusLi Na, hi. Long time no see. How have you been?
  2. Li NaMarcus, hey. Pretty good, thanks. Busy, but good. How about you?
  3. MarcusNot bad. Crazy weather today, right? I got completely soaked walking home.
  4. Li NaSame. I think it's supposed to rain all weekend, too.
  5. MarcusSo, any plans for the weekend, or are you staying in?
  6. Li NaMostly staying in. My sister's visiting with her new baby.
  7. MarcusOh, congratulations. You're an aunt now. How's the family doing?
  8. Li NaThey're great, thanks. Tired, but really happy.
  9. MarcusThat's wonderful. You seem a little nervous, though. Is everything OK?
  10. Li NaActually, I have a big job interview tomorrow morning. My stomach's in knots.
  11. MarcusThat makes sense. It's OK to be nervous. It means you care about it.
  12. Li NaThanks. I keep going over my answers in my head.
  13. MarcusYou've probably prepared more than enough. Get some sleep tonight.
  14. Li NaYou're right. I'll try. Sorry, I've been talking about myself this whole time.
  15. MarcusNot at all. Good luck tomorrow, and let me know how it goes, OK?
  16. Li NaI will. Let's catch up properly soon. Thanks, Marcus.

Say it today

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