The moment

Grace and Kenji live in the same apartment building in Seattle. In the first conversation they share a slow elevator on a wet Monday morning and barely know each other. In the second, a week later, they meet in the laundry room. Kenji remembers a detail from the elevator, but not her name. Listen to how he asks without making it awkward.

The conversation

KenjiGrace
  1. Kenji
  2. Grace
  3. Kenji
  4. Grace
  5. Kenji
  6. Grace
  7. Kenji
  8. Grace
  9. Kenji
  10. Grace
  11. Kenji
  12. Grace
  13. Kenji

Words to know

behind schedule, not on time

a soft way to ask a name you forgot

yes, you have the right person

a friendly compliment when someone remembers a detail

Check yourself

1Why does Grace say the elevator "hates Mondays"?
2What does Kenji forget in the laundry room?
3Why does Kenji mention the dryer on the left?

Practice · 3 min

Play each line and repeat it in the gap. Then mute Kenji and take his part. Say "remind me of your name again" with a small smile in your voice; the tone is what keeps it friendly.

  1. KenjiMorning. Is this elevator always this slow?
  2. GraceEvery day. I think it hates Mondays.
  3. KenjiHa. And the rain doesn't help.
  4. GraceNo. I'm running late for a class.
  5. KenjiWhat are you studying?
  6. GraceNursing. It's my last year, actually.
  7. KenjiHey, it's the nurse from the elevator.
  8. GraceAlmost a nurse. Four more months.
  9. KenjiSorry, remind me of your name again?
  10. GraceGrace. And you're Kenji, from the fifth floor?
  11. KenjiThat's me. Good memory. How was the exam?
  12. GraceI passed. Now I only need a dryer that works.
  13. KenjiTry the one on the left. It's the good one.

Say it today

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