The moment

Tyler has brought his coworker Li Na to her first baseball game in Chicago. She moved from Shanghai last year and has never watched a full game. It's late, the home team is losing, and she wants to beat the crowd to the train. Listen for how Tyler explains the game, how Li Na asks her questions, and how the small disagreement about leaving gets settled.

The conversation

Li NaTyler
  1. Li Na
  2. Tyler
  3. Li Na
  4. Tyler
  5. Li Na
  6. Tyler
  7. Li Na
  8. Tyler
  9. Li Na
  10. Tyler
  11. Li Na
  12. Tyler
  13. Li Na
  14. Tyler

Words to know

understand something after thinking about it

learn something quickly without formal lessons

be losing by that score

leave early to avoid lots of people

"I agree to that plan"

the ball has left the field; a home run

Check yourself

1Why does Li Na want to leave in the eighth inning?
2What does Tyler mean by "You've picked this up faster than I did"?
3How do they settle the disagreement about leaving?

Practice · 4 min

Round one: repeat every line in the gap after you hear it. Round two: mute Li Na and ask her questions yourself, with real curiosity in your voice. Round three: mute Tyler and practice the compromise line, "Can we stay for one more inning?", until it sounds like a request, not a demand.

  1. Li NaOkay, I've figured out strikes, but why did everyone groan just now?
  2. TylerHe hit it high, but the outfielder caught it. That's two outs.
  3. Li NaAnd three outs means the other team bats, right?
  4. TylerExactly. You've picked this up faster than I did.
  5. Li NaSo what's the score? The board's showing too many numbers.
  6. TylerWe're down three to two, and it's the bottom of the eighth.
  7. Li NaHonestly, should we leave now? The train's going to be packed later.
  8. TylerI get it, but can we stay for one more inning? It's still close.
  9. Li NaOne inning. If we're still losing after that, we're going.
  10. TylerDeal. And the guy coming up next has been hitting well lately.
  11. Li NaWait, he hit it really far. Is that a home run?
  12. TylerIt's gone. That ties it. Now aren't you glad we stayed?
  13. Li NaFine, you were right. But if this goes to extra innings, I'm getting a taxi.
  14. TylerIf it goes to extra innings, I'll pay for the taxi.

Say it today

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