The moment

Thursday afternoon in a dorm lounge in Seattle. Amara is helping plan a party for the running club and wants her friend Tyler to come. Tyler has a paper due Monday and says no too fast. Amara doesn't push; she asks questions until they find a version of Saturday that works for him. Listen for the logistics questions and for how "stopping by" saves the plan.

The conversation

AmaraTyler
  1. Amara
  2. Tyler
  3. Amara
  4. Tyler
  5. Amara
  6. Tyler
  7. Amara
  8. Tyler
  9. Amara
  10. Tyler
  11. Amara
  12. Tyler

Words to know

I accept your reason

arrive without bringing anything

more people will make it better

forget to check the time because you're busy

Check yourself

1Why does Tyler first say no?
2What does Amara mean when she says the party is "pretty low-key"?
3What plan do they agree on?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat each line after you hear it. Round two: mute Tyler and say his lines, making "I'd love to, but..." sound warm, not like an excuse. Round three: mute Amara. Then invite an imaginary friend to a party out loud, and answer three of their questions: the time, the address and what to bring.

  1. AmaraHey, the running club's having a party Saturday night. You should come.
  2. TylerI'd love to, but I've got a paper due Monday and I haven't started it.
  3. AmaraOkay, fair. It's pretty low-key, though. Mostly people from the club and their roommates.
  4. TylerWhat time does it start? Maybe I could write all day and come late.
  5. AmaraAround eight, at Sofia's apartment on Pine Street. It's walking distance from here.
  6. TylerShould I bring anything? I don't want to show up empty-handed.
  7. AmaraMaybe some chips? Sofia's making a huge pot of chili, and there'll be plenty of soda.
  8. TylerWould it be all right if my roommate Mateo came? He doesn't really know anyone yet.
  9. AmaraOf course. The more the merrier, honestly.
  10. TylerGreat, thanks. But I'm only going to stop by for an hour or so.
  11. AmaraThat's totally fine. Do you want to walk over together at eight thirty?
  12. TylerSure. And text me if I'm not downstairs, because I'll probably lose track of time.

Say it today

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